Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Entertained
Review: While this book wasn't one of Ms. Churchill's stronger books,(The mystery aspect was a little late in coming and a bit underdeveloped.),I quite enjoyed the read. I could see myself in this story. I've been to my share of workshops that had a lot of useful info, but went on too long. I also went shopping and in the end left early. While the plot lacked the usual tension, I loved that it put forth some useful info for writers who want to get published.
All in all, I thought that this was a pleasant, easy read that didn't get me all tied up in knots. I read it, then passed it on to my mom and my two sisters who enjoyed it as well. If you want nail biting suspense then this probably isn't the book for you. If you want an entertaining evening without having to work for it, then you just might enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Really disappointing
Review: As Jill Churchill herself says in Bell, Book and Scandal, "Every writer writes a bad book sooner or later." Whoops, it's your turn Ms. Churchill. The inside flap of the hard cover edition of this book mentions a "killer" and a "murderer." Whoever wrote the copy for the book's cover made the same assumption I did without reading the book: that this would be a typically good Jill Churchill "cozy murder mystery." At the risk of sounding blood-thirsty, I was disappointed to find out there wasn't going to be any murder involved in this one. But did the worst crime committed have to be malicious mischief and clumsiness? Some of Ms. Churchill's strength as a writer is made evident by the pleasure we, the readers, derive from the simple act of following her characters through some pretty mundane stuff. A reader who started way back with Grime and Punishment understands the serial nature of the books, and appreciates being included in the happenings that form the gentle rhythm of Jane's life - in between murders that is. The purchase of her new Jeep early in the book gave us vicarious pleasure because we have all driven around with Jane in her old brown station wagon for many years. But enough is enough. I was disappointed that throughout Bell, Book and Scandal, we are treated to the excitement of one meal after another, after another. I'll bet Ms. Churchill was on a diet when she wrote the book because every other word from the main characters is, "let's eat." I'm going to go back and count how many times I endured a description of a meal or a snack or even just drinks in the pages of this non-murder mystery. Way, way too many. One of Jill Churchill's strengths has always been in the believability of her characters - the naturalness of the dialog, the realistic action between them, and the motivation that drives them. But most of the characters in Bell, Book and Scandal are cliche or sketched way larger than life-size, taking the book where no Churchill has ever gone before - into the realm of buffoonery. Finally, I can only hope the scenes between Jane Jeffry and Mel Van Dyne were a prelude to a big break up in the next book. If not, Jane needs to have her consciousness raised a couple of notches. Mel calls her when he needs a square meal or someone to help him clean his apartment. And Jane spends quite a bit of time worrying that she has "pushed him to his limit" by asking him to fax her a copy of something he didn't want to fax, and, despite the number of times she has solved a case for him, she can still visualize him rolling his eyes as she gives him her take on a crime over the telephone. At one point she calls Mel on his cell phone and asks him playfully if he wants to come up to her room in the hotel in which she is staying, and he answers without enthusiasm, "Might as well." Janey, you're setting a really bad example here for your readers. Give the guy the kiss-off. How about make him the murder victim in the next Jane Jeffry mystery? He deserves it. So do we.
