Reviews
I’m lucky; most readers seem to enjoy what I write. Some don’t, and that’s okay, too: all I really want is for my work to touch you in some way, make you feel something, maybe challenge your assumptions. The reviews are in!
Book Reviews
Jeannette de Beauvoir's "The Fine Art of Deception: A Provincetown Mystery" is the ninth finely crafted book in the Provincetown Mystery series, but it is a complete stand-alone work in itself.
Whether you have any knowledge of art or not, this is a must-read. You'll find yourself thrust into the murky, high-stakes world of art fraud. But don't expect de Beauvoir to follow the usual mystery series formula. Instead of beginning the book with a dead body, she begins with a nightmare, a subtle indication that things are not as they seem and won't be easy to figure out.
The body doesn't show up until more than 100 pages later. So, who's to say whether a crime has been committed at all, until Sydney Riley takes on the case.
The likable and well-developed young character Sydney Riley, an events planner and amateur sleuth with a probing mind and a wicked sense of humor, never fails to win the hearts of readers. Her life-like personality makes the book a lot of fun to read.
An intriguing literary device de Beauvoir employs is the ongoing soliloquy (or is it a dialogue?) of private thoughts running in Sydney's head as she coaches herself through the investigation.
The author achieves this very smoothly by writing the book in the first person from Sydney's perspective, while Sydney recounts the story by telling us what she said, quoting herself as if the story were in the third person. The effect is that we are privy to her unfiltered internal commentary, which proves to be fertile ground for much of the comedy throughout the book.
Plus, Sydney's interactions with Mirela, a talented Bulgarian painter who works in the local gallery, add a welcome layer of interest as humorless Mirela helps Sydney unravel the mystery, sometimes bringing her child along with her. But although Mirela is interesting, she may not be altogether forthcoming.
"No one with a child has a sense of humor," Mirela explains. "They remove it."
Much amiss
When an art broker is suddenly hit crossing the street in quiet P'town, a once-rare cause of death that is dramatically on the rise, the community quickly realizes the woman has been murdered and something is very much amiss.
In the author's note at the end, de Beauvoir writes, "As you can probably tell, I'm fascinated by the extraordinary amount of fraud present in the art world, and by how it's done. Most of the players/places referenced in this novel — Myatt and Drew, Han van Meegeren, the Knoedler Gallery, the Geneva Freeport — are real, and the FBI does indeed have an active art fraud division."
The author goes on to explain the facts of the biggest and most puzzling art heist ever. In 1990, in the middle of the night, 13 paintings now valued at approximately $500 million (including renowned paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer) were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and have never been found.
The intricate conspiracy to defraud the museum guards and pull off the robbery was immortalized in the film "This is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist."
Meanwhile, de Beauvoir explains, despite huge improvements in the tools used to detect fakes, even the experts sometimes have great difficulty discerning which paintings are the originals, as when a prestigious New York gallery sold a replica for $80 million. To add insult to injury, the signature of the artist was mockingly misspelled.
"Who wants to be known as the gallery that bought a fake Degas?" de Beauvoir writes, especially when reputation is what matters most in the art world, money is being made, and life floats along as if everything were just fine on the surface. But turning a blind eye is self-sabotage.
As more people defect from the face-value crowd, no longer believing everything they are told when clues indicate the contrary, we may want to do what Italy does with its great art. Long past quibbling about conspiracy theories, Italy knows it has a real conspiracy problem. Their solution: replace all public art in advance with top quality replicas so that nothing truly valuable is stolen.
"The Fine Art of Deception: A Provincetown Mystery" is very much worth reading for the education you'll receive about the "spectacular contradiction at the heart of art forgery." But brace yourself for the book's explosive ending, as all is revealed and justice prevails in P'town.
From The Page Lady’s Book Club on Instagram
My book tour continues with this great review from Jodi Webber:
Know what I love more than a good mystery? A good mystery that could only occur in one unique setting! The Honeymoon Homicides and its Provincetown, MA setting hit the target for a mystery that could only have happened in one special spot. de Beauvoir did a marvelous job immersing the reader in the setting both with detailed setting descriptions of the natural beauties and capturing the "feel" of Provincetown during the mania of the high season. I felt like a local looking at the world through the eyes of local inn owner Sydney Riley.
The Honeymoon Homicides begins with a murder and amateur detective Sydney Riley promptly leaving the murder scene for her honeymoon. How can you solve a mystery when you aren't in the middle of the action? Well, you can't but once Sydney arrives back in town she finds that her honeymoon will play a key part in her solving the mystery. I was kicking myself for not noticing the subtle clues dropped during the honeymoon that told Sydney something about the murder. The shift between quiet relaxing times and danger filled adventures left me breathless and unable to stop reading. The characters in this book were richly drawn, making me eager to read another book to learn more about them.
Not your average cozy mystery, this book addressed some very real social and environmental issues. Long after the last page is read, you'll find yourself pondering the effect and reactions to widespread drug addiction and your feelings about overdevelopment in natural areas.
Despite joining the Sydney Riley series for Book 10, it was easy to catch up with the lives of the characters without feeling like I was missing key information. de Beauvoir managed to give me the background I needed without a rehash that would be boring for Sydney Riley fans from Book 1.
No time for a summer beach weekend? The Honeymoon Homicides could be a great stand-in, with wild deserted beaches and a little murder.
A Little Extra
The Honeymoon Homicides is Book 10 on the Sydney Riley series that takes place in Provincetown, MA. If you visit, don't miss the pubic library. It has an amazing surprise inside!
