Gonna Take a Homicidal Journey

Rating:
Summary: I'll Be Reading You Always
Review: As always, I anxiously awaited the publication of another Lauren Laurano mystery. When we left off, Lauren was caught by her partner, Kip, in the arms of another woman. We all wanted to know how that and the other difficulties they were having would be resolved. But this is a mystery, folks! Kip and Lauren go with the Js to Long Island where Kip helps them remodel a house and Lauren finds herself a series of crimes and odd suspects to pursue. Lip service is paid to resolving Lauren and Kip's problems. And the crimes are a series of loose ends many of which are dismissed or forgotten all together. Compare this to "Everything You Have is Mine" or the others in the series and it appears that Scoppettone was racing to meet a deadline to get the book out. The painstaking detail of developing the crime and sorting out the leads is missing here. Scoppettone has the wit and the intellect to create a much more plausible and more entertaining story. I hope she hasn't become bored by these characters because she is one of the best in Lesbian fiction (and mystery) writers. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Rating:
Summary: A real let down
Review: I have read all of the Lauren Laurano stories and enjoyed the new avenues that this book followed. Moving (part-time) out to Long Island, partnering with Cecchi, beginning to work out long-standing problems with Kip -- all of this gives Lauren more options for future exploration. Also, I liked the new plot device of revealing each of the "interviewees'" reactions to Lauren's questions about the case; it more clearly linked each of these characters to the murders that had been committed. Sandra Scoppettone has proved for over 20 years that she is an innovative and creative author and this novel is another example of her refusal to keep following a tried-and-true formula, book after book. Now, I just hope it won't be two years before the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Journey Opens New Possibilities
Review: I have read all of the Lauren Laurano stories and enjoyed the new avenues that this book followed. Moving (part-time) out to Long Island, partnering with Cecchi, beginning to work out long-standing problems with Kip -- all of this gives Lauren more options for future exploration. Also, I liked the new plot device of revealing each of the "interviewees'" reactions to Lauren's questions about the case; it more clearly linked each of these characters to the murders that had been committed. Sandra Scoppettone has proved for over 20 years that she is an innovative and creative author and this novel is another example of her refusal to keep following a tried-and-true formula, book after book. Now, I just hope it won't be two years before the next one!

Rating:
Summary: A real let down
Review: I suspect Scoppotone wrote this just to resolve the Lauren/Kip/Alex triangle which came to ahead at the end of her last book.

I hated the new format of each suspect revealing their fears after they'd been interviewed by Lauren and the ending seemed so abrupt - unless I missed something I was a bit bemused. The pieces of the puzzle just did not seem to fit together, it was a very shoddy denouement (if you could call it that)& not terribly plausible either.

I've always enjoyed the "Lauren Laurano mysteries", however upon reading this latest one it was apparent that the author has no plans to develop the series any further as she too has clearly become bored with Lauren & Kip.

Time to move on I would say & after having finished the book and read the interview at the back with Scopptone I gather that this is exactly what she plans to do.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Laurano Yet!
Review: In this fourth outing, Lauren Laurano, NYC private investigation, agrees to spend some time with friends at their new Long Island home helping to fix it up. Not exactly her idea of good time, but she's trying to mend fences with her lover Kip. When the opportunity arises for to accept an investigation into a murder ruled a suicide, she doesn't hesitate. Perhaps she should have. As Laurano investigates and discovers each new layer, things get uglier and uglier and even include an attempt on her life. She calls on Cecchi, a former NYPD detective with whom she is going to go into partnership, to help solve the murder. Kip, in the meantime, is still punishing her for an affair she had in the previous book. This has it all - good writing, a multi-layered plot, and good characterizations. Scoppettone is back in form! She has, unfortunately, also said that this is the last Lauren Laurano book - "I've said all I can about Lauren, Kip, and especially New York City." That's too bad. I'll miss Lauren, Kip, Cecchi, their friends, and Scoppettone's take on the Village and the City.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Laurano Yet!
Review: In this fourth outing, Lauren Laurano, NYC private investigation, agrees to spend some time with friends at their new Long Island home helping to fix it up. Not exactly her idea of good time, but she's trying to mend fences with her lover Kip. When the opportunity arises for to accept an investigation into a murder ruled a suicide, she doesn't hesitate. Perhaps she should have. As Laurano investigates and discovers each new layer, things get uglier and uglier and even include an attempt on her life. She calls on Cecchi, a former NYPD detective with whom she is going to go into partnership, to help solve the murder. Kip, in the meantime, is still punishing her for an affair she had in the previous book. This has it all - good writing, a multi-layered plot, and good characterizations. Scoppettone is back in form! She has, unfortunately, also said that this is the last Lauren Laurano book - "I've said all I can about Lauren, Kip, and especially New York City." That's too bad. I'll miss Lauren, Kip, Cecchi, their friends, and Scoppettone's take on the Village and the City.

Rating:
Summary: A very disappointing entry in a good series
Review: Once again one of my favorite writer had written a very good mystery! Scoppettone didn't disappoint! Even though I loved the mystery being set in a small town. I perfer Lauren & Co. in N.Y. City! I read this book with great pleasure! Now I'm going to have to wait another whole year for the next Lauren Laurano mystery. I had order Gonna Take A Homicidal Journey and received an autographed copy! :-o)!!