Helpful Score: 9
I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise is intriguing, and it starts out ok - Brianna Winston-Beaufort has inherited her uncle's law practice in Savannah, Georgia. Her first case comes when she gets a call from a local businessman - and finds out he called her after he was killed; then his successor hires her to prove that he was murdered.
I found the paranormal aspects to be a refreshing change from the norm out there, but what irritated me was how long it took Bree to finally ASK her colleagues about the strange phenomena when it was made obvious from the beginning that they knew much more about it than she did. I understand the author trying to draw out the suspense, but it just became ridiculous. And the twists of the mystery took a back seat to the paranormal, so the resolution was not very satisfying. It could have been handled better. Which is a pity, because it was going along fine until just past halfway through the book, and then the story just seemed to scatter. I don't know if I will pick up the second in the series - it will have to depend on my mood and whether or not there is anything else to read within reach.
I found the paranormal aspects to be a refreshing change from the norm out there, but what irritated me was how long it took Bree to finally ASK her colleagues about the strange phenomena when it was made obvious from the beginning that they knew much more about it than she did. I understand the author trying to draw out the suspense, but it just became ridiculous. And the twists of the mystery took a back seat to the paranormal, so the resolution was not very satisfying. It could have been handled better. Which is a pity, because it was going along fine until just past halfway through the book, and then the story just seemed to scatter. I don't know if I will pick up the second in the series - it will have to depend on my mood and whether or not there is anything else to read within reach.
Helpful Score: 5
This book has an otherworldly charm that hooked my interest, and I am eagerly awaiting the second in the series. In Defending Angels, a young lawyer finds herself defending clients from the world beyond the realm of the living -- with surprising success. This was a quick and easy read, and I recommend it highly.
Marci K. (ontheroad19) reviewed Defending Angels (Beaufort & Company, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is an excellent new series -- she also writes under Claudia Bishop -- her real name is Mary Stanton.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 4
This book may or not be the book for you. Some paranormals are cutsy fun. This one is not. It can be mildly scary or creepy. I was hooked on the book by page 2. All her characters are likable. There is a good mystery, lots of believable Paranormal ghost happenings that make the Main Character think she is sleep deprived and seeing things. Eventually it all comes together.
Helpful Score: 2
By page 24, I was hooked and in love with this mystery. The paranormal concept was wonderful. It started off quirky, creepy, unique and interesting. However, the more I read, the more frustrated I became. The heroine wasn't asking the questions I think she should have. I didn't accept what was going on so why should she?? At some points, I felt that I must have missed a few pages here and there. Yet I hadn't. The characters, for the most part were likeable and I will certainly read the second to see if some of the questions are cleared up but unless the author explains some things, I'm outta here!
Janet S. (janscronce) reviewed Defending Angels (Beaufort & Company, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I only made it half way through this one. I honestly couldn't get past the horrible descriptions of Savannah. For those who've never visited, Savannah, GA is the most gorgeous and alive and sensual city on earth. If you're going to chose such an exquisite city for a background, then at least do it some justice. All of the characters seemed like such cliches and for pity's sake, she even misspelled Abercorn Street. Or atleast it was in my copy of the book.
Just really poorly done.
Just really poorly done.
Patricia h C. (PATTC) -
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a little hard to grasp at first.BUT as you learn more, it gets very good!!
I just ordered 2 and 3
I just ordered 2 and 3
Sheila A. (mysterylady) -
Helpful Score: 1
I started getting into this book at the beginning but then I just lost interest. It took my a long time to finish it since I really wasn't that interested in picking it up. The main reason that I did was just to get it finished to move on to a better book. I have the 2nd one in the series though not sure if I will give it a chance or just pass it on.
Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
Helpful Score: 1
I would rank this on the scale with Charlaine Harris. I will admit that the mystery was a little slow in developing, but that
is because there had to be a lot of development with Bree and the other characters, it was worth the wait.
The mystery of Who, What, When, Where and Why hooks you from the 1st page.
It is a delightful herione and historic Southern setting. Readers who have visited Savannah or who have lived there will
enjoy the setting of the historic old river city with its unique squares, quaint restaurants and haunted town houses.
