Bell, Book, and Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mysteries)

Book Description

One would never guess to look at suburbanite homemaker Jane Jeffry that she would be interested in murder, but she's practically an expert on the subject. Which is why, with best buddy Shelley Nowack in tow, Jane's booking down to a nearby mystery writers' convention to mingle with the agents, publishing bigwigs, and famous authors ... and to maybe drum up interest in her own recently completed manuscript.

But what would a mystery convention be without a mystery? So when a famous ego-squashing editor is undone by an anonymous poisoner, and a much hated book-bashing journalist is himself bashed quite nastily in the parking lot, Jane and Shelley jump right on the case, ready to snoop, eavesdrop, and gossip their way to a solution. But the would-be killer they seek is no open book. And trying to read him/her/them may turn out to be harder -- and deadlier -- than anyone initially imagined.

Customer Reviews:

My First Jill Churchill Book........2006-06-08

So Jane Jeffry and her friend Shelly are in a series of books related to this one? Oh, boy, I sure hope the others are better than this one, because the storyline is thinner than the paper it's printed on. All these two do is shop and eat, shop and eat, shop and eat. What is this, a rejected Golden Girls episode?

There wasn't even a murder in this mystery, and these two seemed to spend money like water, yet we never know where all this wealth is coming from. While learning something about the world of authors and publishing was decent enough, I just couldn't get into these characters. In fact, this story has more in common with Sandra Bell-Lundy's comic strip Between Friends, except that Between Friends has more substance. I understand Churchill has written better books, however, so won't pass up others just because this was so poorly received by fans who know her work better than I do. Thanks to other reviewers here, I know not to be shy about giving other books by this author a fair chance.

Jill Churchill just goes from strength to strength.......2006-02-18

Amazing how Ms. Churchill stays ever fresh and new through changing her area of operations for the two leading ladies of
this many-volumed series and coming up again and again with an entirely new performance arena, a new set of fellow actors, and ever-fresh motives.

Mystery...but first let's shop!.......2005-12-03

This is my first J.J. Mystery. I enjoyed reading about the apsects of the writers conference. But at times it felt like the decription of the conference was a primer for dunces on getting a book published, with Jane struggling over such issues as what cover is best to package your manuscript in (plain, not hot pink!)Several times the character says "The conference goes on one day too long." My God, if the characters in the novel think that things are dragging, how do you think we feel?
As for the mystery. Well, I give the author credit for trying something a little different, and NOT jumping right into a corpse lying on the ground.
And, finally, if the writer objects to having women's books labeled as "Powder Puff Mysteries" than she ought to keep her characters from going shopping every ten minutes!

Author's Ackroyd: Deactivate the Angst. Saved by the Bell?.......2005-10-15

Sometimes we're given rare gifts with the effect of a cool drink of water to a soul in a desert.

Recently read a story about a Writer's Conference which came closer to where I live and fuel than eating does, especially when the story's a mystery written in the fun style of BELL, BOOK & SCANDAL

As my first dip into Jill Churchill's work, BELL, BOOK & SCANDAL shined forth immediately in a straight-forward, easy style, which gatewayed me into accompanying a couple friends to a mystery convention. Living vicariously with Jane and Shelley, I relished the luxury of their hotel suite, enjoyed sharing Jane's purchase of a new vehicle.

Tripping along contentedly in the "moments," I noticed in passing that the dark severity of most mysteries seemed to be "missing." Checking a few reader reviews on AMAZON.COM, I gathered that other Jane Jeffrey books are probably more complex or full-bodied than BB&S.

I agree with the reviews which appreciate this book for what it is:

It's a relaxing treasure of a light, fun, vicarious read gifting interesting info on the publishing industry, brilliantly highlighting its variety of stereotypes, exposing many of them as buffoons acting like cartoon caricatures. The book also gracefully develops a few adult professionals (author/Felicity, editor/Melody) set subtly within a sometimes false-fronted, puffed-up, ego-driven industry. A few hot shots in the entertainment world seem to forget how to step out of the ACT and into life. Maybe they don't know who they are under the skin, and don't want to. In an artful collection of deft strokes, Churchill exposed this gestalt, with ambience.

BB&S is a winner.

Agatha had her MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD, which broke the rules of detective fiction.

Jill has her BB&S, which relinquishes some of the typical strictures, relieving the intensity of murder and its investigation.

What's pursued well here, and lifted from its serious self-importance, is the publishing industry caricature which play-acts real-life while believing it is handing out The Answers to mere myrtles (mortals who happily ride ozone bubbles, giggling at those who elegantly embrace ennui).

Of course I also lapped up this plot because, in one sense, I'm in the position of Jane, though I've not attended a writer's conference. I feel socially and professionally inept in groups like that, and prefer hype at a distance. I'm also a black hole away from being financially flush.

After reading BB&S, however, and feeling confident to use Jane's genuine graciousness as a guiding example, for the first time, I'd consider taking my collection of finished mss to a writer's conference (it might even be great fun). I've been writing fiction mss full time since 1985, and was a high school English teacher prior to that. BB&S has surged my dream that I might make it with my career as a novelist one day.

My other favorite book about the industry is James Michener's THE NOVEL.

I thank Jill for infusing BB&S with delightful effervescence, hoping she hasn't let any criticism get to her. I believe BB&S was written exactly as it was meant to be.

While keeping this bright yellow paperback at the top of my collection, I'll probably purchase a hard copy after my own breakthrough (if, as the world turns, we haven't all fallen off by then).

I'm left pleasantly with the feeling of a breath of fresh air from BB&S's slight diversion from the mystery norm, having been entertained by more than the fascinating ironies within its tangent..

Speaking of tangents, I'm not ready to sign off this review yet. An emerging, subtle depth and complexity in BB&S has snuck up on me with a few residual DUH's in hand.

In early pages, and throughout the story Jill has developed various concepts of mystery, widening the scope of the word's multifaceted essence beyond the typical case of murder.

Jill made a brilliant leap out of the box to dramatize a perfect "whew"; to expose a "who-(almost)-done-it" with the sneakily implied question: How many of us have too closely escaped committing a catastrophe, in an unfortunate flash of anger, frustration, ignorance, or accident?

And, in the case of murder escapees: How many of us have come nightmarishly close to the path of a pathological killer, yet escaped unharmed?

Jill twists this perfect irony even further, bringing to life the dual characters of an almost-murderer and an almost-murdered who don't fully realize, nor even seem to care, to what extent they've been saved. It could be called genius to write a murder mystery focused on the situation of an "almost" crime from various viewpoints, while setting the scene at a mystery writer's conference.

And, of course the plotted convolutions in publishing games were interesting, especially the southern exposure of how easily a really awful book could get published, while an extraordinary mss could be shunned indefinitely.

As a writer having lived this plot with intense vicarious interest, I have a few questions:

Has Jill written a novel taking off from this one, developing the if/how, etc., of Jane getting her manuscript published? Was BB&S based on the story of how Janice Brooks (Jill Churchill's real name) got her first mystery accepted?

Having researched this industry somewhat, I believe that the situations and characters in BB&S reflect reality. I'm wondering, though, if the reflection is from a mirror, or a journal, wondering if much of this plot occurred as it was described, to someone, somewhere, sometime.

Speaking of truth coming to light in fiction, come to find out, the vast majority of Jill's fans loved the lighter (brighter?) style of BB&S. Discovering that fact renewed my faith in the intelligence and healthy entertainment capacity of the reading public.

BB&S is a fantastic accomplishment, Jill (or Janice)!

I'm off to AMAZON.COM as soon as possible, to post as much of the above rave as their review space limitations will allow. I wonder if I could post it as a series of small bites, in a dim-sum banquet?

