Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Allegra Thome lives with her grandmother, Aunt, and Vlad, the attack cat. Allegra teaches dysfunctional teens, Aunt Dodie is a wine connoisseur, and Grandma has a night job that will make your jaw drop in shock. On Saturday nights, the three of them sing karaoke and entertain at a local nursing home.
At a local gas station, Allegra sees one of her students relatives and moves to invite him to parent night. Instead, she inadvertently interrupts a drug bust. The DEA officer, Sloan, is pure eye candy, and there is instant chemistry between him and Allegra.
When one of Allegra's students is reported runaway, Allegra doesn't think too much of it. These things happen alot with her students. But when her nephew Nick convinces her that something is fishy, she looks more deeply into it. Sara Stepaneck's foster family also just came into some money; new van, plasma TV. Allegra and Nick check out Sara's room and leave with a few cryptic clues. Concerned, Allegra follows up with the police and family services, but is brushed off. Even when Sara's father, Joe, is found dead, the police aren't interested.
Even as things are heating up between Allegra and Sloan, and in the most odd places, the stakes are raised in the search for Sara. Danger lurks around corners for Allegra, and she must keep one step ahead of the unknown perpetrators if she values her life.
The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam was impossible for me to put down. I was enthralled with this story. Mystery, romance, humor and things happening in the most unexpected places kept me hooked. The characters are outstanding. Sometimes, the repartee' had me laughing so hard I cried. The ending is a thrilling page turner with a shocking climax. I hope Marilee has another Allegra novel in the works because I couldn't get enough. Highly recommend!!
At a local gas station, Allegra sees one of her students relatives and moves to invite him to parent night. Instead, she inadvertently interrupts a drug bust. The DEA officer, Sloan, is pure eye candy, and there is instant chemistry between him and Allegra.
When one of Allegra's students is reported runaway, Allegra doesn't think too much of it. These things happen alot with her students. But when her nephew Nick convinces her that something is fishy, she looks more deeply into it. Sara Stepaneck's foster family also just came into some money; new van, plasma TV. Allegra and Nick check out Sara's room and leave with a few cryptic clues. Concerned, Allegra follows up with the police and family services, but is brushed off. Even when Sara's father, Joe, is found dead, the police aren't interested.
Even as things are heating up between Allegra and Sloan, and in the most odd places, the stakes are raised in the search for Sara. Danger lurks around corners for Allegra, and she must keep one step ahead of the unknown perpetrators if she values her life.
The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam was impossible for me to put down. I was enthralled with this story. Mystery, romance, humor and things happening in the most unexpected places kept me hooked. The characters are outstanding. Sometimes, the repartee' had me laughing so hard I cried. The ending is a thrilling page turner with a shocking climax. I hope Marilee has another Allegra novel in the works because I couldn't get enough. Highly recommend!!
Susan G. (WestofMars) reviewed The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam: A Wise-Cracking Tale of Secrets, Peril, and Murder! on + 162 more book reviews
Originally posted at http://rockread.westofmars.com
With a title like The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam, youd expect the book to be a work of Rock Fiction, right? Add in a mention on the back blurb of the fact that our heroine, Allegra, has a thing for karaoke and hello? That name!! and yeah. Youd expect a rock novel. Its not that unreasonable.
Ha. Not even close. This is one of those madcap, hapless tales of an amateur sleuth. Theres no rock here. Heck, theres barely a mention of the karaoke nights.
In that respect, its quite disappointing.
In every other respect, this is one fun read. Allegras a great heroine. Its easy to root for her. And Sloan is one heck of a hunky foil. The plot isnt the most original, but its one that holds you throughout. Im definitely going to be keeping an eye out for more from author Marilee Brothers.
It may not be a Rock Novel. But its a West of Mars Recommended Read.
With a title like The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam, youd expect the book to be a work of Rock Fiction, right? Add in a mention on the back blurb of the fact that our heroine, Allegra, has a thing for karaoke and hello? That name!! and yeah. Youd expect a rock novel. Its not that unreasonable.
Ha. Not even close. This is one of those madcap, hapless tales of an amateur sleuth. Theres no rock here. Heck, theres barely a mention of the karaoke nights.
In that respect, its quite disappointing.
In every other respect, this is one fun read. Allegras a great heroine. Its easy to root for her. And Sloan is one heck of a hunky foil. The plot isnt the most original, but its one that holds you throughout. Im definitely going to be keeping an eye out for more from author Marilee Brothers.
It may not be a Rock Novel. But its a West of Mars Recommended Read.
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
I thought this was a great book, a quick read that was very interesting, Reminded me ALOT of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie PLum series, funny, suspenseful and a little wacky.
