Rating: 
Summary: "...Perhaps a new subgenre has been created..."
Review: "[This] is a mystery novel which not onlysucceeds in using the genre's conventions, but in some waytranscending them. Perhaps a new subgenre has been created..."-- Northwind Magazine, January 9, 2000 "Sandra Brewer peppers her tale of murder in a small town with exotic characters, clever dialogue and a likeable, offbeat heroine." -- WritersWrite, December 1999
Rating:
Summary: Murder with a Celtic Twist
Review: Life used to be so simple for Rhiannon Beltene. The deadlines for the vampire novels she writes used to be the most she had to worry about. But not anymore. Her cousin, Trystan, sleeps in a coffin and thinks he's a vampire. The body she's just found has thrown everyone into a tizzy. It's the first of a series of bodies, which are appearing in Brennen County on a nightly basis; two incisions, reminiscent of a vampire attack, in the throat and a serious lack of blood in their veins. There's a new sheriff in town and her cousin, Righdhonn, a mercenary and the best armed man in the county, has become her shadow. She's forced to put down her writing and deal with both the crisis and the new sheriff, who has no idea of exactly "how" the Beltene family runs Brennen County. Things escalate quickly as the killer begins dropping off notes with the bodies. A confusing series of clues combined with the identification of the bodies and their occupations soon make the killer's reasoning all too clear. Rhiannon's family is sure that the killings are all her fault, the tabloids are having a field day and the murderer thinks a body a day is a terrific gift. "Rhiannon Beltene is surely the most upbeat and colorful vampire novelist in history. The escapades of her eccentric family makes Murder for Beltene a high-spirited read." -- Katherine Neville, The Magic Circle "An absolutely enthralling and completely entertaining first mystery which I can only hope is the first of a series." -- Doris Ann Norris, Librarian, DorothyL newsgroup, 10/13/99 "...wry humor ... most excellent weaving of mystery and fantasy..." -- Maria Y Lima, The Alibi Mystery Bookstore, Texas, 10/6/99 "I think it's going to be one of the most talked about mysteries in the traditional and historical circles." -- Joanne Pence, DorothyL newsgroup, 9/27/999 "What fun, this is almost like reading an early Charlotte Macleod." -- The Poisoned Pen Vol. 11, No. 10, September 1999 "... it's an amusement park ride that's comparable to the slow ascent to the highest point on a roller coaster followed by a plunge that leaves one gasping and holding on for dear life! This is a first in what I trust will be a series of novels about Rhiannon and her clan. When I closed the book, it was with a sigh and a wish that I had the sequel in hand." -- PJ Nunn, 8/12/99 "Compelling characterization by Brewer makes this a must-read, with authentic details and flowing dialogue." -- Mystery Time Magazine
Rating: 
Summary: Druids, Vampire Wannabes, and Murder
Review: Funny debut novel about the Clan Beltene of Sevyrn Michigan. The Beltenes, a family of Welsh descent, have been in the area for centuries and basically control it financially and politically, due to certain peculiarities in their nature. Rhiannon Beltene has just been chosen The Beltene, the leader of the family and its fortunes. This is a role that gets passed around periodically to the eldest "Unchanged" member of the family. Rhiannon, however, is initially not happy with being The Beltene. She is a writer of popular vampire fiction, and has never been that deeply involved with family matters. All that changes when a series of dead bodies start showing up around town, with incision marks on their necks and the bodies drained of blood, and their deaths dedicated to Rhiannon. Advance notice of the murders was sent to the tabloids and they have descended upon the town en masse. To complicate matters, there is a new Sheriff, Daniel Thorpe (who is not of Welsh descent, nor is he a local), chosen by the older members of her family (one of whom is the mayor), and who is unaware of the true nature of the Beltenes. Unfortunately for Dan, he doesn't know that the elders are also playing matchmaker - Rhiannon does, and she's not pleased by it. The Beltene family is large, but Ms. Brewer kindly gives the reader a cast of characters, maps and floor plans at the beginning of the book to quickly orient the reader. This was one of those books that when it ends, you're surprised that it's over. Hopefully the sequel won't be long in arriving.
