Tell No Tales

Marti MacAlister #7

by Eleanor Taylor Bland

The blissful aftermath of Marti MacAlister's second wedding doesn't last long when her longtime partner Matthew "Vik" Jessennovik interrupts the honeymoon with some disturbing news. Two murders-one recent and another decades old-shock a wealthy Chicago suburb. Now Marti and Vik must get to the heart of two complex cases. And what they uncover will put their unlikely partnership at risk-not to mention their lives...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

About the author

Eleanor Taylor Bland was an African American writer of crime fiction. She was the creator of Lincoln Prairie, Illinois (based on Waukegan, Illinois) police detective Marti McAllister.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this long ago but couldn't truly recall the story. I was much into reading and trying to write mystery/crime fiction. Now, reading this after such a lapse, and lots of learning, I still admire Bland's work. She is a straight-forward writer. The plot may be a bit weak but oh, my! the characterizations! This is a dynamic group of individuals who come alive on the page.

Thanks, Eleanor!

[Wendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worst part: It drags a bit in places. Occasionally becomes dry.
But.... The lead characters are warm, interesting, engaging, well rounded, and almost fit in a cozy, while the setting is more police procedural, without getting too deeply gritty. It's a nice balance.

I enjoyed it enough to want to read the rest of her Marti McAllister books. I would not give this one to a 13 y.o.

[Rae Lewis-Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story line on this book was awesome. There were slow parts but how she weaved mental illness, police corruption and issues of interracial dating- black church. Just all of it made for a great novel

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow-moving mystery; couldn't get into it.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall. Some slow bits. Swearing, some innuendo

[Jeri Gabrielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When two old cases connect with a new one, Vik and Marti’s partnership is threatened.

[Marilynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of suspense. I also like the background on the families in almost all of Bland’s books. Makes the cops more human. And, this was a sad one. I liked Barnabas.

[Mary Newcomb]

Det Marti MacAlister got married. She was called back from her honeymoon, not for the mummy found in the theater basement, but for the murdered son of a wealthy family. Between her family concerns and that of her long time partner, the cases seem to take a back seat. However, all is resolved due to some good detecting and willingness to look beyond the obvious. My friend Tim was shocked to learn he was listed in the book's acknowledgments, a brush with greatness.

[Karen Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marti does it again! She is one of the best detectives in fiction! A very good book (as usual!!)

[Tiarra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of spelling and proof-reading errors in this book. Quick read but not the best story-line