Considered by many to be the most haunted city in America, Savannah is the perfect setting for Mary Stantons new series.
Her appealing array of characters will be fun to follow through new trails of adventures.
is because there had to be a lot of development with Bree and the other characters, it was worth the wait.
The mystery of Who, What, When, Where and Why hooks you from the 1st page.
It is a delightful herione and historic Southern setting. Readers who have visited Savannah or who have lived there will
enjoy the setting of the historic old river city with its unique squares, quaint restaurants and haunted town houses.
Considered by many to be the most haunted city in America, Savannah is the perfect setting for Mary Stantons new series.
Her appealing array of characters will be fun to follow through new trails of adventures.
Helpful Score: 1
Meet Bree Beaufort, Savannah Georgia's newest attorney for the Celestial Court. Her first case involves solving the murder of a local businessman who is accused by the court of greed, one of the 7 deadly sins.
To be honest, im not sure how I feel about this book. The premise was really good, and there were times throughout the book that really grabbed your attention, but then fell flat again after a few pages of excitement. Bree as a character is somewhat likeable, but ultimately forgetable. I had a hard time believeing that she took all the supernatural occurances with a grain of salt and didnt freak out in the slightest.
I was dissapointed in the way it ended with the court proceedings. What I expected and what I got were 2 different things. I really wanted to see more of the ghost as the victim, and possibly a ton more of the Celestial court proceedings. Instead we get 4 main possible murder leads provided by the murder victims' CFO, who "claimed" the ghost is haunting her and told her the names of the 4 leads. Very dissapointing.
All in All it wasnt a bad book, it just fell short of my expectations. Hopefully the next installment will be better.
To be honest, im not sure how I feel about this book. The premise was really good, and there were times throughout the book that really grabbed your attention, but then fell flat again after a few pages of excitement. Bree as a character is somewhat likeable, but ultimately forgetable. I had a hard time believeing that she took all the supernatural occurances with a grain of salt and didnt freak out in the slightest.
I was dissapointed in the way it ended with the court proceedings. What I expected and what I got were 2 different things. I really wanted to see more of the ghost as the victim, and possibly a ton more of the Celestial court proceedings. Instead we get 4 main possible murder leads provided by the murder victims' CFO, who "claimed" the ghost is haunting her and told her the names of the 4 leads. Very dissapointing.
All in All it wasnt a bad book, it just fell short of my expectations. Hopefully the next installment will be better.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a strange book. I liked Bree and her sister and really all the members of "the company". You don't know what's really going on until almost the end of the book and I don't mean who murdered Skinner either. A strange concept and I'm not sure I'd read any further in the series as it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Stephanie M. (KS-Dreamer) reviewed Defending Angels (Beaufort & Company, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Taken from the end of the book:
"A note on the origin of Angels
The cosmology created for Beaufort & Company is based on eleventh- and twelfth-century medieval theology. This was a time in the history of Christianity when influences from three of the world's great religions --- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam --- began to show up in documents in Europe's monasteries. The monks were especially fond of angels, and there are hundreds of them listed in these old manuscripts.
Many angels were assigned responsibilities for temporal phenomena, such as earthquakes, rain, moonlight, and sunshine.
The angels in Beaufort & Company benefit from contributions from several of the great Chinese religions, Mahayana Buddhism is one."
Draw your own conclusions based on the information provided by the author above.
I found this book to be interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed the historic setting and the characters. While not a "can't put it down" type book, it is a "page turner" and I was disappointed to leave the book when interrupted.
An enjoyable cozy!
"A note on the origin of Angels
The cosmology created for Beaufort & Company is based on eleventh- and twelfth-century medieval theology. This was a time in the history of Christianity when influences from three of the world's great religions --- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam --- began to show up in documents in Europe's monasteries. The monks were especially fond of angels, and there are hundreds of them listed in these old manuscripts.
Many angels were assigned responsibilities for temporal phenomena, such as earthquakes, rain, moonlight, and sunshine.
The angels in Beaufort & Company benefit from contributions from several of the great Chinese religions, Mahayana Buddhism is one."
Draw your own conclusions based on the information provided by the author above.
