Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney

Amanda Bell Brown doesn't anticipate finding herself at a crime scene the night of her fortieth birthday nor the humiliation of a sensitive stomach in front of the very attractive lead detective!

Amanda's credentials as a forensic psychologist draw her in to the murder investigation, which becomes more twisted as it progresses. When Amanda's past begins to rear its ugly head, she is fearful she may lose the love of a fine man and mayhem will ultimately reign supreme.

Claudia Mair Burney surprised me with this novel. The humour and dialogue is fast and furious but between its chick-lit cover lies a deep and dark tale of a woman's desperate resolve to battle demons from her past she hoped and prayed had been banished forever. Amanda is a sassy and appealing character with a great depth of spirit and Jazz, the gorgeous detective, struggles with his own deep seated fears. This book is traumatic in parts and deeply moving. If you enjoy your chick-lit with profound spiritual and relational insights then I suggest you order this book when it is re released by Simon & Schuster in February, 2008 and its sequel, Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz in April, 2008.