Jeannette de Beauvoir also has a Martine LeDuc series. LeDuc is the director of tourism for the city of Montréal, Québec, a city that speaks two official languages, is home to multiple distinct communities, is a cosmopolitan business and tourism center, and apparently has more than one murder that LeDuc helps solve.
The Honeymoon Homicides by Jeannette de Beauvoir is the 10th book in the Provincetown mystery series featuring Sydney Riley, part owner of a Provincetown hotel. The book jumps right into the mystery when a dead body drops from the upper floor of the hotel right into the middle of Sydney’s wedding reception to her new husband Ali. Many guests run screaming from the scene, but not Sydney, who is also known as Provincetown’s own Miss Marple.
Sydney can only snoop for a little bit because she and Ali are due to leave for their honeymoon. The pair has been gifted a week in a historical shack in the dunes of Cape Cod’s National Seashore. There is no internet, cell service or air conditioning, and hence, no way for Sydney to investigate. The details of this area and history of the shacks are fascinating and make the setting come to life. (Side note: be sure to read the author’s note at the end – it includes so many interesting details that added to my reading experience.) On walks through the dunes during their honeymoon week, Sydney and Ali meet a loner named Cyril who lives permanently on the dunes, as well as Park Ranger O’Connell.
The Honeymoon Homicides by Jeannette de Beauvoir is the 10th book in the Provincetown mystery series featuring Sydney Riley, part owner of a Provincetown hotel. The book jumps right into the mystery when a dead body drops from the upper floor of the hotel right into the middle of Sydney’s wedding reception to her new husband Ali. Many guests run screaming from the scene, but not Sydney, who is also known as Provincetown’s own Miss Marple.
Once back from their trip, Ali is called away on undercover police work, leaving Sydney the time and opportunity to investigate the body from her wedding reception. She uncovers many clues and even spends time with the victim’s widow to learn more. The more she learns the more she begins to suspect that the victim had (possibly illegal) business on the dunes, and her new connections from her honeymoon might know more than they are letting on.
What follows is a fast-paced mystery with such a suspenseful end! The book addresses themes of conservation and the environment pitted against themes of greed and development. I couldn’t figure out how Jeannette was going to tie the honeymoon back to the victim in the opening of the mystery, but she did skillfully. I flew through the last chapters of the book, not stopping until I knew the ending. An excellent entry into the series.
(Review of The Honeymoon Homicides by Sarah Erwin in the MysteryRat Maze at King’s River Life)
I enjoyed this mystery. De Beauvoir is a good writer and includes interesting information within the mystery plot. I like learning about something new and in this novel it was the historic dune shacks of Provincetown. I appreciated this background information and an adventure woven through them.
I also appreciated an interesting discussion de Beauvoir included between co-owners of the inn, Sydney and Mike. After the death of an acquaintance, Mike questions whether helping wealthy people have a good vacation made his life worthwhile. This was a surprising and welcome serious discussion in the midst of a mystery.
This is the first novel I have read by de Beauvoir and I really enjoyed it. I recommend it. Be ready for a good mystery that is informative and includes an interesting discussion on what gives life meaning.
My rating: 5/5 stars. (review of The Honeymoon Homicides at Bookwoman Joan)
This book starts with Sydney and Ali’s wedding. There is a dead body that appears on the ground at the ceremony/reception location. Neither Sydney nor Ali know who the victim is. They leave to go on their honeymoon at the shack dune, that they call it😉
Lucy seems like an interesting character in this book, she is aware of some things about Sydney and especially Ali. That was a bit weird to me as a reader, but also made me read more of the book. Also, Cyril seems to know a little more about Ali then he seems to let on. That is weird since Sydney and Ali are on their honeymoon and haven’t ever been to the island. Sydney is like a Nancy Drew in this book and is trying to figure out who the man who died at the hotel is when they return.
The author has done a good job of writing an engaging mystery story. Sydney and Ali are written well, they resonate with me as a reader. The author has clearly done a lot of research with several things in this book, hotel management and also murder mysteries. The story does have a happy ending too, which I loved. The descriptions are very well written as well. I really got a feel for Cape Cod, even though I have never been there.
Country Mama rating: 4 out of 5 hearts ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ (review of The Honeymoon Homicides at CountryMamasWithKids)
5 stars!
Exciting new addition to the Sydney Riley series!
The Honeymoon Homicides: A Provincetown Mystery is the tenth book in author Jeannette de Beauvoir’s humorous, cozy mystery series, which features former wedding planner turned hotel owner Sydney Riley. Sydney and her new husband Ali start their married life together with an uninvited guest dropping into their wedding.
The main character, Sydney, is an absolute magnet for mystery and murder, and this latest book brings both elements to the table in full force. Sydney is just as fun as she can be as she works toward finding answers, even when worried about the threats to Ali’s wellbeing. She is surrounded by a plethora of fine supporting characters that bring the story to life and provide the perfect platform for the author’s signature wit and clever dialogue to shine.
The plot of this book literally ‘hits the ground’ running, as they say, and the author keenly maintained my interest throughout with twists and added mystery. My pleasure with the story was greatly enhanced by the inclusion of historical tales regarding this part of Cape Cod, such as the German U-boats that roamed the coast during WWII and the actual existence of the dune shacks along the beach outside Provincetown and the related controversy.
Although this novel is well down the line in this long-running series, it can still be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I recommend THE HONEYMOON HOMICIDES to cozy mystery readers looking for a new series to jump on and fans of the previous books in the series. (review at Guatemala Paula Loves to Read)
”The victim generously waited to be murdered until the final vows had been spoken and we were officially declared married. And that’s pretty much the best thing I can say about my wedding.”
