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The Dead Sea Cipher
It was the start of a grand adventure in a land of antiquity, a rare opportunity to visit biblical places shrouded in mystery. But in a Jerusalem hotel room a world away from everything she knows, Dinah van der Lyn hears angry voices through the wall, followed by a crash and a brief cry in English...for help! The brutal shattering of an evening's stillness becomes a prelude to terror. Without warning, Dinah has been unwittingly pulled into something unholy transpiring in a sacred city, and she must find answers hidden in the shadows. And she must trust an enigmatic stranger as she races through ancient, twisting streets teeming with secrets and peril, a man who may be leading her to safety...or to her doom.
216 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
194 people are currently reading
883 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Peters
179 books3,297 followersElizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Barbara Michaels as well as her own name. Born and brought up in Illinois, she earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
May 9, 2022
This is a romantic-suspense lite about the discovery of a new book of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the exra secret plot of International bad guys set on finding it.
It’s a fun story where the intrepid heroine has two beaux to choose from: a tall, dark and secretive type and the scruffier academic archaeologist.
It’s kind of a caper film set in the Holy Land circa 1969 with shades of Agatha Christie. A complete set of international travelers from a British widow, a Catholic priest, a honeymooning French couple, a well-known diplomat and others tour through Lebanon and Israel.
The most notable thing is how dated the story is:
Beirut is the jewel of the crown and the happening place in the late 1960s.
Casual mentions of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
The heroine wears a slip. That alone dates it as much as anything.
Another fun story from Elizabeth Peters with a travelogue through the main sites of the Holy Land.
It’s a fun story where the intrepid heroine has two beaux to choose from: a tall, dark and secretive type and the scruffier academic archaeologist.
It’s kind of a caper film set in the Holy Land circa 1969 with shades of Agatha Christie. A complete set of international travelers from a British widow, a Catholic priest, a honeymooning French couple, a well-known diplomat and others tour through Lebanon and Israel.
The most notable thing is how dated the story is:
Beirut is the jewel of the crown and the happening place in the late 1960s.
Casual mentions of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
The heroine wears a slip. That alone dates it as much as anything.
Another fun story from Elizabeth Peters with a travelogue through the main sites of the Holy Land.
January 15, 2022
The basic plot holds such possibility. You've got the collection of mismatched travelers in a foreign land, a secret worth killing for, and several attractive young men with mysterious motives running around to throw the heroine off the track.
The problem is, despite hitting all the right notes for a vintage romantic suspense, this book is also boring.
Partially I blame the long discourse into the history of the dead sea scrolls. Partially I blame the pacing. But mostly I think the heroine's placid attitude towards the whole affair leaves the reader feeling just as unmoved. There are some neat interpersonal twists, but it took till nearly the last chapter to sell me on the danger.
It is better than nothing if you've read through M.M. Kaye, Mary Stewart, and the Golden Age detective authors. But not a place I'd recommend starting.
The problem is, despite hitting all the right notes for a vintage romantic suspense, this book is also boring.
Partially I blame the long discourse into the history of the dead sea scrolls. Partially I blame the pacing. But mostly I think the heroine's placid attitude towards the whole affair leaves the reader feeling just as unmoved. There are some neat interpersonal twists, but it took till nearly the last chapter to sell me on the danger.
It is better than nothing if you've read through M.M. Kaye, Mary Stewart, and the Golden Age detective authors. But not a place I'd recommend starting.
October 9, 2014
Spare me from the idiocy of virginal goody-goody heroines. Because Elizabeth Peters has written some very good books with strong female characters, I am going to say that these books are more of a reflection of the culture at the time (1970s) than anything else. I read this book many years ago and I'm sure I loved it then. I noticed it wasn't on my Goodreads shelf so I decided to read it again. Ugh. Cannot do it. It's intensely stupid and another example the types of books Peters seemed to excel at: Dippy Female Who Falls Immediately In Love With Good-Looking, Goofy Hero While They Are Chased By Bad Guys. I can't even follow the plot because it makes no logical sense. (I know, I know...I expect logic? What am I thinking?)
