What do you think?
Rate this book
Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery #2
Faked To Death
American vampire sleuth Simon Kirby-Jones is invited to be a speaker at a writer's workshop at Kinsale House, but finds himself hunting a killer when someone impersonating bestselling mystery author Dorinda Darlington is murdered. Reprint.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
17 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 3, 2022
A superb book, but I'd say that anyway, once an imaginative work focuses a lot on the world of writers, books, criticism, literary agents, etc.
Yes I love the literary world and the advanced societies where one gets to see the qualitative variety and protagonists; never mind that the book is part of a Mystery series and contains some unsavoury characters.
Like the (lady) literary agent in this book. In my ignorance and naivety (I'm African through and through) I used to think that such agents would be staid, boring, scrupulous, and do everything by the book as it were. I thus winced to be confronted with such a character, elegant but ruthless - utterly without scruples.
But on the whole, I enjoyed this book, the introduction to the major writers here, their work, reputation, special fields etc - male and female. I love the way our hero (sleuth) Simon Kirby-jones here applauds the work of the major figures, flattering their egos in the process beside them.
He can be a ruthless critic also, though - although in his own way he tries to be fair to them all, even to a lady "writer" Norah, whose "trashy" work seems endearing in its own way (a lady who sadly is the 2nd victim of the killer in this book).
Literary criticism, hey ... here is what our hero thinks about Norah's work after deigning to read it "Norah's ... manuscript was without doubt the single worst piece of utter nothingness I had ever read in my life... if (she) had ever had an original thought in her life, it had died long ago for lack of companionship..." Pity.
Yes I love the literary world and the advanced societies where one gets to see the qualitative variety and protagonists; never mind that the book is part of a Mystery series and contains some unsavoury characters.
Like the (lady) literary agent in this book. In my ignorance and naivety (I'm African through and through) I used to think that such agents would be staid, boring, scrupulous, and do everything by the book as it were. I thus winced to be confronted with such a character, elegant but ruthless - utterly without scruples.
But on the whole, I enjoyed this book, the introduction to the major writers here, their work, reputation, special fields etc - male and female. I love the way our hero (sleuth) Simon Kirby-jones here applauds the work of the major figures, flattering their egos in the process beside them.
He can be a ruthless critic also, though - although in his own way he tries to be fair to them all, even to a lady "writer" Norah, whose "trashy" work seems endearing in its own way (a lady who sadly is the 2nd victim of the killer in this book).
Literary criticism, hey ... here is what our hero thinks about Norah's work after deigning to read it "Norah's ... manuscript was without doubt the single worst piece of utter nothingness I had ever read in my life... if (she) had ever had an original thought in her life, it had died long ago for lack of companionship..." Pity.
August 15, 2011
This series is so easy to sit back and enjoy. The main sleuth happens to be gay and a vampire, but, that is really somewhat immaterial in this well-written murder mystery.
A house party or writer's convention is held at Lady Kinsale's manor. True to the British style of cozy, the party is all but cozy. Seething emotions and oddness prevails as our Simon and his Assistant, Sir Giles, join in as new speakers. To Simon's dismay, he finds a charlatan pretending to be one of his alias.
This book is written with humor and satire of the classic British mystery that many of us appreciate. The ending is a twist that you do not expect.
Great read.
A house party or writer's convention is held at Lady Kinsale's manor. True to the British style of cozy, the party is all but cozy. Seething emotions and oddness prevails as our Simon and his Assistant, Sir Giles, join in as new speakers. To Simon's dismay, he finds a charlatan pretending to be one of his alias.
This book is written with humor and satire of the classic British mystery that many of us appreciate. The ending is a twist that you do not expect.
Great read.
September 23, 2007
I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
*cries*
At first I was still hoping this second novel might be better than the first about this unnecessarily American and gay and vampiric "hero", since it was about a writer's weekend, but the unbearable egocentricity of the author (and his not-at-all endearing character) nearly make me throw up. Simon is pretentious and, like the book, boring, annoyingly stupid, and made all the worse so by the reader being expected to find Simon irresistible, charming and intelligent. Since that is never once given an ironic twist, and since the character can't display anything the author doesn't posess either - and doesn't actually ever try to show, instead relying on Simon to tell us again and again how wonderful he is - it does. Not. Work.
ETA: unlike eg. Joan Hess's novels. She's one of the many ratherbignames James cited as his group, yet she always manages to write wry, self-effacing humour, showing her heroines as interesting, flawed and intelligent beings.