Sounds like the wedding from hell. And the horror has just begun. Nobody expects a body to fall from an awning to the terrace. And Sydney certainly doesn’t anticipate the investigative challenges which pull her into situations she didn’t see coming.
As the story evolves, Sydney’s personal and professional lives are tested in unusual ways. Readers unfamiliar with Sydney’s life and past are treated to flashbacks of information from other encounters which portray her and her associates in revealing new ways:
“This wasn’t Mike. Mike had been the best manager the inn had ever had, efficient, cordial… strong. I knew better than anybody else how strong he was: one cold October, back when TransWeek was still known as Fantasia Fair, I’d been unlucky enough to run afoul of a truly murderous person who’d set their murderous sights on me. I’d ended up in the harbor with hypothermia moments away when Mike had saved me. You don’t forget that kind of thing.”
Provincetown culture and personalities thus come to life and evolve in a series of encounters that focus on more than mystery alone, revealing undercurrents of relationships to enhance the story as a whole.
Jeannette de Beauvoir is especially adept at presenting Sydney’s dilemmas as she handles ultimatums, juggling her job with her ongoing probe of investigative matters and pairing wine and food as adeptly as she cobbles together facts about perps and victims.
The pace is fast, but de Beauvoir takes the time to outline social and political conundrums that influence decisions and outcomes as characters interact in a dance of special interests and personalities. This encourages readers to cheer for more than one character or special interest.
The result is a mystery steeped in Provincetown issues, culture, and personalities which creates another captivating Sidney Riley encounter while loosely reflecting on real people and events.
Libraries and readers looking for engrossing mysteries that set their escapades and encounters against a captivating backdrop will find The Honeymoon Homicides an excellent tale of discovery, local history, marriage, and fun.
– Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
There's something special about Jeannette de Beauvoir's books, and "Dead in the Water" is no exception. It contains everything you expect in a cozy mystery (heroine with a fun job, law-enforcement boyfriend, quirky best friend, cute pet), but brings SO MUCH MORE to the table.
This time around, Sydney is dealing with a kidnapping, as the ransom note was delivered to Glenn at the inn. And as it turns out, she has some past experience with kidnapping/missing persons, as her sister Alex was abducted (and never found) when she was young. I didn't know this about Sydney before, and it made me admire her even more...the way she's so strong and capable despite her childhood trauma.
The main reason I love Sydney Riley, though, is her sense of humor! Sydney is truly hilarious. She says some funny things, but her internal dialog (filled with trademark Sydney snark) is even funnier. If she were a real person, I'd LOVE to hang out with her and enjoy her wit and personality. This sense of humor is especially helpful this time around, as Sydney's parents are in town for a visit, so she has them to deal with along with trying to solve the mystery.
And speaking of out of town guests....someone else makes an appearance as well. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but you WON'T be disappointed!
As always, the author brings Provincetown to life for the reader through her writing. This time around, we learn about an abandoned military base on the outskirts of town. (In the author's note, it is explained that the version Sydney experiences is a former version, and a description of the changes is provided.) We also get to tag along on a couple of whale watching excursions, and learn more about that aspect of life in P'Town, as well as about whales. Did you know that the whale/dolphin watching industry originated in that area? I didn't before, but I do now! I love it when I learn something from a story!
Each book I read in this series makes me want to take a trip to Provincetown even more. The mystery itself, as always, was detailed, well-plotted, and interesting. There were plenty of clues and red herrings, and once Sydney figures everything out, it all fell into place and made perfect sense. I did NOT guess the culprit, and never even suspected this person until something that happened very near the end. Looking back, all the clues pointed in that direction, if only I were a better detective! Overall, as always for the Provincetown books, five out of five slices of spicy Pepper-Jack!
Check out my review blog tour for The Matinée Murders:
Beyond the Books with Sharon Rimmelzwaan “Sydney I found hilarious at times, we are treated to her inner voice, which is not the respectful wedding planner and this just makes me love her more!An excellent cosy mystery which is written well and had me feeling I was there at an International Film Festival, the intrigue and suspense built nicely as Sydney investigated and begins to come up with answers. The plot is a good realistic and a quite believable one also. “
Puzzle Paws “This is a delightful romp of a mystery, investing the reader fully in the moment. Even as Sydney discovers the unsightly truths and infighting behind the Hollywood glitz, there is a realness to the characters that makes them credible and solid. Whether dealing with Justin’s grief and confusion at being the main suspect, Mike’s angst of seeing his ex-husband, or Ali’s wonderfully solid support of both his girlfriend and good friends, I just couldn’t get enough. The author has done an amazing job describing both the environs and landmarks of Provincetown, as well as the love-hate relationship locals have with tourists.”
Book Lover Worm “It was a brilliant book to lose myself in and watch the events of the story unfold. The Hollywood people were mostly, predictably entitled and full of themselves as you would expect and I had fun being irritated by some of them. I liked the description of the town itself as well, I could easily picture the crowded streets because everyone in the country has arrived for the film festival.”
A Quintillion Words “There was one certain part of the book which really pulled at those heart strings. A character who has been largely affected by one of the murders speaks out in front of the crowd, and speaks directly from the heart. The author couldn’t have done a better job here, and I was close to being a complete sobbing mess! The words from this character were so heartfelt and powerful, and it made me want to get to the bottom of this mystery more than ever, but his words affected much more than just my own emotions. “
Little Miss Book Lover 87 “Another absolutely fantastic read!! I haven’t wanted to put this one down! This is completely unique to anything I’ve read previously and I loved it.”
Once Upon a Time Book Blog “Jeannette captivated and kept me engaged with her writing, which is so vivid that I was able to see myself set up in my own makeshift theatre, popcorn and soda on hand, as I watched all the drama unfold on the big screen. Although I can only judge from the strength of the plot in this story, its characterization and its stunning picturesque coastal setting, it would really make for a perfect televised mystery series.”
Nev’s Book Cave “Sydney is really quite likable and down to earth. She’s not the ‘Effie Trinket’ wedding planner I was expecting, if you know what I mean. There are a couple of twists and I certainly didn’t expect what came at the end.”
Shayney’s Book Corner “I couldn’t put it down, not only because I wanted to find out who the killer was but because I was really gripped with the story and by the writing.”
The L’il Things “An easy and enjoyable read which I devoured quickly. This is not to say the plot is light or predictable – it is not! There is death, gore and mysteries galore! The writer had me guessing throughout what the truth was, and who was responsible. I was unable to guess correctly, which I always like in a book!”
Rachael’s Thoughts “The body count doesn’t stop there though, as movie heartthrob and newly married Falcone is bludgeoned to death and his husband looks set to take the fall. Sydney is on the case to find out who is behind the murders but is she putting herself in the firing line?”
Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction “There is something satisfying about a “normal” person putting clues together to solve the crime. I suppose this is also considered a cozy mystery series, although I didn’t consider it so, possibly because of my own opinion that P’town doesn’t strike me as cozy. It’s more fun than cozy.”
Curled Up With a Good Book “This is a fab murder mystery with some brilliant characters and an interesting plot. I’d definitely like to find the time to go back and read the rest of the books in the series. So if you’re looking for your next whodunnit style murder mystery, then check this out.”
“Jeannette has a gift for inhabiting other people’s experiences and bringing the reader in.”
This is one of my favorite mystery series, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review the latest installment, "The Lethal Legacy".
Needless to say, I was NOT disappointed...this book continues to offer everything I love about the series, plus adds in some new aspects of life in Provincetown. I am a huge fan of main character Sydney Riley. She is smart, organized, loyal, and absolutely hilarious! Her inner dialog is always a highlight for me....not much is funnier than the things Sydney thinks (but usually doesn't say out loud).
The book is set in Provincetown, a real place that the author obviously knows well. Her love of the area shines through during the entire book, and her descriptions of the town and its people, places, and events made me want to visit. This time around, we visited (along with Sydney) some new-to-me parts of the P'town landscape. I enjoy learning more about this area with each book.
Some other highlights:
A good bit of Provincetown's history is shared, as the murder victim's wife was in town to do a bit of historical research into her own ancestry. It was fascinating (but sad) to read about this real-life stop on the Underground Railroad, and what life was like for some of those who escaped to Canada.
There is character diversity! Unlike so many cozies, not everyone is young, beautiful, thin, white, and straight. I very much enjoyed reading about different types of people within the cozy mystery sub-genre.
This is NOT a romance! Yes, Sydney has a serious boyfriend, but he isn't local. There are a couple of phone conversations, but Sydney tackles this mystery on her own.
The main local detective is female, and is sometimes, grudgingly, willing to work with Sydney a bit. No trope-ish love/hate romance with law enforcement to be found! All in all, another excellent novel by Ms. de Beauvoir!
This book offers everything that's expected from a cozy, but does so with enough of an edge to make it stand out in the genre. Five out of five cups of shredded Pepper-Jack!
A Fatal Folly earns 5/5 Sunken Ships...Engaging Entertainment!
It‘s November, it’s cold, and it’s “Ma” on the phone complaining that Sydney Riley won’t come home for the holidays. Feigning a busy schedule, which isn’t entirely true since it is the winter season, but there is her work at the Inn and the gallery she’ll not give up. Besides the upcoming annual Holly Folly encompasses the entire town. She should have just said...sorry, can’t come, but “Why don’t you come here?” popped out of her mouth. Things get worse when her “Little Green Car” is hit requiring immediate attention and introducing her to a “Guy.” Things perk up when one friend shows her an extraordinary beach find and another presents her with a mystery to take her mind off her boyfriend’s undercover danger and the impending arrival of her mother.
This page-turning drama accompanies stories about centuries-old pirate lore, sunken ships, Christmas festivities, and a cold case surrounding a long ago murder and missing family...mystery is once again afoot! Jeannette de Beauvoir has penned an entertaining fifth book with a plethora of references to connections and previous felonies to keep me engaged as a newbie (no spoilers, just teasers).
The mystery was complex seemingly going one direction than another with greed, violence, and betrayal from centuries ago to the present. The actual crime and subsequent investigation took more time to get to than I prefer, but the drama incorporated so much from legends of pirates to a fascinating cold case, from family angst to Christmas excitement. Characters are realistic and varied with well-defined personalities, but I was taken aback by some of Sydney’s snippy sarcasm. I enjoyed “A Fatal Folly” tremendously and recommend it!
“Jeannette de Beauvoir’s background as a French student of medieval history lends nicely to Lethal Alliances, a story that takes place during the reign of King Phillipe le Bel in the 1300s.
Intrigue, murder, political passion, and social and political drama are the hallmarks of a read that requires no prior familiarity with the politics and history of the times in order to be satisfyingly accessible and dramatically absorbing.
Handsome princes and aristocracy hated because of unfair taxation, damsels who dream of romance at high levels but who confront palace intrigue instead, and blossoming romances between princesses and lords contribute to an evolving story of relationships both personal and political.
