Revenge Of The Gypsy Queen

Tracy Eaton #1

by Kris Neri

Revenge of the Gypsy Queen is so much fun, it ought to be a crime! Featuring
Tracy Eaton — mystery writer, detective wannabe and the offspring of
wackily eccentric Hollywood stars. Tracy is always out of sync with the
*real* world, not to mention with her oh, so conventional husband, Drew.

Trouble always knows how to find her, but Tracy never expects it to pop up
during her sister-in-law, Marisa's, wedding — until the bride is kidnapped.
When her in-laws would rather meet the terms of the bizarre ransom demand
than inform the police, Tracy knows that finding Marisa will be up to her.

But the whole Eaton family begins behaving suspiciously — especially her
husband's lovable con-man uncle, who disappears under mysterious
circumstances. And the groom, who takes to riding in a gangster's
bulletproof limo. Even the family legend of the evil Gypsy queen comes under
Tracy's scrutiny — is it the childhood fable Marisa claimed it to be, or is
it a dark prophecy of things to come?

Tracy can't imagine the curious path justice will take or that she'll be the
keeper of the Eaton family secret.

About the Author:

Kris Neri is the author of over forty mystery short stories, published in
such notable publications as Blue Murder Magazine, Mystery Time, Murderous
Intent, TheCase.com, and Woman's World, to name a few. She is a two-time
recipient of the coveted Derringer Award. She is a member of the Mystery
Writers of America,the American Crime Writers League, as well as a member of
Sisters In Crime and a past president of the L.A. Chapter. She lives in
Southern California, where she is currently working on her next Tracy Eaton
Mystery, Dem Bones' Revenge.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

My latest novel is MAGICAL MUSHROOMS, the third adventure in my Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty Magical Mystery, featuring a questionable psychic who teams up with a contemporary goddess hidden within the FBI.

The earlier books in the series are HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE and ANNABELLE HAGGERTY. Both novels were Lefty Award nominees for Best Humorous Mystery Novel and MAGICAL ALIENATION was a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.

I've written one women's fiction-crime crossover, HOPSCOTCH LIFE, featuring quirky protagonist Plum Tardy. HOPSCOTCH LIFE is also a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.

I also write the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity and Lefty Award-nominated Tracy Eaton mysteries, featuring the daughter of eccentric Hollywood stars, REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, DEM BONES' REVENGE, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE and the latest, REVENGE ON ROUTE 66, which takes place in the quirkiest spots along the Southwestern Route 66, and which is a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award finalist.

I also write thrillers and short stories.

I've published some sixty short-plus stories, which have appeared in periodicals and anthologies in the US and overseas. I'm a two-time Derringer Award winner and a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee for my short fiction. One of my Derringer Award winners, "L.A. Justice," is the story in which my Tracy Eaton series was born. You can read that and another Tracy Eaton short story, as well as some other stories, on the Stories page of my website: www.krisneri.com.

I teach writing online for the prestigious Writers' Program of the UCLA Extension School, and other organizations.

I have been a lifelong voracious reader. My tastes are varied. I love mysteries -- both cozies and those that are darkish, but humorous mysteries are my favorites. I also read thrillers, urban fantasy, humorous urban fantasy, general fiction, and loads of personal growth books -- in short, a little bit of everything. As a former bookseller, I've read it all!

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MC goes to NYC to attend her sister-In-laws wedding. Before the wedding the bride is kidnapped and held for ransom - the ransom? You would be surprised.

The MC is a mystery writer but goes to great lengths to find the bride including becoming a detective just like the books she writes.

This is a cute story with some interesting twists and I might read on in the series. I would have given a 3.5 if allowed.

[Lizzann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A debut novel by Kris Neri who, until this work has written mystery short stories. This novel was developed from one of the short mysteries. Tracy Eaton is a successful mystery writer who longs to be a real detective. The book is a quick read and set in NYC but no necessary connection. It could take place in any large city. Relationships were contrived as was most of the action. Would probably not pick up another Tracy Eaton Mystery.

[Claude Rothman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this 1999 mystery and was amused most of the time with some good laugh. I was surprised by the end and too fast denouement. I didn't have enough clues to understand some plots developments.
Yet, this is a well written character driven mystery.
I'll try some other Kris Neri mysteries because she is a terrific on line Sister in Crime instructor and am sure with time her novels got better.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good story once I was able to get into it. The beginning is a bit confusing and slightly tedious but the characters are well written and entertaining.

[Patrick Whitehurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since we both currently live in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, the name Kris Neri is one I'd heard often among literary circles, which put her on my radar.

I'd been planning to read one of her books for months before finally visiting the Well Read Coyote in West Sedona, where her books can be found on prominent display. Besides working as one of Sedona's most well known authors, Neri is co-owner of the popular bookstore and a noted writing instructor for UCLA in Los Angeles. With those credentials, I looked forward to reading “Revenge of the Gypsy Queen,” the first in three books featuring fictional author/sleuth Tracy Eaton.

