Edited for Death

Amy Hobbes #1

by Michele Drier

Amy Hobbes never expected to solve anything more than a crossword puzzle. When she left her job as a journalist in Southern California, she planned to give the adrenaline a rest. But she needed a job when her husband announced a move to Chicago with his pregnant girlfriend. A meeting with the local newspaper publisher netted her an offer to be the Managing Editor.

She relies on her friend and police reporter, Clarice Stamms, for support and stories. After a respected Senator and World War II hero dies and two more people turn up dead, the news heats up. Both victims had ties to a hotel owned by the Senator’s family. Research into the family uncovers a shadowy figure, also a World War II veteran, linked to the Senator.

The third victim at the hotel is a surprise. It’s a cousin of the current owner—and grandson of the Senator—who’s fallen, or been pushed, from the attic.

Visiting the hotel, Amy and a friend meet an urbane European, a Holocaust survivor who’s spent sixty years tracking down Nazi loot. Amy learns that three people have just died to keep the secret of a stolen da Vinci drawing.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

230 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a page turner. I was surprised at the plot twists. I normally can figure out a story within the first 100 pages. While I could figure out some of the plot others took me by surprise. I liked the history mixed in with current events. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly liked Amy Hobbes as a protagonist, empty nest mother of a grown daughter, who's had a couple of bad breaks with relationships: widowed young when her cop husband is killed on duty, followed by a divorce from Mr. Wrong. The relationship she re-kindles with a former colleague seemed too good to be true to me, bordering on romance genre, but I suspect it's more that I'm not a woman of a certain age who might appreciate those details more than I did.
As with most first novels, the "mystery" angle vies with series setup details, so the ending wasn't the strongest part of the story. In my case, the professional relationship between Amy and her protégé reporter Clarice made for the most compelling aspect. My memory may not be the greatest, but I don't recall a story featuring women newsroom colleagues (Amy does give a "hat tip" to Edna Buchanan as a trailblazer).
I'm looking forward to the sequel that Ms. Drier has in the works, especially if Lee Ann Howlett narrates that one as well. Her Amy voice fits the character well, but I liked Clarice's quite a bit, also - no way you'll confuse the two women!

[Delta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't really my kind of book, but I know a lot of people enjoyed it from the reviews. I found the characters really interesting and the story line really good. I liked how the story switched between the past and the present and the mystery expanded between the two time lines.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a pretty good job. I found the reading really slow, and even 3X was too slow for me. But the characters were interesting.

Not really for me, but a good cozy mystery in history.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly the book was an ok read however the complexity of the novel with the past dates names and scenerios was pretty tricky to keep up with. All in all someone who loves the murder mystery genre will really appreciate the novel. All in all it was a little boring for me but well written.

Majesti Burroughs
AAMBC Reviewer

[Melanie Melancon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited for Death

I gave four stars instead of five because this book just wasn't long enough.It's an easy to read, fast paced story perfect to pack for a weekend trip to the beach or the mountains. I will definitely be choosing more of Ms. Drier's books in the future.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Drier keeps the story moving and is easy to read. I just didn't find the story very plausible. The character development for the main character, Amy Hobbs, was good and created an interest in her as a person. The ebook version has some strange editing, weird indentations like some copy and pasting was going on. There were a few incomplete sentences in the text as if someone meant to take something out and left part of the sentence there. This may be the beginning of a series but I won't be following along.

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should probably be in the YA Genre. It's simplistic, easy to follow, not a whole lotta suspense, and the characters aren't fully developed. The editing isn't the cleanest, but nothing that distracts from the story. It was just 'okay' and readable.

[DelSheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

he death of an aging senator doesn't at first strike Amy Hobbes as monumental news, but when she realizes he grew up in a small town nearby to where she works as an editor the wheels begin turning. In the beginning she has dreams of writing a book about the senator. It might be enough to get here out of small town news and back into syndication. About the time threats start appearing, the body count begins rising, and the possibility of a carefully hidden family secret surfaces Amy realizes getting a career boost is hardly her biggest problem. Staying alive definitely takes precedence.


Edited for Death is an engaging murder mystery. It has a fascinating historical background that draws from the Nazi occupation of Germany and the artwork and precious items confiscated by the Nazis, and in some cases stolen again. I enjoyed learning more about this topic. Drier worked in all the historical elements very well to form a seamless story of both past and present.


