[bookcover:Death by the Book|18008076]

Death by the Book, Julianna Deering

★ ★

This is the 2nd book I've read (and it is #2 in the series), but I read it after the 3rd one. Had I read this before #3, "Murder at the Mikado", I would not have read #3.

I do not like the female characters, Madeline, Drew's soon to be wife, nor do I like her Aunt Ruth. Madeline is wishy-washy & Aunt Ruth is an ungracious bullying old bat.

Drew & his friend Nick are good characters, dependable, and insightful.

I also did not like the spurts of "christianity" dogmatic preaching in the book, which was not so obvious in #3. I'm thinking Bethany Press is a "christian" press and I need to further avoid it.

Plot Line: Drew, Nick & Madeline are drawn in to investigate the murder of a lawyer, who was to have met his paramour in a local hotel. He is found dead with a note in scrolled writing pinned to his chest w/ a hat-pin, his wedding ring missing.

The 2nd murder is that of a doctor, with a similar note pinned to his chest by hat-pin, his cigarette case missing, but the lawyer's wedding ring in his pocket.

The 3rd murder is that of a flashy young woman, strangled, with note pinned to her w/ a hat-pin. The doctor's cigarette case found in the pocket of her companion's possession

A visiting American is being set up to woo Madeline by Aunt Ruth, but soon he too is found murdered... and in the cottage's kitchen that Aunt Ruth shares w/ Madeline.

Soon, Drew, himself, is targeted......

The story line was interesting (+1 star), but those several things that I disliked, really killed the book & series for me. ( )

3.5 stars

Another outing for the delightful Drew Fathering brings the inevitable mystery, and large serving of intrigue and a helping of romance… as well as the return of some other memorable characters. The indomitable Chief Inspector Birdsong, loyal and ever-reliable Nick Dennison and of course the lovely Madelaine Her formidable Aunt Ruth also makes a dramatic entrance, determined take Madelaine back to America and away from the supposedly harmful influence of Drew.

He however has proposed to her, and is determined to stay at Fathering Manor until she makes a decision. Of course, the genre being what it is murder soon ensues and all the inhabitants are caught up in another investigation. Its hard for thus mystery buff to fault the story itself with the collection of cryptic clues, red herrings, false leads, assorted suspects and motives, and an unexpected culprit.

However, as with the last installment Death by the Book I couldn’t help feeling the body count was rather high. It almost seemed as though when the pace of the book began to slow, another murder was thrown in to maintain interest- and that for me is not necessary or pleasant.
Also, there seems to be an awful lot of crime and intrigue for a small Hampshire village-considering how even today the city if Winchester. prides itself on being one of the safest places in the UK- with one of the lowest crime rates.
That said, I did take some pleasure from the regional setting, recognizing some of the Winchester streets.

Also, again I didn’t feel Drew and Madelaine’s behaviour was entirely consistent or logical. Aunt Ruth wanted to keep them from doing anything inappropriate. considering how they seemed to constantly end up kissing or displaying more intimacy than would have been acceptable between and unmarried couple at the time. Though they insist they’re not doing anything wrong – and generally are not- and protest much I for one could not help siding with Aunt Ruth as the moderating influence.

There was also the Christian content. Not ‘in your face’ or cliched, but sometimes hardly there at all. Its touching that Drew uses his new-found faith to help people, or say a timely word here and there, but I didn’t like the way that often misquoted and misunderstood scripture passages were used. I have been taught for instance Jesus didn’t condemn the woman caught in adultery because he had not witnessed the act- but he also told her to ‘go and sin no more’.
It seems to me many Christians ignore that part of the passage.
In my opinion it is not ‘judging’ or unchristian to tell a person their actions are wrong, harmful or damaging if that is the case.
Finally, whilst the American author generally did a spiffingly good job of accurately representing the speech and accent of the English characters without too many stereotypes there were one or two noticeable errors. For instance Drew and Nick say ‘someplace’ rather than ‘somewhere’ which is the term commonly used in Britain.

Overall, a good mystery with more than a passing nod to the classics, but also one which left me unsure whether I want to continue with the series. To see Drew and Madelaine’s relationship develop perhaps, but not if there are quite so many murders….

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for approving my request for this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not obliged to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
( )

This is Julianna Deering’s 2nd book in the The Drew Farthering Mystery series. The first was Rules of Murder. I would definitely recommend starting there to get to know the characters, their relationships and the setting better.

Aunt Ruth (Madeline’s aunt from America) has unexpectedly shown up. She’s worried about Madeline and suspicious of Drew’s intentions. Although a great twist to throw into their whirlwind romance, it also causes some separation in the witty crime-fighting trio from book 1 — Drew, Madeline and Nick, Drew’s best friend.

I was excited about this series. It’s been clean with good messages throughout - the kind of books I wouldn’t mind passing along to my family or friends. I love the setting - both time and location. The characters of this small English town are quirky additions. However, I haven’t been truly won over as a fan. However, on a positive note, all the book covers have been very creative! :)

…But it was truly a surprising ending! I wasn’t expecting that!

And you?

I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. ( )

Death by the Book was everything I hoped it would be. The author did a fabulous job creating a cast of both main and secondary characters with a sprinkling of extras. I felt immersed in the story as the main character, Drew Farthering traveled about the village of Farthering St. John and nearby towns investigating a string of murders while still finding time to court the enchanting Madeline Felicity Parker. Drew and the constable try to decipher the cryptic clues left at the scene of each crime in the form of a note, but nothing seems to be making any sense and the only leads, leading no where at all.
One of the things I loved most about the book is that it kept me guessing until the very end, even after I thought I had it figured out. I also loved the superb job the author did transporting the reader back into the days of the 1930's.
This was the first book I've read by Julianna Deering but I'll be reading her first book, Rules of Murder, very soon. I would definitely recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion ( )

Having been won over by our hero in British mystery,
RULES OF MURDER
I awaited book 2 with MUCH anticipation.

DEATH BY THE BOOK
[beside the gorgeous vintage cover art]
solidified my reading relationship with the suavely sophisticated sleuth, adding author Julianna Deering's writing as a definite
mystery 'go to' for this reader.
*
Characterizations are uniquely interesting -
beside the delish Drew! His girlfriend, an American
we met in Rules of Murder, holds her cards close regarding their
relationship. Drew proves himself more than capable of the challenge, when new arrival, the boisterous aunt Ruth, determines what the two need is some space between them and sets about insuring that reality, even if it means a return voyage to America!
*
Ms Deering is adept at witty colloquialisms and banter
of the 1930's era establishing authenticity and providing much humour to lighten the topic!
Though the book's theme is focused on the multiple murders, the scenes are well drawn without offputting graphic descriptions. The relational aspects appear to be the focus and well developed at that.
*
Drew finds himself included in the murder investigation
by the attending Scotland Yard Inspector when Drew's afternoon appointment turns up a dead solicitor .
Add several red herrings and we're off on a merry murderous chase
in the city, at his country club - even at his home in the idyllic English countryside of Farthering St. John.
*
Descriptive home scenes of this wealthy bachelor's country estate centre me in the setting yet increase the tension as the investigation continues unsolved. Intrigue, and to spare, as the murderer's toll arrives on Drew's very doorstep...
and a stunning conclusion shakes you to the core!
*
I won't spoil a moment of your fun as you reach for your own copy to discover all the antics and intrigue
of this captivating teaser from Julianna Deering.
*
Just don't miss it!

*Note - Death by the Book definitely works standalone as all characters are well linked with references to Rules of Murder and nothing lost in translation.
Go ahead and enjoy!

*Appreciation to Bethany House for providing an ecopy to read and review without compensation. ( )