Dead Romantic

Murder is the outcome when a middle-aged virgin agrees to risk a secret weekend of love at White Jasmine Cottage

From the graphically described opening of this book to its prosaically grim conclusion, Dead Romantic is unlike Brett's other work. Known by many readers for his urbane and witty Charles Paris series (Murder Unprompted, Star Trap), Brett proves that he can write a gratuitously grim cinema verit?-style mystery. There is enough sex and violence to attract the interest of the more prurient, successful Hollywood directors. What it doesn't haveAanywhereAis a likable character. Bernard Hopkins and Paul Grigson, the two male leads, are both driven by their lust for sex and violence and are remarkable for their absolute absence of redeeming qualities. Madeleine Severn, the female lead, does little to attract the listener's sympathy. This novel is further complicated by various subplots peopled by equally unlikable characters. Although read with Brett's usual skill, not a necessary purchase.ATheresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.