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Mysterious Detective #1
Written Off
Rachel Goldman writes mysteries in which Duffy Madison, consultant to the county prosecutor's office, helps find missing persons. Rachel is busy finishing up her next book, when a man calls out of the blue asking for help in a missing persons case. The caller's name? Duffy Madison.
Is this real or has she lost her mind? She doesn't have much time to find out because a serial killer is on the loose, kidnapping and murdering mystery authors. And Rachel may just be the next target.
Full of uncanny intrigue and witty humor, E. J. Copperman's imaginative series debut Written Off is sure to be a favorite amongst Copperman's many fans new and old.
Is this real or has she lost her mind? She doesn't have much time to find out because a serial killer is on the loose, kidnapping and murdering mystery authors. And Rachel may just be the next target.
Full of uncanny intrigue and witty humor, E. J. Copperman's imaginative series debut Written Off is sure to be a favorite amongst Copperman's many fans new and old.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2016
94 people are currently reading
1691 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Copperman
34 books839 followersLibrarian note: E.J. Copperman is the pen name for author
Jeff Cohen
E.J. Copperman is a mysterious figure, or has a mysterious figure, or writes figuratively in mysteries. In any event, a New Jersey native, E.J. has written for such publications as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, American Baby and USA Weekend. Night of the Living Deed is the first E.J. Copperman novel. It will be followed in 2011 by An Uninvited Ghost, the second in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series.
E.J., having worked as a newspaper reporter, teacher, magazine editor, and screenwriter, writes stories that combine humor and mystery with just the right amount of spooky supernatural happenings and a large doses of Jersey attitude.
Sound like we’re being evasive? Well, the fact is that E.J. Copperman is the pseudonym of a well-known mystery novelist, now embarking on a new type of story that includes some elements of the supernatural as well as a fair number of laughs. And the Copperman novels will have a different attitude, a different setting and completely different characters than anything that has come before, so E.J. really is a new author.
E.J. Copperman is a mysterious figure, or has a mysterious figure, or writes figuratively in mysteries. In any event, a New Jersey native, E.J. has written for such publications as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, American Baby and USA Weekend. Night of the Living Deed is the first E.J. Copperman novel. It will be followed in 2011 by An Uninvited Ghost, the second in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series.
E.J., having worked as a newspaper reporter, teacher, magazine editor, and screenwriter, writes stories that combine humor and mystery with just the right amount of spooky supernatural happenings and a large doses of Jersey attitude.
Sound like we’re being evasive? Well, the fact is that E.J. Copperman is the pseudonym of a well-known mystery novelist, now embarking on a new type of story that includes some elements of the supernatural as well as a fair number of laughs. And the Copperman novels will have a different attitude, a different setting and completely different characters than anything that has come before, so E.J. really is a new author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
September 6, 2016
The premise of a writer's character unexpectedly coming to life was an interesting possibility, but here, unfortunately, poorly executed.
I found the protagonist, Rachel, to be funny enough to want to follow along with, with a shout out to the narrator for bringing that out. Duffy Madison, on the other hand, was boring. Copperman already has an Asperger's protagonist (Samuel Hoenig) whom I like; he doesn't need two such guys. The other supporting characters were okay, but not outstanding; actually, Rachel's friend Brian I came to loathe by the end.
The plot itself didn't grab me, but I make allowances for sacrificing that in a first book in order to set up a series. Rachel's character kept me interested enough to keep going with the book, until the Big Reveal regarding the killer. I let out a huge "NOOOOOOOOO!" when that came along. Impossible to discuss further without a spoiler, except to say that the NJ authorities and Duffy were Too Stupid to Live. If you're interested in learning more, here are the specifics ...
I found the protagonist, Rachel, to be funny enough to want to follow along with, with a shout out to the narrator for bringing that out. Duffy Madison, on the other hand, was boring. Copperman already has an Asperger's protagonist (Samuel Hoenig) whom I like; he doesn't need two such guys. The other supporting characters were okay, but not outstanding; actually, Rachel's friend Brian I came to loathe by the end.
The plot itself didn't grab me, but I make allowances for sacrificing that in a first book in order to set up a series. Rachel's character kept me interested enough to keep going with the book, until the Big Reveal regarding the killer. I let out a huge "NOOOOOOOOO!" when that came along. Impossible to discuss further without a spoiler, except to say that the NJ authorities and Duffy were Too Stupid to Live. If you're interested in learning more, here are the specifics ...
