Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Kudos to the Author! Review: This well-written page-turner not only kept me on the edge of my seat 'til the last word, but also haunted me long after I'd finished it. That being the case, I'll be waiting with bated breath for Sellars' next effort. Kudos to the author!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Engrossing! Compelling! Review: ENGROSSING! Engrossing. Sellars sets out to destroy the Hollywood created image of Witches and all that is depicted of 'them' in movie land. In an almost exposé, Sellars does exactly that when he introduces Rowan Gant to the reading public. HARM NONE is a fast-paced read, full of lessons without preaching. When homicide detective, Ben Storm, approaches his good friend Rowan Gant, he explains that the police need help. A woman's body has been found. There are witch symbols painted in blood on the walls, and no one knows what to make of any of it. Gant, knowing the woman who was murdered, explains to Storm that the victim was a leader of a coven. He joins the investigation because he is a well-versed Witch (a good-witch, as Glinda might say). Their search to find the sadistic ritual-killer becomes more apparent as another victim is discovered. Gant believes the killer is not a witch, but wants to be-only under Hollywood assumptions. The basic rule of WitchCraft is Harm None. This killer is breaking all the rules. From beginning to end, Sellars invites readers into a graphic world of dark mystery and violent intrigue. HARM NONE does more than deliver, it stands out as an icon in the genre that is on the seam of horror and mystery. Sellars knows how to write, to make it all real, and demonstrates this talent chapter, after compelling chapter. I look forward to digesting NEVER BURN A WITCH with relish.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Hopefully the author will improve with time Review: I loved the Rosemary Edgehill's Bast mysteries (Speak Daggers to Her, etc.), and I was hoping that Mr. Sellars's book would be of the same calibre, but alas "Harm None" left much to be desired. The main character, a self-centered male witch (or Witch, which reminds me that the author is overly fond of capitals... every second word seems to be capitalized, deservedly or not, and this gets annoying), is an almost omnipotent occult master that almost single-handledly saves the day thanks to his incredible wit and amazing powers. I remember one part of the book where Rowan, the hero, reflected somewhat sadly that he wished that his wife would get over the recent traumatic loss of their unborn baby so that he could get on with devoting all his attention to being a psychic detective and solving the case... This could have been an interesting book, but the characters were much to stereotyped. I will likely read upcoming books by this author, hoping that his style will improve with experience, as I feel that there is potential here, but I'll try to borrow the books from a friend rather than buying them this time. Although I rarely part with books, I gave my copy of "An it Harm None" to a pagan friend, maybe they will like it more than I did.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Interesting plot, but appallingly written Review: Mr. Sellars is in dire need of an editor, and his publisher is in desperate need of a proofreader. This ploddingly written murder mystery is overflowing with unconscionable typographical errors, most irritatingly "it's" for "its." Mr. Sellars' characters do not *say* anything. They reply, they muse, they puzzle, they query, they expound, they express, they intone. Word to the author: there's not a thing wrong with the word "said." Honest.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A Definate Page Turner Review: If you do not buy read many books this year you MUST read this one. This author writes an exciting mystery that keeps you interested and really moves fast. I could not put this book down!! I started reading it a 9pm one night and I could not put it down until I was finished!! (4am or so) This book definatly delivers!!!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Bravo!! Bravo!! Review: The title of the book caught my eye but the story line REALLY pulled me in!! I could not put this book down, once I started reading it. M.R. Sellars does a wonderful of setting the scene for several grisley murders in St. Louis. I was literly pulled in and held my breath at every turn of the page!! I also gained alot of useful knowledge about the Wiccan religion. My hats are off to a superbly written book; Watch out Stephen King!!!!!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Couldn't Put It Down Review: I enjoyed this book very much. The characters and situations were so real, it kept me reading until I had neglected my dog, my cat and my spouse. Having spent some time in St. Louis, I felt the locations were familiar (although he fictionalized some of them) and that sucked me in even more. I definately would recommend it.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Not fun at all Review: I, too, felt ripped off. It's not a mystery so much as a serial-killer story, be warned the violence is extreme. The pagans/witches may want to read this. Better to go with Rosemary Edghill's books about Bast a witch who solves crimes in NYC :)
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great read! Review: I wasn't disappointed in the least when I read this book. It portrays the Craft in a positive manner, and works to dispel a lot of the myths many witches encounter. It gets your attention, holds it, and you find yourself regretting that the book has come to an end. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Never Burn A Witch in May 2001!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Fans of police-procedurals might give it 3 stars ... Review: I'm struggling for objectivity here because I just hated this book, yet I know I'm not a true mystery-novel fan. I admit, my first love is fantasy. I picked up this book only because it stood out as fiction about contemporary pagans, and there's so little of that ... I'll try any book on that subject. I'll further admit I'd hoped for a certain haunting mood in this book. A spell cast over you that you get with the best fantasy writing. Of course, this is a mystery, so that's not really fair. I've read mysteries before -- hauntingly sad and literate ones like John Dunning's Booked to Die, and Bookman's Wake. And hilarious ones like Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum Bounty Hunter" series. I, who am not a real mystery fan, need the rich characters to get me past the boring formulaic stuff. Because if I really care about the characters, I'll get into the story. I really didn't care about Rowan Gant and his acquaintances. If all Wiccans are as smarmy as he and his wife Felicity (she of the constantly-mentioned flaming red hair and fiery Irish temper), then I don't EVER want to be one. I found them flat and colorless. They meant well. But the writing wasn't good enough or subtle enough to save their frequent explanations of Wicca from sounding like they were climbing up on their soapbox ... to preach at us, yet again. For some inexplicable reason, the cop friend of our pagan is Native American. Is this just to jazz up the story? The author can put in whatever characters he wants to. But I never felt like he really understood either women or Native Americans. Which makes it creepy when he makes up cute dialog like "How's the little woman?" or "How's the squaw?" Don't get me wrong; I know Mr. Sellars isn't trying to offend. In fact, he's standing far off on the sidelines, clapping in greatly self-conscious admiration for women and Native Americans. (For some really good writers who tackle perspectives completely different from their own, check out Susan Fromberg Schaeffer writing about a Vietnam veteran in Buffalo Afternoon, or Jim Harrison writing about a Native American woman in Dalva. Again, I realize these are "literary" writers rather than mystery writers, so maybe that's not fair.) The writing here is workmanlike. The red herrings and real killer pulled out of left field at the end are competently done. The killings are appropriately gruesome. I never found myself scared. There is a bit too much, for my taste, in the way of the same dream reproduced in italics over and over again through the narrative. You might enjoy this book if you like mysteries. Or you might just find it appallingly stupid.
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