The Sour Cherry Surprise

Berger and Mitry #6

by David Handler

Something has gone very wrong on bucolic Sour Cherry Lane. A straight-arrow high school student has started throwing wild sex parties. The distinguished history professor across the lane has gone missing. His estranged wife, a popular author of children’s books, is strung out on crystal meth. And the new man in her life is under surveillance by a joint federal and state drug task force.

It’s not exactly a day in Yankee paradise for Desiree Mitry, the alluring resident trooper of Dorset, Connecticut. Especially when you throw in those unwelcome fainting spells she’s been having ever since she broke it off with pudgy New York film critic Mitch Berger and took up again with her ex-husband, U.S. Attorney Brandon Stokes.

Mitch has moved on with his life, saying good-bye to Dorset and hello to a new high-profile television career. Not to mention a newly slimmed-down and styled self. Des is completely out of his system. Or so Mitch thinks.

Des, meanwhile, is furious to discover that a major drug cartel has been operating in Dorset right under her nose. Matters escalate when one of those troubled Sour Cherry Lane residents turns up dead. Des pursues the case in her own way. The problem is that her way gets her in way too deep. And there’s only person who can possibly get her out.

The question isn’t whether Mitch will ride to her rescue. The question is whether the two of them will live to tell about it.

The newest in this solidly entertaining series promises more twists and turns for the likable odd couple, and an astounding, heart-pounding conclusion.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Interracial Romance, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Romance

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2008

About the author

AKA Russell Andrews (with Peter Gethers)

David Handler, who began his career in New York as a journalist, was born and raised in Los Angeles and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, Kiddo and Boss, before resorting to a life of crime fiction.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this whole series and I adore it, I may not have put them all on here, but they all get four or five stars

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this super quick installment in one day. Handler made me worry throughout the entire story while still adding humor along with the crime. I love this cozy mystery series and was glad to pick it back up.

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[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a couple of other books in a different series by this author. Like them, this is pretty light and occasionally feels a bit silly. Decent mystery and an OK way to spend a couple of evenings. Beyond that, not much there.

[Jenene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and all of the quirky characters!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She DUMPED him! OhMG!

Gah! She dumped him! She DUMPED him! The question is, how are they going to get back together? And if they do, will anything have changed? You’ll have to read to find out.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I didn't agree with a main plot line, the whole book came together very well at the end, including a surprise murderer (to me)!

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun mystery cozy.

[Pammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult to write much at all regarding this #6 of the series...that is, without giving spoiler alerts!
We find Mitry deeply involved in conjugal activities with her ex-husband. The poor readers' world is topsy- turvy, with Berger back in New York City (eating healthy, exercising, and..... getting his eyebrows waxed!) and bedding a former ballet dancer! Bella the Jewish mother to everyone she's in contact with is living on Big Sister Island in Mitch's old cottage. The world as we know it is off its axis!!!
Now, with all that nonsense playing out, there HAS to be a murder. Des finds out a drug cartel is operating in Dorset right under her nose. She pursues the case.. bumps into her ex, since he's the US District attorney involved, finds a dead body, and gets in way too deep.
And it's Mitch to the rescue!

[Liz Clappin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different feel obviously than the rest of the series, not just because Berger and Mitry aren't... well Berger and Mitry, but also because the murder is almost peripheral to the plot line. The characters are very well done, grabbing at the sympathetic readers heartstrings as does the star crossed lovers plot, however other than that it's fairly lackluster. The meth plot feels straight out of Breaking Bad (they debuted the same year not so coincidentally) and it felt marathon paced. Overall while I'm sure everyone is happy to see the dynamic duo back together it was a rather sappy road back.

[Jenn Mull · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story featuring the beloved Mitch and Des: crime-fighting duo of the north east. Unfortunately, this one didn't have a great copyeditor. The story had several typos (mostly small connector words like the, on, and to were completely missing) and lots of sentence fragments (which I realize is a writing style, in this case, not necessarily a bad editor). Anyway, here's hoping the next one's back up to 4 stars.

[Carol L. Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my introduction to Des and Mitch, long into the series, but I didn't feel left out because Handler gave enough information so I knew what was going on. I liked the characters, especially Molly. There were a few places where the action slowed down, but I guess the progress was necessary for the story. The mystery had a catch that was unexpected.

[BRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite sure what it is about this author's books, but I can't seem to read them slowly. His characters become like familiar old friends whom, when you're spending time with them, the time just flies by. I was very unhappy with the relationship status at the beginning of the book, but the mystery is good with action and emotion.

[Susan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book and a very fast read. The story was comfortable, as I could relate to many of the characters from the previous books. The story, mostly about drugs, was interesting with a nice twist at the end. The personalities of Berger and Mitry are engaging and believable. I will continue to read this series.

Borrowed from the Public Library in Savannah, GA.

[Hrn1947 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best on yet. I️ like that you never have to experience the bad stuff first hand. You always get it second or third hand, it takes the sting and sometimes horror a bit away. The endings are great in that the obvious is always wrong.

[Sonia Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in this series so far. Good action, suspense, lines. Des Mitry is captured and Mitch rescues her with 9 year old Molly’s help. He realizes he doesn’t want to be a star and Des realizes she wants to stay in Dorset.

[Elizabeth Tysdal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hard one to read because Desiree returned to her ex-husband, and Mitch moved back to New York. I was heart broken. 😢 It was a very exciting and fast paced tale with lots of great characters.

