Out of Hormone's Way: A Bel Barrett Mystery

This is one of my favorite books about Bel Barrett, maybe because it seems the most integrated and focused. I enjoyed meeting her family and friends again. I also appreciated the author's note acknowledging the place that the Twin Towers had in the lives of people in New Jersey before 9/11.

Jane Isenberg's protagonist, Bel Barrett, faces whatever life throws at her with a wry quip, a desire to make things better for everybody, and a loyal duo of equally savvy,similarly determined buddies. Those of us who have become fans through Isenberg's earlier books eagerly recognize facets of our mid-life selves,even though most of us don't deal with murder among our acquaintances. In "Out of Hormone's Way," Bel is at her engaging, menopausal best, using experience, logic and empathy to find out who killed a young member of the Urban Kayaking Club--which Bel doesn't really want to be leading. Isenberg vividly creates the haunting and intriguing atmosphere of the New Jersey watermeadows while tracking down the killer of a hard working, enthusiastic student. The plot is taut, and the characters are both realistic and involving. Environmental and political issues are up-to-the minute, reflecting life as it is today. Both Bel and Isenberg get better with each book in this lively, well-written series. Keep 'em coming, please!

I enjoyed this take on life (and death) afer menopause. Bel Barret solves a tough puzzle and her family and friends seem a lot like mine - so I get a kick out of them. I learned a lot about the NJ Meadowlands too!

Life gets really interesting following menopause, as Bel Barrett will tell anyone foolishly enough willing to listen to her. She's a fully tenured English professor at River Edge Community College while gaining a reputation in her area of New Jersey of solving any homicide that comes her way.This semester is surprising to Bel as she takes on the leadership of the newly formed Kayak club when the founder had a family emergency. One of the members of the group is Belinda Judd who is also in Bel's English class. Bel has a fondness for her because she has dyslexia but is trying hard to learn even though the college has nobody on staff that is trained to help students with learning disabilities. When Belinda's body is found battered and beaten, Bel is determined to find out who the perpetrator is. She comes up with six viable suspects, all of whom have excellent motives.A Bel Barrett mystery is a real treat because the protagonist is always involved in something most people wouldn't try. Jane Isenberg is a talented writer who always uses humor to defuse the tension of the taut story line. The problems Bel and her friends have to deal with on a daily bases are realistically portrayed and are ones the audience can identify with while appreciating OUT OF HORMONE'S WAY.Harriet Klausner