Thursday, June 21, 2012

Review: Three's A Crowd by Mary Simonsen + Giveaway!


From the Publisher:
In Three’s A Crowd, we are introduced to Patrick Shea, a young detective sergeant with the Hampden Criminal Investigation Department, whose career is being fast-tracked by the Metropolitan Police in London. With an eye to an appointment with a murder investigation team at New Scotland Yard, Shea is doing everything by the book. Unfortunately, his love life is a bit of a mess and gets messier when he learns his former lover, Annie Jameson, has been assaulted on someone else’s patch. Will Shea’s involvement in the under-the-radar investigation of his ex-girlfriend put his career in jeopardy and possibly her life as well?

Celebrated Austenesque author, Mary Lydon Simonsen released a new book, yet it is not a Pride and Prejudice re-imagining. Simonsen hits the ground running in her debut mystery, Three’s A Crowd.

Detective Patrick Shea is the quintessential good guy who is on the fast track to becoming the newest detective on Scotland Yard’s Murder Investigation team. But when his ex-girlfriend becomes the victim of an assault, things get complicated. After learning of Annie’s assault, Patrick Shea makes finding her assailant his mission. However, being back in Annie’s presence might not be as easy as Patrick thinks.  While Annie regrets losing Patrick, he is assaulted by memories of their time together. I could feel the sparks between the two still, however, are they going to be able to overcome their broken past and start anew? Will he lose his chance at promotion for interfering with a case from a different patch?

Those who enjoy Simonsen’s humor will be pleased to know it is not lacking here! From the one-liners and humorous banter to factual tidbits tied in, Three’s A Crowd is classic Simonsen writing. Where Simonsen usually exhibits her historical prowess, here she displays her command of British lingo and police operations. The subtle facts interlaced into the plot make the story and characters appear real. It’s through the British dialogue and descriptions that I felt as if I was right there in London with the characters. The language used is so raw and real, making me further believe the characters are real. Even though there were a few terms I didn’t know, readers are provided a glossary of British police terms at the end of the book.

Once the assailant’s interrogation began, I was drawn in even more. As I approached the climax, I was getting antsy, as I usually do at a suspenseful part. The only thing I didn’t like was how easily the assailant surrendered; I wish that person would have put of more of a fight, and the climax would have lasted for a few more pages. Still, this was an enjoyable mystery and set readers up for more of Detective Patrick Shea.

Be on the look out as another Patrick Shea mystery will be released in fall 2012.



Connect with Mary Simonsen
Facebook    Website | Twitter

Read it Now!
Kindle

***GIVEAWAY***
Mary Simonsen has graciously offered to give away ONE E-BOOK copy of Three's A Crowd to a random commenter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Come back Tuesday to watch my vlog for Three's A Crowd*

32 comments:

  1. Hi Jakki. Thank you for the wonderful review. So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for hosting the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome! And thank you for writing about Patrick Shea! I am looking forward to reading what is in store next for him.

      Delete
  2. I am looking forward to reading a non-Austen novel by Mary, and a mystery makes it that more interesting. I always like trying to figure out "who-dunnit," but I am not one of those people that peeks at the ending. I enjoy the unraveling...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Colette. While I enjoy a good "whodunit," I do not like to peek at the ending either!

      Delete
  3. I'm looking forward to seeing how Mary tackles Patrick O'Shea. One advantage we have when writing Regency JAFF is that there really isn't much room for people's love lives to get messy the way they have a tendency to do in modern times, so there's a lot of room for growth as a writer there. And I do like a good mystery...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope you enjoy Mary's book, Abigail! I never thought about how people's love lives didn't get as messy during the Regency like they do now. What a mess people can really make these days!

      Delete
  4. I love Mary's Austen-inspired novels, so I'm going to have to give this one a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it, Anna! :) I really like that Mary's humor has carried over well in her new genre.

      Delete
  5. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to hearing more from Patrick O'Shea.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My apologies to Patrick. His last name is Shea not O'Shea!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This one has me interested--I've read enough P&P reimagings to fill my shelves, but an original mystery I'd love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you read it, Erica.

      Delete
  8. I wish you the best with this new venture, Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm looking forward to reading this, Mary. I love mysteries!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooh, I love a glossary! Not to mention humor!
    Best of luck with this book, Mary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Alyssa! I love glossaries & humor! :)

      Delete
  11. I am excited to see Mary and a little mystery. I am already looking forward to what comes after this introduction of Patrick Shea. Congratulations Mary!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Becky! I can't wait to see what is next!

      Delete
  12. I admire Mary for trying something new and challenging herself!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats Mary! I'm looking forward to reading this mystery. Thanks, Jakki, for such an intriguing review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy the book, P O! :) So glad you found my review intriguing! :)

      Delete
  14. I've been excited reading about this new book of Mary's for quite some time! Jakki, thanks for sharing your wonderful review ;). And, Mary, congrats on the start of a terrific new mystery series!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Marilyn! I hope you enjoy Mary's book!

      Delete
  15. Thank you all for stopping by and wishing me success. It is soooooooooo appreciated. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  16. A great review, Jakki. You've convinced me to add Mary's book to my toppling TBR pile! Mary --if this is half as good as your Austen books it'll be a winner!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Monica! Your TBR pile sounds like mine. ;) I think it is a winner. I hope others agree too!

      Delete
    2. Monica, You are so sweet. Thanks for your support.

      Delete
  17. I'm so awed that Mary's tackling the mystery genre and Scotland Yard. You're the DAME, Mary.

    I want to win this for my sister!

    ReplyDelete
  18. a mystery + Scotland Yard + Mary Simonsen.......need i say more?!?!?

    thank you for the giveaway!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love a good mystery with a handsome guy...swoon! ;-) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete