Title: Fiction Can Be Murder
Author: Becky Clark
Series: A Mystery Writer’s Mystery #1
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Release Date: April 8, 2018
Pages: 290
Book Source: eBook
“Mystery author Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo thinks the twisty plots and peculiar murders in her books are only the product of her imagination—until her agent is found dead exactly as described in Charlee’s new, unpublished manuscript. Suspicion now swirls around her and her critique group, making her confidence drop as severely and unexpectedly as her royalty payments.
The police care more about Charlee’s feeble alibi and financial problems than they do her panicky claims of innocence. To clear her name and revive her career, she must figure out which of her friends is a murderer. Easier said than done, even for an author who’s skilled at creating tidy endings for her mysteries. And as her sleuthing grows dangerous, Charlee’s imagination starts working overtime. Is she being targeted, too?” Amazon
My Review:
I was so torn on how to rate this book. I wanted to give it five stars, because for a person to finish a book, that is well edited, and with such a fun premise, makes me happy. Plus I want to support authors.
And I wanted to give it three stars because, for me, there was just too much of Charlee accusing everyone. As a mystery writer, she may see evil lurking inside of people, but take a breath before accusing every person you know of being a killer. And for the first part of the book, Becky Clark, had Charlee spending so much time inside of her apartment, when this could have been the perfect time to have her out and about, developing more of the characters.
So I decided to split the difference and go with four stars. Mainly because I want to read the next book in the series, Foul Play on Words, to read more about Charlee’s critique group, and see if there is more character development.
The one thing that I really, really enjoyed was the random thoughts Clark included, that made me feel as if I were to every meet Clark, this would be her personality. So I felt more connected to the author of the book than the main character.
I definitely think you should give this book a read, maybe skimming a bit when Charlee begins her long inner dialogue as to why another one of her friends is the killer. And I really am looking forward to getting to know the critique group, and some of the other characters more.
*If you click on one of the links and it takes you to Amazon, it is an affiliate link. If you decide to purchase the item, I will get a small percentage from Amazon, and this will help to continue to grow KHeniadis and Books Don’t Review Themselves. It is also greatly appreciated!