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Dead of the Day by Karen E. Olson Obsidian Mystery; 2007 (ARE) Mystery; 320 pgs
Completed: 10/30/2007 Rating: 4 Stars
First Sentence: For a dead guy, Warren Black had a lot to say.
Reason for Reading: Karen E. Olson has slipped her way onto my favorite author list. The author was kind enough to offer me an ARE of her book, although I actually had planned on buying a copy the week of release. I still plan to just because.
Comments: I seem to be on some sort of good crime fiction train these days with back to back winners. I do not mind at all. I just hope it keeps up. Karen E. Olson turned up the heat with her latest novel, Dead of the Day. I liked it even more than her last book. There was nonstop action and enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes. Right from the start, it was very hard to put the book down, something I did only because my boss would not take too kindly to my reading into my workday.
Crime reporter Annie Seymour needs a distraction from her current assignment, profiling the new police chief for the New Haven Herald. It comes in the form of a body found in the harbor. What is even more curious is that the unidentified man suffered from multiple bee stings. To complicate matters, when the police chief is murdered on the steps of a local theater, her profile suddenly becomes a lot more interesting. As if that was not enough, someone breaks into her mother’s house. Annie has a lot on her plate, and the more questions she asks, the more complicated the puzzle becomes.
Her investigation leads her to take a closer look at the city’s illegal immigration population, and Annie is determined to uncover whatever truth she can find. Her loved ones do not make it easy for her, however. Her mother seems to know more than she’s revealing, her police friend is being tight lipped, and Vinny, the private detective, and his crime writer brother Rocco are playing dumb. The more Annie searches for the truth, the more someone is determined to stop her.
Karen E. Olson takes readers on a roller coaster of a ride, one where I did not want to let go of the edge of my seat. I like how different each of her books are from one another. While the characters are the same and familiar, not one of the books is like the other. Annie continues to make me laugh, her sarcasm and dry humor striking just the right chord. There’s a little steam for romance lovers and plenty of action for adrenalin junkies. November 2008, the scheduled month for the 4th installment in the series, Shot Girl, seems so far away . . .
Favorite Parts: I love how much Annie eats. In my mind’s eye, she’s a rather fit woman who probably doesn’t gain as much weight as I would eating even half as much as she does, but she eats out even more than I do, and that’s something.
Being in the heart of the newspaper building, back where the printing presses are, brought back fond memories of a summer between college semesters when I worked for my father-in-law at a small newspaper in Central California. I was a receptionist, printing labels, processing fees for advertisements and subscriptions, and answering phones mostly. I remember one day taking a tour of the printing plant with all the big presses, watching the paper go round and round at quite a clip. The paper looks so different at that phase than in its final product.
If you haven't already, hop on over to On Tour: Karen E. Olson for her guest appearance on this blog.
Miscellaneous: Do you read teasers at the end of books? You know the ones. Sometimes publishers include the first chapter or so of an author’s next book at the end of the book you are reading. Excerpts, I think they are called. I call them teasers. I read just about everything else in a book from the acknowledgments, dedications, references, author’s notes, etc. But I do not read the teasers. I understand their purpose, but I hate to be teased and then have to wait and wait and wait to see what happens next. It’s pure torture. I did peek at the excerpt for Shot Girl. Just a little peek. Next November is only a year away . . .
Alice - Thank you! I hope you enjoy Karen's books!
Joy - I think it helps too that the author varies her style a bit with each book. And Annie is a great character.
Chris - I am glad you are enjoying the books as well. I'll be curious to know what you think of Sacred Cows.
3M - Yes, I can see that as being a good reason too. :-)
Stephanie - The author says no and Chris who commented above is actually reading the series backwards I believe, but I would say try and read them in order if you can--that is if you are anything like me and prefer to see the progression of the personal stories in chronological order. :-)
Ladytink - I hope you will enjoy it! Sacred Cows is a really good one!
Karen - I should be thanking you for keeping me so entertained. I dragged my husband to the bookstore today to pick up a copy of Dead of the Day so I could have a final copy. I love the cover!
Melody - Thank you! I guess that is true . . . Although I am not sure I need another excuse to buy more books. LOL My husband doesn't think so, that's for sure.
Let me know if you have problems finding a copy of Sacred Cows online, Melody.
Another great review but now you have to wait a whole year before her next book :) I think that's why I'm trying to take my time a bit. ha,ha. On the teasers... I do read them.
I tore through Dead of the Day the last couple of days and really liked it. The Vinnie/Tom thing was handled well, I just hope the whole series doesn't have her vacillating between the two.
Carrie K: I assure you that the way it ends up in Dead of the Day is the way it ends up. There is no more vacillating, although I can't say it will always be smooth sailing. That's all I can say for now :)
Framed - Yes, that is something to look forward to! At least you won't have to wait so long by the time you get to number 4. :-)
Sherry - Sacred Cows is the first in the series, although you've probably already discovered that at this point. I hope you enjoy it when you do read it, Sherry!
Name: Wendy R. Home: California, United States About Me: At the age of five, Literary Feline was diagnosed as a fabulavore. Due to the low story content of movies and television, she has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance. She currently resides in California with her loving husband, an affectionate cat and a very enthusiastic dog. Literary Feline has broadened her nutritional sources by reviewing books for Front Street Reviews, Curled Up With a Good Book, and Amateur De Livre. Please note: Literary Feline is not a bibliovore. She's not eating the books for goodness' sake. See my complete profile
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Great review, Wendy! I've placed order for this one too at my local bookstore. Will go pick it up this Saturday. :)