Thursday, September 4, 2008

Review Suspicious Minds and Giveaway

Summary: In this smart and suspenseful sequel to Hazardous Duty, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. But her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawl space of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?

Elvis turns out to be Darnell Evans, a down-on-his-luck impersonator whose luck just got a lot worse. When his widow begs her to help, Gabby takes on his case of who-killed-the King. In the meantime her would-be rival, Chad Davis, is turning into one hunka hunka burnin' love and starting to dish out some serious TLC, which is the last thing Gabby needs right now.

Realizing the futility of running from God and from her responsibilities, Gabby decides to reconsider her priorities. But when the ersatz Elvis's killer catches on to her investigation, will she survive long enough to be able to? -- book jacket

I am very grateful to have received SUSPICIOUS MINDS by Christy Barritt from litFUSE Publicity Group. When I read the book's description, I thought it sounded like something I would probably like. Every once in awhile, I enjoy mysteries that tend to be on the lighter side; and I was curious how the author could incorporate the Christian angle into a murder mystery. I ended up really enjoying this book and its cast of characters.

Probably the most obvious comparison that came to mind when I read SUSPICIOUS MINDS was Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, except without the raunchy parts of course! The main character, Gabby, is a down-on-her luck crime-scene cleaner who somehow gets involved in solving murders. I thought Gabby was a terrific character and very well developed. She's also very funny and caused me to laugh quite a few times! I mean the book starts with Gabby finding a dead Elvis impersonator while crawling under an old, abandoned house -- you can imagine some of the puns and jokes based on this alone.

I thought the mystery aspect of the book was pretty well done too. I have to admit that I didn't figure out who dunnit until it was revealed to me, but it's possible that I was a little slow on the uptake. There were enough possible motives and suspects to keep the reader guessing for awhile (and if you're like me -- until the last few pages.) The suspects were all very unique and provided lots of enjoyment.

As I've mentioned a few times here, I am really just starting to read Christian fiction. I have found that I do enjoy it for the most part. I find it kind of nice to read a good book and get a nice message from it. One thing I really liked about SUSPICIOUS MINDS was how the author chose to handle the Christian aspects -- it was a little different than what I was expecting when I picked up the novel. Gabby, the main character, is not a church-goer or someone with strong faith (at this point in her life). Rather, her good friend and next-door neighbor Riley is the one with strong Christian values. He doesn't really force his opinions on Gabby, but he lives his life in such a way that she picks up on his faith and spirit. I thought this was a very effective way of introducing the Christian message.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this book was how Gabby learned from her mistakes and grew as a person. It's clear to the reader that she really is a good, honest person; however, she makes mistakes like the rest of us. I found it very endearing that, by the end of the book, she was re-evaluating her life and her relationships. After reading SUSPICIOUS MINDS, I'm very interested in finding out what happens to Gabby.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS is the second book that Ms. Barritt has written in the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series. I definitely want to go back and read the first one, HAZARDOUS DUTY. Having said that, SUSPICIOUS MINDS can stand on its own; and you don't have to read the series in order to appreciate the books (although I am anxious for book 3.) I felt like the author did a good job of explaining background information about the characters, and if I was missing out on something that happened in the earlier book, I couldn't tell!

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of SUSPICIOUS MINDS to share with one of you! Please leave a comment with your e-mail address is you are interested. If you would like to double your chances, you can also blog about the contest. I will be accepting comments until Friday, September 12th at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on September 13th! Unfortunately, this contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Good Luck!

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I haven't read a good mystery in a while and your review sure makes me want to read this one. I've actually never read a christian mystery I don't think. How is that possible? I'd love to start with this one! Thanks for the chance.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Michele said...

Sounds like a good mystery. I've been reading more christian fiction here and there too so will be interested to read this one. Thanks for the review!

Gwendolyn B. said...

This sounds like a fun series. I, too, would be interested in checking out Christian fiction, and this sounds like a good place to begin. Thanks for the chance!
geebee.reads[AT]gmail[DOT]com

Mom of 5 Boys said...

Ooh, this does sound good! I have started reading several popular mystery series (including the alphabet one and the Janet Evanovich ones) and had to stop when they started getting not-so-clean. I'm putting this series on my wishlist.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I like a light mystery. This one sounds good. I blogged about it too.

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/giveaways.html

Becca said...

This sounds really good and I would love a chance to win. Thanks!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Just dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail about this. It's posted over at Win a Book. And, as much as it pains me, there's no need to enter me. I have too much here that needs attention, so it's best to let someone less behind on their TBR have it.

Minding Spot said...

This sounds really good !! Please enter me :)

Wendy
spunnsugarz(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alyce said...

This books sounds very entertaining. I haven't read very many Christian mysteries.

Unknown said...

This one sounds very fun. I love cozies, although I've never read a Christian one before.

jgbeads[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

It looks like a fantastic book! Sign me to win!

ylin.0621[at]yahoo.com

Dawn M. said...

This sounds like a great book - especially if it's as funny as the Stephanie Plum books. Count me in, too, please! :0)

librarygrinch at gmail dot com

hermeslyre said...

One chance for me. I've just started reading more mystery, starting with the classics, and I think this would be a really great read! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love a good mystery. Enjoyed your review. Please enter me in your drawing. My email is Hedghogmom@aol.com. Thanks for the chance! Nancy

traveler said...

I enjoy a mystery greatly. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. The review was interesting and gave me insight into the book.
rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great mystery and I would love a chance to win.

kamewh said...

This sounds great and I would love to be entered!

kristybee said...

kristy barrett would love to win a book by christy barritt

kristybee said...

kristybee05@bellsouth.net

windycindy said...

Hello, I have read good things about this book and author. Please enter me in your delightful book giveaway drawing. Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Susan said...

This one sounds hilarious. I'd love to win it.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I blogged about the contest for an extra entry:

http://cherylfree.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/booking-mama/

ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com

Merry said...

I enjoyed the first book in this series, please include my name for Suspicious Minds. Thanks!
worthy2Bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Alyce said...

I blogged about it here:

http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-giveaways_10.html

Anonymous said...

This books sounds really good! I have blogged about your contest:

http://bookjunkiemelissa.blogspot.com/

melissaconatser at gmail dot com

photoquest said...

I haven't read anything by this author before but this book sounds awesome! I don't read alot of mystery's because they end up being gory I haven't never tried any Christian Mystery this may be a way for me to enjoy mystery's without worring if it's gonna be gory, I can do with out that. I would love to be entered in your drawing :-)
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I've never read a Christian mystery before! I'm intrigued! I'd love to be entered!

diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

mommyjen99 said...

This book sounds intriguing. This would be a new author for me to read. I would be ecstactic to win!

mommyjen99 said...

This book sounds intriguing. This would be a new author for me to read. I would be ecstactic to win!