The three girls betrothed to Phillipe’s sons aren’t expecting these sub layers of palace politics to change their lives; but their worlds and romance are vastly changed by them. As Princess Isabelle faces the death of a royal family member and the subterfuge that threatens her own life and its tenants, readers are treated to a fine layering of historical fact and description and intrigue designed to keep them engaged and guessing.
The richness of detail and authenticity of the times may be attributed to de Beauvoir’s background, but it truly takes a literary hand to capture these historical nuances in such a manner that the fictional side of the story remains completely engrossing even to those with no prior knowledge of or interest in French history.
Lethal Alliances crafts an engaging account that is as much about French politics of the times as it is about romance and intrigue. Winding these into the historical facts surrounding the political forces that clash with one another creates a moving, absorbing account which is educational, riveting, and hard to put down.”
“A Killer Carnival: A Provincetown Mystery is the fourth book in the Sydney Riley series and is set in a colorful town planning for its equally colorful annual Carnival Parade. Sydney’s nose for trouble is awakened when her boyfriend’s police officer sister shows up and begins making inquiries.
Jeannette de Beauvoir’s wry sense of humor and ability to capture immediate attention is evident from the very first sentences, which are revealing and fun: “By the time the float exploded, we were all far enough away that it was only ear-splittingly loud rather than lethal. I guess one has to be grateful for the small things in life. Like... well, life. I don’t usually spend a lot of time around objects that explode, so the experience was a new one.”
Readers are immersed in the mystery of an exploding float and murder attempt that grabs reader interest even before relationships, mystery, and investigative premises are introduced. These subplots flush out the setting and circumstances that make A Killer Carnival so realistically engrossing.
Provincetown is flagrantly outrageous, and so is Sydney’s course as she faces criminals, life-changing circumstances, and insights that lead her to make some realizations about her choices and progress in the world.
De Beauvoir does an outstanding job of creating suspense, capturing a vivid personality’s unique narrative style, and crafting a mystery from the story’s first few lines, but she doesn’t leave newcomers in the lurch over Sydney’s background. This is presented after the gripping opener, which makes for an irresistible addition to the story’s introduction (“How is it that stories begin? “It all started when...”).
Newcomers and prior Sydney fans thus receive a tale accessible to all, powered with a compelling observational style that does more than just narrate a mystery, placing readers squarely in Provincetown’s atmosphere: “P’town being P’town, a lot of the floats feature loud music and scantily clad well-oiled impossibly handsome young men dancing suggestively to a throbbing bass beat. Our float, I’d liked to think, was somewhat more subtle. Apparently not subtle enough. Or maybe I just don’t have a handle on subtlety anymore. I live in one of the least subtle places in the world, a town aggressively in your face about everything, a town with swagger to spare. I’d like to add that, technically speaking, none of this was my fault.”
By now, it should be evident that readers who choose A Killer Carnival are in for a rare treat. It’s an explosive (literally) combination of intrigue, suspense, and psychological insight set in an atmospheric, colorful locale that benefits from the author’s personal familiarity with P-town’s eccentrics and sometimes-questionable characters.
Packed with motive and heart-stopping moments and spiced by Sydney’s irreverent wit and sense of humor, A Killer Carnival is mystery writing at its finest. It’s especially recommended for prior readers, but is quite accessible to newcomers seeking superior stories, memorable characters, and fast-paced action.”
“Jeannette de Beauvoir continues to demonstrate her total mastery of the mystery/suspense genre.”
“De Beauvoir does a fine job of evoking the ambiance of Montreal, with its fascinating neighborhoods, bilingualism, and political tensions.”
“Martine LeDuc, the publicity director for the city of Montreal and a wonderfully likable narrator, partners with offbeat police detective Julian Fletcher in this absorbing mystery from de Beauvoir (Murder Most Academic). As Martine and Julian look into the murders of four women found posed on park benches throughout the city over a period of months, they begin to suspect that the killings are linked to one of Montreal’s most shameful scandals, the Duplessis Orphans. In the 1950s, children separated from mostly unwed mothers in the very Catholic province of Quebec were transferred from orphanages to mental hospitals as a means to secure greater funding. Inhabitants of these hellholes served as guinea pigs for experiments performed for pharmaceutical companies. Now someone is willing to kill in order to avoid opening old wounds. De Beauvoir does a fine job of evoking the ambiance of Montreal, with its fascinating neighborhoods, bilingualism, and political tensions.”
“There is a serial killer loose in Montreal, and the mayor asks Martine LeDuc, his director of PR, to act as liaison with the police department. Four women have been killed, their bodies left posed obscenely on park benches. When the police charge a homeless man with the murders, Martine is afraid the real killer is still at large. Luckily, renegade police detective Julian Fletcher is as convinced as Martine of the homeless man’s innocence, and the two continue to investigate on their own. Martine uncovers a link between the four women: all were involved with the decades-old Duplessis orphanage scandal. Orphanages found they could get more money from the government if the orphans were mentally ill, so the children were sent to asylums, where many of them received lobotomies, electroshock treatments, and hallucinogens. The story alternates between the present-day investigation and the first-person story of one of the orphans, an approach that succeeds in giving the tragedy a human dimension. A complex and heartbreaking mystery.”
“It’s how the story from then progresses forward while the story from now works to uncover more and more of the past, until they meet, that is so compelling. Readers are left to question characters motives, to reexamine plot points and wonder how it will all come together. Asylum is a well done murder mystery, but is really one not to miss for the details surrounding what happened to the orphans and the intricate, well pieced together puzzle that involves numerous characters, locations, organizations and comes together over years.”
