I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia

Rating:
Summary: I'm a big Amanda Pepper fan but this is probably my least
Review: favorite book that I've read so far in the series (and I've read most of them). Roberts typically uses as a theme (like a muscial theme) a piece of classic literature that schoolteacher/detective Amanda Pepper is teaching to her students. In this book, the literary work is "The Taming of the Shrew" and the theme is spousal abuse. I realize how important the issue is, but she was preaching to the choir.

And the book does get preachy, although in a literary novel dialogue way. Amanda is sorting books for a used book sale at her school, Philly Prep, when she comes across a book on spousal abuse. Since the subject has come up with a student in a discussion of the Shrew, she thinks she'll set it aside for the student -- but then notices someone has written notes in it and that whoever wrote the notes believes her husband will kill her. Amanda sets out to try to find the woman to see if she can help. In the meantime, she's trying to get a job moonlighting as a tutor with an organization kind of like Sylvan -- but a fellow teacher is having trouble in his relationship with the franchisers, and he warns her against it. Needless to say, these seemingly separate plot lines come together in the book.

This is well written, but more serious than many of the books in the series, and a bit too earnest for the kind of mystery I expect from Ms. Roberts. I might also add that like most of the series, I was way ahead of Mandy Pepper in the detecting of the spousal abuse victim and of the killer.



Rating:
Summary: The Real Villain Is In Plain Sight
Review: There are several likely suspects in this case such as the victim's first wife and the two children from that marriage who are seeking recognition and financial rewards. An abused son from the second marriage and a disgruntled franchisee from the victim's business have strong motives for revenge. If the reader looks close enough the real villain is in plain sight.

One of the strengths of an Amanda Pepper story is the author's familiarity with Philadelphia. The action in this book takes place mostly in the Society Hill and Center City areas.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!!
Review: This is a really good book and one of the best in the series. Amanda Pepper is a well developed, funny character. She gets a little help from her policeman boyfriend and family. I recommend the entire Pepper series.