(This was the first review I submitted to Amazon. It was posted originally on 3/5/05, under the title, Ackroyd & Almost Angst.)

Thank you, Jill, more than you'll ever know,

Linda G. Shelnutt

Disappointing Mystery.......2005-05-16

In this disappointing entry in a usually reliable series, Jane Jeffrey has finished writing a novel and is hoping to get it published, so she and her friend Shelley Nowack attend a mystery writer's convention, and, before they know it they are investigating the poisoning of an agent, an attack on a reviewer, and a case of plagiarism.

Among other things, this book lacks continuity. In past books in this series, Jane is portrayed as being quite frugal, not willing to part with her ancient station wagon, even though it is falling apart. All of a sudden, Jane has a completely different attitude, not only willing to buy a new jeep, but have the pothole in her driveway repaired, and buys cell phones for herself and two of her children. Her decision to buy the jeep would have worked much better if it was developed throughout the course of the book and she bought the jeep at the end of the book.

Newcomers to the series will wonder how Jane, a single mother, with no apparent job, has so much money. Churchill has always explained this, and what happened to Jane's husband, in a few simple sentences in past books, and should have done it her. Jane's decision to leave her two youngest children home alone, although they are old enough to be left alone, was a decision she would have agonized about in past books and it came too easily in this one.

I did enjoy the parts about the convention, reading it, I felt like I was there. But the book felt thrown together, as if Churchill was meeting a deadline. More time should have been spent developing the characters, several of which, particularly Vernetta are written so broadly that they are unbelievable. The mystery itself is practically non-existent; the book is more about the convention than the two attacks, neither of which is fatal.

The Jane Jeffrey mysteries are usually quite good. Newcomers to the series should not let one weak entry keep them from reading the rest of the series.

Bell, Book and Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #14)

Average customer rating:

Bell, Book and Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #14)
Jill Churchill
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ROMN36

Average customer rating:

Bell, Book and Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #14)
Jill Churchill
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA49B2

Average customer rating:

Bell, Book, and Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #14)
Jill Churchill
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA8YCW

Grime & Punishment/The Class Menagerie/A Knife to Remember/Fear of Frying/The Merchant of Menace/The House of Seven Mabels/Bell, Book & Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13 & 14)

Average customer rating:

Grime & Punishment/The Class Menagerie/A Knife to Remember/Fear of Frying/The Merchant of Menace/The House of Seven Mabels/Bell, Book & Scandal (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13 & 14)
Jill Churchill
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Product Description

7 Titles By Jill Churchill Jane Jeffry Series : Grime and Punishment The Class Menagerie A Knife to Remember Fear of Frying The Merchant of Menace The House of Seven Mabels Bell, Book, and Scandal. seven mmpb books.

Book Description

On a hot summer Texas afternoon, Cindy Nance introduces young Doug Hoover to the two great secrets of life. Doug likes the first secret a lot. The second, that guys grow up and go to work, doesn t appeal to him at all. A series of meaningless marriages and do-nothing jobs prove Cindy was right. Turned off by the present, Doug tries to recapture the joys of his past Captain Marvel and cinnamon squares, Dr. Pepper and window-peeking fun.

Nothing goes right until Doug meets Sue Jean, the culmination of a lifetime enchantment with mean-eyed Southern girls, his all-time carhop queen. Reality takes a hard right and never slows down. Doug, Sue Jean, and readers who can hang on tight are swept through an indescribable romp that gives new meaning to life, death, and roadside romance.

There are enough bizarre characters here to fill several institutions: Crime czars,proctologists, Western outlaws, dog-fighting aviators and trout-fishing Huns. The HereafterGang is a literary accomplishment of rare insight and pure pleasure. Barrett's sense of humor is unexcelled. His ability to stir fantasy and reality into a delightful souffle redefines the term "magic realism."

