REVIEW: DEATH BY THE BOOK by Julianna Deering

Julianna Deering's 2nd in her thrilling mystery series featuring the debonair sleuth,
Drew Farthering,

DEATH BY THE BOOK

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Drew Farthering wanted nothing more than to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement. Instead, he finds himself caught up in another mysterious case when the family solicitor is found murdered, an antique hatpin with a cryptic message, Advice to Jack, piercing his chest.

Evidence of secret meetings and a young girl's tearful confession point to the victim's double life, but what does the solicitor's murder have to do with the murder of a physician on the local golf course? Nothing, it would seem--except for another puzzling note, affixed with a similar-looking bloodied hatpin.

Soon the police make an arrest in connection with the murders, but Drew isn't at all certain they have the right suspect in custody. And why does his investigation seem to be drawing him closer to home?                                                                                         ~ publisher

* Series: Drew Farthering Mystery #2 Pages: pb 317, ebook 336, hb 500  Published: March 4.2014
Publisher: Bethany House 
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My Thoughts?
Having been won over by our hero in Ms Deering's first British mystery,

RULES OF MURDER
[click for my review] I awaited book 2 with MUCH anticipation.
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DEATH BY THE BOOK
[beside the gorgeous vintage cover art] solidified my reading relationship with the suavely sophisticated sleuth, adding author Julianna Deering's writing as a definite  mystery 'go to' for this reader.
* Characterizations are uniquely interesting - beside the delish Drew!  His girlfriend, an American  we met in Rules of Murder, holds her cards close regarding their relationship.   Drew proves himself more than capable of the challenge, when new arrival, the boisterous aunt Ruth, determines what the two need is some space between them and sets about insuring that reality, even if it means a return voyage to America!
* Ms Deering is adept at witty colloquialisms and banter of the 1930's era establishing authenticity and providing much humour
to lighten the topic! Though the book's theme is focused on the multiple murders, the scenes are well drawn without offputting graphic descriptions.  The relational aspects appear to be the focus and well developed at that.
* Drew finds himself included in the murder investigation by the attending Scotland Yard Inspector
when Drew's afternoon appointment  turns up a dead solicitor .   Add several red herrings and we're off on a merry murderous chase in the city, at his country club - even at his home in the idyllic English countryside of Farthering St. John.
* Descriptive home scenes of this wealthy bachelor's country estate centre me in the setting yet increase the tension as the investigation continues unsolved.  Intrigue, and to spare, as the murderer's toll arrives on Drew's very doorstep... and a stunning conclusion shakes you to the core! *
I won't spoil a moment of your fun as you reach for your own copy to discover all the antics and intrigue of this captivating teaser from Julianna Deering.
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Just don't miss it!

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*Note - Death by the Book definitely works standalone as all characters are well linked with references to Rules of Murder and nothing lost in translation. Just go ahead and enjoy!
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Author bio:

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage and has always loved British history and is a particular fan of the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie.
Graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Business Administration, Julianna spent several years as a Certified Public Accountant. Julianna's keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity.

A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey.
Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries, set in 1930s England, debuted with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013), followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House,  March 2014) and the upcoming, Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency .  Find Julianna online HERE.

Death by the Book is available at Book Depository

as is Rules of Murder book #1

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Murder at the Mikado book#3 for preorders now

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{Free shipping included to US, Canada + most locations}

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