“A great novel and a fabulous mystery.”
– Mysterious Reviews
“A unique, entertaining, emotionally powerful, deftly crafted, highly recommended work.”
– Midwest Book Review
And for Redemption:
“I took my time reading this book, actually savoring every page as it is possibly the best book I have read in a couple years.”
– TCM Reviews
“I loved it and can’t wait for book three.”
– Armchair Interviews
Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.
In this novelette, Jane is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of a woman who profited greatly from the misfortunes of others. The case leaves Jane with little question about motive...and with a seemingly endless number of suspects.
Goodreads Summary
This short detective story relates the mysterious killing of an unsympathetic victim, Carolyn Handel. Through dialogue, the reader learns about the self-centered victim’s personality and illegal financial dealings. The suspects are down on their luck - or champions of charity. When the swearing,smoking, observant, on-the-wagon, detective, Jane Perry solves the crime, the reader will not be surprised at the wrap up.
This crime novelette is satisfyingly short. It harks back to the thirty-minute detective radio shows of the 1940’s. The detective is hard-boiled but likeable. The characters are caricatures;they are bluntly sweet, obstreperous, irritating etc… Teens and adults who enjoy crime mysteries will be glad they picked up and finished “Promissory Payback” during a break from class or while riding home on the train.
3 Stars
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– Bookreporter
"I don't know if Laurel Dewey is as widely known as Dean Koontz or James Patterson, but if she isn't she is definitely able to hold her own against the big boys."
– Literary R&R
“I really enjoy the style of Laurel Dewey’s writing. Her characters are strong and interesting, and her protagonist, Jane Perry is just plain gutsy."
– Blogcritics
Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.
In Unrevealed, Dewey gives us four indelible portraits of Jane Perry:
ANONYMOUS: One of Jane's first AA meetings leads her to an encounter with a woman in need of her detection skills...and a secret she never expected to uncover.
YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER: Forced by her boss to speak at a high school career day, Jane meets a troubled boy and finds that his story is only the beginning of a much more revealing tale.
YOU'RE ONLY AS SICK AS YOUR SECRETS: An early-morning homicide call introduces Jane to a mystery as layered as it is unsuspected.
THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM: Jane finds herself sharing a 2:00 am conversation at a downtown bar with an old acquaintance. Will the bloody night that proceeded this moment complicate Jane's intentions?
Filled with secrets disclosed and others desperately covered, Unrevealed is an absolute treat for all Jane Perry fans – four stories, all told from Jane's distinctive and unparallelled perspective.
Goodreads Summary
Four short stories reveal more about tough yet intuitive detective Jane Perry, and also showcase the descriptive writing skill of author Laurel Dewey. One story - “You’re only as Sick as your Secrets” - combines an unexplained death, a touching love story, a teen’sshattered life, and a “sick secret.” The author’s explanation of what may lead to the murder of a spouse is succinct but expressive: “a boiling hot explosion wrapped in a blinding primal frenzy.”
These short stories may remind a reader of 1940 detective radio dramas - if they’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to one. Dewey’s characters are larger than life with exaggerated qualities. The drama draws the reader briefly into a mysterious crime world, letting the reader enjoy the story during any short break in their day.
3 1/2 Stars
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Great analolgy and fantastic idea for a Christmas gift.