Customer Reviews:

Not My Thing..........2001-10-29

I went to some effort track this book down, and 'gotta say, it didn't do much for me. The novel follows Doug, a 50+ Texan who hasn't done much in life (except lots of different ladies), as he tries to quit his job and marriage and hit the road. He keeps running into a odd characters who spin him odd tales about their lives. At times these can be funny and compelling, but mostly the book just drifts along as Doug dreams odd dreams and slips into the afterlife. The characters tend to be rather enigmatic, and other than being generally good-natured and ready to enjoy life, it's hard to get much of a sense of them. Doug's afterlife is a paradise in the form of a friendly small town filled with his childhood toys, treats, and heroes (cowboys and WWI German aces) as well as his adult foods and the lovin' of his fantasy woman. Things get progressively less interesting as he tries to figure out what he's supposed to do next. There's some nifty use of language and turns of phrase, but on the whole, it's not m cup of tea and it's not a trip I'd recommend to any of my friends.

Please read this book..........2000-05-05

...because it will be a better world if you do.

This is one of THE funniest, most charming & bawdy books I've ever read. I love the author's vision of heaven & Jesus in Adidas sneakers with a wicked backhand. (somehow the idea of Jesus as a jock isn't so hard to take)

Barrett's obvious smarts & his witty love of words reminds me a lot of Tom Robbins. If you're a fan of Robbins-you'll love Barrett. They have a similar style & outlook. I think of Robbins as a Souther writer while Barrett is definitely Texan.

This particular novel has a highly original view of the afterlife & why we must endure the things we do while living.

I think one of the things I especially enjoyed was the protagonist's stream-of-consciousness ramblings about sitting on his porch wasting time. He talks about "watching the cat eat a leaf" and it cracked me up. There is no way I can do Barrett's wicked sense of humor justice, so I won't try. Just read the book. I swear you'll be laughing out loud.

And I don't think I've ever read anything that makes me hungrier! I wouldn't recommend this book to a vegetarian. But if you like cold beer & spicy ribs...

I've read a lot of fiction. Most good, some bad. I would rate Barrett's "Hereafter Gang" amongst some of the best fiction ever put on paper. See if you don't agree.

I first heard about The Hearafter Gang . . ........2000-04-25

... at ArmadilloCon science fiction convention in Austin, Texas - in 1991. The book was just out in hardcover and on everyone's "must read" list. The book was a limited edition from a small press, though, and out of my price range. Luckily, I had some influence with the local public library and got them to put it on the acquisitions list. They bought it, I read it, and I've been a Barrett fan ever since.

Take the ones that are available in this order. The Hereafter Gang, Dead Dog Blues, Pink Vodka Blues, Skinny Annie Blues, and Bad Eye Blues.

Buy these books then hold onto your ribs. You've got some serious laughter ahead.

And Neal . . . I'm delighted you finally got that trade paper deal on The Hereafter Gang. If I could just convince you to bring Howie Ryder back from China I'd be a happy camper.

The Hereafter Gang.......2000-01-26

I just finished my first Neal Barrett, Jr novel, The Hereafter Gang. It was a determined effort. While Mr. Barrett is witty and cynical, insiteful and irreverent, his writing style is difficult at best. Brilliant and difficult. I will read another of his novels, but not for a while. I need to relax after this effort and read something a bit more convential. But, I am glad I stuck with it and finished. I can't get one line out of my head: "I heard a cat catch a leaf." Brilliant stuff.

Finally back in print!.......2000-01-04

The Washington Post review, quoted above, says it better than I can hope to. This is a really great book. As the review says, "It is one of the great American novels. Try to find it." Unfortunately, you've always had to dig to find this book. As I write this, it's been out of print for eight or nine years. If you were not already familiar with the sf/fantasy/horror/fantastic/genre scene of specialty publishers, you'd have had a hard time knowing this book was ever published. Neal Barrett is just too off the wall for mainstream publishers to understand or categorize for marketing purposes.