“Martine LeDuc is a terrific heroine. She’s bright, good at her job, and obviously distraught at what she and Julian have discovered went on in Québec more than seventy ago. She’s determined to right the wrongs committed by those in power as best she can, in part by making her discoveries public. But, of course, that leads to great danger for herself.”
“De Beauvoir does an excellent job of bringing the past and the present together into a tense, thoughtful suspense. Some books are fondly set aside when you finish reading, replaced by the next book in your mind. Not so with Asylum. If anything, I find myself thinking of it often still, remembering it, and liking it even more as I do.”
“I thought I was getting another crime procedural: a sadistic serial killer, unknown links among the victims, an “ordinary” woman and a policeman trying to solve the case in spite of official disinterest. But de Beauvoir had a second story to tell, one that was even more interesting, more disturbing than the murders. The mix of two stories, told by the investigating woman and a voice from the past, provided a gripping tale, a tale made even more horrifying in that much of it is true. This is book that needs to be read, both as fast-moving tale of crime and as a lesson from the past that will, once again, cause us to say “Never again.””
“This is one of the best novels I’ve read in years. I was instantly hooked and connected to the characters. The writing style of de Beauvoir brought the characters to life. The content is riveting and simultaneously disturbing. I couldn’t put it down and was sad when it ended.”
“From the chilling front cover, to the detailed descriptions, extensive research, vivid settings of Montreal, political tensions, and real-life events; Jeannette de Beauvoir, delivers an absorbing mystery suspense; an intense page-turner thriller.”
“Being so closely tied to factual history gives this an extra horrifying feel. Using a modern mystery to show the shocking events of the past is a terrific idea.”
“Edge of your seat, biting your fingernails suspense! This book has history, romance, and mystery.”
“This book was....in short- amazing! It was a story of truths mixed with a storyline that flowed off of the pages. I felt sorrow for the children. Anger at the deaths. And total fascination with what was happening with the asylum and how it was all covered up. The author did a wonderful job at creating and building the characters. The story was fluid and very easy to get caught up in. The last half of the book I read straight through-hating that I had to put it down for anything. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a little history and a whole lot of mystery.”
“This is one of those books that you will open and not put down; it will keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning, and linger with you long after you finish. Martine Leduc and Julian Fletcher are beautifully written, rich characters and the Montreal Ms. de Beauvoir details, pulls you in and captures your imagination.”
“De Beauvoir has delivered a harrowing, addictive read that will keep you up late into the night and your mind lingering long after you’ve closed the book. Asylum is riveting and disturbing, and charming amateur sleuth Martine Leduc is an indomitable and courageous heroine you’ll be rooting for from page one.”
“With searing honesty, and not a trace of self pity, Angell holds the reader’s gaze, daring us to join her on the painful journey where she lost, then regained, the power to be herself.”
“I had read 300 pages of The Illusionist before I took a sip of water in the glass sitting next to me. I was enchanted by the world, by the family, and by the mysteries of this novel. This book will have you up all night, waiting to see how it ends! A must read!”
“Wings was a spellbinding book. My husband knew Harriet Quimby, and he said that she’d have liked the life you gave her.”
“Angell levels an uncomfortable light on an unacknowledged truth...that all of us, at some time, make love in the dark.”
“It didn’t take me even twenty pages to fall for Irene Adler. By page twenty I told myself I wouldn’t even care if this book didn’t develop a plot—I’d keep reading it just for the enjoyment of Irene’s self-deprecating humor and her acute and amusing commentary on the people (and the macaw) in her life. Happily, Assignment: Nepal isn’t short on plot either—all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Adler, named for “the only woman to outsmart Sherlock Holmes,” is an anthropologist with a taste for adventure who hoped her doctorate would open doors. (“It had opened doors, all right. Classroom doors.”) Her former academic advisor Dr. Herbert–who reminds her of Lewis Carroll’s White Rabbit, but who may not be as scattered as he seems—convinces her to visit a fellow anthropologist and former classmate in Nepal. Something fishy is going on in Nepal, although Dr. Herbert is less than forthcoming about exactly what he wants her to investigate. Irene is bored enough with academic life–and flush enough from her poker-playing–to take the bait anyway. What follows is an enjoyable travelogue-cum-mystery, involving Nepalese politics and culture, Hindu religious practices, and most of all, people.
The book itself is the collaborative effort of two authors writing under the assumed single name of J.A. Squires, and I hope someday to read an interview about their writing process. To create such a strong narrative voice with two people at the helm is a noteworthy accomplishment indeed. Wherever the lines may have been between the two author’s separate contributions, the result is a seamless product—and (tantalized by the implied promise of the word “series” in reference to this stand-alone book) I’m anxiously awaiting the next installment.”
“Former call girl and now a history professor, Trinity Pierce is a survivor. She’s a loyal friend, solid colleague, and now must morph into a detective for the sake of a friend’s request despite the danger that exposing someone else’s past can have on her buried former profession. The great writing makes this slim novel fly by, making it a perfect read at the beach, on a plane, or while some boring professor drones on in the classroom. This is a solid mystery delving into two worlds that don’t usually cross paths, prostitution and academia. It’s a delicate balance that the author carries off with style. The twists will keep you looking over your shoulder as much as they do for Trinity, and the danger to her current life grows as the story progresses. Can Trinity catch a kidnapper and murderer, and save herself? Read, find out, and be surprised.”
