The Mystery Starts Here

I read and earlier blogged about Loomis’ second book, “Mating Season.” I loved that book! I’ve been looking all ove the place for the first book in the series, “High Season,” so when I saw it at the library I snatched it off the shelf. Surprisingly it wasn’t as good as the second book. Usually it the other way around. The first few books in a series are great, then they start to go downhill – fast. Like the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich.

It was interesting to get the first book that introduced the characters but….you really don’t need it. I didn’t find any new character information. As in the second book, Jamie is trying to have a baby. I didn’t like her it that book nor in this, the first of the series. She’s pushy and selfish. She’s a yoga teacher … but smokes! I found that one hard to believe.

Frank Coffin comes off as more wimpy and not as interesting in “High Season.” We do get to find out, in bits and spurts, how he came to have panic attacks, BUT it was so chopped up and strung out that it wasn’t very effective. The mystery itself was boring and unbelievable. I have to admit, I scanned the last 50 pages or so, just to get through the book.

So far there have only been two books in the series and I’m really beginning to wonder if there will be any more. The book starts with a minister found dead, in drag. Why? Other than that the book takes place in P’town, there was no reason for it. That thread got dropped fairly fast and the mystery got murky from there. Characters got wacked willy-nilly for no apparent reason. In the end, the plot was improbable and implausible. I guess it all made sense, but…it was unsatisfying.

So, if see another Provincetown mystery by Jon Loomis, will I read it? Doubtful.

Watch for my upcoming releases: “An Extra Pair of Eyes” from www.writewordsinc.com, “Finder” from www.wildchildpublishing.com, and “Mind Echoes” from www.whiskeycreekpress.com. I can’t wait – can you??

Okay, I’ve read all 15 of Evanovich’s Stephaine Plum books but after “Finger Lickin” Fifteen” I give up! It used to be I’d laugh out loud at the antics of Stephanie, Lula, Grandma Mazur and the rest of the zanie characters. I zipped through this book in two days and barely cracked a smile. The whole inept bounty hunter gig has grown old and stale. Stephanie hasn’t grown or changed, she’s still doing stupid things and they are cute anymore. Time to retire the character because, sad to say, Stephanie Plum has become boring.

Ranger and Manelli are both still hot for Stephanie. I cannot for the life of me figure out why any normal red-blooded man would be attracted to her. Her actions are not cute – they’re stupid. Sex is great but you still have to be able to converse with a person and Stephanie comes across as dumb. She doesn’t seem to have any hobbies other than eating and blowing up cars. Yup, she destroyed not one, not two but three cars in this book. I still love Lula, but this time around she was a bit gross. The mystery was beyond weak and even the skips Stephanie was after weren’t very interesting.

I used to love Evanovich’s humor so read a couple of books in her Motor series – two, that was enough. Her character is basically Stephanie Plum with blonde hair, living in the south and involved with cars – not the least bit interesting or amusing. So, no more Evanovich  for me.

It you’re looking for a fun, exciting read, watch this space for details on my two upcoming releases in January 2010! MIND ECHOES a paranormal mystery, and FINDER!, a humorous mystery will both be out! I’ll give you details as they become available.