Dina van der Lyn is in Beirut. She's a singer and will be starting a new singing/touring job soon, but first she's taking in the sights. During the night, she hears a struggle and argument but doesn't know what was said because the language is Arabic. One of the occupants of the room is later found dead and Dinah is questioned about it but says she couldn't understand them. However, because has been practicing Arabic with her buddy the cleaning lady, the police (and apparently the bad guys) are suspicious that she did understand the argument. After this she probably meets her future husband and falls in love with him while they run around Beirut hand-in-hand being chased by bad guys. I don't know because I stopped reading at this point because it was getting too damn dumb.
I don't have a whole lot to add. This book is dumb. Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels wrote a lot of books and many of them are very entertaining. But not this one.
Dina van der Lyn is in Beirut. She's a singer and will be starting a new singing/touring job soon, but first she's taking in the sights. During the night, she hears a struggle and argument but doesn't know what was said because the language is Arabic. One of the occupants of the room is later found dead and Dinah is questioned about it but says she couldn't understand them. However, because has been practicing Arabic with her buddy the cleaning lady, the police (and apparently the bad guys) are suspicious that she did understand the argument. After this she probably meets her future husband and falls in love with him while they run around Beirut hand-in-hand being chased by bad guys. I don't know because I stopped reading at this point because it was getting too damn dumb.
I don't have a whole lot to add. This book is dumb. Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels wrote a lot of books and many of them are very entertaining. But not this one.
May 10, 2015
In The Dead Sea Cipher, Dinah is going on a trip to the Holy Land for and in place of her father. While there she becomes entangled with Tony, a U.S. government official and Jeff a Biblical Scholar. Both are looking for recently found scrolls. Who on the trip can be trusted? Is anyone whom they say they are?
The Dead Sea Cipher wasn't quite what I had expected it to be. While it had the making of the type of book I would typically read.... it was a little too fluff for me. With that being said it was a good read. I think it would be great for someone just beginning to explore archaeology with religious overtones.
The Dead Sea Cipher wasn't quite what I had expected it to be. While it had the making of the type of book I would typically read.... it was a little too fluff for me. With that being said it was a good read. I think it would be great for someone just beginning to explore archaeology with religious overtones.
June 18, 2015
This is one of Peter's early books, and it shows. Still, if you can enjoy old-fashioned romantic-suspense, Peter's ability to create interesting minor characters makes this one worth reading. The dialogue is a little stiff and the ending definitely isn't believable, but again Peter's makes it fun.
Some reviewers have complained about the stupid mistakes Dinah makes in the story, but the truth is she's not the only one who does some careless things.
You can see some similarities between this and the Amelia Peabody books, in the setting and the archeological and historical details, for instance. In fact, if you're a writer you may be interested in reading some of these older books to see how writers can grow. I know I find it encouraging. :)
Some reviewers have complained about the stupid mistakes Dinah makes in the story, but the truth is she's not the only one who does some careless things.
You can see some similarities between this and the Amelia Peabody books, in the setting and the archeological and historical details, for instance. In fact, if you're a writer you may be interested in reading some of these older books to see how writers can grow. I know I find it encouraging. :)
April 6, 2008
I began this one while it was storming outside last night. :) It is okay so far, not too gripping, though, from the outset.
***
This one is getting more interesting, and the setting is a bit different as is the main character and her background. Her father is a minister with an archaeology interest. So, that's pretty neat and different for one of Peters' novels.
***I'm over halfway done with this one. It is good, but more of a historical trip for the reader than anything. The Holy Land is covered pretty well, and there's a lot of interesting stuff about the sights there. The plot and mystery are pretty weak, though, I have to say.
***
This one is getting more interesting, and the setting is a bit different as is the main character and her background. Her father is a minister with an archaeology interest. So, that's pretty neat and different for one of Peters' novels.
***I'm over halfway done with this one. It is good, but more of a historical trip for the reader than anything. The Holy Land is covered pretty well, and there's a lot of interesting stuff about the sights there. The plot and mystery are pretty weak, though, I have to say.
October 5, 2015
Well, the title is good, but this is the least Elizabeth Peters-y EP book ever. Excessively traditional and my loathing for Dinah was complete when she was sorry to have to go to her fabulous job because she would be separated from her Love. Ghastly. The farce at the end was this book's only saving grace. Took me a month to read on audio. The only bad EP I have ever read.
ETA: ok one other good point: Dinah's father can't travel because he is in a wheelchair, but that wouldn't be true today - I was reminded of my mother's participation in the tour titles "Access to the Holy Land".
ETA: ok one other good point: Dinah's father can't travel because he is in a wheelchair, but that wouldn't be true today - I was reminded of my mother's participation in the tour titles "Access to the Holy Land".
October 22, 2010
My second favorite Elizabeth Peters book, right after Crocodile on the Sandbank. This book is a stand-alone, which is as it should be. If you're interested in biblical archaeology, mixed with adventure and romance, you will love this book. Elizabeth Peters' characters are realistic (in a larger than life kind of way -- it works), but they're having so much fun you just want to be on the adventure with them, and you feel as if you are.
August 2, 2018
Coyer Summer Bash
This book is languorous. It makes murder boring and though their is an elemnt of interest that makes you plod towards to the end to see how it all works out. I usually enjoy Peters work but this one was hard to get through
This book is languorous. It makes murder boring and though their is an elemnt of interest that makes you plod towards to the end to see how it all works out. I usually enjoy Peters work but this one was hard to get through
January 29, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. I found DEAD SEA CIPHER an enjoyable listen along the line of Peter’s later Amelia Peabody books (but without the detailed character development gained through a series). It was a quick read and good fun.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Tour of Israel, Lebanon, Syria & Jordon, (including Damascus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Dead Sea scrolls caves & Masada) ~
Dinah Vandelyn is the daughter of an American minister, Biblical scholar & author, the granddaughter of a learned Jewish rabbi. She is an imaginative, single, young singer traveling alone in Israel, the holiday being a gift from her father. On the night of her arrival in Beruit, the occupants in the room next door quarrel. There is a loud commotion and an audible call for help in English. Dinah slips into the hall, colliding into a tall, dark haired, stern and bronze faced stranger that she mistakes for the hotel manager. As she is stating what she just heard, the floor maid arrives explaining that loud, arguing men in hotel rooms occurs frequently and to ignore it. Dinah returns to her room and goes back to bed. The next day, Dinah is informed by the floor maid that a man was actually discovered dead on the floor, in the room next to hers. Before long, Dinah is pulled into a matter of mystery and death.
Comments ~
1) THE DEAD SEA CIPHER, originally published in 1970, is an early Standalone Mystery by Elizabeth Peters written before her Amelia Peabody Mystery series began (The later character of Amelia can be imagined from this book). Considering the original publishing date, I feel it has held up nicely over time.
2) I listened to & enjoyed the audiobook version of DSC nicely performed by Grace Conlin (available free through my subscription service). She quickly pulled me in and I willingly went along for the ride.
3) I recommend DEAD SEA CIPHER to those who enjoy:
> Elizabeth Peter’s writing
> fiction featuring archeology
> certain Cozy Mysteries
> Classic (Agatha Christie) and British Mysteries
> (Mostly) Clean mysteries
READER CAUTION ~ Mostly a Clean read.
PROFANITY - Yes. Very limited (<5x).
VIOLENCE - PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Merely kisses.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Tour of Israel, Lebanon, Syria & Jordon, (including Damascus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Dead Sea scrolls caves & Masada) ~
Dinah Vandelyn is the daughter of an American minister, Biblical scholar & author, the granddaughter of a learned Jewish rabbi. She is an imaginative, single, young singer traveling alone in Israel, the holiday being a gift from her father. On the night of her arrival in Beruit, the occupants in the room next door quarrel. There is a loud commotion and an audible call for help in English. Dinah slips into the hall, colliding into a tall, dark haired, stern and bronze faced stranger that she mistakes for the hotel manager. As she is stating what she just heard, the floor maid arrives explaining that loud, arguing men in hotel rooms occurs frequently and to ignore it. Dinah returns to her room and goes back to bed. The next day, Dinah is informed by the floor maid that a man was actually discovered dead on the floor, in the room next to hers. Before long, Dinah is pulled into a matter of mystery and death.
Comments ~
1) THE DEAD SEA CIPHER, originally published in 1970, is an early Standalone Mystery by Elizabeth Peters written before her Amelia Peabody Mystery series began (The later character of Amelia can be imagined from this book). Considering the original publishing date, I feel it has held up nicely over time.
