Rules of Murder

GIVEAWAY

DEERING, JULIANNA
RULES OF MURDER

Introducing Drew Farthering From The Tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his stylish cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.

With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be--not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

My Review:

This book has so many winning elements I don't know where to start. It's campy and quirky and mysterious and poignant and funny. Oh, and definitely page-turning.

From the cover art to the author's word choice, Rules of Murder plunks the reader into a captivating time period in the English countryside. Loved Drew's blasé attitude regarding1930's aristocracy. He's definitely willing to ignore protocol and enjoys stirring things up among the upper class. His self-deprecating attitude and droll humour suit the time period to a T. On the other hand, the way he falls for Madeline -- talk about love at first sight -- softens his edges and brings a depth of vulnerability to the character that I loved.

Madeline is bold and sweet and totally captivating -- a woman with a head on her shoulders and more than equal to standing up to Drew when he starts to become overbearing. Her Yank is a great foil to his Brit and they have some of the snappiest, tongue-in-cheek dialogue I've read in a long time.

And then there's the mystery -- a murder with a complicated list of possible suspects, all with convoluted pasts and a number of sinister motives. Enough to leave this armchair sleuth swooning. BUT -- I did figure out part of the mystery though I will admit to latching on to a few red herrings along the way.  :-)

Think Murder She Wrote with a debonair hero and lots of romance. This is a definite must read for mystery lovers.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rules of Murder, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 11 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".