Decorated to Death

by Dean A. James

Book Overview

Not everyone can claim both Hercule Poirot and Nancy Drew as inspiration - but not everyone is a vampire sleuth from the States who pulled up stakes to live in a small English village. Even the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075820485X
• ISBN13: 9780758204851
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Brew a cup of hot tea and prepare to enjoy yourself

What could be better than a gay vampire who solves crimes? I found this tale immensely enjoyable, both as a mystery and as a way to immerse myself in English country life. The characters are delightful (or dreadful in the case of Zeke Harwood, the nasty decorator). The setting is charming. I found myself wanting to wander around the world of Snupperton Mumsley. Brew up a cup of hot tea and read this wonderful story. It's a perfect read for an inclement night. I've read every book in the series. Anyone who doesn't like them obviously suffers from deplorable taste.

Silly "British" Fun

OK. From start to finish this is a fun novel. If you have not read any of the other Simon-Kirby Jones mysteries, you should read them in their correct order. You will find in doing so, this novel is far more entertaining. Be that as it may, Simon, a gay American ex-patriot vampire, who happens to be a gothic novelist, is "living" in the quaint countryside of England where he, together with a dashingly handsome Inspector Detective, as well a a "titled" gay man/boy who happens to lust for Simon, embark on another quest to solve a perplexing mystery. Total fun. Mr. James writes in the style of a 1930's British mystery writer, right down to the formality of dialogue, and the stereotypical supporting characters who populate his novels. This of course adds to the total charm of the series. This particular novel deals with the timely, and hardly mourned murder of a faux gay TV-decorating star who has made the mistake of securing one last "remake decorating" gig in the town where Simon Kirby-Jones resides. Zeke, as his is named, meets his demise and it becomes apparent that Simon and his detecting skills are needed. From thence, as Mr. James might say, the plot evolves. Silly?..yes! Entertaing?...yes! Good mystery?..yes? Satisfying?...yes. Unlikely ending?...I guess you will have to read the novel to find out!

Move Over Miss Marple

Talk about a special cup of tea--James serves up his own unique brew, a gay cozy with a sexy vampire protagonist, and along the way, he pays homage to past masters of the genre. Utterly delightful. Victor J. Banis, author of TALES FROM C.A.M.P., JACKIE'S BACK

I Can't Believe I'm Reading This Stuff!

I started reading this and rather enjoyed Simon Kirby-Jones, the witty American author residing in an English village, before I realized he was a vampire. Then I thought, "I can't believe I'm reading a mystery about a gay vampire who solves village mysteries!" A main plot line was rather cliched, in that the famous decorator was obnoxious, cruel and hated by virtually all who came in contact with him. (Hmmm. I wonder who's going to be murdered here . . .") But the writing and characters were entertaining enough to overcome the cliche and there were enough surprises to keep me going. Okay, I don't believe this, but I'm looking for more in the Simon-Jones series - even tho I feel silly reading about a gay vampire. Just don't tell anyone, ok?

upbeat British cozy with a vampire twist

Simon Kirby-Jones joins his vampire lover in eternity, but creatures of the night are fickle. When Trevor breaks up with Simon, he gives him Laurel Cottage in the English Village of Snupperton Mumsley and Simon moves to the other side of the Atlantic. He fits in well with the other residents thanks to the small white pills he takes that allows him to go out in sunlight and kills the need for human blood. He writes novels and non-fiction under pseudonyms while his assistant Sir Giles Blitherington wants more than a business relationship with the attractive vampire.The village is agog that Zeke Harwood, host of a home decorating TV show, comes to Blithering Hall to redecorate one of the rooms. Zeke goes out of his arrogant way to be unpleasant to everyone including his host and hostess, his television producer, his personal assistant, his lover and even his sister. When someone murders the man Simon doesn't want his assistant or his mother considered as viable suspects. In the tradition of Poirot, he investigates using resources the police don't have, to figure out who killed a man that everyone hated.Anyone who likes an upbeat British cozy with a vampire twist will love DECORATED TO DEATH. Dean James has created a charming series that readers sink their teeth into without getting bloody since the protagonist never drinks any blood so the vampiric elements are somewhat limited. The hero is a suave and debonair cozy type figure who can charm the birds out of the trees and he uses that sophistication to worm information out of various suspects. This mystery manages to be charming and endearing, a one of a kind series.Harriet Klausner