Sunny Frazier

I loved the multiple meanings behind the title of this book of short stories; these little murder mysteries, where Valley Fever includes the meaning of intensely hot summers that can cause a person so much anguish that murder seems inevitable. But Valley Fever also is, to those of us who live in the inland valleys of California, a disease hidden beneath the layers of dry dusty soil that strikes without warning and can sometimes be fatal. These stories capture perfectly the dark hidden underneath of the cities and towns in the San Joaquin Valley. I read this book during a three day heat wave when the thermometer in my yard screamed 115; it helped capture the mood perfectly. All the stories are interesting; many have a tongue-in-cheek gallows type humorous ending. The 3 writers have distinct voices, and I have several favorite stories from each of them in this collection. A very easy to read, and if your looking for a little murder and anarchy this book is a good choice. 4 stars.… (lisätietoja)

I liked the mystery but didn't like the topic. Sex clubs and S&M killings are not my favorite topic so I had to push my way through this one in parts. The characters were fun and interesting and I really like Christy. Somehow I managed to jump into this series in book two rather than starting at the beginning. I'll have to go back and read the first one.

The astrology part of the book was interesting but not overwhelming, so it didn't bother me. I'll admit an "Astrology Mystery" made me pause a bit but, as I said, I was more bothered by the manner of killing than the fact that she uses astrology charts to help catch a killer.… (lisätietoja)

Christy Bristol is a unique protagonist in a part of California not usually featured in crime fiction. She's an administrative assistant at an outpost of the sheriff's office in the San Joaquin Valley who – in a truly unusual twist – moonlights as an astrologist. Christy gets sucked into investigating a series of suspicious deaths linked to an exclusive and highly secretive sex club, after a wealthy woman hires her to prepare her missing husband's astrological chart.

Christy goes (somewhat reluctantly) from astrologer to investigator at the urging of her best friend and former co-worker/roommate, Lennie Watkins. Lennie left the sheriff's office to work at a detective agency and is determined to play Sam Spade, after Christy tells her about her latest astrological client. Together, as the women investigate the husband's disappearance, they stumble across a series of seemingly connected deaths – all well-to-do men and all related in some way to the Knights of Sensani, a mysterious and kinky sex club.

They follow a twisted trail leading to the club itself, the Veterans Hospital, a sly college professor whose field of study might make Kinsey blush and a string of widows, reacting in highly varied ways to their husbands' deaths. Naturally, they cross paths with the police (and Christy's own boss) along the way. These run-ins with law enforcement, along with the appearance of a fresh-faced, go-getting co-worker (Lennie's replacement) in Christy's office, create no small degree of stress for our heroine. Plus there's also Christy's DEA agent boyfriend, whose work keeps him on the road a lot, but who makes at least one untimely and awkward appearance in the story.

Read more: http://murder-mysteries.suite101.com/article.cfm/review_where_angels_fear or go to http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-angels-fear-takes-you-for-walk-on....… (lisätietoja)