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Rating: 
Summary: Willi Taft Makes Nashville Sparkle
Review: Anyone, including her friends, would think Willie Taft owned the world. She has several close friends, a new home, and a career that many people envy as she sings back up to many of Country and Western superstars. However, Willie suffers from several personal problems starting with the feeling that she has outgrown her friends. However, the worse emotion is that two decades of singing C&W has left her numb as she loathes this style of music.Willie returns to the living after she meets private detective Sam Robbins. Though they start off on the wrong foot, Willie and Sam begin to forge a meaningful relationship. Sam starts to teach Willie the tricks of his craft, but is soon murdered. The police believe he is a victim of a burglary that turned ugly. However, Willie questions the official position when nasty things start to happen. Someone shoots at her and drugs her. Sam's office and her house are torn apart as an unknown assailant seeks something. Willie realizes she must uncover the identity of the culprit before she becomes the next victim. The first Silver Dagger mystery, MIDNIGHT HOUR, will leave readers waiting to pick up more tales from what appears to be an imprint that will shine with a long life. Mary Sauns invigorates the amateur sleuth sub-genre with a successful and strong female lead. The tale is clearly owned by Willie, who as she approaches forty struggles with a mid-life crisis that sends her on a path to start anew. The brain-teasing mystery along with Willie's laid back common sense will leave the audience anxiously wanting more terrific Taft tales. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: A stunning debut novel
Review: How many first time authors have the gall to kill off their protagonist's main man within the first forty pages of their novel? I kept thinking, "He really isn't dead, just hiding from the bad guys with the cooperation of the cops." But I was wrong. Handsome Sam was a goner, deader than a crunch bug caught crossing KMart in the middle of a Blue Light Special. I have to hand it to Mary Saums. What a gutsy way to steer Willi Taft, her main character, into a new career. Ms. Saums deserves a round of applause for MIDNIGHT HOUR. Not only is the plot a tricky one, but the characters are reality-based, multilayerd personalities who cry out for attention and remembrance. The book is characterized by smooth writing, almost poetic at times, filled with imagery that makes one want to reread certain paragraphs just for the pure pleasure of seeing the English language used well. As for Buddy the dog, I give him five woofs for lovableness. He can come live with me any time he wants. This is a fine debut novel by a talented writer. I look forward eagerly to Ms. Saums next book.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning debut novel
Review: How many first time authors have the gall to kill off their protagonist's main man within the first forty pages of their novel? I kept thinking, "He really isn't dead, just hiding from the bad guys with the cooperation of the cops." But I was wrong. Handsome Sam was a goner, deader than a crunch bug caught crossing KMart in the middle of a Blue Light Special. I have to hand it to Mary Saums. What a gutsy way to steer Willi Taft, her main character, into a new career. Ms. Saums deserves a round of applause for MIDNIGHT HOUR. Not only is the plot a tricky one, but the characters are reality-based, multilayerd personalities who cry out for attention and remembrance. The book is characterized by smooth writing, almost poetic at times, filled with imagery that makes one want to reread certain paragraphs just for the pure pleasure of seeing the English language used well. As for Buddy the dog, I give him five woofs for lovableness. He can come live with me any time he wants. This is a fine debut novel by a talented writer. I look forward eagerly to Ms. Saums next book.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: I went home with this and started scanning, but immediately became hooked and read it all in one sitting. Moves well and fast, characters are very likeable, and Mary Saums knows her Nashville and music.
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Summary: Great Mystery
Review: Living in Nashville, I especially enjoy books that are set here. Mary Saums knows Nashville well. She has created a great story line with plenty of twists and turns. After reading it, I almost wanted to be a private investigator too. I hope this is the first of many stories involving Willi Taft. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good first mystery
Review: This is a first novel by a new author. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I was sad with who the murder victim was but the story was GREAT. Willi Taft is a studio singer in Nashville. She meets up with Sam, a P.I. After a murder, she gets involved with helping solve it and ends up solving a 20 year old crime that involves people in her past. This story is well told and the characters are very enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
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Summary: Hard to believe it's her first book
Review: This is an amazingly well done first book. Mary Saums has an authentic voice. She knows people and their motivations, and she has very accurately portrayed Nashville's "small town" nature. Saums' protagonist, Willi Taft, starts out likeable and gutsy, stumbles through lost and vulnerable, and emerges tough as tempered steel, wiser, and completely lovable. I'm going out now to buy the next installment with Saums' captivating character.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to believe it's her first book
Review: This is an amazingly well done first book. Mary Saums has an authentic voice. She knows people and their motivations, and she has very accurately portrayed Nashville's "small town" nature. Saums' protagonist, Willi Taft, starts out likeable and gutsy, stumbles through lost and vulnerable, and emerges tough as tempered steel, wiser, and completely lovable. I'm going out now to buy the next installment with Saums' captivating character.
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