A wedding. A monster-in-law. Two orangutans. And porn. Jessie Bishop Powell’s debut mystery The Marriage at the Rue Morgue doesn’t disappoint.
Even better?
It doesn’t follow the usual tricks of the genre. Readers have characters to care about, with real, page-turning development. Scientific details don’t lull the reader to sleep. Instead, they enhance the action. Even the details of planning a wedding are refreshing in Powell’s capable hands. I found myself fanning the book’s pages to rush to the surprising conclusion. While this book is classified as a cozy mystery, its twists and turns are anything but cozy or predictable.
And the writing.
Powell is adept at her craft. She describes without “describing.” Establishes relationships with the barest minimum of right words. The earth rumbled underneath me when something exploded. Monkey calls filtered through the gaps in my curtains, and fecal stench burned my nostrils.
Rue Morgue is a reading experience.
I enjoyed following Noel and Lance’s first adventure, and I hope we will see more.
Encourage your local library to carry The Marriage at the Rue Morgue. Jessie’s publisher focuses on libraries, and any library order will help her find an audience. In many markets, it’s as simple as completing an online form.
Don’t want to wait for your library to carry the book?
No problem.
I have an autographed copy of The Marriage at the Rue Morgue for one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment to qualify.
55 Comments
I love a mystery. I started reading Agatha Christie when I was 10. My parents read mysteries as did my grandfather who was a distinguished English Professor .
Maybe you’ll win. 🙂
I am waiting on the USPS to bring my copy, I can’t wait to read it. Jessie is a favorite author of mine. (And friend too)
The giveaway copy is signed, so maybe you’ll win it. 🙂
Did someone say FREE?? Yowzah, my favorite word.
With books, that seems to be everybody’s favorite word……..
Who can resist a book with a wedding, a monster-in-law, TWO orangutans, and porn. I’ve added it to my wish list.
Maybe you’ll win this copy. 🙂
you had me at, “Monkey calls filtered through the gaps in my curtains, and fecal stench burned my nostrils.”
I rewrote that to make it more experiential. I’m glad it worked.
But you didn’t tell us about the porn part. You tease.
You’ll just have to read it. 🙂
Library request submitted. Also NYPL is up to 7 requests (I have nice friends) for a book about Meriwether Lewis…I can’t quite remember the author, sadly.
You have to tell me if they decide to carry it.
In other NYC news…….Book Culture is going to be carrying my novel starting in October. One of the top 10 bookstores in NYC, and right in your neighborhood.
That is great!
The NYPL moves slowly as they are a big organization but I will let you know.
SQUEEE!
Sounds very interesting. Will put it on my wish listL
Or your win list, if you win.
This sounds like a perfect summertime read. Thanks for the suggestion.
Do you want to be put into the hat for the prize? I’ll have to mail it to you if you win.
No, but thanks. I already bought it on Kindle!
So happy to see your review and giveaway of this book. It’s a great read. I should know; I edited it. 🙂 Jessie deserves every sale she gets.
And you were and are an amazing editor. Thank you so much.
She does.
Sounds intriguing…looking forward to this read. 🙂
Good luck, Karen!!
Congratulations to Jessie!
Thank you so much
I’m very excited for her, too.
Not only do you write the best of books, Andra, but, you write the most compelling of reviews of others. I will be seeking this interesting adventure (well, except maybe skipping the monkey fecal matter, tee hee).
Don’t worry. The poop misses its intended target. You only get a whiff.
You’ll be the first to know if you win, Penny.
What an enthusiastic and compelling review, Andra. Your generosity (the review, not the giveaway) is amazing. (Well, the giveaway is generous, too…)
You are a good egg.
I know how hard it is to convince people to read unknown writers. Every little bit helps.
I’m looking forward to reading this. I prefer e-books but since it might be a while for that, perhaps I’ll need to splurge on a physical copy (of course winning one would be better!)
You’re in the pot, Carrie. Good luck.
Andra, i can’t thank you enough for your generous review. And I just found out today that the ebook is available in kindle format today! $3 on Amazon! Thank you again!
The link goes to both, so people can download it from there if they prefer.
Excellent! I’ve been looking for the next good read. This sounds like a winner, perhaps just like me? 😉
Perhaps, Mary. 🙂
Whether I win, or not, I’m going to get this one. Thanks for the recommend Andra.
You’re welcome. Good luck, Lori!!
My library is really the worst. I am still waiting for them to carry a book I requested TWO years ago (I have since read it on Nook). I love a good mystery!
Bureaucracy is the foundation of America.
This sounds great! I’ll have to put it on our book club list! Thanks Andra for the suggestion.
Please let me know if you read it.
Hmm…my email did not alert me to this post. Hope I’m not too late to qualify for reading promiscuity. The book sounds delightful.
You qualified. The winner has now been selected.
Sounds like something I’ve got to read, Andra. Thanks for the tip!
Tune in tomorrow for the winner.
Excited for Jessie! Sounds strange and wonderful!
Could I possibly be lucky enough to win two books in the same year?
You’ll find out tomorrow.
Liked your promo. Tomorrow I am headed to a Mystery Writers Conference in California. Looking forward to it.
Sounds like an interesting read, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
Andra, your review alone is compelling enough to make me want to read the book. Good work!
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