Faked to Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery

FAKED TO DEATH is the second in the Simon Kirby-Jones mystery series by Dean James. Dr Kirby-Jones is a prolific author who writes historical biographies under his own name, and mysteries with a female sleuth under his pen name, Dorinda Darlington. Oh, by the way Simon Kirby-Jones is a gay vampire. Of course in this day and age vampires take pills three times a day that allow them a most life like existence. They can no longer turn into bats or put the glamour on people but the up side is they no longer sleep in coffins and they can go about in the day time. They do retain their intuitive gifts however.In this second novel, Simon and his handsome trusty assistant Sir Giles, attend a writers' conference at the stately home of Lady Hermione Kinsale. Simon has a strong motive for attending. Someone, posing as Dorinda Darlington, will also be there, and Simon is determined to find out what the imposter is up to. A colorful cast of eccentric authors populate the writers' workshop and the reader is informed that each has reason to detest the fake Dorinda. Needless to say, it is not long before the imposter is dead and the mystery is in full swing.This novel is a delightful English Cozy, full of off beat, fun characters, and set in the British countryside. James constructs an admirable who-done-it, with the prerequisite red herrings, and the reader is kept guessing as to the murderer's identity. The humor here is firmly tongue-in-cheek. This is a pleasant and distracting read from cover to cover and a definite credit to its genre. I look forward to the next installment.

I've read both of the books, and am looking forward to the next one. I especially liked the introduction of his concern that he would be "outed" by not dying in an otherwise fatal accident. I agree that the series cannot go on much longer with Giles' knowing the truth. Although he may not consciously speculate on some odd aspects of Simon's life, the clues must be racking up sub-consciously. At this point, their relationship needs some sort of resolution; more of Giles throwing himself at an unwilling Simon will probably turn me off the series for good. It gets too emotionally masochistic/dysfunctional. That leads to ... Simon's sex life. Or lack thereof. He may not need food, but his hormones seem to be raging along just fine to me. He's been celibate since arriving in the U.K.? One last thing: do we really need to be reminded of his taking his pills? Those mentionings take me out of the story gratuitously - and annoyingly! I'd like to know what happens if he stops taking them? Perhaps he could misplace some? Or be burgled and have the thief steal them thinking they have a street value of some sort? Perhaps that would cause him to need to turn to someone? Enter Giles! Simon can be insufferable, but he's never mean or cruel. He fits in well with all of the other abursurdist characters in his world.

I have to tell you that I received Faked to Death in the post late in the afternoon on a Thursday; by Friday morning I was reading the final words - and I loved every minute of it. Posted to Death was a great surprise and a thoroughly enjoyable read, and its sequel was even more enjoyable. I really want Simon Kirby-Jones to have that conversation with Giles. I won't divulge the details or the plot - just read it and enjoy!!

Dean James has done it again with his ingenious creation--a mystery solving vampire in a small English village. The setting is a writer's weekend at Kinsale House, where several mystery writers meet their fates. The repartee between Simon Kirby-Jones and the other characters (especially the agent) is laugh-out-loud fun. James is both clever and kind in his rendition of writerly egos and the pitfalls of fame. "Posted to Death" (first in the series) was great fun, but this is a Coney Island ride. I couldn't put the book down.

The villagers of Snupperton Mumsley are happy to welcome American Southern born and bred best-selling author Simon Kirby-Jones into their English midst. Simon is elated to be away from the States and the break up with his boyfriend especially now that he has as his assistant the gorgeous Sir Giles Blitherton, who is just waiting to jump his bones. The only thing holding him back from getting romantically involved with anyone is the fact that he is a vampire and is afraid to trust Giles with his secret.As long as Simon takes his medication three times a day he can pass for human, which enables him to walk in the sunlight and be active in the daytime. He accepts an invitation from Lady Hermione Kinsale to appear at a writer's workshop but he's outraged to learn that mystery author Dorinda Darlington is also appearing. Simon knows she's a fake because he is Dorinda and he's absolutely livid that his agent who is also at the conference arranged this publicity stunt. When the fake Dorinda is murdered, Simon deduces that one of blackmailed authors killed her. He investigates because he's nosy.The protagonist is a drama queen with a biting sense of humor. He is also a vampire who has few traditional powers (the side effect of the medication he uses) so he must solve the who-done-it by using his wits of which he has many. The mystery is well plotted and there are many suspects who could be the killer so the readers are able to like this delightful cozy with a supernatural twist. FAKED TO DEATH is a unique, refreshing and totally endearing satirical mystery.Harriet Klausner