Unfortunately, not much has changed for The Hereafter Gang. Mojo Press, like Ziesing in 1991, has done a great job presenting this book, and I thank them for finally bringing it back into print. Luckily, though, in the year 2000 we now have the internet and Amazon.com, and souls like yourself have a slightly better chance of stumbling across this great book.

The Hereafter Gang is definitely different--from most other books, and from the rest of Barrett's awesome body of work. I guess you could call it "magical realism." It has elements of the fantastic, but it's not a genre or "category" book. It will appeal to those with an appreciation for fantastic fiction, but the sheer brilliance of the writing will also hook those with a more traditional literary bent. As you can surmise from the above Washington Post review, Barrett really goes out on a narrative limb here, but he pulls it off impressively. Buy this before it goes out of print again.

You should also try the rest of Barrett's work, though you might need to comb the used book stores for the stuff that's out of print. His "Aldair" series is a great mix of Mark Twain and Robert E. Howard--intellectual heroic fantasy. The more recent "Blues" series of books are like no other mystery/crime fiction I've ever read (except for maybe Joe Lansdale). "Through Darkest America" and "Dawn's Uncertain Light" will thrill you as well.

Average customer rating:

Excellent!

Not relevant enough

Too much focus on what NOT to do

A how to "Talking to Alzheimer"guide

One of my "Must" readings for caregivers

Talking to Alzheimer's: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend
Claudia J. Strauss
Manufacturer: New Harbinger Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Aging | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Nervous System | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Alzheimer's Disease | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Aging | Aging Parents | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Family Health | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Medicine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life (3rd Edition)

Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease

There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Activities: Hundreds of Activities for Men and Women With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1572242701

Amazon.com

Few books manage to balance practical suggestions and loving sympathy as well as Talking to Alzheimer's, a concise and comprehensive guide to communication with both paid caregivers and their patients. While the title suggests focus on a specific disease, the recommendations are appropriate for any family struggling with serious communication issues, whether those issues are the result of stroke, surgery, disease, or an accident.

Much of the book discusses methods of easing conversation during visits, as well as ways to manage the emotions that can surface in difficult times. From asking open-ended questions like, "How did your day go?" to gently reintroducing yourself to lifelong friends, the pointers here are written with kindness, and they focus on maintaining dignity for all involved. Short sections include tips on involving children in your visits and a welcome list of resources that spans organizations, Web sites, and additional books; this straightforward advice even includes expected response time to Web site inquiries. Instead of an index, you'll find a list of topics, so you can find immediate answers on "ending a conversation" and "when to insist."

One lengthy chapter covers the heartbreakers, such as dealing with refusals to eat or listening to tearful requests to be taken home. Author Claudia Strauss acknowledges the difficulty of these situations honestly, while at the same time providing simple words that can help diffuse the issues and open the path for joyful visits that benefit everyone involved. --Jill Lightner

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-09-07

Such a positive approach. This book really helped me connect with my mother who has alzheimer's and is in a nursing home. I felt that I was making her more comfortable with our visits and not as confused. Thank you, Claudia J. Strauss for your helpful suggestions.

Not relevant enough.......2007-04-14

This book is basically a "feel good" book and doesn't address the grittiness of dementia/alzheimer disease. There are many of us whose loved ones/friends have become extremely hateful and vitriolic, and this book does nothing to give us some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. "The 36-hour Day" is a much better and more comprehensive book.

Too much focus on what NOT to do.......2007-01-03

There are not a lot of books out there that even attempt to help people learn how to talk to a person with Alzheimers. I was very happy to find this book at all since I have just begun working at a day center program for persons with Alzheimers and dementia. This book is full of practical advice on the many ways and reasons we talk to persons with dementia and in that way, the book is extremely valuable. However, the overall emphasis of the examples is on what NOT to do, which is very frustrating. One of the reasons people seek out such a book in the first place is that they have already had some communicative breakdown and they are looking for ways to fix it, not more lists of what not to do. We already know what doesn't work. We want to know what does work. That said, please know that there is a wonderful small section with a parallel list of Don'ts and Do's near the end of the book. That section is worth looking at.