“The poems in Seven Times to Leave lead us through the wreckage of surviving domestic violence, detailing a path from the first suspicion that a relationship may be changing, through the terror and stripping of self-esteem, and on to the shadows the trauma leaves on the body and soul. Seven Times to Leave presents us with survivors’ tales, stories that teach us the strength of mind and courage of soul that the recovery from such trauma requires. These unflinching, brave poems remind us that above all we must keep alive our capacity to love, or else we die somewhere deep within.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed The Illusionist. The characters were very well written and believable. It kept my interest right to the end. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and look forward to more from her!”
“These poems go beyond victimization, transcending to personal revelations that are written in a way that connects the reader to the circumstance.”
“Assignment: Nepal is a fun, fast-paced book that deftly incorporates an intriguing mystery with a detailed travelogue. The authors paint a compelling portrait of Nepal, while populating the book with interesting characters that bring additional life to the exotic setting. Looking forward to the next Irene Adler story.”
“The Boston Marathon bombing brings urgency to Murder Most Academic, whose blackmail plot hinges on Islamophobia. Even without that coincidence, Alicia Stone’s novel shines with realistic characters who conceal more than they reveal. Especially Trinity Pierce, Reluctant Detective. What did she hope to prove by taking on this case? She has her say, but the well-wrought details often suggest otherwise in a world rich with subtext. Her investigation of an unlikable murder victim raises another question, deftly handled: who deserves to be mourned?”
“This book was a fascinating read. The Duplessis Orphans really did exist, and many of them really were human subjects for bizarre drug experiments. Jeannette de Beauvoir has woven a story combining history and fiction that had me on the edge of my seat. From the beginning right through to the breathless climax, the story moves at a fast pace. The characters are complex, and the setting is incredible. Though I did eventually guess who the killer was, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the story one single bit (mostly because I wasn’t sure of it until the end). I suspected almost everyone at one point or another.
And bonus: if you like French, you will find much to love in this book. Snippets and phrases in French are sprinkled liberally throughout the book, and I found myself reading those parts out loud and repeatedly just to hear the lilt of the language. It’s gorgeous.
I hope you’ll check out Asylum and let me know what you think. And, in case I haven’t mentioned it recently, if you read it please consider leaving the author a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Authors appreciate reviews, and I’m sure Ms. de Beauvoir would love it!”
“You killed me in the end. I’m totally in awe of the flawless crescendo of terror. The stuff of my too-real recurring nightmares. Wow. That’s my one-word review.”
Services Testimonials
“Jeannette’s ability to draw her readers in and engage them in her writing are unparalleled in both her non-fiction and fiction writing. As a writer she draws from a rich storehouse of life experiences, allowing her readers the joy of discovering new worlds. Her creative and intelligent mind is fascinated by the nuances around her, bringing her characters a depth of experience and personality that are sure to delight the reader. Her deep appreciation of history and culture allow for masterful plots, diverse characters and works laced with both humor and suspense. She is a quick and thorough editor, easily juggling multiple projects. Jeannette is unquestionably a talented writer and editor, but what sets her apart is that she is a joy to work with on any project—her sense of humor, caring spirit and passionate love of others ensure the best of outcomes for any writing endeavor!”
“It is with great confidence that I recommend Jeannette. She is not only very professional, but a delight to work with. Her ideas are creative and well thought out. She is able to view things from multiple angles, allowing for a greater depth of discovery. I would work with her again without reservation and encourage you to as well. Bravo Jeannette. Keep up the great work!”
“I hired Jeannette to edit a manuscript I wanted to submit for publication. I knew it needed work, and I wanted a professional. Her work was flawless. She intuited my intentions and turned some very stiff prose into a book I am proud to have authored. More importantly, the manuscript was accepted for publication within three (3) days of submitting it. There is no doubt in my mind that this only happened because of Jeannette’s outstanding editorial skills.”
“Jeannette is incredible – so open minded and helps bring clarity to any project. I feel so grateful to have had her along my side in the journey of becoming a best selling author of The Mortgage Code. If you are considering any creative writing project Jeannette is who you need to connect with. Thank you Jeannette for being the amazing person you are.”
“Jeannette is a total pro. In the new world of publishing she embodies the skills that are needed to make a business successful and profitable. She is FAST. Not just fast, but fast and beautiful. That is a rare skill that makes her special. Under deadline I am consistently amazed at the speed in which she can turn something around. We have worked together now for over six years and anticipate that continuing for another 10… It is easy to check out her writing so I don’t need to expand on that. What a potential employer, wants to know— is it a good “fit”. She is kind, caring, dedicated, and responsible, and a remarkably good person. At the end of the day, isn’t that important? It is to me.”
“I’ve been Jeannette’s client for 20+ years. She’s advised, edited, coached, and co-wrote hundreds of pieces with me. I echo everything written in this recommendation! Next she is going to help me write a book as soon as I can get myself disciplined enough to start the project. Every professional needs a writing mentor and coach. Jeannette is awesome at both!”
“Whether it is a simple thank you note or an important business communication, Jeannette gets it done with style. With brush (keyboard) and canvas (monitor) in hand, she has the ability to pen a story that not only gets one’s attention, it demands it. There are very few who can deliver both the steak and the sizzle. Jeannette is at the head of that class.”
“I have been hiring Jeannette to write freelance for Provincetown Magazine for a few years now. She is an extremely reliable writer who always gets the job done and makes my job as editor easy. Whether it is from an idea she pitched or an assignment I gave her, the resulting articles have always been well written, on time, and proofread before she sends them in. I also always feel confident in her ethics, discretion, and ability to write well about just about any topic. This is why she is always at the top of my list of freelancers to call.”