July 31, 2016
When I first encountered Written Off, I was interested because I enjoy E J Cooperman's books. However, the idea of an aspiring mystery writer's fictional character coming to life did not appeal to me. But if anybody could make the plot work it would be E J Cooperman. So I read it. It's 2.6 stars because the concept seems novel.
I found it disappointing. I did smile in places, as one would expect with Cooperman's work there are some good lines. The protagonist, authoress, Rachel Goldman, and her lively creation Duffy Madison are likeable enough but one dimensional. I liked the inclusion of Rachel's father as the primary parent character for a change, but he was also flat. The most developed of the characters was Paula, Rachel's PA. I liked her.
I won't say who the murderer is, it is not evident, and that would spoil it, but the reason for the murders is silly. There are so many good books out, and I would usually include Cooperman's work in that; but not this time.
Connect with me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/imjussayin2
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language Content Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Low
Will I read the second or again? Possibly but not in any rush to do so.
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
I found it disappointing. I did smile in places, as one would expect with Cooperman's work there are some good lines. The protagonist, authoress, Rachel Goldman, and her lively creation Duffy Madison are likeable enough but one dimensional. I liked the inclusion of Rachel's father as the primary parent character for a change, but he was also flat. The most developed of the characters was Paula, Rachel's PA. I liked her.
I won't say who the murderer is, it is not evident, and that would spoil it, but the reason for the murders is silly. There are so many good books out, and I would usually include Cooperman's work in that; but not this time.
Connect with me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/imjussayin2
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language Content Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Low
Will I read the second or again? Possibly but not in any rush to do so.
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
September 1, 2018
Written Off by E.J.Copperman is the first book in the mysterious detective mystery series. Mystery writer, Rachel Goldman writes about a missing person consultant Duffy Madison and when mystery writers start to go missing, she is contacted by a real life Duffy Madison. An interesting book which I enjoyed, although a bit confusing in parts. Duffy Madison seemed a bit dull as a character, otherwise it was a fun book.
May 22, 2016
Loved this book! Fantastic start to a brand new series! The main character, Rachel, is very likable and witty. She is an author who writes mysteries about a consultant named Duffy Madison. So, you can imagine her surprise when a man calls her one day claiming he is Duffy Madison and enlists her help in solving a case. A serial killer is murdering mystery authors and Rachel may be next. Duffy is an awesome character, that I loved getting to know. The book reveals a lot of insider secrets into the mind of a mystery author and the publishing industry. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end and I was shocked to find out who the killer was! If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you must read this book! I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
May 3, 2016
This was a really fun cozy mystery. Rachel Goldman is a mid-list author who writes mysteries starring Duffy Madison who is a consultant with the police specializing in missing persons. Imagine her surprise when a man who introduces himself as Duffy Madison shows up at one of her books signings asking for her help in solving a missing person's case.
It seems that mystery authors are disappearing and later being found murdered. An author Rachel has met is the latest to disappear. Rachel writes mysteries; she doesn't solve them. But somehow she is roped into helping Duffy find the missing author. All the while, she and her very competent assistant are trying to discover who this Duffy Madison really is.
I liked all the inside info about the lives of authors. Rachel gets involved in solving this mystery in part because she doesn't want to tackle the revisions on her latest book. We also see a book signing from the author's point of view. Rachel has a lot of problems I think are common to authors: nobody has heard of her or read her books and people confuse her with authors who have similar names.
Fans of mysteries and fans of authors will enjoy this great mystery that begins a series.
It seems that mystery authors are disappearing and later being found murdered. An author Rachel has met is the latest to disappear. Rachel writes mysteries; she doesn't solve them. But somehow she is roped into helping Duffy find the missing author. All the while, she and her very competent assistant are trying to discover who this Duffy Madison really is.
I liked all the inside info about the lives of authors. Rachel gets involved in solving this mystery in part because she doesn't want to tackle the revisions on her latest book. We also see a book signing from the author's point of view. Rachel has a lot of problems I think are common to authors: nobody has heard of her or read her books and people confuse her with authors who have similar names.
Fans of mysteries and fans of authors will enjoy this great mystery that begins a series.
April 12, 2017
I would actually give this a 3 1/2 star. I enjoyed the book, I like Rachel the main character who is a writer of the Duffy Madison series, who is a fictional character that she made up, and he calls out of the blue asking for her help.