I found this book to be interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed the historic setting and the characters. While not a "can't put it down" type book, it is a "page turner" and I was disappointed to leave the book when interrupted.
An enjoyable cozy!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
First Line: "Hanged by the neck until dead, every one of 'em," Lavinia Mather said with enormous satisfaction.
In a move from North Carolina to Savannah, Georgia, in order to escape the smothering concern of her parents, lawyer Brianna Winston-Beaufort took her eccentric uncle's inheritance and ran with it. Unfortunately his law offices were damaged in a fire, and Brianna needs someplace temporary to set up shop until the remodeling is done.
What she finds is in a prime section of historic Savannah, the most haunted city in America, and although the offices are in an old home set right in the middle of the only all-murderers cemetery in the state of Georgia, Brianna can't afford to be picky. Especially when the owner, Lavinia Mather, has the rent set so low. Brianna just hopes her future clients won't mind walking through landscaping that looks like it's straight from a Hammer horror film.
It doesn't take long for Brianna to realize that something very strange is going on; for instance her first client is billionaire Benjamin Skinner who calls and demands her services-- after he had been declared dead.
Defending Angels is a fun read highlighted by its plot and unique angle. It's very difficult to say much about the book without giving away some of its secrets, so I won't even try. If you're in the mood for a light, very fun and fast-paced mystery filled with things that go bump in the night, by all means pick up Defending Angels! I've already gotten the second book in the series sitting on the shelf waiting for me.
In a move from North Carolina to Savannah, Georgia, in order to escape the smothering concern of her parents, lawyer Brianna Winston-Beaufort took her eccentric uncle's inheritance and ran with it. Unfortunately his law offices were damaged in a fire, and Brianna needs someplace temporary to set up shop until the remodeling is done.
What she finds is in a prime section of historic Savannah, the most haunted city in America, and although the offices are in an old home set right in the middle of the only all-murderers cemetery in the state of Georgia, Brianna can't afford to be picky. Especially when the owner, Lavinia Mather, has the rent set so low. Brianna just hopes her future clients won't mind walking through landscaping that looks like it's straight from a Hammer horror film.
It doesn't take long for Brianna to realize that something very strange is going on; for instance her first client is billionaire Benjamin Skinner who calls and demands her services-- after he had been declared dead.
Defending Angels is a fun read highlighted by its plot and unique angle. It's very difficult to say much about the book without giving away some of its secrets, so I won't even try. If you're in the mood for a light, very fun and fast-paced mystery filled with things that go bump in the night, by all means pick up Defending Angels! I've already gotten the second book in the series sitting on the shelf waiting for me.
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
Anything that takes place in the south i am gonna read. What a better place to be haunted than the south with it's rich history. I decided on this book because i liked the idea of the angels and the haunting. I love "ghostly things" I am so tired of vampires lurking everywhere. It was a cute read and before i knew it it was over to quickly. Have since devoured several more from this series.
I really enjoyed this first book. Much better than most cozies. Good mystery, plot and character development. Looking forward to reading the next one.
alice
alice
I thought the premise of a lawyer defending ghost would be quite interesting. However as plot unraveled so did the story line. I felt it was disjointed and choppy.
OK read, but doesn't really grip you.
Helen L. (Detective) -
I liked it very much.
Can't wait for the next one.
Being a lawyer has its challenges, but this is downright otherworldly. With a long list of ethereal clients who need her help, Bree's career choice is beginning to haunt her... Brianna Winston-Beaufort is taking over her uncle's law practice in the most haunted city in the world--Savannah. While renovations are made, Bree rents space in an old house loca more » ted in the middle of an all-murderers' cemetery. Her first case come from a local businessman, Benjamin Skinner, who somehow manages to call Bree hours after his suspicious death. Bree is mystified, but everyone around her thinks this is business as usual. Her landlady, her secretary, and even an attractive PI seem to know more about Bree's new practice than she does. Skinner needs their help to find his murderer and prove his innocence against the charge of Greed, which comes from the mightiest hand of the law -- the Celestial Court. And the verdict in this case could put Bree's life on the line, as well as her client's afterlife...
