Rules of Murder : Review - author Julianna Deering

Coming August 1st to Your Fave Book Outlet ! Book 1 in The Drew Farthering Mysteries *

* Author - Julianna Deering {click to link} Publisher - Bethany House Publishers Release Date - expected Aug 1st                        * "When a party at his country estate proves deadly, can Drew Farthering, friend Nick, and a clever debutante guest catch the killer before he claims another victim?"                         * "Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem to be stalling, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the encouragement of best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favourite novels. But no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be-- not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler... 
Then financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game." -Bethany House and Goodreads * I loved this novel!  As a longtime Agatha Christie fan, I was delited to disover the same appreciation evident in Ms Deering's writing.

*
Full advantage of the era has been taken in descriptions, locales, dialogue, and the country estate setting. All the accoutrements of a well devised mystery that will keep a reader curious. The amateur sleuths, Drew and Nick, are likeable, drawing me in with their humour and idiosyncrasies. The budding attractions and romantic inclinations of the visiting American young women on a European tour, add human interest to the efforts of solving the mysterious murder.  And will it stop at one...?

*
Red herrings aplenty and devious plot twists built and kept the tension. My mystery solving concentration was fully engaged. Pleasurably so. Every rule of the ten to Never employ when writing a mystery, according to Nick's favourite author, are employed as the story unfolds. Thus,the title 'The Rules of Murder'. Their sense of humour serves the story well, lightening the tension, yet keeping the focus.
*
Murder mystery buffs will take an enjoyable reading adventure with this one.
And if you solve it, you're a better sleuth than all of us put together. 
*
Highly recommended.  

5* from me

*

Next in Julianna Deering's Drew Farthering Mysteries?

Death By the Book - due in 2014

*

*Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing a reading ecopy in exchange for my review without obligation.

*

Tweet