Rating: 
Summary: An OK Summer Read
Review: An enjoyable, fun mystery. Finally, no cops or PI's, no dames, not even a trench coat. "Dying To Get Published" is a satisfying read that would be great for a long plane ride or a day at the beach. I particularly liked the way the book tapped into Jennifer's dark side. I mean who hasn't thought about sending threatening letters or killing someone? (Oh, like YOU haven't!) This was my first Judy Fitzwater novel, but I plan to read them all.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast, fun read
Review: Dying to get Published is not a heavy duty mystery it is light hearted and takes a poke at the mystery genre (Jennifer is a pre-published mystery writer who creates wacky heroines and plots that are woven throughout the book). Judy Fitzwater has accurately described every hopeful writer's feelings in Dying to Get Published.I could totally relate to Jennifer Marsh, the main character, and her wacky cast of friends. She is devoted to her writing and does catering parties to help make ends meet - it is at a party she and her friend Dee Dee are working where she meets Sam, a great dream guy and picks up her first "case". As I said, the plot intricacies might leave a bit to be desired for those looking for a hard core mystery but for me this was a fun read. I like Jennifer, her wonderful dog Muffy and her unborn (and unconceived ) child Jaimie (could be a girl or a boy). As whole - this was a great premise and a fun book.
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: I hate to say it, having enjoyed the rest of Judy Fitzwater's series, but this opener to the series is excruciatingly dull. Read the rest, but avoid this one!
Rating: 
Summary: A Definite 5 Star Book
Review: I personally found the book to be one of the best I've ever read. It's fast-paced, amusing, well-written, and has lovely characters and dialogue. Jennifer Marsh is a great character that I relate to and who makes me laugh. She's perfect to carry a series. I've recommended DYING TO GET PUBLISHED and its successors to everyone I know. I enjoyed them all immensely. If you're looking for a great mystery and a charming novel, you should definitely find a copy of DYING TO GET PUBLISHED. Judy Fitzwater has created clever, interesting plots and a wonderfully entertaining cast of characters. Her manner of writing is crisp, clear, and the woman can certainly turn a phrase. This book gets my highest praise as will all of Fitzwater's future books, I'm sure.
Rating:
Summary: It was okay
Review: I picked up ths book because I heard they were supposed to be like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (the greatest series in the world). I was disappointed. This book was no where near as funny or interesting as Ms. Evanovich's. I had to struggle to finish it. While it was a good attempt, I thought it just wasn't interesting enough and the characters weren't fully developed. And as some reviewers have stated, the constant mentioning of Jaimie was not funny. I guess if you're bored with no other new books to read, this is an okay book to read, but don't start reading it with too many high expectations because you'll be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Writer's Block
Review: Jennifer Marsh is a part-time caterer and a mystery writer. Or at least she wants to be a mystery writer, but just can't seem to get published. After eight rejected manuscripts, Jennifer is getting desperate and angry. Especially with agent Penney Richmond who after receiving Jennifer's latest, took a year to reject it. Jennifer decides she will plan the perfect murder, which should help her writing. And Penney's going to be the victim. When Penney winds up dead, Jennifer wonders if she maybe carried things a little too far. Highlights: Jennifer's relationship with Sam Culpepper, a reporter. She can't decide if she does or doesn't want a relationship with him. Her writer's group. This group of women write a variety of different genre's and are very funny. It's an interesting premise. Trying to see if you were a murderer, could you get into a secure apartment building, could you pick a lock, etc. Jennifer's conversations with Jaime, her not yet conceived but hoped for future baby. Lowlights: Jennifer is kind of stupid. Three stupid things she does: 1. Writes threatening letters to Penney - background for the book. 2. Takes a real gun with her when she goes to Penney's apartment, the night she's going through the make-believe murder. Penney is, of course, murdered that night. 3. Giving anyone sleeping pills in wine to knock them out, to give you an alibi. She's lucky she didn't go to jail. Jolene Arizona, the lead character in her new book. She's a left-handed, blind-in-one-eye, bareback-riding circus performer turned Hollywood detective and who sleeps with EVERY client. And Jennifer wonders why she's not published. Not a great start, but an easy, quick read, and good enough to go onto the second book, Dying to Get Even.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2.An exciting firt book in a terrific new mystery series
Review: Many aspiring writers will do the most inane things just to see their manuscript published. For instance, Jen Marsh has a closet filled with her eight rejected novels and a draw loaded with rejection letters that could wallpaper her home. A television talk show sparks an idea in Jen's mind on how to come to the attention of the publishing world. Jen decides to set herself up as the person who killed infamous agent Penny Richmond. She figures on obtaining several weeks of high profile media coverage before her innocence is pronounced. This will surely be the impetus towards having her eight murder mysteries published. Her plan works too perfect as she is arrested on suspicion of murder. Now, she has to find the real culprit before she spends the rest of her life writing novels from behind bars. Anyone who is considering authoring a book should read DYING TO GET PUBLISHED, which is a humorous primer on the tricks, tribulations, and traumas confronting an aspirin! g writer. This insider's view of publishing is fascinating yet frightening even as it serves as the basis for making Judy Fitzwater's debut novel a success. The characters seem genuine almost as if Ms. Fitzwater has a want other work from this talented newcomer. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great Debut!
Review: The first in a planned series of six novels (now close to completion at five published), Dying to Get Published, is Judy's Fitzwater's spellbinding debut book. Jennifer Marsh is a struggling writer, doing everything she can to get her murder mysteries published... and she means -everything-, right down to planning a real murder to help her write her fictional ones. Everything goes sour, though, when Jennifer's intended victim turns up dead, and she's left cheated out of her crime! But not exactly... since guess who appears to be the perfect suspect? You guessed it. The most notable aspect of Fitzwater's writing is her incredible ability to make her characters -real- and extremely identifiable. Whether you want to shake them, hold their hands, or stop them on the street, the constructs of Fitzwater's mind are an amusing bunch-- one you're not likely to forget in the near future. If you're a mystery fan looking for a quirky, fun read, try Judy Fitzwater. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguingly different
Review: This book gave me a totally different slant on the task of writing and getting published. Being inside Jennifer Marsh's mind was fascinating. The plot of the story was different. I kept reading to find out if there ever would be a murder. The characters, Southern, were quirky but believable. I know real people like some of these. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Good luck with another agent
Review: This is clever and funny and based on a brilliantly original idea. Unfortunately the market for clever and original books is poor. Perhaps trying again with another agent would be worthwhile.
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