I will get what bothered me out of the way first. Duffy is supposed to be a logical investigator, to me he comes across as a little stiff which I got used to and he seemed to gain more personality towards the end. I did find the constant reminder that he is probably crazy since he seems to be the character from her books got to be a bit tedious. The head investigator didn't seem to do a thing and things that I thought that they should be checking into, they didn't. There was also one error with the killer that I noticed but can't mention for fear of giving anything away.
Now what I did like is Rachel, I found her amusing and she had me laughing a few times. Love her father, he reacts just as a father would. If it wasn't for her assistant Paula, I don't think the case would have been solved, she's the one that seemed to uncover everything, and I enjoyed her. The mystery was good, I did figure it out before Rachel and Duffy. I will continue on with this series, I am curious as to where it is going to head.
I will get what bothered me out of the way first. Duffy is supposed to be a logical investigator, to me he comes across as a little stiff which I got used to and he seemed to gain more personality towards the end. I did find the constant reminder that he is probably crazy since he seems to be the character from her books got to be a bit tedious. The head investigator didn't seem to do a thing and things that I thought that they should be checking into, they didn't. There was also one error with the killer that I noticed but can't mention for fear of giving anything away.
Now what I did like is Rachel, I found her amusing and she had me laughing a few times. Love her father, he reacts just as a father would. If it wasn't for her assistant Paula, I don't think the case would have been solved, she's the one that seemed to uncover everything, and I enjoyed her. The mystery was good, I did figure it out before Rachel and Duffy. I will continue on with this series, I am curious as to where it is going to head.
July 29, 2016
Rachel Goodman is a mid-level mystery writer who has created a character of Duffy Madison. Her character Duffy Madison is a consultant to the police in locating missing people. Since she has created this character, she knows his personality, speech patterns, and his method of deducting a mystery. Imagine her surprise, when Duffy Madison calls wanting her help with a missing person case. Someone has killed 4 mystery writers in bizarre ways. Rachel starts receiving emails that look like she is next. She wonders about Duffy's sanity. He claims to have not read her books and his memory only goes back to four years ago when she wrote the first book.
E.J.Copperman has written some other good series but this first book in the Mysterious Detective Series is my favorite. It is original and humorous. It has characters that I want to read about again-Rachel's dad, Paula and of course Duffy. I like the information about writers and the publishing companies. I did not have the serial killer identified until the author disclosed it. It was not formula driven. I am looking forward to the next book.
E.J.Copperman has written some other good series but this first book in the Mysterious Detective Series is my favorite. It is original and humorous. It has characters that I want to read about again-Rachel's dad, Paula and of course Duffy. I like the information about writers and the publishing companies. I did not have the serial killer identified until the author disclosed it. It was not formula driven. I am looking forward to the next book.
May 3, 2016
It was fun to have a mystery that was a behind-the-scenes, offering a glimpse into the world of the author. Fun idea, lighthearted read.
However, I was unable to buy that the protagonist, Rachel, was a woman. I could only picture the author, whom I have met, a middle-aged bearded man. Something about Rachel's syntax didn't read "female." I also struggled with Duffy. His character was too flat, too unemotional. Copperman/Rachel imbued Duffy with a Holmesian intellect, but none of Holmes's repartee. I couldn't get invested in whether or not Duffy was who he said he was. Lastly, why on earth did Rachel stay in her house, alone, when she knew there was a murderer hunting crime fiction authors on the loose? She kept referring to TSTL characters (Too Stupid To Live) and I thought that was a TSTL action.
However, I was unable to buy that the protagonist, Rachel, was a woman. I could only picture the author, whom I have met, a middle-aged bearded man. Something about Rachel's syntax didn't read "female." I also struggled with Duffy. His character was too flat, too unemotional. Copperman/Rachel imbued Duffy with a Holmesian intellect, but none of Holmes's repartee. I couldn't get invested in whether or not Duffy was who he said he was. Lastly, why on earth did Rachel stay in her house, alone, when she knew there was a murderer hunting crime fiction authors on the loose? She kept referring to TSTL characters (Too Stupid To Live) and I thought that was a TSTL action.
June 13, 2016
This first in a new series by E.J. Copperman opens with the last two pages in the newest book by author Rachel Goldman, which is to be the fifth in her Duffy Madison series. Duffy is the consultant to the county prosecutor’s office, whose forte is finding missing persons. Thinking back on the origin of her fictional character, she ruminates that she “flashed on the idea of a consultant to the police, a very specific kind of genius who would be able to find lost things and, more important, lost people when the authorities could not.”
