The Miracle Strip (A Sierra Lavotini Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: A decent first book, but improvement is needed
Review: As a first book, Miracle Strip is not horrible, but it would not compel me to buy another book in the series. The protagonist, stripper Sierra Lavotini, never seems to have justifiable motivation for her actions. She recklessly starts investigating the disappearance of her friend, even when it becomes clear that her friend has been lying to her and has been mixed up in some sort of drug deal gone wrong. Like some hardboiled PI, she never tells the police all she knows, although her motivation for witholding information is never clear. She does one stupid thing after another and you can't figure out what she has to gain by acting like that. The book was made more irritating because Sierra, the narrator, uses poor grammar on an infrequent enough basis that it just seems like a narrative trick, to make her background more "real." The portrayal of Sierra as a stripper didn't ring true, and the strip club is too abstract and uninvolving. Nevertheless, as the author polishes her craft this series may turn into something really worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite Evanovich
Review: Fans of more skillful Florida mysteries such as those by John D. MacDonald or Carl Hiaasen will be left wanting by this tepid first novel by Nancy Bartholomew. Her Philly-born exotic dancer heroine, Sierra Lavotini, is a mass of contradictions, but for all the facets Bartholomew tries to build into her, she remains a warmed-over knock-off of Hiaasen's sleuthing stripper from <Strip Tease>. Sierra's poor English makes for a distracting narrative voice and, unfortunately, Panama City is never more than a flat backdrop for the plot, which could just as easily be set in Myrtle Beach, Padre Island, Daytona Beach, or any one of a number of other southern spring break venues.

Rating:
Summary: Fans of Stephanie Plumb books will LOVE Sierra!
Review: I first bought The Miracle Strip because I was going through a Stephanie Plumb withdrawl. At first, the missing dog plot didn't seem like it would be able to sustain an entire book, but the way Nancy Bartholomew weaves the story with mystery and humor, the plot actually works! The humor in this book is definately similar to that of Janet Evanovich and this series will keep Evanovich fans entertained between Plumb outings! Sierra is a rare character in the fact that she is unappolgetic about what her profession is. She likes being an exotic dancer (NOT a stripper! ) and takes pride in doing her job (and her sleuthing) well. Do yourself a favor and buy this excellent book. You won't be sorry. :)

Rating:
Summary: Incredible story! I couldn't put it down.
Review: I read this book while living in Panama City, FL, the setting of the story. The detail and the atmosphere of this town was completely captured in this fast paced adventure. If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in a small beach front tourist town in Florida, and especially if you enjoy a good mystery, you MUST read this book.

Rating:
Summary: This Evanovich Fan Finally found another FUN Series!
Review: I was so happy to come across this fun series. I eagerly devoured all of the Evanovich Books and someone recommended I should try the "Strip" Series. I loved it! I felt it was different enough from Evanovich but still had such Fun characters. Can't wait to read the rest in the series now!

Rating:
Summary: A fast-paced, humorous mystery with earthy characters
Review: The Miracle Strip is a fast-paced mystery featuring earthy characters living in the underbelly of our culture. Nancy Bartholomew gives us a humorous yet realistic view of the frailty of people who both express and occasionally contain, the raw emotions we all feel. Her heroine, Sierra Lavotini, is an exotic dancer with beauty, brains, inner sensitivity, and a fierce loyalty to family and friends. She displays this with a reckless "kick butt" attitude that sets her on a wild adventure beginning with a vow to rescue her friend's dog, Arlo. Sierra's amazing and humorous acceptance of others is displayed in her description of Raydeen, her loyal friend and neighbor, who happens to be a paranoid schizophrenic. But Sierra's own comic complexity is enhanced by her struggle to be true to her "inner child" and a hidden desire to be a writer, as opposed to her love of making money and engaging in the fast-paced and exciting world of a stripper.

Nancy Bartholomew is a keen observer of our physical reality, has a great understanding of human motivation and behavior, and appreciates the humor found in our incongruous natures. She is quick in her thinking, and her stories pull us in and move us along. I'm looking forward to more tales of colorful characters and their adventures. Bravo Nance!

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