Get out your M & M's!
Rating:
5 / 5
Our heroine, Bel, is addicted to M & M's. After all, it's a convenient way of eating chocolate without the mess. She needs a "fix" especially when she's involved in a stressful situation. There's plenty of those in this book and for those of us who could really empathize with the character, there are lots of M & M moments. Ms. Isenberg uses a lot of interesting devices to move the plot along. Most of the chapters start with an e-mail or letter to or from Bel. This lets you in on what's going on without hitting you over the head with it. I like it!Teacher Bel has a lot of stuff going on in her life. I would have liked a little more about her relationship with Sol. It seems to be relegated to the back burner in this book. This is a character-driven book and the author has created some great characters--most of which would be interesting to meet. The mystery part is a little flimsy but, that can be forgiven because it's fun just reading what Bel and her cohorts are going to do next. I read this book on the plane from Vegas to Dallas and I didn't really mind that the flight was about a half-hour late because I was really into the book.
What a Fun Treat for Mid-Life Fans of Sinatra & Sleuthing!
Rating:
5 / 5
This book is a total kick to read! It's clever and funny, touching on everything from the dubious joys of planning a transcontinental wedding and the politics of community college life to the taste of fresh zeppoles at the Feast of St. Anne and the curiosities of celebrity impersonation--all wrapped in a satisfying murder mystery. And of course Bel Barrett once again shows us the humorous side of menopause, proving that "off the pill" doesn't mean "over the hill".Bel and her sharp-eyed, smart-mouth pals Betty and Illuminada don't miss a trick--or a quip--on their way to finding out who did in the Sinatra wannabe. Even Bel's Mom and her octogenarian buddies get into the act, illuminating other wry and warming aspects of getting older while staying young at heart. This is the third in this delightful series, and author Isenberg grows stronger with each one. Her literate, graceful writing style is a pleasure in itself, but mystery fans will find enough clues, suspects and plot twists to keep them turning pages til the wee hours of the morning. This is just the book to savor while listening to Frank sing "That's Life", "All of Me" or "It Was a Very Good Year". Don't miss "Mood Swings to Murder". It's smooth, sophisticated and sassy--just like Ol' Blue Eyes!
Bel at her Best
Rating:
5 / 5
Mystery fans will be delighted by the latest escapdes of Bel Barrett. In this case, the Belle of Hobkoen and her menopausal sidekicks solve the murder of a Frank Sinatra impersonator in Blue Eye's hometown. This is the third in the Bel Barrett mystery series, and Jane Isenberg gets better and better with each new book. All her mysteries have wonderful, masterful plots that keep the reader in suspense to the last chapter. Isenberg's characters are round, full of life and lives that the reader can grasp and enjoy. Isenberg is obviously a talented writer, and her prose bristles with humor and intelligence, and for the student of literature the subtle allusions here and there are an extra bit of fun. I wouldn't be surpised if these novels became the basis for a movie or TV series. They are great reads, and I'd love to see Bel's Hoboken on the silver screen. A big fan.
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