Jerrilyn Farmer

In the years before I started tracking my reading in the mid 2000's I'd read this book several times, but it's obviously been sitting on the shelf, neglected ever since, because I have no record of a review for it.

This came out in the heyday of the cozy mystery, before big publishing corrupted the sub-genre into a cash-cow, cookie-cutter formula. Madeline Bean and her partner Wesley own a catering company that's hip with the Hollywood crowd, throwing parties for the rich and infamous. When their latest client is killed, Wesley's old grudge with the man makes him look like the best suspect.

Farmer write a hell of a mystery. It's fun, it's cozy, it's fast-paced and the dialog is witty, intelligent and engaging. These are characters one would choose to be friends with. And the Huntley family is diabolically dysfunctional in ways that are hard to imagine unless you watch a lot of entertainment news.

The plotting was fascinating. So many promising, legitimate possibilities and so many red herrings. The climax is dramatic but well done - not overplayed - and the murderer was a surprise.

I enjoyed every book in this series, until it was cut short for reasons never explained; I've always been disappointed that it ended long before its time, but thankful that I have them all on my shelves to revisit.… (mehr)

I read this book when it first came out over 20 years ago, and I loved it. I've re-read it since a couple of times, but never after I started writing my thoughts down, so I picked it up again this week and I have to say it ages perfectly. Farmer was a talented writer who wrote great mysteries and very real characters you'd be happy to call friends.

Immaculate Reception is the re-imagining of the very real happenings of the Catholic church in the 1930's, specifically a document called Humani generis unitas (On the Unity of the Human Race). This document was a draft for an encyclical planned by Pope Pius XI before his death on February 10, 1939. It condemned antisemitism, racism and the persecution of Jews. Because it was never issued, it is sometimes referred to as "The Hidden Encyclical" or "The Lost Encyclical." Farmer also ties some Nazi stolen treasure stories into the mix for a breathtaking ending. This might all sound over the top and Indiana Jones, but it's definitely not. But it's a great story that can leave invested readers questioning the line between heroism and villainism. It's also - in between all that - a fun, lighthearted book.… (mehr)

I love this book, it holds up so well to re-reading. Part of what makes the story so fascinating is what the author shares in her acknowledgements at the start of the book. A chance meeting with a fascinating gentleman in a crammed hotel breakfast room, and the background of this book is born.

Maddie and friends are temporarily shut down while they battle a non-compete clause being upheld by the company that bought out their now defunct catering business. The premiere wedding planner in LA wants out and thinks if she acts like Maddie is buying her out, then Maddie actually will. All of this culminates in Maddie and co. being invited to a wedding at the Natural History Museum, where she finds a dead body draped over the main dinosaur display. Trying to be nice and lend a helping hand to the deceased's family, she stumbles on an amazing story involving smuggling and a fabulous treasure, of sorts.

What also makes this a great story is that it was written at a time when a cozy could be a cozy without being so far up its own prudish backside that it doubled as a See Jane Run story for children. Sex scenes are modest, but the author isn't afraid to use f bombs judiciously and where they're most effective. This book's characters read like they could be real people in the real world, and they're the kind you'd see yourself liking.
It's nice to see an old favorite can remain a favorite after 20 years.… (mehr)

I know I've read this book before.... but I reread it, as I obviously didn't remember too much about it.

Madeline Bean has just finished catering a huge charity in L.A. for a private music school.... One of her employees' car broke down, so she borrows Maddie's car to get home and Maddie hitches a ride w/ one of the event chairs.

During the event, Maddie comes across her neighbor, whose personal papers she found scattered across her yard... she approaches him in order to return them, he & his girlfriend fly into a rage, accusing her of stealing and trying to blackmail him.

The grand auction prize, a Selmer Mark VI in pristine condition being auctioned off, disappears after the auction... The winner (event chair's husband) goes into a rage and chases down his competitor bidder (w/ Madeline in tow).

Maddie convinces the driver to drop her off downtown.... as she is walking home, the driver's brother-in-law shows up to give her a ride home w/ apologies from his sister the event chair... They hit it off and go to eat at the pantry....

When they finally arrive at Maddie's home they find the police, ambulance, crime scene and the employee who borrowed Maddie's car murdered in Maddie's bed....

Romance, the soap of being a rich man's trophy wife, jealousy, murder, food/catering, house renovation, & insurance fraud play for a pretty interesting story....

Not by any means a "cozy", this book held my interest and I'll even read another.....… (mehr)