By Blood Possessed

Rating:
Summary: Very much like the best of Barbara Michaels
Review: A young woman, in a dead end job that she hates, receives a mysterious message from a lawyer in Virginia regarding a possible bequest. It sounds like an old formula, and it is, but the author adeptly keeps the reader interested. This book has everything, mystery, romance, and the ghost of a long dead relative. The characters are very well drawn and the mystery was difficult to solve. Enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Good writing, weak plot
Review: First the good things,--the story was well-written and well-paced with a nice balance between the contemporary and flash back portions. Other elements were mixed, many of the characters were well-done, but a few were cartoons, despite the last minute efforst to show the "real" under surface of the type. The heroine strayed to often into the realm of spunky/perky for my taste, but if that appeals to you, you will like this. The contemporary plot line was weak and far fetched with little real mystery, no detection and no real clues given except for one major instance of suspect behavior.

Rating:
Summary: Knocked my socks off!
Review: I should know better than to start a mystery novel before bedtime. Especially one as gripping and well-written as BY BLOOD POSSESSED. After several sleepless hours, completely engrossed in the novel, I realized that Elena Santangelo is definitely a force to be reckoned with. And no, I did not get to sleep until I finished the book.

This, her first mystery novel, not only delivers one of the best stories I've read, but skillfully weaves both the historical "back" story with the contemporary primary storyline with seamless integration, combining them into a finished, polished tale that will hold its own among the best of the genre. Santangelo bears watching - she may just sneak up and snatch an award or two. Brava!