Book Review: Dying to Remember

Reviewed By: Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Dying to Remember     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Judy Fitzwater
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Jennifer Marsh # 4
Fawcett Books, Ballentine Publishing, 2000, US $6.50, 220 pages

This is the first Fitzwater I have read, although it appears to be 4th in the Jennifer Marsh series. In general I find mysteries with generation-Xers as the protagonist a little fluffy, and I have little tolerance for their shallow lives as usually represented in fiction. This is an exception. I found Jennifer more mature and living a life this old fuddy-duddy could relate to if not completely understand. The mandatory uncertainty of the love relationship demanded by the genre was less irritating than most also.

The mystery which is set in Macon revolves around the mysterious death of a classmate the night of the prom. I felt the blending of current relationships at the time of the class reunion and mystery with the 12 year old circumstances was more skillful than average for this sub-genre. The author left clues for me to find which is my favorite style of mystery writing. I was surprised how much I liked this protagonist and even the journey back to a high school generation I wouldn't have enjoyed in real life. I will definitely read another in this series.

This mystery fits into the broadest definition of a cozy and would be enjoyable by persons who prefer that genre, but is not so cozy that those who dislike cozies would be turned off by it.

Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM