Rating: 
Summary: Delightful and Fun
Review: I really enjoyed this serial novel. It was wonderful how each author continued the story. They blended their ideas beautifully. There were surprises at every turn. I was sorry when I read the last line, because I had finished the book and just wanted to keep on reading. Once I picked this book up, I didn't want so stop. I really hope they come together to write another serial book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great!
Review: Just finished this book in one sitting. This is one of those cold Sunday morning's that are just perfect for getting cozy and reading a good book. Little did I know when I started Naked Came the Phoenix this morning that I would be compelled to finish the entire book. Originally intrigued by the fact that it was written by several of my favorite authors, I checked the book out of the library yesterday. The cast of characters and setting is perfect for a murder mystery even if some are a little unbelievable, but that's what fiction is all about. Sometimes I'm not looking for something right out of the headlines with a little too much information. Even though there is no Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, only the Nashville Symphony. The storyline and action definitely starts quickly enough to keep most people glued the book just as I was. The fact that 13 different authors could bring a story together so well is fascinating. As I said, just great. Read it for yourself!
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry, I didn't like it
Review: Maybe my expectations were wrong? I don't care for nonsense. With writers like Lisa Scottoline and Anne Perry involved, I was hoping for a mystery that would be worth reading even without the "serial" gimmick. But all this has to recommend it is the ingenuity with which the authors fit the pieces together. I give it two stars for that, though I keep being tempted to cut it back to one. The plot is silly and unbelievable, and I found only one likable character--not the heroine.
Rating:
Summary: What a hoot!
Review: Naked Came the Phoenix is a riot from beginning to end! When Caroline and her mother visit the Phoenix Spa in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, they expect rest and relaxation, but soon after their arrival, the spa's owner is found dead in the mud baths and the "fun" begins! Thirteen popular mystery writers take the reader on a roller-coaster ride of murder, mayhem and mirth. What fun to watch one author plant a clue then lean back, rub her hands together and wait to see what the next author does with it! Kudos to Nevada Barr for introducing us to the cast of supporting characters -- King David, the aged rocker; Ondine, the wrath-like model; Howie Fondulac, the has-been Hollywood producer; Lauren Sullivan, the movie star; and my particular favorite, Phyllis Talmadge, the psychic who's at the spa touting her latest book, Flex Your Psychic Muscles! Brava, Lisa Scottoline for giving us detective Vince Toscana, who "retired" to rural Virginia to please his wife, but wants nothing more than to sink his teeth into a Philly cheese steak, and, oh, by-the-way, solve the murders. Wheee, to JA Jance who drowns a victim in the lake and to Faye Kellerman, who knew CPR! Ka-pow, to Diana Gabaldon who really knows how to throw the reader a curve. Ye-gads, to Val McDermid who gives new meaning to the word "incarnadine". Wow, to the amazing Laurie King, who ties up all the loose ends with delicious tongue-in-cheek humor. And, thank you, Marcia Talley who sewed the patchwork together into one, seamless novel and is a heck of a writer, too!! All I can say is, "Encore"!!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MYSTERY
Review: Naked Came The Phoenix was a book selection for two of my local reading groups because we were intrigued by its unusual format. Twelve bestselling mystery and suspense author joined together to contribute a chapter to this murder-mystery, soap-opera. The catch? Each other must pick up where the last left off and continue the story using the same cast of characters, all of who get zanier as the story progresses. The opening chapter written by Nevada Barr sets up the story and, in my opinion, was the driest, dullest entry in the entire book. It's here that the lifeless main characters are introduced (luckily they don't stay that way!). After the recent death of her father, Caroline, wife of a big shot Congressman, agrees to spend some quality bonding time with her difficult mother at a high-end health spa. Caroline's fellow guests at the spa include an aging rock legend, a quirky psychic, a starving model and loads of other oddballs and Hollywood "it" types. After the sloooow start, JD Robb picks up the tempo in chapter two. She breaths life into Caroline's character by bringing her down to earth in a funny little adventure brought about by hunger. She also adds a hunky pool-boy to the ever growing list of characters and kicks things into high gear by killing off the snooty spa owner! Things get silly as each character seems to harbor some dirty secret and the murder count becomes ridiculously high as each author adds their own little twists and turns to the story and attempts to pick up where the previous author left off. A friend of mine described the characters as "manic depressives" and she was right on. Each character switches moods and personalities from chapter to chapter which only added to the sense of fun. Eventually, all dangling threads and over-the-top plot twists were neatly brought together by author Laurie King. I'd read another book like Naked Came The Phoenix for the fun factor alone. But would I read this one again? Umm, probably not.
Rating: 
Summary: Zany and fun but certainly not memorable.
Review: Naked Came The Phoenix was a book selection for two of my local reading groups because we were intrigued by its unusual format. Twelve bestselling mystery and suspense author joined together to contribute a chapter to this murder-mystery, soap-opera. The catch? Each other must pick up where the last left off and continue the story using the same cast of characters, all of who get zanier as the story progresses. The opening chapter written by Nevada Barr sets up the story and, in my opinion, was the driest, dullest entry in the entire book. It's here that the lifeless main characters are introduced (luckily they don't stay that way!). After the recent death of her father, Caroline, wife of a big shot Congressman, agrees to spend some quality bonding time with her difficult mother at a high-end health spa. Caroline's fellow guests at the spa include an aging rock legend, a quirky psychic, a starving model and loads of other oddballs and Hollywood "it" types. After the sloooow start, JD Robb picks up the tempo in chapter two. She breaths life into Caroline's character by bringing her down to earth in a funny little adventure brought about by hunger. She also adds a hunky pool-boy to the ever growing list of characters and kicks things into high gear by killing off the snooty spa owner! Things get silly as each character seems to harbor some dirty secret and the murder count becomes ridiculously high as each author adds their own little twists and turns to the story and attempts to pick up where the previous author left off. A friend of mine described the characters as "manic depressives" and she was right on. Each character switches moods and personalities from chapter to chapter which only added to the sense of fun. Eventually, all dangling threads and over-the-top plot twists were neatly brought together by author Laurie King. I'd read another book like Naked Came The Phoenix for the fun factor alone. But would I read this one again? Umm, probably not.
Rating:
Summary: A Blah Blend
Review: Nice idea, nice effort, but with a blah outcome. These writers, who are superstars in their own write, had to suppress too much of their natural talent to weave a seamless story. Don't buy, go to the library.
Rating:
Summary: A Blah Blend
Review: Nice idea, nice effort, but with a blah outcome. These writers, who are superstars in their own write, had to suppress too much of their natural talent to weave a seamless story. Don't buy, go to the library.
Rating:
Summary: Flat out Excellent!!
Review: Some of these authors I never miss and a few I've never read, but this book was just a great read. Hats off to Laurie King for the last chapter - what a great job of bringing all togeather!
Rating:
Summary: Great sampler
Review: Such a great way to get a taste of the styles of all these top-notch suspense writers. My favorite? Mary Jane Clark.
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