2) I listened to & enjoyed the audiobook version of DSC nicely performed by Grace Conlin (available free through my subscription service). She quickly pulled me in and I willingly went along for the ride.
3) I recommend DEAD SEA CIPHER to those who enjoy:
> Elizabeth Peter’s writing
> fiction featuring archeology
> certain Cozy Mysteries
> Classic (Agatha Christie) and British Mysteries
> (Mostly) Clean mysteries
READER CAUTION ~ Mostly a Clean read.
PROFANITY - Yes. Very limited (<5x).
VIOLENCE - PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Merely kisses.
March 23, 2018
It was okay. I didn't like the main character as much as I like the Amelia Peabody universe. I think that expectation is probably what skewed by view on this book.
June 9, 2024
I can’t believe I’m DNFing an Elizabeth Peters.
March 12, 2021
I listened to this in audio, and the narrator was quite good. The story was uneven for me. This is another of the very old, original Elizabeth Peters (one of the secondary characters listens to the Beatles throughout the book) and parts of it definitely feel dated. The story dragged for me at times, but I definitely liked the ending.
June 25, 2024
A Bible lands tour with a mystery.
Dinah’s father is a clergyman so it is appropriate that, before she arrives at her new job in Germany, she will tour Israel and Palestine, visiting the Biblical sites there. However, her first night with the tour group she hears an argument that leads to murder in the next room. Because she overheard the argument (in a language she didn’t understand), everyone expects her to have more knowledge of what happened than she actually had. And that is how she got drawn into a tale of murder, intrigue, and dangerous foreign diplomacy issues. Two handsome men try to gain her trust and assistance, but which, if either, can be trusted? With the history and politics of the area as a backdrop, Dinah gets far more adventure on this trip than she had planned.
Dinah’s father is a clergyman so it is appropriate that, before she arrives at her new job in Germany, she will tour Israel and Palestine, visiting the Biblical sites there. However, her first night with the tour group she hears an argument that leads to murder in the next room. Because she overheard the argument (in a language she didn’t understand), everyone expects her to have more knowledge of what happened than she actually had. And that is how she got drawn into a tale of murder, intrigue, and dangerous foreign diplomacy issues. Two handsome men try to gain her trust and assistance, but which, if either, can be trusted? With the history and politics of the area as a backdrop, Dinah gets far more adventure on this trip than she had planned.
October 20, 2024
Of interest for the Holy Land setting - I can't think of any adult fiction I have read that is set in the Middle East.
My review:
https://tinyurl.com/ys5sxba4
My review:
https://tinyurl.com/ys5sxba4
July 3, 2021
I have ."read a few of Elizabeth Peters books, and when I read this one, I said to myself, "Are you SURE this is Elizabeth Peters? It doesn't sound like her writing." (except for all the big words LOL).
Then I realized this book was one of her firsts, written in 1970! Well that explains it...or I think it does.
The story is about a girl Dinah whose father is an archeologist minister of some sort and sends Dinah on a tour of the Holy Land. On this tour, there are a bunch of characters that all seem to play a larger part than the 'minor' characters do... but you have to read to find out. :)
Dinah overhears an argument next door in her hotel room and someone yelling help in English (rest of conversation is in Arabic). She becomes mixed up in the murder and what the 'thieves' next door were up to..
there were two people Dinah was being protected by or followed by... and Dinah had to figure out who was the 'good guy' and who was the 'bad guy'.
I am sure others would find this book enjoyable, but I can't say I was among them. But I do like Elizabeth Peters and historical fiction so I will continue to read...
Then I realized this book was one of her firsts, written in 1970! Well that explains it...or I think it does.
The story is about a girl Dinah whose father is an archeologist minister of some sort and sends Dinah on a tour of the Holy Land. On this tour, there are a bunch of characters that all seem to play a larger part than the 'minor' characters do... but you have to read to find out. :)
Dinah overhears an argument next door in her hotel room and someone yelling help in English (rest of conversation is in Arabic). She becomes mixed up in the murder and what the 'thieves' next door were up to..
there were two people Dinah was being protected by or followed by... and Dinah had to figure out who was the 'good guy' and who was the 'bad guy'.