Another aspect of the book was the romance between Amy Hobbes and Phil Etange. Their relationship was enjoyable. The two personalities made an interesting mix. It gave readers a chance to see a different side of Amy, something more vulnerable than the on top of things editor. I did expect a little more from the romance, though. When Phil was first introduced I didn't expect things to come together so easily. I felt like there should have been at least a few challenges to their relationship to make it more integral to the story. Phil's incorporation into the book felt a little rushed because him being involved was important to the story later on. Even though the romance was not the main focus of this book, I think his character would have had more impact on the story as a whole if he had needed to overcome something in order to be there when Amy needed him.


The mystery itself was quite interesting. Drier presented multiple possibilities, and did a great job of keeping the reader unsure of exactly who it was right up to the end. None of the suspects were overly sneaky and devious, but neither were they too pious to be taken seriously as a suspect. The characters were real and complex, which made it hard to decide what was really going on inside their heads. I did think the secret that is revealed at the end wasn't terribly surprising. During one of the flashbacks I felt like Drier spelled out what had happened pretty clearly. Amy and Phil knew nothing of the flashback, of course, but as a reader I was pretty confident I knew what the secret was before it was ever revealed. I just didn't know who was behind all the deaths.


As a whole, Edited for Death was a fun murder mystery. Definitely on the lighter side of the genre, which I personally like, but if you're looking for a real gritty crime drama this may not be what you're looking for. The writing was strong, and the book had enjoyable characters. I think it's a series I would be interested in continuing, but I would hope for a little more personal conflict for Amy Hobbes.


Would I recommend this book? Yes, but to specific audiences only. It's not gritty or intense enough for hard boiled mystery readers, and not technical enough to be a strict police crime drama. The romance was enjoyable, but it's not going to be a strong enough element to pull in serious romance readers.


Who would I recommend this book to? This is geared more toward soft boiled crime/mystery readers. I suspect it would lean more toward a female readership than male just based on the main character and her attitudes. Readers interested in WW2, especially the artwork thefts, will enjoy this book. There is some mild language and sexual scenes, so it's questionable for younger readers. Those who are looking for a solid, but not gruesome, mystery with a touch of romance will enjoy Edited for Death.

[T.T. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Michele Drier’s vampire romance called SNAP: The World Unfolds, and when I got the chance to read Edited For Death, I wondered if I’d like it as much as I liked SNAP. I definitely did.

Others have gone into the story line, but I have to say that as a former reporter and editor, I have total respect for how Drier (a former editor and reporter herself) captures the rhythm and beat of a small town newspaper office. It’s realistic, it’s charming and it made me daydream back to a time when I could read cold type upside-down and backwards! OK, so most readers aren’t that old, but even if you ‘grew up’ on an iPad, you’re going to enjoy the setting Drier creates and the very human characters who populate it.

To make the mystery of several murders even more intriguing, Drier weaves it seamlessly with historical events during World War II, together with some fascinating insight into the world of fine art collecting, bringing the relevance of each into a multi-layered story of intrigue, sins of the past and murder.

Unlike one of the reviewers, I did not actually guess the murderer—I was sure it was…oh no, ya don’t! I ain’t fallin’ for that spoiler stuff! But, really, I was positive who killed whom, and I’m glad I write Romance instead of Mystery because I couldn’t find my socks, never mind the killer.

Drier’s protagonist, Amy Hobbs, is a very likeable and strong woman with a subtle sense of humor that plays just right. Intelligently, Drier teams her up with a likeable and equally strong guy, Phil. I liked the romance part of the story, and I liked the supporting cast of characters, too, especially the female reporter, Clarice, who helps our heroine make sense of several apparently disparate killings that wake up a sleepy small town faster than a winning lottery ticket.

Drier’s writing is a dream—it flows, it follows a natural arc of suspense and good character development, and it works for an enjoyable reading experience. Drier is informative without subjecting readers to long stretches of exposition, and her narrative contains everything you would want in a good story: action, good dialog, revealing interior monolog and colorful description.

An added note: I’ve read a lot of self-published books, and Drier has done a great job of making sure her formatting, proofreading and continuity is as clean and professional as her writing ability and story-telling. Let’s hear more from Michele Drier!



Edited for Death

[Audiothing · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Review
Let's be clear, I would never have chosen this audiobook had the publishers summary more accurately represented the content. I wanted a fast moving murder mystery, instead I had a history lesson. I'm sorry to say, but I found this book boring, I felt obliged to listen to the end as it was gifted to me. The main character, Amy, did little to enliven the story, OK, she was starting a sexual relationship with an old friend but even this didn't lift the story. The only lively element is Clarice, how much better the story could have been had she featured as the lead character, her boring old boss could have chirped in from the sidelines. In fact Clarice seems far more suited to the role of sleuth than does Amy, as she comes over as bright, lively and inquisitive.