Just as she is finishing the first draft of her crime novel, the fifth entry in the series, she gets a phone call from a stranger asking for help in a missing person case. The odd thing about it? Her protagonist suddenly appears to have come to life when her caller identifies himself as Duffy Madison. Convinced, as wouldn’t we all be, that the man had serious mental problems, she hangs up on him. Only to have him approach her soon afterwards at a booksigning, insisting that he is indeed her protagonist, her creation, having come to life before her very eyes, and that he is indeed Duffy Madison. He tells her that he is “not someone with the same name and profession as your fictional character . . . it’s’ not a pretense. I really am Duffy Madison, and after gathering all the facts about your work that I could find, I believe that, somehow, you created me.” He appears to have come to life four years ago, when she started writing him, with no sign that he existed prior to that.
As odd, one might even say weird, as that may seem (and Rachel is convinced that the man is mad - - and who could blame her?), Duffy [he insists that that’s his name] explains that he is looking into the recent disappearance of a woman who happens to also be a mystery writer, the fourth female mystery author to have been kidnapped in the recent past, all in different states, this one being the first in New Jersey, all three later found murdered. For some reason Rachel has acceded to accompany him in his investigation, despite being quite certain that he was only an “odd manifestation of a fictional character.” And things take an ever stranger turn when Rachel gets threatening e-mails indicating that she is next on the killer’s list.
This could only be an E.J. Copperman creation, as any reader of the author’s Asperger’s and Haunted Ghosthouse series can attest. There is a mystery here, and quite creative and suspenseful it is, but the overriding aspect of this book is the author’s singular and trademark humor. I can attest to the fact that every page, and nearly every sentence, of this delightful book is laugh-out-loud funny, and the smile almost never left my face for the two days it took me to read it. It is simply terrific, and is highly recommended.
Just as she is finishing the first draft of her crime novel, the fifth entry in the series, she gets a phone call from a stranger asking for help in a missing person case. The odd thing about it? Her protagonist suddenly appears to have come to life when her caller identifies himself as Duffy Madison. Convinced, as wouldn’t we all be, that the man had serious mental problems, she hangs up on him. Only to have him approach her soon afterwards at a booksigning, insisting that he is indeed her protagonist, her creation, having come to life before her very eyes, and that he is indeed Duffy Madison. He tells her that he is “not someone with the same name and profession as your fictional character . . . it’s’ not a pretense. I really am Duffy Madison, and after gathering all the facts about your work that I could find, I believe that, somehow, you created me.” He appears to have come to life four years ago, when she started writing him, with no sign that he existed prior to that.
As odd, one might even say weird, as that may seem (and Rachel is convinced that the man is mad - - and who could blame her?), Duffy [he insists that that’s his name] explains that he is looking into the recent disappearance of a woman who happens to also be a mystery writer, the fourth female mystery author to have been kidnapped in the recent past, all in different states, this one being the first in New Jersey, all three later found murdered. For some reason Rachel has acceded to accompany him in his investigation, despite being quite certain that he was only an “odd manifestation of a fictional character.” And things take an ever stranger turn when Rachel gets threatening e-mails indicating that she is next on the killer’s list.
This could only be an E.J. Copperman creation, as any reader of the author’s Asperger’s and Haunted Ghosthouse series can attest. There is a mystery here, and quite creative and suspenseful it is, but the overriding aspect of this book is the author’s singular and trademark humor. I can attest to the fact that every page, and nearly every sentence, of this delightful book is laugh-out-loud funny, and the smile almost never left my face for the two days it took me to read it. It is simply terrific, and is highly recommended.
June 5, 2016
Written Off by E.J. Copperman is definitely a must read for all readers as well as writers. Inside this hilarious yet serious novel, there is a serial killer out to kidnap and murder all mystery writers...this tale is highly intriguing and sucks readers in whole. The main character of this story so happens to be a mystery writer. Once she receives a call about a missing person's case, Rachel has little time to waste before she's next on the killer's list. The storytelling is stunning...I couldn't stop reading once I cracked open the book.
