Ellipsis

John Marshall Tanner #14

by Stephen Greenleaf

Bodyguard to a glamorous, bestselling novelist?

It's the last kind of case that San Francisco private investigator John Marshall Tanner would normally accept. But Chandelier Wells comes with a personal referral Tanner cannot refuse.

For all her money and fame, Chandelier is scared. Someone is sending anonymous notes: "If you don't stop, you will die " Stop what? She says she doesn't know, and she has no time to find out before beginning the publicity tour for her new book, "Shaloon."

Chandelier writes romantic suspense, but she takes on tough issues. "Shaloon" attacks the cosmetics industry, and next year's book, just finished in manuscript, dissects the luxury cruise business. Could the research for her books have made her the kind of enemies who would wish her bodily harm?

Tanner's inclined to think that the lady might exaggerate her peril, but when a car bomb explodes, leaving one person dead and another gravely injured, Tanner regrets he didn't take Chandelier's fears more seriously. She has annoyed many people over the years, but who would want her dead? As Tanner begins to probe Chandelier's background, he discovers many potential suspects, including her ex-husband, a spurned lover, and a jealous writer who accuses Chandelier of plagiarism. Is one of them behind the car bomb, or is the answer even more complex and frightening?

Drawn into the bizarre life of a superstar author and an investigation that threatens to go full circle and bring back demons from Tanner's past, Tanner must also deal with his own grief for a departed friend and his developing love for a very special assistant district attorney. His life is at a turning point. The future is vast andvitalizing. The present is poignant.

Recently nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award, mystery writing's highest honor, author Stephen Greenleaf with "Ellipsis" adds another mesmerizing chapter to one of the most intoxicatingly powerful series in all of crime fiction.

Genres: Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 18, 2000

About the author

Stephen Greenleaf got a B.A. from Carlton College in 1964 and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkely in 1967. Stephen Greenleaf served in the United States Army from 1967 through 1969, and was also admitted to the California Bar during that period, with subsequent numerous legal positions.

Stephen Greenleaf studied creative writing at the University of Iowa in 1978 and 1979, (the Iowa Writers Workshop) with the subsequent publication of his first Tanner novel in 1979. Mr. Greenleaf has written fourteen John Marshall Tanner books to date, with his latest being Ellipse. All the novels are situated in San Fransico, and Stephen Greenleaf also lives in northern California with his wife Ann.

Series:
* John Marshall Tanner Mystery

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 14th in the Tanner series. It's very good. Tanner is hired to bodyguard (something he rarely does) a wildly successful, but very bitchy, author. Someone wants her dead. I'm already in trouble with the spoiler police so I'll leave it at that.

I'm all screwed up. I decided to read the whole series, they are that good, but now I've read three totally out of order and it would appear this is the last one Greenleaf wrote (will write) in the series, a shame. Bring Tanner back. Now I'm back to the first and will proceed in order

[Mikesawin Sawin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! I've not read any of the previous books in the series, but that's cool. I do beleive this is the final book, as a matter of fact. I intend to hunt down every previous, I liked it THAT much!

[Seth Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fitting title for what seems to be the final chapter in the series. After decades of being incorrigible, Marsh finally shows some cracks, but will they widen enough? This book wraps up the story line that started in Past Tense while also creating a new mystery for Marsh to solve.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 14th in a series and, the first I have read. I enjoyed it. If you like San Francisco, you'll probably enjoy the specific locations that are mentioned constantly. The crimes were pretty vicious yet the overall tone is light.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy summer read, kept my attention. Enjoyed it
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[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really deserves more like 3.5 stars.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#14 in the John Marshall Tanner, 50 year old San Francisco private investigator, mystery series. A conflicted Tanner, previous novel, is hired by an extremely successful and popular as a body guard as well as to determine who has been sending her threatening notes. novelist. Close to the noir PI type novels and a good mystery as well as side plots.

[Robert]

Like it so far...

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

light. I read it as a vacation book and it was set in San Francisco so what more can I say.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many characters, so little time!

[Eruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really deserves more like 3.5 stars.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super satisfying to see several loose ends tied up for Tanner as this series concludes. Again I say, I wish Stephen Greenleaf had written more books!