Book Review: Employment Is Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Employment Is Murder     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Daniel B. Brawner
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Five Star, Aug 2004, $25.95, 268 pp.

In his thirties, Simon wants to prove to the parents of his beloved Amy that he can be a responsible person so the New Age mythologist obtains a job working as a sales trainee at the Bulgarian-American owned Going Platinum, a golf club supplier. His friend Kerry tells him to forget this employment stuff because whenever Simon gains work the FBI follows as the firms are always are pulling scams. Simon takes the job and competes with Steve Merritt for a permanent position.

Shockingly, Simon sells more than Steve, who is obviously the better salesman as ethics do not faze him when it comes to making a sale. Unbeknownst to Simon, his sales are pre-arranged because he is actually abetting a smuggling ring. When Steve turns up dead with a putter rammed down his throat Simon makes inquiries even as Amy wants him to quit. With help from a team of misfits including a ghost, Simon makes inquiries using out of body investigative techniques even as Amy threatens to leave him. Although he would do almost anything for his Amy, Simon must restore mythological equilibrium if he is to feel worthy of his beloved

Readers who appreciate a weird hero will want to read this amusing amateur sleuth tale starring a person who beats to a different drum. The murder and crimes are developed around Simon’s simple lifestyle like his delightful first encounter with his future in-laws who redefine what he says to fit their prototype for a successful male. Daniel B. Brawner delights readers with a unique tale starring a distinctive protagonist.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner