The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam

Never a dull moment, great mix of mystery, romance and family dynamic. Not a lot of character depth, but the mystery and fast pace make up for it.

I will not recap the storyline because the other reviewers already have. Like the others, I could not put this book down. Ms. Brother's humor, clever story line, in depth characterizations and mystery made this an incredible read for me. She had me from the first sentence: "Pany hose are the tool of the devil." Then, she goes on to prove it! I just loved this book and truly hope it is the first in many more to come.

Life is full of nonstop surprises and chaos. "The Rock & Roll Queen Bedlam: A Wise-Cracking Tale of Secrets, Peril, and Murder" is the story of karaoke singer and teacher Allegra Thome as she deals with the whirlwind of her life of stumbling on drug busts, meeting sexy DEA agents, managing her current boyfriend, and oh... one of her students goes missing and it's up to her to find her. A mystery with so many elements and conflicts makes "The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam" a top pick for those who like their mysteries with a good deal of humor, action, and adventure.

Allegra Thome lives with her grandmother, Aunt, and Vlad, the attack cat. Allegra teaches dysfunctional teens, Aunt Dodie is a wine connoisseur, and Grandma has a night job that will make your jaw drop in shock. On Saturday nights, the three of them sing karaoke and entertain at a local nursing home. At a local gas station, Allegra sees one of her students relatives and moves to invite him to parent night. Instead, she inadvertently interrupts a drug bust. The DEA officer, Sloan, is pure eye candy, and there is instant chemistry between him and Allegra. When one of Allegra's students is reported runaway, Allegra doesn't think too much of it. These things happen alot with her students. But when her nephew Nick convinces her that something is fishy, she looks more deeply into it. Sara Stepaneck's foster family also just came into some money; new van, plasma TV. Allegra and Nick check out Sara's room and leave with a few cryptic clues. Concerned, Allegra follows up with the police and family services, but is brushed off. Even when Sara's father, Joe, is found dead, the police aren't interested. Even as things are heating up between Allegra and Sloan, and in the most odd places, the stakes are raised in the search for Sara. Danger lurks around corners for Allegra, and she must keep one step ahead of the unknown perpetrators if she values her life. The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam was impossible for me to put down. I was enthralled with this story. Mystery, romance, humor and things happening in the most unexpected places kept me hooked. The characters are outstanding. Sometimes, the repartee' had me laughing so hard I cried. The ending is a thrilling page turner with a shocking climax. I hope Marilee has another Allegra novel in the works because I couldn't get enough. Highly recommend!!

In Washington State, sixteen year old Nick Dorsey is an intelligent student attending Vista Valley High School who refuses to allow cystic fibrosis from enabling him to enjoy life. However, he becomes very concerned when classmate Sara Stepanek vanishes as he knows the teen is deeply troubled. Nick's aunt Allegra Thome who is Sara's teacher is worried about the girl too. Allegra, who dubs herself "the Queen of Bedlam" and Nick decide to investigate the disappearance. They soon find questionable goings-on at the place of worship that Sara attended, the Church of the Holy Light; especially through Pastor Robinson Hunt's connection to the What Would Jesus Drink Winery. However, the nephew-aunt amateur sleuthing intrudes on an operation conducted by DEA Agent Sloan. THE ROCK & ROLL QUEEN OF BEDLAM is an amusing yet dark amateur sleuth thriller with a chick lit sarcastic spin as sassy spunky spitfire Allegra provides commentary from the start with her observations on tall women wearing hose and detectives checking asses and never slows down form there. Fans will enjoy the lighthearted bantering of Allegra especially with Sloan (don't ask about his first name though Johnny Cash could have sang the song) contrasted with the serious topic that is not taken lightly in a terrific crime caper thriller. Harriet Klausner