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Rating: 
Summary: Who Knew Gospel Singers Could Be So Nasty?
Review: Alexandra Walters' ex-husband Mike Evans wants full custody of their daughter, Jessica. She will do anything to keep Jessica. Anything...including murder?Lorie Ham's THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS is her second mystery to feature Alexandra (Alex) Walters. Like her creator, Alex is a gospel singer, but while we only have her creator's word to go that Alex is a quality singer, you need only read a few sentences of THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS to know that Ham is a wonderful writer. For example, Ham describes the promoter Pat Hoffman as a man who "had never experienced the sorrows of not getting his way." Earlier in the novel Alex, talking to her daughter Jessica (Jess), writes, "She pouted and let out an awfully big sign for someone so small." The novel's final chapter is one of the sweetest and most welcoming finals I have read in a long while. THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS could be described as a cozy mystery. The entire story takes place in the pleasant northern California community of Donlyn, where vineyards and peach orchards grow around the outskirts of town. Most everybody knows everybody in Donlyn, and most everyone likes Alex, if you don't count whoever is trying to frame her for the murder of her ex-husband, Mike Evans. Mike's scheme to take Jess away from Alex should also endear this novel to fans of the type of "women" stories popular on the Lifetime Television tradition. Besides touring as a gospel signer, Alex supports herself by renting rooms in her house, where you will always find a helping hand, a willing ear, good advice, and plenty of Pepsi, mocha, and Frank Sinatra (I'm a Dean Martin fan, myself). Most of the novel takes place at a gospel convention in Donlyn, and the "behind-the-scenes" scenes are not entertaining but enlightening. Even if you are not a fan of gospel music, you will be enthralled to learn what a difficult life these touring singers lead. You might even be surprised to discover just how nasty some of the singers can be. (Hey, God loves a fighter!) Lorie Ham is certainly a wonderful writer, and Alex Walters is a heavenly creation. Mystery fans looking for a new character with super supporting cast to fall in love with should run, not walk, to the bookstore and buy a copy of THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS. (Steven Philip Jones is the author of KING OF HARLEM and two novellas to be published in late 2002, "The Sceptre" in ENCHANTED REALMS II and "Curse of Wrigley Field" in the anthology ALL ABOUT MURDER.)
Rating:
Summary: Who Knew Gospel Singers Could Be So Nasty?
Review: Alexandra Walters' ex-husband Mike Evans wants full custody of their daughter, Jessica. She will do anything to keep Jessica. Anything...including murder? Lorie Ham's THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS is her second mystery to feature Alexandra (Alex) Walters. Like her creator, Alex is a gospel singer, but while we only have her creator's word to go that Alex is a quality singer, you need only read a few sentences of THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS to know that Ham is a wonderful writer. For example, Ham describes the promoter Pat Hoffman as a man who "had never experienced the sorrows of not getting his way." Earlier in the novel Alex, talking to her daughter Jessica (Jess), writes, "She pouted and let out an awfully big sign for someone so small." The novel's final chapter is one of the sweetest and most welcoming finals I have read in a long while. THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS could be described as a cozy mystery. The entire story takes place in the pleasant northern California community of Donlyn, where vineyards and peach orchards grow around the outskirts of town. Most everybody knows everybody in Donlyn, and most everyone likes Alex, if you don't count whoever is trying to frame her for the murder of her ex-husband, Mike Evans. Mike's scheme to take Jess away from Alex should also endear this novel to fans of the type of "women" stories popular on the Lifetime Television tradition. Besides touring as a gospel signer, Alex supports herself by renting rooms in her house, where you will always find a helping hand, a willing ear, good advice, and plenty of Pepsi, mocha, and Frank Sinatra (I'm a Dean Martin fan, myself). Most of the novel takes place at a gospel convention in Donlyn, and the "behind-the-scenes" scenes are not entertaining but enlightening. Even if you are not a fan of gospel music, you will be enthralled to learn what a difficult life these touring singers lead. You might even be surprised to discover just how nasty some of the singers can be. (Hey, God loves a fighter!) Lorie Ham is certainly a wonderful writer, and Alex Walters is a heavenly creation. Mystery fans looking for a new character with super supporting cast to fall in love with should run, not walk, to the bookstore and buy a copy of THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS. (Steven Philip Jones is the author of KING OF HARLEM and two novellas to be published in late 2002, "The Sceptre" in ENCHANTED REALMS II and "Curse of Wrigley Field" in the anthology ALL ABOUT MURDER.)
Rating: 
Summary: This is a great series
Review: I like this series and feel this book was even better than the first. I like Alexandra Walters, the gospel singer/amateur sleuth. The author has lots of insight into the life of a gospel singer and this really shows. I like getting to know the other singers and Alex's housemates. The boyfriend with the mafia ties is a great touch, too. Being a mother, I could really relate to Alex's feelings of not wanting to lose her daughter, Jessica. I like the clues given. Nothing's fully given away!
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Summary: Lorie Ham's Fresh Winner
Review: I recall recently reading an interview of a bestselling mystery author in which the author asserted that readers should search out contemporary small-press mystery authors because these fresh voices write books of equal or superior quality to those written by the celebrated names of our genre. Lorie Ham, her Alexandra Walters series, and her new THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS proves this point perfectly. Ms. Ham has created a fresh mystery series with a unique perspective. Her protagonist, Alex, is a Christian singer and a single mother. The novel is set against the backdrop of a gospel music convention in a town in California's Central Valley. Alex's ex-husband is in town for the convention, and he wants custody of their child Jessica. Alex lets her ex know she will do anything to stop him from stealing her child and soon the ex ends up shot dead. Ms. Ham spins a great mystery tale from there, piling on suspects with good reasons to want the victim dead. The plot is filled with action, and Alex's boyfriend, a PI with Mafia connections, plays a major part. While Alex and many of her associates are Christian, their religious beliefs do not dominate the story. Their faith merely makes up elements of their characters. THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS is a terrific new mystery by an up-and-coming author.
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Summary: Great second novel from Lorie Ham!
Review: The second in the gospel-singing-amateur-sleuth Alexandra Walters series, THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS gives us more glimpses into the world of gospel music. This time out, Alex's sleazy ex-husband comes to town to participate in the Singfest West Gospel Music Convention. Newly married to a young bimbo and threatening to take Alex's daughter away from her, the reader will have a hard time not taking an immediate dislike to Mike Walters. Murder soon abounds with Alex as the #1 suspect. I was intrigued with the introduction of new police Detective Will Knight who looks like he could give Alex's mafia-connected private eye boyfriend Stephen a run for his money in future books. I'm looking forward to seeing how these relationships develop! I'm extremely impressed by Ham's ability to weave religious beliefs into her books without coming off as sounding preachy. THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: The Trouble With Tenors
Review: This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I look forward to reading the other books in her series about Alexandra Walters. There are enough plot twists to keep you turning the pages. Before you start this one be sure you have enough time to finish it in one setting.
Rating:
Summary: The Trouble With Tenors
Review: This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I look forward to reading the other books in her series about Alexandra Walters. There are enough plot twists to keep you turning the pages. Before you start this one be sure you have enough time to finish it in one setting.
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Summary: A series character you'll want to meet again
Review: You won't want to skip a beat of this one. The Trouble With Tenors is put together like a symphony, and you can't miss with Lorie Ham conducting. Lorie knows how to build suspense in layers, and, how to leap to the denouement with no loose ends. Well done. Child endangerment, multiple murders, perfect pace, what more could you ask for? I applaud the Alexandra Walters series. Joyce Holland
The Sally Malone Mysteries
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