Rating:
Summary: Druids, Vampire Wannabes, and Murder
Review: Funny debut novel about the Clan Beltene of Sevyrn Michigan. The Beltenes, a family of Welsh descent, have been in the area for centuries and basically control it financially and politically, due to certain peculiarities in their nature. Rhiannon Beltene has just been chosen The Beltene, the leader of the family and its fortunes. This is a role that gets passed around periodically to the eldest "Unchanged" member of the family. Rhiannon, however, is initially not happy with being The Beltene. She is a writer of popular vampire fiction, and has never been that deeply involved with family matters. All that changes when a series of dead bodies start showing up around town, with incision marks on their necks and the bodies drained of blood, and their deaths dedicated to Rhiannon. Advance notice of the murders was sent to the tabloids and they have descended upon the town en masse. To complicate matters, there is a new Sheriff, Daniel Thorpe (who is not of Welsh descent, nor is he a local), chosen by the older members of her family (one of whom is the mayor), and who is unaware of the true nature of the Beltenes. Unfortunately for Dan, he doesn't know that the elders are also playing matchmaker - Rhiannon does, and she's not pleased by it. The Beltene family is large, but Ms. Brewer kindly gives the reader a cast of characters, maps and floor plans at the beginning of the book to quickly orient the reader. This was one of those books that when it ends, you're surprised that it's over. Hopefully the sequel won't be long in arriving.
Rating: 
Summary: First book in a series?
Review: I found myself unable to put this book down until I found out just this next little bit and then another and another until I had reached the end...or is it the beginning of a series? The book has flaws typical of a first novel, too many characters and information overload. It is NOT an easy quick read and while it is also not serious, snooty "great modern literature" it is definitely worth the effort. I want to read more about the family and town. The characters were well drawn and engaging. In some ways I was reminded of the "Cat Who" series, quirky characters in a UP setting but with a definite twist. The murders from this book are solved but I still have many questions about the side issues I want answered. My biggest complaint? Where can I get my hands on the more by this author?!
Rating:
Summary: First book in a series?
Review: I found myself unable to put this book down until I found out just this next little bit and then another and another until I had reached the end...or is it the beginning of a series? The book has flaws typical of a first novel, too many characters and information overload. It is NOT an easy quick read and while it is also not serious, snooty "great modern literature" it is definitely worth the effort. I want to read more about the family and town. The characters were well drawn and engaging. In some ways I was reminded of the "Cat Who" series, quirky characters in a UP setting but with a definite twist. The murders from this book are solved but I still have many questions about the side issues I want answered. My biggest complaint? Where can I get my hands on the more by this author?!
Rating:
Summary: It?s an interesting, fun read.
Review: I hope I can do this humorous, distinctive mystery justice because I really had fun reading it. What we have here is a possible paranormal mystery that meets up with a historically preserved Clan from Wales. Rhiannon Beltene writes vampire novels. She even has a web page for her books. She is also the Beltene of the Clan Beltene -- a family that resides in a castle in Michigan. I think I can safely say they exist with old fashion ways that extend centuries back from Wales and past generations. Things begin to change for the Beltene Clan when bloodless bodies start showing up with two marks on the neck and the sleaze press arrives at the sheriffs' office because they are being notified before the murders happen. Wait, there's more. Since the sheriff has just retired, Rhiannon and the Clan have to officially "Welcome" the new sheriff sooner then their family tradition normally would. It's the only way they can let him in on their family secrets, which might help to solve the case. And when I say "welcome" I don't mean your typically, knock on the door, cake in hand, welcome to Brennan County, Michigan kind of "welcome." Ms Brewer has written short stories of the Clan Beltene. This is her first mystery novel including them. I think it's going to be one of the most talked about mysteries in the traditional and historical circles.
Rating:
Summary: It¿s an interesting, fun read.
Review: I hope I can do this humorous, distinctive mystery justice because I really had fun reading it. What we have here is a possible paranormal mystery that meets up with a historically preserved Clan from Wales. Rhiannon Beltene writes vampire novels. She even has a web page for her books. She is also the Beltene of the Clan Beltene -- a family that resides in a castle in Michigan. I think I can safely say they exist with old fashion ways that extend centuries back from Wales and past generations. Things begin to change for the Beltene Clan when bloodless bodies start showing up with two marks on the neck and the sleaze press arrives at the sheriffs' office because they are being notified before the murders happen. Wait, there's more. Since the sheriff has just retired, Rhiannon and the Clan have to officially "Welcome" the new sheriff sooner then their family tradition normally would. It's the only way they can let him in on their family secrets, which might help to solve the case. And when I say "welcome" I don't mean your typically, knock on the door, cake in hand, welcome to Brennan County, Michigan kind of "welcome." Ms Brewer has written short stories of the Clan Beltene. This is her first mystery novel including them. I think it's going to be one of the most talked about mysteries in the traditional and historical circles.
Rating:
Summary: Just to be fair...
Review: I loved this book. I have re-read it many times. I would also love to see more books about the Beletene Family. It appears very unfair that one review is listed twice and apparently counted in the book rating twice.
Rating:
Summary: Just to be fair...
Review: I loved this book. I have re-read it many times. I would also love to see more books about the Beletene Family. It appears very unfair that one review is listed twice and apparently counted in the book rating twice.
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