I'm tempted to transcribe a whole chapter just to show how bad it is. Something like "I asked the butler who slept in which room" is spread over a whole chapter, with the butler always always always being referred to as "Lady Hermione's butler, Dingleby", with every sentence or so starting with "I did and then I did" and every tiny movement written out for no reason whatsoever (he opened the door and entered and closed the door etc. etc.). Furthermore, they always mention the others name in nearly every line of dialogue, as if the readers really were braindamaged which - ok - they have to be but I'm still annoyed by reviews and blurbs insisting this is delightful and endearing, "Yes, Simon."-"Ok, Giles."-"What shall we do next, Simon?"-"I think commit suicide, Giles?"-"Jolly well, Simon."
*cries*
At first I was still hoping this second novel might be better than the first about this unnecessarily American and gay and vampiric "hero", since it was about a writer's weekend, but the unbearable egocentricity of the author (and his not-at-all endearing character) nearly make me throw up. Simon is pretentious and, like the book, boring, annoyingly stupid, and made all the worse so by the reader being expected to find Simon irresistible, charming and intelligent. Since that is never once given an ironic twist, and since the character can't display anything the author doesn't posess either - and doesn't actually ever try to show, instead relying on Simon to tell us again and again how wonderful he is - it does. Not. Work.
ETA: unlike eg. Joan Hess's novels. She's one of the many ratherbignames James cited as his group, yet she always manages to write wry, self-effacing humour, showing her heroines as interesting, flawed and intelligent beings.
I'm tempted to transcribe a whole chapter just to show how bad it is. Something like "I asked the butler who slept in which room" is spread over a whole chapter, with the butler always always always being referred to as "Lady Hermione's butler, Dingleby", with every sentence or so starting with "I did and then I did" and every tiny movement written out for no reason whatsoever (he opened the door and entered and closed the door etc. etc.). Furthermore, they always mention the others name in nearly every line of dialogue, as if the readers really were braindamaged which - ok - they have to be but I'm still annoyed by reviews and blurbs insisting this is delightful and endearing, "Yes, Simon."-"Ok, Giles."-"What shall we do next, Simon?"-"I think commit suicide, Giles?"-"Jolly well, Simon."
January 2, 2008
this is not a book i would usually look twice at...BUT, it was recomended to me by a customer...SO, i read it and LOVED it.
It's about a gay vampire author w/ a gay assistant, they get caught up in a murder at a gathering of some sort...it is a classic who-dunit story with lots of comical characters.
It's about a gay vampire author w/ a gay assistant, they get caught up in a murder at a gathering of some sort...it is a classic who-dunit story with lots of comical characters.
October 9, 2011
Blurb from Amazon
It's Simon's esteemed reputation as an auteur that brings him to the attention of Lady Hermione Kinsale. She needs another speaker for her week-long writers' workshop. But much to Simon's surprise-and chagrin - best selling mystery author Dorinda Darlington appears on the list of attendees. Simon knows first-hand how the reclusive author values her privacy...because Simon is Dorinda. The blatant impersonation has raised his hackles - and Simon's fit to kill. But someone beats him to the punch. "Dorinda" is found dead, flattened by a stone urn pushed from the terrace. Now, cloistered with a killer, Simon tunes his heightened senses to the movements of his fellow authors. And as the workshop develops into a tension convention, Simon grows more determined to take a bite out of crime - before bloody murder claims another victim.
My review
Simon is back and as usual surrounded by the small towns dramas, this time he is invited to a writers workshop at Lady Hermiones abode. Simon finds himself riled as he spots on the guest list none other than Dorinda Darlington (one of his secret author identities) as someone is posing as her. Ignoring his agents advice Simon confronts her and before long her body is found. Will Simon be the prime suspect as this isn't his first dead body? Why was she pretending to be the author of Simons books?
I loved this almost as much as the first one. Simon is his usual funny and witty self and caught up in more small town scandal on a bigger scale this time. What I also liked is Giles is a much better character this time round having grown since our first meeting in Posted To Death.
Wether you have read the first book or not isn't particularly relevant, you could pick this one up as a stand alone however if you can I would read the first book purely because it is a good story, 4/5 for me and I will be pursuing the next book in this series.
It's Simon's esteemed reputation as an auteur that brings him to the attention of Lady Hermione Kinsale. She needs another speaker for her week-long writers' workshop. But much to Simon's surprise-and chagrin - best selling mystery author Dorinda Darlington appears on the list of attendees. Simon knows first-hand how the reclusive author values her privacy...because Simon is Dorinda. The blatant impersonation has raised his hackles - and Simon's fit to kill. But someone beats him to the punch. "Dorinda" is found dead, flattened by a stone urn pushed from the terrace. Now, cloistered with a killer, Simon tunes his heightened senses to the movements of his fellow authors. And as the workshop develops into a tension convention, Simon grows more determined to take a bite out of crime - before bloody murder claims another victim.