Rating:
Summary: Really disappointing
Review: As Jill Churchill herself says in Bell, Book and Scandal, "Every writer writes a bad book sooner or later." Whoops, it's your turn Ms. Churchill. The inside flap of the hard cover edition of this book mentions a "killer" and a "murderer." Whoever wrote the copy for the book's cover made the same assumption I did without reading the book: that this would be a typically good Jill Churchill "cozy murder mystery." At the risk of sounding blood-thirsty, I was disappointed to find out there wasn't going to be any murder involved in this one. But did the worst crime committed have to be malicious mischief and clumsiness? Some of Ms. Churchill's strength as a writer is made evident by the pleasure we, the readers, derive from the simple act of following her characters through some pretty mundane stuff. A reader who started way back with Grime and Punishment understands the serial nature of the books, and appreciates being included in the happenings that form the gentle rhythm of Jane's life - in between murders that is. The purchase of her new Jeep early in the book gave us vicarious pleasure because we have all driven around with Jane in her old brown station wagon for many years. But enough is enough. I was disappointed that throughout Bell, Book and Scandal, we are treated to the excitement of one meal after another, after another. I'll bet Ms. Churchill was on a diet when she wrote the book because every other word from the main characters is, "let's eat." I'm going to go back and count how many times I endured a description of a meal or a snack or even just drinks in the pages of this non-murder mystery. Way, way too many. One of Jill Churchill's strengths has always been in the believability of her characters - the naturalness of the dialog, the realistic action between them, and the motivation that drives them. But most of the characters in Bell, Book and Scandal are cliche or sketched way larger than life-size, taking the book where no Churchill has ever gone before - into the realm of buffoonery. Finally, I can only hope the scenes between Jane Jeffry and Mel Van Dyne were a prelude to a big break up in the next book. If not, Jane needs to have her consciousness raised a couple of notches. Mel calls her when he needs a square meal or someone to help him clean his apartment. And Jane spends quite a bit of time worrying that she has "pushed him to his limit" by asking him to fax her a copy of something he didn't want to fax, and, despite the number of times she has solved a case for him, she can still visualize him rolling his eyes as she gives him her take on a crime over the telephone. At one point she calls Mel on his cell phone and asks him playfully if he wants to come up to her room in the hotel in which she is staying, and he answers without enthusiasm, "Might as well." Janey, you're setting a really bad example here for your readers. Give the guy the kiss-off. How about make him the murder victim in the next Jane Jeffry mystery? He deserves it. So do we.
Rating: 
Summary: The majority is sometimes correct!
Review: Before reading the existing comments, I felt bad that I was tempted to post a not-so-flattering one myself. Having seen the rest, I'm pretty much in general agreement.
I was quite disappointed to see the setting as a mystery writers convention - ranks right up there with using a murder mystery "party" for me. But, I stuck with it although it soon became apparent that what I was reading was a thinly-disguised nonfiction work on how to get one's book published. I got the imperssion that the author had always intended to write such a piece and decided to kill two birds in one project by inserting her own persona (if you will) as Felicity to get her message to aspiring writers through, as well as fulfilling the next Jane Jeffry contractual obligation. As far as that goes, the advice she gives seems quite sound; however, I thought she made it seem too easy even though the editor with whom Jane meets stresses that nothing is definite yet.
If Ms. Churchill is reading this, something about Shelley seemed inconsistent: on the one hand she is frugal/cheap, yet she also comes across as a shop-a-holic?
I've read other mysteries where the protagionist has been put into an ad-hoc group setting outside of the usual environment. It just doesn't seem to work in most cases. Next time, I'd like to see Jane on her own without relying on Shelley as much. Maybe on vacation with Mel? Or have Shelley out of town at the time a murder breaks - available for consultation by phone as a sounding board at most? We never really see Jane's family much -involve them! Just give her a stake in the action next time.
P.S. I was hoping Felicity was the culprit as she seemed too-good-to-be-true to me. Also, I didn't get the title - was expecting something about witchcraft, etc.
Rating:
Summary: This book is absolutely awful. Shame on you, Jill Churchill.
Review: Do not buy this book if you are a fan of the author's previous books in the Jane Jeffry series. This one is awful. I don't care that it set AT a mystery books convention but I do care that the author forgot she was writing a mystery. There is a lot of technical detail about how to get started in publishing your book and tips on grammar, but that was NOT what I bought the book for. It was a huge disappointment. Where is the family we've been hearing about in the past books? Where is the status of her relationship with Detective Van Dyne? Poor Mel was described in this book only as "Jane's longtime lover." Her characters were poorly developed and the "clues" weren't to be found anywhere because there were none. Had I wanted a tutorial on publishing or tips on grammar I would have looked elsewhere for that information. The emphasis on this information in this book was way overdone. If this had been the first Jill Churchill book I had ever read, I absolutely would not buy more of her books. It is not up to par in any way. Perhaps a wannabe writer (a friend of Churchill's?) has penned this book under the Churchill name. If I'm wrong and Churchill actually wrote this book to sell as a mystery, she should be ashamed of herself.
Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as everyone says!
Review: I agree, there turns out to be no real crime, but you don't know that throughout the book until the end. This was an easy read; I finished it in an afternoon. Granted, there was a lot of information about the publishing business, but it was mostly quite interesting. Jane and Shelley are their usual selves. I heard Jill Churchill loud and clear; no question she wrote this one. It just doesn't have a murder case for Mel to work on and Jane to solve. Next time, perhaps.