“Gypsy” follows the mystery writer, and amateur detective, who also happens to be the daughter of two Hollywood legends, as she visits New York for her sister-in-law, Marisa's, wedding. Intrigue soon follows, however, when the bride vanishes into thin air. Eaton dives into the New York-based mystery with all the relish of a die hard crime solver and soon finds herself in the middle of a family mystery bigger than she could have imagined.

At times I wondered why Eaton would bother with so much snooping around and found myself doubting her motivation, despite the urgency of the kidnapping, particularly when it came to her own doubts about her husband Drew, but overall, the book felt alive in my hands. It had a pulse all its own and a flavor I'll remember for some time to come. I particularly looked forward to scenes featuring Marisa's boyfriend, Tony, and his humorously stereotyped Italian accent. Fans of the television show “Castle” may find a female version to enjoy within this series. Like the popular drama, Neri has an knack for snappy banter.

While normally a fan of more hard-boiled stories when it comes to my mystery tastes, Elizabeth George and Ellery Queen have also spent time on my nightstand. Neri's writing follows among those lines more than it does Chandler, Spillane or Ellroy. And even fans of tough guy fiction, at times, like something a little lighter in their brains. Neri's Eaton novel brings humor as easily as it brings memorable characters, which can be a daunting combination for some authors. You don't find much to giggle over when it comes to Mike Hammer.

Neri's other books include two additional mysteries featuring crime-solver Tracy Eaton; “Dem Bones' Revenge” and “Revenge for Old Times' Sake.” Revenge of the Gypsy Queen has been nominated for three awards, including the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award and the Macavity Award. Revenge for Old Times' Sake was nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery Novel. Her other books include Magical Alienation and High Crimes on the Magical Plane, two that ring close to home with Sedona undertones. Neri's also the author of the book “Never Say Die” and the digital book “Devil's Gambit - Devil's Due.”

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

[library audiobook, plot summary elsewhere]

Seemed like an old book just come up on the library site. Characters were goofy, including the main character. The New York setting was a plus. I turned it off, although it wasn't obnoxious.

Don't think I will queue up for the next.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kris Neri has crafted a pleasant enough debut with Revenge of the Gypsy Queen. Tracy Eaton, only daughter of a pair of narcissistic Hollywood screen legends, is a plucky and clever heroine. No silly scruples for her! She's a real find. The other characters -- particularly Uncle Philly -- are handled with just the right measures of wit and sympathy.

Sure, the novel is funny; however, some of her madcap adventures are a bit unrealistic -- even for a farcical mystery novel. And you're certain to figure out the Eatons' secret halfway through the book. Indeed, most will figure out who the villain is before the exciting climax.

Is this novel in the same league as Lindsey Davis's Falco series or Ann Granger's Markby and Mitchell series? Of course not. But it's still a nice novel to read in between the installments of your favorite mystery series. Pleasant is good enough for me.

[Cat. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a silly plot: the week before her wedding, the "heroine's" sister-in-law is kidnapped. The ransom is her NYC restaurant--which is to be signed over to a Trump-like developer who has been panting for it. Instead of calling the police, the family actually wants to pay up because of all their rattling closets full of skeletons, supposedly.... Tracy, who writes a successful mystery series, decides to investigate on her own. Of course, she figures it all out, everybody has a fabulous time at the wedding and she comes to understand her in-laws much better. Easy to say that this is too pat for words--but it has some great quotes, e.g. "Families: can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em."

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impetuous Tracy Eaton is upset when her bride-to-be sister-in-law disappears, sure she is. But as a mystery writer who hates her in-laws' propriety, she can't help but be excited, too. And she's eager to prove that she's as good a detective in real life as she is on paper. Loose in New York with her husband's con-man uncle, she meets all kinds, including a retired ballerina, a real estate mogul, and a very scary Mafioso. Lots of fun.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When mystery author Tracey Eaton heads to New York for her sister-in-law's wedding, she finally gets her first real life mystery. The bride has vanished and the family wants to cover it up. Why? This is my third time through the book, and I enjoy it each time. Still have a couple of small issues with the ending, but they are minor.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast read and Tracy gets herself into lots of tight corners. A word to the wise, don't do what I did and put it down for a few days - there are a lot of characters and my aging brain couldn't remember all of them so I had to backtrack.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tracy Eaton, mystery writer and daughter of famous actor parents, handles the situation when her sister-in-law is kidnapped just before her wedding.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book reminded me of the Stephanie Bond Body Movers' Series and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. Good humor and plot line made it a quick and enjoyable story.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was kind of hard to follow at times or maybe I was just too tired to follow along. Don't think I'll read another one of hers.

[Dmvpapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the main character - she's a hoot!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable and will definitely read more of this series.