Wednesday, September 2, 2015

BLOG TOUR: Code Grey (Dulcie Schwartz Mystery #9) by Clea Simon

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Series: A Dulcie Schwartz Mystery (Book 9)
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Severn House Publishers; First World Publication edition (August 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0727885067
E-Book ASIN: B010SWRCLE

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Synopsis: Did a down on his luck former student steal a priceless book? Grad student and cat lover Dulcie Schwartz thinks not and she sets out to prove it.

It's spring break, and Dulcie Schwartz has stayed behind in almost-deserted Cambridge, Massachusetts to concentrate on her thesis. But when a former student turned vagrant, Jeremy Mumbles, is found injured, with a valuable missing book clutched in his arms, Dulcie can't seem to let it go. What was he doing with the book? And why has it turned up after all these years? 

With Jeremy now the prime suspect for a series of break-ins in the area, Dulcie is determined to clear the unfortunate former scholar's name. But when she finds a connection between the book he was carrying and her own research into an anonymous Gothic author, the search for clues takes on a new intensity and a new menace.

Review: Although this is the ninth book in the series, it is only the third one I have read (I am slowly but surely working my way through the others, however). I discovered this series after having read all available books so far in the Pru Marlowe series by the same author.

I am disappointed that, unlike the first two books of the series, Mr. Grey (the spirit of her deceased cat) has a less prominent role. However, Esme, the new cat, shows promise for being a fun and interesting character.

This series provides a lot of academic and literary information, which I thoroughly enjoy. The Gothic author Dulcie is researching is a great touch, particularly reading the bits and pieces of her novel.

Ms. Simon writes a great story, with very interesting characters. The staff at the library, Dulcie's boyfriend, Dulcie's mother, and many others add color and depth to the story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All  thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Four stars

About the author
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Clea Simon is the author of 18 mysteries in the Theda Krakow, DulcieSchwartz, and Pru Marlowe pet noir series. The latter two are ongoing and include her most recent books, Code Grey (Severn House) and Kittens Can Kill (Poisoned Pen Press). A former journalist and nonfiction author, she lives in Somerville, Mass., with her husband, the writer Jon Garelick, and their cat Musetta. She can be reached at http://www.cleasimon.com

Author Links:
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Clea_Simon or @Clea_Simon
Purchase Links: 
Amazon B&N Book Depository


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3 comments:

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

Love the cover. Looking forward to reading this book.

Clea Simon said...

Thanks so much for reading! I'm working on the next one now and will make sure to put more Mr Grey in it - though Esmé may object. (She gets jealous.)

Kaye Killgore said...

I love the cover, nice review.