Book Review: Faked to Death

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Faked to Death     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Dean James
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Vampire   Gay / Lesbian
Series: Simon Kirby-Jones # 2
Kensington, April 2003, $22.00, 240 pp.

The villagers of Snupperton Mumsley are happy to welcome American Southern born and bred best-selling author Simon Kirby-Jones into their English midst. Simon is elated to be away from the States and the break up with his boyfriend especially now that he has as his assistant the gorgeous Sir Giles Blitherton, who is just waiting to jump his bones. The only thing holding him back from getting romantically involved with anyone is the fact that he is a vampire and is afraid to trust Giles with his secret.

As long as Simon takes his medication three times a day he can pass for human, which enables him to walk in the sunlight and be active in the daytime. He accepts an invitation from Lady Hermione Kinsale to appear at a writer’s workshop but he’s outraged to learn that mystery author Dorinda Darlington is also appearing. Simon knows she’s a fake because he is Dorinda and he’s absolutely livid that his agent who is also at the conference arranged this publicity stunt. When the fake Dorinda is murdered, Simon deduces that one of blackmailed authors killed her. He investigates because he’s nosy.

The protagonist is a drama queen with a biting sense of humor. He is also a vampire who has few traditional powers (the side effect of the medication he uses) so he must solve the who-done-it by using his wits of which he has many. The mystery is well plotted and there are many suspects who could be the killer so the readers are able to like this delightful cozy with a supernatural twist. FAKED TO DEATH is a unique, refreshing and totally endearing satirical mystery.

Harriet Klausner

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