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It’s amazing what can get in the way of a good relationship these days—careers, differing opinions, dead ex-wives. . . . For Bell and Jazz, they just can’t seem to catch a break. Bell resorted to buying an exotic pet for love and companionship, but no sooner does she get the little beast home—and get attacked by it—than ex-boyfriend Jazz shows back up in her life. One small problem: he’s the prime suspect in his ex-wife’s homicide. Once again Dr. Amanda Bell Brown, forensic psychologist, steps into the role of sleuth and sets out to annoy and cajole the police department into solving this crime the right way—as in, not letting the real murderer frame the man of her dreams. Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz is the follow-up to Burney’s first novel, Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man. This time around it’s Jazz who’s dogging our narrator, professing love and a desire for a relationship. But Bell’s running scared. Her low self-esteem and overactive hormones leave her totally confused about who she can trust and what Jazz’s motives really are. Is he only in her life now because she’s his alibi? Can she really compare to the beauty of his ex-wife in his mind? The questions keep on coming and the action keeps on twisting, and Bell keeps on sleuthing until she gets her answers—even if the price is alienating all of her friends. My feelings on this book are mixed. It had a great narration, and the mystery was fantastic, but I kinda felt like Bell and Jazz kept kicking each other when they were down. They’d get something together only to forcibly rip it apart, and while I’ll grant the reality of it, by the end I felt like shaking both our narrator and her true love and screaming, “Just be honest and get on with being happy!” Still, if you liked the first one, I’m sure you’ll love this one, too. I haven’t yet had the chance to read Burney’s first novel, so there was some history I’m still not sure of, but other than having to read between the lines here and there, Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz stands alone. I also have to caution the very selective reader: subjects such as sex and homosexuality are very much present, some of them discussed and some of them just there, and the characters’ dialogue is very realistic—not profane, but definitely nitty-gritty when it comes to bodice-ripping passion. I personally have no problem with this, since the whole point of it is the struggle to maintain sexual purity, but it might be too much for some. It’s also not the best choice for someone who wants a definite happy ending; the mystery is well resolved, but the personal conflicts are left hanging wide open, undoubtedly because this is but number two in an ongoing series. Overall, I’d say the witty narration and plot as twisted as Bell’s hair extensions make Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz a must-read for lovers of chick-lit mystery, especially if you like ones with an ethnic flavuh. Publisher: NavPress |
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