I am sure others would find this book enjoyable, but I can't say I was among them. But I do like Elizabeth Peters and historical fiction so I will continue to read...
August 2, 2011
Elizabeth Peters is one of my favorite authors! So I was excited to see a book of hers I hadn't read yet. While this book is similar to her "peabody series" it has some of its own adorable quirks. The main character is an opera singer with an ear for languages. After hearing some strange things from the room next door. It starts her on the path to collide with very interesting characters. While at times some of the conclusions the people in the book jump to seem a bit far fetched it is delivered in a completely believable manner. This book is a fun fast paced read that incorporates the old world of the bible with the new.
October 5, 2011
These older books by Elizabeth Peters are so frustrating to read, and this one was no exception! The basic plot is a good one, along the lines of an Agatha Christie, but her characters act in such an unrealistic and contradictory manner that the story just doesn't work. Her characters all seem like adults as envisioned by a twelve-year-old. There are gaps in the story where actions and situations aren't explained, sort of like a badly-edited movie. Her writing definitely improved with time, but these earlier efforts are disappointing.
February 25, 2022
Interesting caper! I liked the unique setting and assuredly Different tone this novel took than the average "whodunnit". It didn't blow my mind but I did enjoy it. One note: Suddenly the heroine had declarations of love near the end that took me off guard. This book was written in the 70s and I feel that may have played a part in this, but I guess as someone who is a lot more slow to declare such devotions I found it alarming. LOL. But a small quibble and not one that ruined my enjoyment at all.
Read
December 11, 2014This story moved slower than molasses in January, and oh so boring. I tried to pick out things which kept my interest but alas found nothing worthwhile. Some of the places described the author were awesome but all in all this was a 'did not finish' for me.
Should I be inclined someday that I want to try again, I do have this paperback on my keeper shelf at home. But for now, this audio is going back to the library.
Should I be inclined someday that I want to try again, I do have this paperback on my keeper shelf at home. But for now, this audio is going back to the library.
March 11, 2020
Dinah is on a trip to the Holy Land that she and her father had always dreamed of. While she is there she hears something from the room next door at the hotel. When she is near where the body is finally found, she becomes a target for the murderer and she pairs up with another man to find out what was hidden.
The story was the same as the Amelia stories - strong woman drawn to a strong man who doesn't show too much interest in women.
The story was the same as the Amelia stories - strong woman drawn to a strong man who doesn't show too much interest in women.
September 21, 2015
This is one of the first books written by Elizabeth Peters. The Dead Sea Cipher (1970) is weak both in plot and in writing. The only good reason to read it is to compare it to Peters' later work. "Borrower of the Night", published only three years later, has none of The Dead Cipher's faults and all the signs of future greatness.:)
October 31, 2019
"Read" this via the audiobook and I wouldn't recommend that method. Still, it wasn't too deep a plot and I didnt end up caring about any of the characters, which is rare for a Peter's book. I saw this was one of her earliest books, which likely plays into it.
July 20, 2015
Great suspense and action. Very heavy into Bible of which I am not but still held my interest and looking for more from Elizabeth Peters.
August 12, 2017
Ugh! Just wasted 8 hours of my life.
April 8, 2019
I enjoyed the setting of the novel but this was the weakest female character I have ever come across in an Elizabeth Peters book.
March 18, 2023
Between the 666 Challenge and the March theme of ancient cultures, this little book seemed a good choice for a quick read. I have enjoyed other books by this author, particularly her Egyptian archeological series. This book had the archeology angle, as well as travel and intrigue and minor romance. I was a little skeptical in the first chapter, but it got better as it went on.
I'm glad that I saw the copyright date early on and discovered that this book is a year older than I am. That helped me be more patient with the way women are depicted in this book. I was surprised and pleased that Dinah was smarter than I was giving her credit for. The solution of the "mystery" made decent sense particularly based on the state of the world at the time it was written. But for a performer on the cusp of her first chance at stardom, she seems completely uninterested in her job and she doesn't seem to have discussed with others on the trip that she's an opera singer. And she is entirely too focused on putting on a good act for the guy she's with, even in perilous situations. So mot exactly a feminist but she does have some spunk.