I did not expect the rather tedious history lesson, which, fact for fact was repeated later in the story as dialogue. I'm not sure which genre would be best suited to this work, but labelling it as a mystery is sure to mislead. Most readers would not expect prolonged tracts of historical fact, I believe the publishers summary should be rewritten to attract readers who will find it interesting
I can't fault the author for her accuracy of historical fact and I'm sure if the right audience is targeted then those readers would be very happy.

Narrator
It's hard, reading tracts of history and making it sound interesting, in fact it's impossible. Lee Ann was given a very difficult job, and she did what she could with the material. However, her narrating skills did shine through. My recording was quite slow, making Lee Ann sound flat, however, cranking the speed up to 1.25 solved that problem. She portrayed Amy as a middle aged, boring woman, just as the author made her, I loved her Clarice and admired her ability to portray male characters.
I'd be happy to listen to more of her work.

I was gifted this audiobook in return for this, my honest opinion

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Amy Hobbes takes on the editor job of a small town Northern California newspaper she expects a fairly easy job. She decides she wants to write a book about Senator Robert Calvert who had died recently. He was a WWII war hero and the famous son of a family from nearby Marshalltown. His family owned the Marshalltown Hotel since the Gold Rush, but as more people with connections to the hotel end up dead, secrets begin to emerge and the book takes a backseat to the daily news and solving the murders. Some of the secrets even lead to a Holocaust survivor who has been tracking stolen goods taken during the war. Quickly the past of the Calvert family puts not only Amy but her friends in danger, simple research could end up with dire consequences.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
An excellent debut!The author’s background in journalism shows in every word and every page. The story was well researched and a bit of a history lesson as well. The flashbacks to the war were amazingly insightful. The settings rich with history. The characters clearly defined. The story builds and unfolds at a rapid pace. There is bit a romance starting for Amy as well which adds another wonderful element. I hope the author has more adventures planned for Amy Hobbes, this is a wonderful start to what could be a very entertaining series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Lelia Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edited for Death
Michele Drier
Mainly Murder Press, October 2011
ISBN 978-0-9836823-1-8
Trade Paperback

The recent death of a US Senator, also a World War II hero, leads Amy Hobbes, manager of a small-town newspaper, to send her reporter, Clarice, to the Senator’s nearby hometown on assignment. Marshalltown, in Northern California, is a survivor of the Gold Rush days and Amy believes the Senator’s story could lead to a book, possibly her ticket out of the dying newspaper business.

Juxtaposed with Clarice’s research is the story of an American G. I. in Heidelberg, Germany, in the waning days of World War II, a story that mixes fear with heroics and a moment’s decision that will have repercussions many years later.

Clarice’s research in Marshalltown brings out some interesting background about the town and the Senator’s family, centered in the old hotel now owned by Senator Calvert’s grandson, but nothing seems to be especially exciting. Then, a death occurs in the hotel, a death that may be due to murder. The possibility of murder, of course, send Amy’s and Clarice’s investigative instincts into overdrive.

The author’s debut novel is nicely done with only the occasional misstep, mainly having to do with why the characters would do certain things. These plotting errors didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the story and connecting World War II to the present-day mystery adds a depth that lifts the book above many debuts. The only thing I didn’t like has to do with a personal preference—I really don’t care for first person present tense—but I’ll look forward to reading more by Ms. Drier.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, November 2011.

[Deb Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery keeps you interested to the end

I am a great fan of Michele's vampire series, SNAP:Kandesky Vampire Chronicles. To fill the time waiting for the next in that series I decided to read her mystery series. Amy Hobbs is a just past 40 woman journalist working at a small town newspaper in California. I have to say that I wanted to like this book just because I like her Vampire series. While it took a chapter to get use to the style I found myself pulled into the story &really liking the characters. Drier writes s well put together book. Her characters are believable and interesting. I kept reading even when I should have been doing something else because I really wanted to go on this journey. As I said, I really wanted to like this book and I more than liked it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Now I am on to the next book in the series, Labeled for Death. Both were gifts but I would have paid. And I WILL purchase the third book in series when it is out later in the year. So start reading now!