Written Off by E.J. Copperman has adventure, suspense, and laugh-out-loud moments that will keep readers hooked. The plot is all about the publishing industry and how one person didn't hit it big...and because of that all hell breaks loose. People do crazy things when life doesn't go their way. The serial killer within this novel usually takes the time to plan the kidnapping and the murder before, hand. But with the last kidnapped writer being a sleuth...the mistakes are bound to be made. A killer that poses under another identity that won't be questioned...is the perfect disguise until details that were not released accidently slip out...but just as the main character, Rachel, is being used as bait, is slowly dying...will the killer get away with everything or will it finally be over? Every page was intense, funny, and well-done. I loved reading this title by E.J. Copperman and can't wait to read the next exciting and mysterious adventure in this series! Overall, I highly recommend Written Off to readers worldwide.
Written Off by E.J. Copperman has adventure, suspense, and laugh-out-loud moments that will keep readers hooked. The plot is all about the publishing industry and how one person didn't hit it big...and because of that all hell breaks loose. People do crazy things when life doesn't go their way. The serial killer within this novel usually takes the time to plan the kidnapping and the murder before, hand. But with the last kidnapped writer being a sleuth...the mistakes are bound to be made. A killer that poses under another identity that won't be questioned...is the perfect disguise until details that were not released accidently slip out...but just as the main character, Rachel, is being used as bait, is slowly dying...will the killer get away with everything or will it finally be over? Every page was intense, funny, and well-done. I loved reading this title by E.J. Copperman and can't wait to read the next exciting and mysterious adventure in this series! Overall, I highly recommend Written Off to readers worldwide.
May 22, 2016
What a fantastically fun ride...I don't think I've ever encountered a more original premise for a book. The author has done a fine job of capturing your attention from the onset and maintained a firm grip on your imagination throughout to the final paragraph.
Rachel is a clever woman with a wonderfully imaginative mind that can see clear of what clutters most of our thinking, and comes up with a character that is an extension of her own cleverness. Throw in a whimsical twist of the fictional character she has created in her books, and you have a story that is a roller coaster ride of goodness.
I've read several of this author's other books, but I've got to say this is my favorite to date. I'd like to see how she tops this sort of creativity.
This book was provided by Netgalley for my honest review.
Rachel is a clever woman with a wonderfully imaginative mind that can see clear of what clutters most of our thinking, and comes up with a character that is an extension of her own cleverness. Throw in a whimsical twist of the fictional character she has created in her books, and you have a story that is a roller coaster ride of goodness.
I've read several of this author's other books, but I've got to say this is my favorite to date. I'd like to see how she tops this sort of creativity.
This book was provided by Netgalley for my honest review.
December 8, 2017
Pretty good mystery about a mystery author who's contacted by a man who bears an uncanny similarity to the main character in the mystery series she writes...
January 24, 2018
This is the first in the Mysterious Detective Mystery Series. Rachel Goodman is the writer of a mystery series with a sleuth, Duffy Madison. Out of the blue she gets a call from a man claiming to be Duffy Madison, not just sharing a name with her character, but actually being her character brought to life. He brings her news of a serial killer targeting writers, including one Rachel knows.
Duffy drags a somewhat reluctant and disbelieving Rachel along for the ride, a ride that ends up making Rachel a target of the killer. Fun, cozy mystery with interesting insights into the writing life.
Duffy drags a somewhat reluctant and disbelieving Rachel along for the ride, a ride that ends up making Rachel a target of the killer. Fun, cozy mystery with interesting insights into the writing life.
September 24, 2021
Probably more like 2.5. Even though it was a little silly and unbelievable, I liked the premise. But I struggled with a few of the details concerning . The narrator of the audio book did a fine job and I will probably give the next installment a try.
May 17, 2022
Audio book. I really like the premise of this book. Crime writer Rachel Goldman is sought out to help investigate a case by a man she herself created.
I thought that story line of a charter coming to life was pretty cool. However, this book could have been better. This was hard for me to rate because I think two stars is too little but three stars is too much. In the end I decided to stick with three stars, because although I did find myself a little bored with the first half of the book, the second half kept my attention more and I really do like the narrator. I might try the next in this series or I might stick with the Haunted Guesthouse series by Copperman as I liked that better.
I thought that story line of a charter coming to life was pretty cool. However, this book could have been better. This was hard for me to rate because I think two stars is too little but three stars is too much. In the end I decided to stick with three stars, because although I did find myself a little bored with the first half of the book, the second half kept my attention more and I really do like the narrator. I might try the next in this series or I might stick with the Haunted Guesthouse series by Copperman as I liked that better.