I'm glad that I saw the copyright date early on and discovered that this book is a year older than I am. That helped me be more patient with the way women are depicted in this book. I was surprised and pleased that Dinah was smarter than I was giving her credit for. The solution of the "mystery" made decent sense particularly based on the state of the world at the time it was written. But for a performer on the cusp of her first chance at stardom, she seems completely uninterested in her job and she doesn't seem to have discussed with others on the trip that she's an opera singer. And she is entirely too focused on putting on a good act for the guy she's with, even in perilous situations. So mot exactly a feminist but she does have some spunk.
August 8, 2019
So Mom and I loved the book, but boy was it a long read. I think it was because Mom and I read it over vacation, and only read it after we were done with our long day. Meaning nine times out of ten Mom fell asleep well reading it. It also didn’t help that the book did have some long historical text book descriptions running through out it.
Any how it over all was a good read. The description of the setting was so solid mom felt she was in the Middle East multiple time, along with visiting historical sight and getting background history on the place we were visiting made you feel you were really seeing these place. Mom would have loved to actual pictures to go with the place but still the description was enough for the imagination to build a full image.
As for the story it was good, but as mom stated above was slow moving due to the long historical descriptions throughout, though Mom found it to be part of the books charm. She also felt that she liked the slow read which was powdered through out with some fun action scenes.
Over all a memorable, immersive read.
Any how it over all was a good read. The description of the setting was so solid mom felt she was in the Middle East multiple time, along with visiting historical sight and getting background history on the place we were visiting made you feel you were really seeing these place. Mom would have loved to actual pictures to go with the place but still the description was enough for the imagination to build a full image.
As for the story it was good, but as mom stated above was slow moving due to the long historical descriptions throughout, though Mom found it to be part of the books charm. She also felt that she liked the slow read which was powdered through out with some fun action scenes.
Over all a memorable, immersive read.
September 27, 2021
Travel in the Biblical lands is an adventure, not a vacation, and can be a test of endurance, mentally as well as physically. This exciting romantic archeological tale makes that quite clear. The author's degrees in Egyptology and first hand knowledge of those lands are evident.
Dinah joins a small diverse group for her grand tour, which soon turns dangerous when a murder in the Beirut hotel room next to hers leads everyone to think that she overheard something of vital interest. As her tour progresses her problems with inquisitors increases, and becomes dangerous beyond the usual dangers associated with traveling there. She begins to wonder about her small group of travel companions that she calls The Crowd, wondering who among them are spies. Nevertheless, she persists in getting as much satisfaction and pleasure as she can from visits to ancient sites most can only dream of.
Elizabeth Peters was a very prolific writer whose adventures are filled with mystery and intrigue.
Dinah joins a small diverse group for her grand tour, which soon turns dangerous when a murder in the Beirut hotel room next to hers leads everyone to think that she overheard something of vital interest. As her tour progresses her problems with inquisitors increases, and becomes dangerous beyond the usual dangers associated with traveling there. She begins to wonder about her small group of travel companions that she calls The Crowd, wondering who among them are spies. Nevertheless, she persists in getting as much satisfaction and pleasure as she can from visits to ancient sites most can only dream of.
Elizabeth Peters was a very prolific writer whose adventures are filled with mystery and intrigue.
June 18, 2022
This one probably deserves more than 3 stars but I've really over indulged on Elizabeth Peters stand-alones in the last few weeks and am getting sick of them. They're even becoming a bit formulaic with the knowledgeable but naïve young heroine, the (usually dark) initial-love-interest who is a villain and the (usually blonde) follow up sketchy male character who is the actual love interest and hero.
The author's intelligence is a great saving factor when the books get boring (though I can see how that, itself, could be boring) in plot and keep things interesting with lots of historical facts and theories and nerdy fantasy.
In any case, I think I will switch to her other pen name (Barbara Michaels, I think) and gothic novel writings for a change up from "the usual" to give myself a break.
The author's intelligence is a great saving factor when the books get boring (though I can see how that, itself, could be boring) in plot and keep things interesting with lots of historical facts and theories and nerdy fantasy.
In any case, I think I will switch to her other pen name (Barbara Michaels, I think) and gothic novel writings for a change up from "the usual" to give myself a break.
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