[Kait Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hard to categorize. It's a mystery, and almost a cozy, but it's also a thriller as I understand that genre. Amy Hobbs is the managing editor of a local Southern California newspaper. Smelling out interesting stories is her job, and she's good at it. The story of a deceased Senator is newsworthy, but not big news. Coupled to his political career is a history as a hero of WWII. Therein lies the story. Two bodies later and a visit to the birthplace of the Senator makes it clear that there is a link, to the hotel his family owned and now owns again, and to WWII and the holocaust. Amy, her beau Phil who covers the art beat in San Francisco and her reporter sidekick Clarice must solve the puzzle before Amy becomes a victim. Good read, tightly woven story and believable characters. Highly recommended.

[Judy Alter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think small-town journalism is dull? Not for Amy Hobbes and her sidekick, police reporter Clarice. The death of a prominent California U. S. Senator, of natural causes, eventually precipitates three murders, an adventure in the art world and history. And both women find romance, at least for the nonce. Wrapped in the atmosphere of the small towns in the foothills of the California foothills, where tourism and history meet, this novel will have you agreeing with Amy and Clarice that something is really wrong and the murders have to be connected, but how? When WWII history enters the picture, the tension soars...and you'll keep turning pages. The villains--and the good guy--will come as a surprise. Highly recommended.

[Stacy Juba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by Michele Drier that I've read and it didn't disappoint. The author has a knack for drawing readers into the story with her easy writing style and suspenseful plots. Amy was a well-drawn character that readers will identify with, and as a former journalist for a newspaper, I can attest that the newsroom scenes were very authentic. It's clear that the author comes from a journalism background. I also enjoyed the historical elements to this mystery, as well as the romance subplot. If you're looking for a good mystery, check out Edited for Death, which I hope will be the first in a series, and put Michele Drier on your authors to watch list.

[bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would have been okay if it weren't such a mess, despite having gotten an update from Amazon right before reading. The use of present tense for much of the narration makes it very awkward and makes it obvious at times when POV is broken. No way the narrator could have known everything at the moment it happened. The back-in-time scenes add no value, but provide hints to the reader that makes the book not really work as a mystery, because we already know why and have a pretty good idea who also. Add to that tons of missing or otherwise messed up punctuation. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to read the earlier version, when this "edited" one was such a mess.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele Drier puts her journalistic background to good use in creating newspaper editor Amy Hobbes and her intrepid reporter Clarice. The death of a popular U.S. senator in a nearby Northern California town sparks Amy's desire to write a book about him. As Amy and Clarice visit his old homestead, more questions arise than answers, including a mystery that harkens back to World War II. Add Phil, a fellow newspaperman and love interest to share poking around in the senator's life, and you have a mystery that will keep you interested until the last page. Edited for Death is a promising series debut. Recommended.

[Jeffrey Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good mystery and couldn't wait to start reading Edited for Death (I liked the catchy title). I was immediately drawn in by the main character as well as the intriguing storyline, which keeps the reader engaged page after page. However, I had problems with the story's structure, especially the shifting points of view which after the first couple of pages became a little tedious to follow. Additionally, formatting issues and some typos (Cjapter, for example) got in the way of a good story.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice light mystery, set in the Sierra Foothills of California. When several murders take place in the same small town, all having some connection with a historic hotel owned by the family of a politician, the editor of a nearby local newspaper gets interested. World War II stolen art treasures figure into the mystery, and a Holocaust survivor turns up to help things along. Interesting, fun and satisfying.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was different to read a novel that is written in present tense ("I am talking" as opposed to "I talked"), but it was surprisingly good. Aside from a few typos, and a couple of F-bombs thrown in (that weren't necessary to the story), it had a very good plot and I enjoyed the fact that it was a modern/historical mystery (regarding WWII). I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Paul Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out for me was the voice of the narator, the female protaginist, told the story whilst interjecting her own personal story in a conversational style.

I would have liked to have seen stronger motivations for the events but the characters specifically Blomberg were interesting and for us Europeans the novel gave a good insight into life out West.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Rated PG-13 for content. (There are sex scenes but aren't graphic or long but the partners are not married- sorry but I appreciate knowing that before I choose to read a book). Ties together present day with Jewish art that was stolen during WW2 by the Nazis. The writer obviously has working knowledge of being an editor/ reporter. Characters are believable. Story is unique.

[Suzanne Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this mystery hard to put down. The characters, the plot and the setting are neatly interwoven with a smooth writing style that is a pleasure to read. The story is complex and keeps you guessing to the end.

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found present tense a little disconcerting; otherwise I enjoyed this mystery.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town newspaper editor becomes involved in solving a WWII art crime.

[Ed Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the plot line was fairly basic, but what saved the book for me was the historical references from WW2.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable however there was a lot to keep up with.