July 18, 2016
This was a hilarious first book in what is bound to be a hilarious series. E.J. Copperman's first person POV as a series mystery writer had me chuckling almost the whole time--except for the cases when I was looking over my shoulder to see if I was a case study for the plot. Highly recommend--especially if you're a writer avoiding revisions!
August 26, 2016
A decent read, worth the time, but I had a couple of issues that I can't comment on without a spoiler, but seemed more than unlikely in reality. And I am not a fan of a first book being so obviously written and touted as the first in a new series, even though I enjoy series a lot. It just seems a bit presumptive to me.
August 14, 2016
I read to page 148 and it just was boring, same old stuff, boring, same old stuff, boring, same old stuff ad infinitum............. This surprised me as I read some of his Haunted Guesrhouse mystery series, and it is a kick! Too bad.
April 15, 2017
This is a new author to me!
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written. It kept my interest from the beginning to the final page and now I am ready to start reading the second book in this new series.
Rachel Goldman is a fairly new crime writer in the field. So she does not know all the right people and the right publishing groups to be involved with, but she is getting there.
She has just finished writing her fifth Duffy Madison Mystery book and she is getting ready to start the final revisions before they are sent to the publisher.
When she receives a call from a gentlemen claiming to be Duffy Madison, her made up fictional character from her mystery books! This cannot be true, she made him up in the shower one morning before starting to write the books. He is not a real person. But here he is talking to her on her phone!
This starts a long trail of mishaps for Rachel. It brings her father to New Jersey to watch over her because the killer sends her some emails that she will be the next crime writer who will be killed!
Rachel gets a call that a TV producer wants to meet her about making her books into a TV series. This is an Authors dream come true! But it turns out to be a trap and Rachel steps right into it.
But her Made up Character comes to her rescue because he put a GPS tracker in her phone! So she lives to write more Duffy Madison books, which I have just started to read the second one.
They seem to be funny, and well worth the time to read.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written. It kept my interest from the beginning to the final page and now I am ready to start reading the second book in this new series.
Rachel Goldman is a fairly new crime writer in the field. So she does not know all the right people and the right publishing groups to be involved with, but she is getting there.
She has just finished writing her fifth Duffy Madison Mystery book and she is getting ready to start the final revisions before they are sent to the publisher.
When she receives a call from a gentlemen claiming to be Duffy Madison, her made up fictional character from her mystery books! This cannot be true, she made him up in the shower one morning before starting to write the books. He is not a real person. But here he is talking to her on her phone!
This starts a long trail of mishaps for Rachel. It brings her father to New Jersey to watch over her because the killer sends her some emails that she will be the next crime writer who will be killed!
Rachel gets a call that a TV producer wants to meet her about making her books into a TV series. This is an Authors dream come true! But it turns out to be a trap and Rachel steps right into it.
But her Made up Character comes to her rescue because he put a GPS tracker in her phone! So she lives to write more Duffy Madison books, which I have just started to read the second one.
They seem to be funny, and well worth the time to read.
January 18, 2018
What can you say about an Author who finds out that she is compelled to work with one of her main characters that has come to life? Help!
Is Rachel Goldman losing her grip, or is she truly asked to aid Duffy Madison, main character of Rachel's mysteries or Missing Persons crime consultant, on a case of fellow missing/murdered crime novelists? To Rachel chagrin, the answer is Yes. Yes, she feels it necessary to aid her creation in finding a fellow novelist who appears to have been abducted.
This novel not only held my interest, I found myself laughing, and thoroughly routing for the unlikely team. The ending was good, and no, I did not figure out the culprit prior to the author's reveal.
I adored the ending... nope, you have to read it yourselves to figure it out. You will enjoy the journey.
Is Rachel Goldman losing her grip, or is she truly asked to aid Duffy Madison, main character of Rachel's mysteries or Missing Persons crime consultant, on a case of fellow missing/murdered crime novelists? To Rachel chagrin, the answer is Yes. Yes, she feels it necessary to aid her creation in finding a fellow novelist who appears to have been abducted.
This novel not only held my interest, I found myself laughing, and thoroughly routing for the unlikely team. The ending was good, and no, I did not figure out the culprit prior to the author's reveal.
I adored the ending... nope, you have to read it yourselves to figure it out. You will enjoy the journey.
