Plain Brown Wrapper

Alex Powell #1

by Karen Grigsby Bates, Robin Miles (Narrator)

Who killed Ev and why? The three most likely suspects are Ev's competitors -- publishers of the country's other popular black magazines who all had plenty of good reasons to make sure Ev never received his Journalist of the Year award.

With the help of Paul Butler, a fellow journalist and an old friend, Alex tries to untangle the circumstances that led to Ev Carson's death. Their investigative trail will carry them from the West Coast to the East, to D.C., New York, and the social whirl of Martha's Vineyard as the summer season reaches its peak. In the middle of dissed colleagues, dumped girlfriends, disgruntled ex-employees, and the legions of enemies Ev managed to accumulate before he died, Alex Powell realizes that before everything is over Everett Carson might not be the only person who ends up with a toe tag.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, African American, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Audiobook

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really like this story! If the author is anything like her main character, I like her too. She has to read at least a couple of pages of a book before going to sleep at night. And then there's this quote:

"And where's the shame in store-brought brownies, if they're good ones? I never did understand women who won't fess up to takeout."

I couldn't agree more! Yes, she can cook, but why when there's so many other great cooks and bakers in the world?

Oh, and the mystery was good too. She kept my interest from page 1.

[Tayo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment as the author spent more time giving full (yet trivial) descriptions of each character's clothing (each and every time they made an appearance) instead of working on the murder mystery plot. The characters were not realistic. Their behaviors were erratic and not consistent with the personalities, or even what most people would do if they found themselves in the scenario presented in the book. There is also an obvious attempt to mislead the audience into thinking one character is the guilty party, and you most likely will not be surprised when the real culprit is revealed.

[Taylor Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that murder mystery and romance made a good combination? If you like a little bit of both, then you’ll probably like this book. Plain Brown Wrapper is the story of two journalist friends who are put to the task to do what journalist do best, get the scoop. After their colleague Everett Carson is murdered at a national Black journalist conference, Alex Powell and her sleuth in crime Paul Butler trek from coast to coast to question the most likely suspects: colleagues, former lovers, and employees. The author’s knack for descriptive writing made this story very enjoyable. She did an amazing job painting the picture of every scene and character that allowed you to envision exactly what she was talking about. The story unfolded organically with great “aha” moments that had me playing detective as I turned the pages.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this older cozy mystery. It’s definitely dated, written over 20 years ago. But it’s still in this century so it’s relatable to me as an older reader.
I found the magazine and publishing world so interesting. The hunt for the murderer was in-depth and there were a lot of options.
Plan to read the other book in the series. Wish there was more!

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book,I expected way more from the author.The writing was confusing and it got off track very fast.I wanted to read the book because it was about African Americans and I thought it was going to be good.It would have been was easier for her to talk about her writings and that’s it.I was uninterested every word and wanted to end it.

[Diana Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right now, I don't think I am going to finish this one. Here is the problem: Alex Powell has no emotions. Everything is a joke to her. She walks in to find someone whom she classifies as a friend dead and foaming at the mouth on the bed and she just accepts it. No tears, no serious reflection of past friendships; she instantly starts annoying the police officers, playing guessing games, etc. etc.

I don't think this is a book for teenagers, it would bore them to tears. When the main character doesn't care about the dead person, how is the reader supposed to care? This is the main flaw of this book and why it just doesn't work for me.

Edit:

So, I finally finished this and it took forever! So, let's get started:

The Bad:

1. This is not a book that should be taught. Ever. For any reason unless it's college level and even then, why would you torture college students like that?

2. Alex Powell is one of the most annoying characters I have ever read about. The problem with her is she is supposedly very intelligent and yet, her priorities are screwed up. She frowns upon cheap wine but is okay being in the company of other snobby Black people who throw the N---er word around without a care in the world. Huh? What? How is this okay? She frowns upon scantily dressed women but is okay with her future boyfriend jokingly calling a woman a bitch... I'm sorry... what?

3. Alex has the emotional maturity of a pre-teen. Everything warrants a smart alec one liner. Someone hits your car and threatens to kill you and you object to calling the police because...? A man has a gun and a thermos of acid and is threatening you and you have no emotion, no fear, just the thought of correcting his grammar and thinking about your wardrobe... Right.

The Good:

1. The plot, underneath the hundred pages of fluff, was actually interesting. I wanted to know who killed Everett.

[Shayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author was more concerned with setting the scene and giving us a total sense of the characters than with advancing the plot. I was more than half-way through with the novel and there hadn't been any danger. The investigation into the murder of Ev always removed suspicion from characters. We were introduced to them, learned their backstory and then they were no longer suspects.

Also, the romance between Alex and Paul was visible from the moment they teamed up together and at times I felt like I wasn't reading a mystery at all, but a weak romance novel.

[Katie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't do a ton of silly mystery reading but I thoroughly enjoyed this one; it was smart, lively, and ridiculously readable.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Karen Grigsby Bates and her work with NPR. I was curious to read her jounalistic murder book after hearing her speak at a Wellesley Alumni Achievement Award panel. I hope to read more of the Alex Powell series. I am unfamiliar with the nuances and complexities of African American journalism, so this was an informative and satisfying read.

[Arden Belrose ♛ Phantom Paper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Th pacing was so slow, even for a cosy mystery. There wasn't much profession insights either.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick fun read

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cozy mystery well written, the locations are interesting and well described, the motive and figuring out the killer was well written.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun book. I enjoyed her sense of humor. If you are looking for a book that will make you smile and laugh pick this one up.

[Elizabeth]

As heard on Code Switch:
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/11/112822...

[Narrr Arrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Blanca Hernandez]

DNF

[Nakia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took over two months to finish this book. Not that it was horrible, it just wasnt... (review at ZoraToniMaya)

[Sarah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for teachers who want to keep books in their classrooms for students (high school). I think that it would totally engage students in reading, I finished it in 2 days.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to the book on tape.

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was horrible. The plot never advanced. It was not suspenseful. There was too much background info and too many irrelevant characters. I could not and did not finish this reading