[A Ma · Rating 3 out of 5]

intriguing story. felt like too many plots going on at once. not a mindless read-needed attention to keep up with characters and multiple plots. but story line was interesting and characters were all redeemable. writing felt dull towards middle of story and end felt rushed.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

a little disappointing after the first 5. I'll try one more

[Gbug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better with every book. The main characters are likable. And Bella is a delight.

[Barb Czz]

I have never read anything by this author. I am sorry to start in #6 of this series, but I will read more by him. It was a good read.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read out of order - I skipped a couple..Need more Mitch!

[Kat Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Deb]

"I was crushed when I read the first chapter - they had broken up! Of course, considering it's the ""Berger and Mitry series,"" there wasn't much doubt in my mind that they would get back together over the course of the book, but I found it really unbelievable that Des would take back her ex-husband in the first place. Not consistent with her character's clear view of the world - I just don't see her overlooking or forgiving someone who cheated on her. It was nice to see Mitch's makeover, which I'm sure will really impress Des once she gets a good look. I expect lots of comments in the next book.[return][return]For me, the mystery plot of this book fell into the background, of lesser importance than the relationship issues. The plot wasn't bad, nice setup for the adrenaline-pumping climax at the end, but it did seem like there was a lot less of the interaction with the locals than usual, and I was just impatiently waiting for Berger and Mitry to reunite already! [return][return]This book really just felt like an interlude - something to set up a new situation for books to come; a change in their relationship, in Mitch's work situation, in his physical abilities, in Des' self-knowledge. It didn't feel complete in and of itself."

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far this is my least favorite book of the series. It's barely a two. The reason I read this series is because I really enjoy the characters of Mitch and Des as well as their relationship. This one starts with the two characters separated and they stay that way through 98 percent of the book. I was terribly disappointed.

At the end of the last book, Mitch asked Des to marry him. Apparently between then and this installment, she's broken up with him and gone back to her loser ex-husband, Brandon. Mitch has left town and gone back to New York and has become a celebrity. Both characters are like pod people. Des has give up her art and Mitch is desperately telling himself that he's never been happier, which is an obvious lie. Neither acts like they normally do. Normally, they're both pretty intelligent people, but it's like they've both moved on and they're both making bad choices.

To say I didn't like how they acted in this book is putting it mildly. In fact the only reason I give it a two instead of a one is that I did like the character of Molly.

I have no idea what Handler was thinking about including this as part of the series. Perhaps he was saying, see how awful they are when they're not together? I really should've skipped this one.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the Berger & Mitry series. I grew up in Old Lyme, CT which is the setting for the fictional town of Dorset. This series is fun for me as it is easy to recognize the landmarks and buildings that the author describes and sometimes I can even identify the people that he is talking about (although names are changed).

Sour Cherry Surprise was an enjoyable read although I did have a few issues, primarily the lack of proofreading that went into the final copy. The typos were awful and at times very distracting.

The murder of a local professor and the investigation into a drug ring now operating in town are the two main storylines. Mitch has moved away to New York to follow his career as a movie critic so Des is on her own in putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at the direction this book took with the co-lead protagonists and because of it some of the magic was missing. The plot still dealt with serious and gritty subject matter but the book seemed too short to handle the weight and severity in a fulfilling way. The book was still quite good and the characters were intriguing as always. I have always respected the way this series doesn't end on a bright and shiny note for all the characters, it realistically deals with the consequences of action and inaction and it lets the readers know that there is healing to be done, damage that will never be undone and broken lives that need to find a way back to whole.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really gotten into these Berger and Mitry mysteries, and this is one of the best ones yet. At the beginning of the book, they are leading their separate lives, and Des is trying to protect the people she serves in the small town of Dorset. But Des is having major health problems and when there is a murder in her town, things spiral out of control. This one is a fast read, as the reader is turning pages rapidly to find out what really happened to Molly, an innocent 9-year-old, her abused mother, her divorced professor father. It isn't until Mitch steps back into the picture that things start to resolve themselves.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desiree Mitry, the resident trooper of Dorset, Connecticut has broken off her relationship with film critic Mitch Berger and taken up again with her ex-husband, U.S. Attorney Brandon Stokes. Mitch has moved back to New York, undergone a major makeover, and launched a television career. However, nine-year-old Mollie Proctor, aspiring basketball star, is not going to let Mitch sever his ties with Dorset that easily. The murder mystery with a missing history professor and a drug cartel operating in rural Connecticut is not that memorable. Instead it is the dynamics between the characters that make this a pleasant read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Movie critic Mitch Berger's heart is broken when policewoman Desi Mitry decides to accept her ex-husband's plea for a reconciliation. But life goes on. Mitch moves to New York, where the media empire he works for decides to give him a make-over into a media personality; Desi convinces herself that she's happy with Brandon. When she gets involved with the troubles of the people on remote Sour Cherry Lane, she also inadvertently finds herself helping with an FBI investigation into drug smuggling. And when she's in danger, it's Mitch who comes to rescue her. Part of a series.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

State trooper Desiree Mitry is back with her ex-husband, U.S. Attorney and potential political candidate Brandon Stokes. She’s investigating crimes on Sour Cherry Lane—an honors high school student is throwing sex parties, a history professor has gone missing, and his estranged wife is strung out on meth. In the past, she had her lover, film critic Mitch Berger to turn to in trying times. But Mitch has returned to New York, has a new editor, and has been approached to appear as a television show regular. Is this the end for Berger and Mitry? Fans of the series won’t want to miss this one.