Rating:
Summary: Who are you and what have you done to Jane Jeffry???
Review: I always eagerly look forward to each 'Jane Jeffry' mystery and this was no exception. I excitedly picked it up and begin reading and after only a few pages, I closed the book to look at the author's name again just to make sure it was written by Jill Churchill. I felt as if Ms.Churchill began the book on high speed and did not slow down until the last few chapters. It was almost as if she just wanted to get it over with instead of bringing the reader along at a normal pace. I finished the book without being fully satisfied. I will again look forward to the next 'Jane Jeffry' mystery in hopes that the REAL Jane will return with all her charm along with the spunky Shelly by her side.
Rating:
Summary: Did Ms. Churchill lose a bet?
Review: I always look forward to anything by this author, but this latest has been a major disappointment. What happened to the story? I usually have a difficult time putting Jill Churchill's books down, even for sleeping. For this one, it was a struggle just to finish. Whatever is happening in Ms. Churchill's life I fervently pray it gets resolved and she can resume her usual delightful fare.
Rating:
Summary: Jill Churchill is not up to par
Review: I have read all of Jill Churchill's Jane Jeffry books and I have loved them all...untilk now. I can usually finish one of her books in two days. I have had this one for over a month and just can't get through it. If you want a book on how to write a mystery novel, she gives some good advice but writing mysteries is what most of this book is about (so far).
Jane and her neighbor, Shelly, are attending a mystery writing convention near Jane's home. Jane gets several good bits of advice on writing and even has an interview with an editor that may lead to publication. However, this book is dragging on so slowly that the mystery is when it will finally end.
I love Jill Churchill but I this is a book very below her usually great writing standards. It's a 'don't bother' on my list.
Rating:
Summary: Stick to one series, Ms. Churchill!
Review: I have read all of Jill Churchill's Jane Jeffry mysteries except the first two; each time a new book of hers is released, I always look forward to it. However, the last couple haven't been up to Ms. Churchill's usual standards - after all, this woman HAS been compared to Agatha Christie (my personal favorite) - and with "Bell Book and Scandal" Ms. Churchill has hit a new high in lows.
A mystery where no murder happens? Where the characters are one- and two-dimensional? Where it seems like on every other page Jane and Shelley are going shopping? Was this book even written by Jill Churchill? It doesn't seem like it - there is no vitality, no real humor (as in the past), and surely no real story. Like another reviewer stated, it seemed more about Jill Churchill airing her views (both good and bad) on the publishing industry.
Jane and Shelley decide to attend a mystery writers conference in their hometown; Jane has finally finished her novel and is aching for ideas on how to both improve and submit it. Immediately they make a friend in one of Jane's favorite writers, and everything goes smoothly ...
But the very morning of the conference a longtime editor goes to the hospital sick - possible food poisoning? Soon after, an annoying critic is found by his van in the parking lot after having been hit on the head, alive but unconscious, with a page torn from a paperback clutched in his hand - possible murder attempt? And who IS Miss Mystery, the sneaky gossip who hears all and tells all - gossip-wise - on her popular but acidic website?
Most importantly, WHO CARES?!!? Never have Jane and Shelley been more dull; indeed, the book seems to have nowhere to go, so merely fills pages with their shopping or eating. A first-time mystery writer would never have gotten this manuscript out of the slush pile - typos, wooden characters, unconvincing dialogue -- wow, these are NEVER things I thought I would find myself saying about a Jill Churchill book! And I think it's because she had gotten the "Lydia Adamson Syndrome" ...
The same thing is happening here that happened with the author who writes under "Lydia Adamson" -- you develop one series, make it strong as heck, then start another, separate series ... and the first one starts going sour. I HOPE that doesn't continue happening with Jill Churchill, but this book is so bad it feels ghost-written. A real shame. PLEASE, Ms. Churchill, stick to one series and do it right - don't rush a novel off to meet a deadline!
And a full-length mystery novel with no murder occurring in it really cheats the reader. I read that, years ago, in a book on writing mysteries. VERY true. And reading this one - particularly if you've read other, older books in the series - will make you feel cheated, indeed.
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