My review
Simon is back and as usual surrounded by the small towns dramas, this time he is invited to a writers workshop at Lady Hermiones abode. Simon finds himself riled as he spots on the guest list none other than Dorinda Darlington (one of his secret author identities) as someone is posing as her. Ignoring his agents advice Simon confronts her and before long her body is found. Will Simon be the prime suspect as this isn't his first dead body? Why was she pretending to be the author of Simons books?
I loved this almost as much as the first one. Simon is his usual funny and witty self and caught up in more small town scandal on a bigger scale this time. What I also liked is Giles is a much better character this time round having grown since our first meeting in Posted To Death.
Wether you have read the first book or not isn't particularly relevant, you could pick this one up as a stand alone however if you can I would read the first book purely because it is a good story, 4/5 for me and I will be pursuing the next book in this series.
July 17, 2014
Faked To Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery (James, Dean, Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery.) (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries)
by Dean James
Edition: Hardcover
Bravo Author!, August 10, 2011
This review is from: Faked To Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery (James, Dean, Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery.) (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Thank-you Dean James for another wonderful Simon Kirby-Jones mystery. The continuity of the stories, the development of the characters, and the creativity of new situations keep me coming back for another in this series.
I enjoyed the way Simon needed to increase his pills to keep his vampirism under control. A bit of a change and kept me wondering how is his condition going to affect his future dealings with people.
I enjoy the murder of victims we'd love to see "out of the way" so to speak. Keeping in tune to a real cozy. Thank-you again for that Dean James.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys British cozies or a vampire cozy. I never could enjoy any vampire mysteries until Simon Kirby-Jones.
May there be many, many more in this series.
July 24, 2012
Posted to Death. Faked to Death. Decorated to Death. Baked to Death. Books by Dean James. I wanted a light mystery series and found this series of 4 books featuring a gay vampire detective- Simon Kirby Jones. "Gay vampire" was the ploy used to differentiate itself from other cozy mysteries but the character was taking anti-vampire pills which defeated the whole purpose. Also, there seemed to be an unbelievably high number of gay characters in each book. Certain characters, dialogue and situations were amusing at first but overall the series was cliché, repetitive and redundant. It was only because I have a completist mindset that I read them all.
July 5, 2011
Another fun romp with the charming Simon Kirby-Jones!
Not a huge amount of substance, but it's jolly good fun all the same!
Not a huge amount of substance, but it's jolly good fun all the same!
July 24, 2022
When Simon is forcibly invited to attend a writer’s workshop weekend, he decides it could be interesting especially when he finds out that someone using one of his pseudonyms will also be attending. Upon meeting his pseudonym thief, he quickly learns that she is a real trouble maker and things unfold from there. This story reminds me of the classic cozy mysteries where all the murders happen off page and the person who solves the crimes is not a police detective. A group of people with big secrets stuck together and slowly being murdered off. Of course in this book, Simon and Giles jump into the middle of the investigation and solve everything. The secrets are either sad or silly .
April 27, 2019
These are fun books. I enjoy Simon’s pomposity. He makes me laugh, and who doesn’t need a laugh. The folks in the village also crack me up.
I find it funny that a series based on writers would have so much missing punctuation in it though. Periods end sentences. Please use them. Other than missing, or misused punctuation, I really am enjoying these books.
I find it funny that a series based on writers would have so much missing punctuation in it though. Periods end sentences. Please use them. Other than missing, or misused punctuation, I really am enjoying these books.
December 28, 2022
Im enjoying this series. Giles unrequitted love for Simon and his not so subtle ways of showing it.
Mystery was good, a writers conference at a stately home.
Still not sure why Simon is a vampire though,
Mystery was good, a writers conference at a stately home.
Still not sure why Simon is a vampire though,
March 2, 2025
5 stars even the second time.
I fell in love with this character years ago and I still am. Simon is funny and entertaining. The plots are just as much so. I'm glad I decided to reread the series.
I fell in love with this character years ago and I still am. Simon is funny and entertaining. The plots are just as much so. I'm glad I decided to reread the series.
August 28, 2019
Love the snarky humor! I like this series even more than the Miranda James cat books, wish there were more & to be more.
March 28, 2020
I love this series of books
April 2, 2021
Simon Kirby Jones, a vampire and writer. Series. A convention of writers and a mysterious death a-la Murder She Wrote. Good premise.
May 13, 2024
Enjoyable story that is well written with likeable characters and good world building.
September 20, 2025
same fluff, slightly different plot.
October 17, 2022
I love the premise of this book best of all four of the Simon Kirby-Jones mysteries. In a nutshell: Simon writes mystery stories under the name Dorinda Darlington. At a literary conference, who should show up but a woman named Dorinda Darlington? Hijinks and murder ensue.
What's especially neat about this setup is the fact that Dean James himself writes mystery novels under a nom-de-plume (Miranda James). So it's fun to read this knowing that James is playing around a bit with his own persona.
