The Pink Flamingo Murders

Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters
Review: Columnist reporter Francesca Vierling makes her third appearance in THE PINK FLAMINGO MURDERS. Most readers can sympathize with Francesca, who is chronically unable to control her temper and tongue. Consequently, she finds herself in hot water both at work and in her personal life.

Always looking for a good story, Francesca starts covering her own neighborhood when less than desirable characters start dying after arguing with wealthy real estate owner Caroline. As the body count starts climbing, and all are murder victims, Francesca is positive Caroline is the killer and tries to find enough proof for the police. When Caroline herself is killed, Francesca is stumped--but then, so are the police.

Viets provides the reader with an intimate look at St. Louis, especially the proud old houses suffering from neglect and in need of "rehabbing". She also provides the reader with an up-close and personal view of a reporter's daily life, but I hope this isn't how a typical newspaper is run. Francesca's boyfriend Lyle can't understand why Francesca doesn't quit, as she and the other reporters are treated extremely poorly and aren't allowed to write any real news stories. I don't think Francesca herself knows why she stays and takes the daily punishment dished out by managing editor Charlie.

I was able to figure out the killer's identity early on. In spite of that, the book held my interest all the way to the end, mostly due to the interesting characters.

Rating:
Summary: Too light
Review: I really hated this book! Everthing was lighter than air- the characters, the writing, the plot. It was a total waste of my time.

Rating:
Summary: The Pink Flamingo Murders
Review: No one has her finger on the pulse of St. Louis more than Elaine Viets. Her descriptions of St. Louis and its charm and its people--and its quirks--are dead-on. Just when you think there are no new ways to commit murder, Viets shows us there is always a new idea. She throws just enough hints at whom the murderer is to cast suspicion on everyone and lets the reader make his or her own guesses. The Francesca Vierling series is top notch, and this is the best yet. After 200 pages I hated this book...because I knew I was approaching the end. I'm counting the days until the next book is released.