A how to "Talking to Alzheimer"guide.......2006-08-06

I first saw this book in the waiting room of a Dr. my mother was meeting with. I didn't have too much time to get into it then so I purchased it later and what a tremendous book, so easy to read and it had situations I am currenlty dealing with and the appropriate responses. I took it to my support group for caregivers and shared it with the group, some were going to purchase the next day. My thanks to Claudia Strauss for writing it!!

One of my "Must" readings for caregivers.......2006-04-16

Dementia a disease that knows no boundaries. It is blind to the categories in which we usually place our fellow human beings. It can occur at the age of 55 or 85. It can happen to Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, males and females, rich and poor. It has not spared ex-presidents. I speak from personal experience. Dementia did not spare my mother whose 15 year journey into the opaque fog of this disease is told in my own recently published book. Tears are shed by husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters-in fact anyone responsible for the care of a loved one with dementia. TALKING TO ALZHEIMER'S will help all such caregivers to cope.

Robert Tell, Author of "DEMENTIA DIARY, A Care Giver's Journal"

Product Description

Just about everybody loves muffins. They're quick and easy to make. And they're the perfect size for a quick breakfast or snack. In fact, if you're like most people, chances are you already have a few muffin recipes that you use all the time.
Imagine your best muffin recipe - and multiply it by 500! That's what you get in 500 Best Muffin Recipes. The best tasting, most nutritious, easiest-to-make muffins are specially selected from the personal collection of muffin expert, Esther Brody. These recipes feature standards such as classic Bran Muffins and Banana Muffins, as well as delicious variations that include Lemon Banana Oat Bran Muffins, Cheddar Cheese Muffins with Apple Butter, and Blueberry Quick Oat Muffins.
These muffin recipes incorporate a wide range of delicious, healthy ingredients, everything from apples to zucchini, to create nutritious, low-fat treats that the whole family will enjoy. The book also contains a wealth of useful baking tips and shopping suggestions, as well as nutritional advice on muffins suitable for special dietary requirements. 384 pages, softcover.
Esther Brody has developed thousands of baking recipes over the years in addition to running her own successful muffin business.

Customer Reviews:

excellent USA cook's muffin collection.......2007-09-04

Esther Brody is THE muffin lady, and except for a misguided conversion of USA measurements to only milliliters throughout, this is as good as a muffin collection of this size can get. The book begins with technique suggestions and troubleshooting, then the recipes themselves are organized into categories: Classic, Wholesome Healthy, Low-fat, Fruit and Vegetable, Make Ahead, Microwave, Buffins/Cuffins/Puffins, Specially for Kids, Special Occasion, and a final section on Spreads and Toppings. The batters that are kept refrigerated and the make-ahead mixes are great for days when prep and baking times only come in small segments. Ingredient variations and tips are sprinkled liberally throughout. The index has never let me down--if I have an ingredient I want to use, the index shows me which recipes use it.

If you love muffins..........2007-06-11

I love muffins, making new ones, throwin in new ingredients...so how could I not love this book. It has EVERYTHING!

US cookbook.......2006-08-20

I found it difficult to maintain the measurements of cups and mml and I think consequently two of my attempts were not so good. I will give it another try, surely

Muffin Heaven.......2005-06-30

This is the ultimate book for those who love to bake not just the modest muffin (although this is included), but the more adventurous and elegantly baked treat. The recipes are diverse, easy to follow and will cater to every palate. Every muffin you could possibly think of are included and then some!

My only criticism would be that ingredients such as butter is measured in cups or millilitres rather than grams which would be far easier to measure and more accurate. It is also what us Australian and English bakers are used to.

But this is a tiny aspect in what is a brilliant book.

Happy Baking!

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books