Bell, Book, and Scandal : A Jane Jeffry Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Jill Churchill Misses On This One!
Review: I have read all of Ms. Churchill's books and have enjoyed them as a good light read, but this one stinks! Supposedly, Jane and her neighbor Shelly are off to a writer's convention so Jane can find a publisher for her book. Instead, all we readers got was boredom. It seemed like every time you thought she was going to bring in a little plot, Ms. Churchill sent the two women shopping. I usually knock out one of her books in a few hours, but this one was so boring that it took ages to get through it. I used to care about her characters, but if the next one is like this, I won't bother.

Rating:
Summary: Did Jill Churchill really write this one?
Review: I have read all of the Jane Jeffry mysteries and enjoyed each and every one of them. Consequently, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Bell, Book, and Scandal". I purchased it as soon as it hit the shelves and began reading it almost as quickly. I am still not sure that it really was written by Jill Churchill. It didn't "flow" nearly as well as her others. The writing seemed choppy and simplistic, almost amateur. The final questionable "thing" about this book that really made me wonder, was the scene in which Jane is quite forward in her preparation of the "shower" and "evening" for herself and her boyfriend Mel. Jill has never been quite so blatant with the sexual references before. So, who wrote this book?

Rating:
Summary: BORING!
Review: I have read every one of the Jane Jeffrey books and loved every one of them so when I realized that there was a new one that I hadn't yet read, I was on it! I struggled to get through this one but kept going because I have never given up on a book. This was dull, dull, more dull. Sure hope her next one is better.

Rating:
Summary: BORING!
Review: I have read every one of the Jane Jeffrey books and loved every one of them so when I realized that there was a new one that I hadn't yet read, I was on it! I struggled to get through this one but kept going because I have never given up on a book. This was dull, dull, more dull. Sure hope her next one is better.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to previous standards
Review: I have read the other books in the series and had looked forward to this one - in fact I aaved it to read on vacation. I was rather disappointed. This book is much more about Jane's attempt to sell her book at a mystery writer's conference than about a mystery. Jane is at first very excited to go, but by the end she just wants it to be over. I felt about the same with regards to the book. Her friend Shelly keeps telling her she must stick it out to the bitter end, then suggesting that they skip the seminar sessions to go shopping. The mystery takes a backseat to the writer's conference. It seems more of an opportunity for Miss Churchill to bash the publishing industry than a mystery. One interesting thing was that Jane is told that the mystery in her book starts too late and should be moved to earlier in the book. It's too bad that Miss Chruchill doesn't take this advice as well. Although the crime(s) happen around page 30, no one seems to be intrested in solving them until page 150. The characters seem rather 2 dimensional with little real interaction between them. Bring back the old Jane.

Rating:
Summary: I have to agree!
Review: I have to agree with the others that this is just not up to Jill's other Jane Jeffrey mysteries. No murder mystery, too much repetition, no tension, too drawn out and no satisfying conclusion. Since it was set at a Mystery Writer's Conference it appears that the author has missed the point of what makes a good mystery in this book! I have her newest Grace and Favor to read now and we will see how it fares!

Rating:
Summary: Did I miss the mystery?
Review: I love Jane Jeffry but am not sure what has happened to her as of late. The books seem to be written on auto pilot and most of the charm is gone. This one was just a little too cozy for me as there wasn't even a murder. I highly recommend the author's other Grace and Favor series over this one. To say I was disasppointed in this one would be an understatment.

Rating:
Summary: Has to be a mistake.
Review: I love Jill Churchill and her Jane Jeffrey mysteries. All are well written, well plotted and just a joy to read...Until now.
I got about halfway through this book and just could not go on. Enough with the shopping trips by Shelly and Jane. Enough with the description of the new Jeep [who must be paying advertising fees for all the detail that is given to it]. Don't know what happened with this book. Honestly, it's terrible. If you have to read it, borrow it from the library.

Rating:
Summary: this can't be jill churchill
Review: I too have enjoyed Churchill's other Jane Jeffry mysteries but this one was awful. The plot was dull, the characters unbelievable and the incessant trips to shop, buy books, and eat were boring. The whole Felicity thing, becoming best friends within a few hours of meeting, was ridiculous. Worrying about jeopardizing her friendship with Shelley over a very minor disagreement was juvenile. In fact, the whole book was juvenile. I couldn't wait to finish it only because I was angry with myself for continuing after the halfway point!

Rating:
Summary: Not worth buying!!
Review: I usually enjoy Jill Churchill's Jane Jeffry cozies since they're usually fun to read. So when this book came out, I was excited to see she was continuing the series, as I'm not as fond of the Grace and Favor mysteries. I couldn't believe how bad Bell, Book and Scandal was! I like cozy, but this was just plain sappy. The further I got into the book, the more I thought wow, the murder's gonna take place late in this one....then there wasn't one at all. I kept thinking the way they (Jane and Shelley) were sucking up to Felicity, that she'd end up being a killer or something! If Zac Zebra would have reviewed this he would have correctly called it a powder puff mystery. I found the mystery convention idea to be a good one, but she sure didn't follow through. This may be worth checking out at the library, but don't waste your money.