November 3, 2018
This novel has a really unique concept; the hero of a series of books coming to life and solving crimes just like his fictional counterpart. Rachel’s disbelief is understandable and genuine, but Duffy and his investigative skills win her over, even as she tries to find out Duffy’s real identity. In essence, there are two mysteries here, and they are equally intriguing. It has been quite a while since a mystery has intrigued me to this degree. The author solves one mystery, but leaves us on a cliffhanger as to the second.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
December 16, 2021
What a clever concept! An author meets the character she created but is it the Duffy Madison of her imagination, a clever (or crazy) interloper or sheer coincidence? And he's asking for her help in solving a kidnapping! Great writing, witty dialog and just plain fun! Loved Rachel's depreciating humour and the inside scope of the writing world. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the intermittent coarse language. I listened to the audible edition and Amanda Ronconi is the perfect voice for Rachel!
July 15, 2017
Couldn't put it down
This mystery was unusual in that a guy shows up claiming to be a writer's main character but he's never read the books. It was funny, exciting and intriguing all at once. At one point I guessed the killer but the take down is always fun. I liked Duffy and would like to read the next book. All the regular characters were very likable and would make great real life friends.
This mystery was unusual in that a guy shows up claiming to be a writer's main character but he's never read the books. It was funny, exciting and intriguing all at once. At one point I guessed the killer but the take down is always fun. I liked Duffy and would like to read the next book. All the regular characters were very likable and would make great real life friends.
January 10, 2019
Enjoyed this book and hope the others hold my interest as well. I figured out who the kidnapper was but wanted to find out the reason so continued to the end. Want to see how the main characters evolve within their relationship. Rachel is an author who meets a man by the name of the character she writes about in her books. With no history before her book series starts she questions her sanity and his.
September 24, 2021
A fun and different take on the cozy mystery, the heroine's sidekick may be the protagonist of the books she writes come to life. Or maybe he's suffering from some form of amnesia. Or maybe he's a nut case. Who knows? The mystery was well done, I liked the pacing of the story and would happily read more. Unfortunately there's only one more book in this series, so I guess it never took off. Still it's a clever idea and pretty well executed.
May 1, 2020
Written Off is exactly the lighthearted, slightly zany read I needed.
If you're a writer who's ever felt like the characters in your head are real, this book's for you. If you're a reader who feels a real-life connection with characters, then this book is for you too.
We have murders and an enticing mystery, and yet I laughed as I read.
The characters are complex and well developed. I totally loved spending time with them.
This is book one in the Mysterious Detective series, and it works well as a stand-alone. You wouldn't have to read book two if you didn't want to. I want to, and now I need it.
If you're a writer who's ever felt like the characters in your head are real, this book's for you. If you're a reader who feels a real-life connection with characters, then this book is for you too.
We have murders and an enticing mystery, and yet I laughed as I read.
The characters are complex and well developed. I totally loved spending time with them.
This is book one in the Mysterious Detective series, and it works well as a stand-alone. You wouldn't have to read book two if you didn't want to. I want to, and now I need it.
January 8, 2025
This book overall has me conflicted with how to rate it. More of a 2.5/5. It was very, VERY, simple (simple is not bad or good, just a description to the plot) & I had some problems with the extra detail that seemed somewhat unnecessary to the plot. But overall it was a fun and light read, it was a fun mystery, but I tend to gravitate towards more psychological thriller books, so that also affects my opinion lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2021
3.5 stars
February 6, 2022
Unexpectedly witty and clever. I'll definitely read the next one.
January 21, 2023
Basically the idea is nice, the whole thing with writing out the character, meeting him and go through the investigations together sounds like fun. But the mystery case was quite boring.
I loved the main characters, charming Rachel and bold Duffy make quite a cute couple. There is no distinctive romantic line between any of the characters though, but that’s a good part, you can concentrate on the other components of the story.
I also love the setting, narration, the writing aspect and the cozy atmosphere the book creates.
Though as I mentioned above, the actual mystery case if rather boring, I expected more from the author.
I loved the main characters, charming Rachel and bold Duffy make quite a cute couple. There is no distinctive romantic line between any of the characters though, but that’s a good part, you can concentrate on the other components of the story.
I also love the setting, narration, the writing aspect and the cozy atmosphere the book creates.
Though as I mentioned above, the actual mystery case if rather boring, I expected more from the author.
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