Murder in Cloud City

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Summary: Writing What I Know, What I've Done, & Teach..Investigations
Review: I am a former police chief with over twenty-five years of investigative experience and currently a college professor of criminal justice. I write what I know. Murder in Cloud City, although her first book with iUniverse.com, represents my sixth published book. (Others are listed on this page in Amazon.com)

Murder In Cloud City continues my penchant for murder but provides an interesting and exciting break with the previous approach by introducing the unique and exciting character of Major Lynne Fhaolain. Lynne is newly retired from the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and has survived her partner's untimelydeath. Caught between the pain of the past and an uncertainty of the future, Lynne moves to Leadville, Colorado, with the intents of open a bookstore and write travel books. Unfortunately for Lynne, the otherwise quiet town of Leadville, nestled in the clouds of the Rockies has been the site of gruesome murders. Unable to tame her curiosity and at the urging of two old town cronies, Lynne searches for clues to the killers' identity.

As a frequent visitor to Colorado in general and Leadville, in particular I have attempted to fairly portray the climate, landscape and possibilities of mystery represented in the area. The story unfolds in the chill of early spring of the mountains and winds its way through the opening of high summer in the Rockies. The characters, central and supportive are drawn full-bodied lending depth and tautness to the unfolding story. Police procedure, process, and practical or problematical issues are lucidly presented lending both a sense of realism and frustration faced by investigators. In this fast paced thriller, the hunter becomes the prey and the circle narrows in a desperate game of cat and mouse.

Murder in Cloud City is the first of the Lynne Fhaolain mystery series. Lynne will continue to make her home and homebase in Leadville, Colorado while she travels the West and Northwest in search of interesting vacation lands. Think of her as a "travel she writes, and murder she stumbles into" character.

The author's website may be found at www.janetmcclellan.com.

Rating:
Summary: ecoast1
Review: I was truly disappointed with this book. Not because of plot or characters, because the proof reading and grammar were atrocious. It was a task to read and re-read the pages of this book. Virtually every page has errors on it! I don't know what happened that Ms McClellan left Naiad Press but her latest choice of publisher if a definite mistake.

Rating:
Summary: Poor writing, spelling, editing, and proofing spoiled book
Review: It was impossible to avoid the distracting errors on almost every page of this book. It was published by a self-publishing company, but the author is listed elsewhere on the net as an editor. If so, she didn't edit her own book.

One website printed her intentions that this book not be so identifiable with lesbian writing. However, her mechanism of avoiding the main character's partner's gender by always using her name was artificial and pointed glaringly at what she was trying to hide.

If you want to read this author's books, please give her feedback that she needs to be more craftsmanlike. There's no excuse for this level of poor grammar and writing.

Rating:
Summary: Liked the character...
Review: Liked the new character the Ms. McClellan has introduced, however, all this ambiguity regarding Shelby was tiresome. Several different places in the book referred to Shelby as 'she', then in another chapter, Shelby was 'he'. Also, Ms. McClellan should insist upon a new proof reader. There were passages that had to be read and reread to make sense. Overall, though, a very enjoyable story.