“I have worked with Jeannette de Beauvoir on many occasions and have found her to be an excellent editor. I would highly recommend her for your editing needs.”
“Jeannette edited my first novel; as a first-time author and self-publisher, I had no idea what to expect with the process. Jeannette’s style was extremely attractive to me. She suggested the changes that made the most sense, without trying to rewrite what I had written or change my style of writing. She pointed out areas that needed work, and gave solid reasons. I think the best part about working with Jeannette was that she does a complete second round of edits once you have gone through the first round. I highly recommend Jeannette to help you with your project as well.”
“Jeannette is able to get quickly up to speed with a company’s documentation needs and put them into words into an articulate and professional manner. Whether doing general corporate writing or marketing/web copy, she is skilled, punctual, and inspired.”
“Thanks so much for your work. You are thorough, fast, and smart. I love it.”
“When I was writing Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather I wanted a story that would be easy and fun to read even though it dealt with history and science. I chose Jeannette because she convinced me she would listen to me and help me attain my goal. She even came to Kansas to go storm chasing in order go get inside the story. I’m very pleased with the final result and so are the critics.”
“Jeannette is a wonderful professional to work with. She is so knowledgeable about so many things and has an expertise in a number of areas. She is a person who is diligent, loyal and patient. Her writing is superb and she can help you become a better writer just by working with her. I would hire Jeannette to edit or write anything!”
“Jeannette provided outstanding editing services for DreamTime Publishing. I used her for all of the books in our Open Your Heart series (14), for both content development and copyediting, as well as for the books we published that were not part of that series (3). She is reliable, creative, and talented, and wrote two of the books in the series herself. Having Jeannette on your side in a project is a beautiful thing, as she will look for other ways to help you above and beyond what she is specifically hired to do. For example, she also sent other talented authors my way. She also understands and appreciates the value of taking a project through to completion, whether that means an editing job or doing what it takes to promote her own books. I would definitely work with Jeannette again if the opportunity presented itself.”
“Jeannette and I have worked together in three capacities. We got acquainted through the Copyediting-L forum, where we participate as colleagues. Then I subcontracted to her in a teaching edit on a client’s novel, after which she served as copy editor for my own book—a nonfiction title in a series for which she was the series editor. We’ve also communicated informally about our respective works in process. In all cases, her professionalism, insight, and positive attitude have carried through whatever project or discussion was underway. I look forward to working with her again, and recommend her services without hesitation.”
“I hired Jeannette to create a keynote speech for me. What I received instead was a true partner from beginning to end! Jeannette knew exactly what would work with my audience and was very open to my input. She took the time to really get to know me, my business, and the women that I work with before crafting an extremely thorough and creative proposal for my keynote. When writing my keynote, Jeannette focused on providing my audience with incredible value, while also creating an emotional connection that would encourage them to continue a relationship with me after the event. It was very obvious that she also put a lot of time into researching the topic. She not only prepared and slightly revised my keynote in an extremely timely manner, but also provided me with presentation tips to implement while I practiced so that I could present very naturally. It was a pleasure to work with Jeannette and I look forward to working with her again in the future. Thank you, Jeannette, for taking all the stress out of my first major keynote!”
“I had been working on my manuscript for quite some time, and I sent it to Jeannette for what I thought would be minor edits and clean up. What I got was nothing short of an education in writing. She didn’t rewrite my story, but she suggested cuts, word edits, and changes in emphasis that stripped the story of the excess verbiage and detail that weighed it down. She gave me tips (like “feel badly” means that the character literally can’t touch things well) that freed the characters from some clunky writing. And when the story was headed down an unfortunate path, Jeannette pointed me in a more productive direction. I told Jeannette that it was amazing how much I learned after I thought I’d finished the manuscript, and I can thank her for that. Now, I can’t imagine submitting a manuscript without first getting her opinion.”
“I hired Jeannette to assist me in editing my novel, Poet Of The Wrong Generation. It was Jeannette’s enthusiasm for the subject matter of my work (along with her excellent credentials) that drew me to work with her. Jeannette is so much more than an editor. First and foremost, she is a teacher of writing. Jeannette doesn’t simply edit your project. She instructs her clients on how to become better writers. Jeannette’s greatest strength may be her ability to identify a writer’s weaknesses and turn them into strengths. I consider her greatest areas of expertise to be in improving dialog, punctuation and story analysis. Beyond her editing/teaching skills, Jeannette is always prompt to respond to a client’s emails. She is quick on turnaround time, and will always meet any deadline. Best of all, she is passionate about every project that she takes on. Her investment in your work will be well beyond her editing time.”
“While searching for a professional editor I was very fortunate to find Jeannette! I was very impressed with her knowledge and ability to not only edit my manuscript but also make it better. Jeannette went above and beyond what I expected. She provided helpful tips and education throughout the process that were very much appreciated. Not only do I recommend Jeannette de Beauvoir but I will continue to use her services as well.”
Instruction Testimonials
“I’ve taken a lot of classes over the years, and Jeannette is hands-down the best and most inspirational writing teacher I’ve ever experienced. I’m firmly convinced that I am published today because of her.”
“I was hesitant about taking an online class—but you can feel Jeannette’s personality through every lesson and she’s there with you every step of the way. I’m on my third class and have improved significantly since I started. Can’t recommend her enough.”
“Jeannette’s tough, she doesn’t expect anything but your best. Don’t take a class if you’re thin-skinned, because she tells it like it is. But she’ll help you get great. She’s edited two of my novels, both of which have been accepted by a publisher, and after that I took the historical fiction class and loved it.”
“She’s funny and thoughtful and helpful. Great class.”