The relationship between Simon and his assistant Giles heats up in this volume. I like how James makes his protagonists' affair sexy and playful even while sticking to the "rules" of the cozy novel. This whole series made me hungry for more similar gay relationships in cozy mysteries.
What's especially neat about this setup is the fact that Dean James himself writes mystery novels under a nom-de-plume (Miranda James). So it's fun to read this knowing that James is playing around a bit with his own persona.
The relationship between Simon and his assistant Giles heats up in this volume. I like how James makes his protagonists' affair sexy and playful even while sticking to the "rules" of the cozy novel. This whole series made me hungry for more similar gay relationships in cozy mysteries.
February 19, 2017
good / funny
October 26, 2012
Cozy mystery with a great premise- the main character (and amateur detective) is a vampire. Sadly, nothing at all is made of that little quirk. Due to pills that he takes, he doesn't have to drink blood, but he also can't hypnotize people with his eyes, or turn into a bat or a mist or anything cool. So what is the point? How much more interesting he would be if he had to deal with -and take advantage of- some of the traditional side effects of vampirism. Oh, and he's gay. Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay. I felt like I was being hit over the head with it, since it was mentioned repeatedly, but again, it had absolutely no bearing on the plot or the story, so what was the point? I just felt like this would have been such a richer story if those two characteristics had been more important to the narrative.
June 18, 2013
As far as mysteries are concerned I expect genre-loving readers to still find this second episode at fault. The very classical rules of very classical detective stories require that the readers be given all necessary hints to solve it for themselves.
It does not happen here and the identity of the murderer is entirely unexpected.
As for the rest I was happier than with the first book: this series is apparently not meant to be more than just entertaining and -just- entertaining it is.
The writing is quick, light hearted; there are repetitions and redundant statements but fewer than in the first episode not to mention that Simon is much more likeable here than it was there.
It is an easy read for a lazy afternoon.
It does not happen here and the identity of the murderer is entirely unexpected.
As for the rest I was happier than with the first book: this series is apparently not meant to be more than just entertaining and -just- entertaining it is.
The writing is quick, light hearted; there are repetitions and redundant statements but fewer than in the first episode not to mention that Simon is much more likeable here than it was there.
It is an easy read for a lazy afternoon.
April 22, 2015
Disappointing. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one seemed to lose itself by the end. Some of Simon's actions, particularly as they related to his agent, were completely unbelievable. Not that I look for realism in a book like this (after all, there is always the nightly news for that). I was also disappointed to find the blackmail motive recycled here since it was basically the same basis for the murders in the first book in the series.
Still fun to read. Just a little less fun than the first one.
Still fun to read. Just a little less fun than the first one.
June 19, 2021
03/13/12: 4 stars. Enjoyed a lot more than the first one. The supporting characters are more interesting (and less annoying) and the plot had more oomph. The tone is still chatty and campy but tempered a bit, so I could enjoy it as unique without just laughing. I even liked the incessant flirting between Simon and Giles, even though I'm team Police Chief!
06/19/21: 4 stars. It's hard to believe it's been almost ten years, but my opinion is still the same.
06/19/21: 4 stars. It's hard to believe it's been almost ten years, but my opinion is still the same.
September 11, 2012
Second of these amateur sleuth cosy crime stories. The sleuth is a gay vampire but apart from his brilliant sense of hearing, not much happens in this story that means he needs to be either gay or a vampire. Just a comedy gimmick I guess. Entertaining nonetheless.
February 11, 2015
i was surprised by how much i enjoyed reading this book. i saw it for 25 cents, and i thought "well if it's terrible, it only costs me a quarter." but it turned out to be really well-written, and very enjoyable. It's always fun when you find books that really surprise you like this one.
October 6, 2013
I really enjoyed this 2nd book in the Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries. I am so thrilled I have the next one to start. I loved the premiss of this story, it was fun and moved at a good pace. I think this is a great series and highly recommend it.
February 15, 2014
wasn't sure I would like this when the second paragraph stated "I am a vampire.". Not being a fan of the current vampire rage, I was very pleasantly surprised to be drawn into a great plot and conclusion! Am looking forward to reading the next in the series "Decorated to Death."
July 10, 2015
I don't know. This could be so much more if the vampire didnt have his little magic pill and instead faced his undead challenges. That said, I did enjoy this, though wished there could've been some more romance in it. There's barely a glimpse of it with this Mister Marple.
January 12, 2017
I guess the term for this is a cozy mystery. The main character is a gay vampire. This distinction is only to set these books apart from countless others. The vampire and the gay play zero roles, that was a little annoying. Nice frothy easy read.
March 10, 2009
Very quick and easy read to pass time while waiting for something better to come along. Not sorry I read it, but won't be searching out the next in the series either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews