Dead Write: A Forensic Handwriting Mystery
Author
Sheila Lowe
Publisher
Signet
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When it comes to solving murder, sometimes the pen can be mightier than the sword ...
Dating can be dangerous, so clients who can afford the services of eccentric Russian "baroness", Grusha Olinetsky, are willing to pay the hundred thousand dollar fee she charges for an introduction to their perfect mate. Claudia gets involved when Olinetsky hires her to come to Manhattan and uncover apparent screwups made by her nemesis. The assignment puts her at odds with Detective Joel Jovanic, who suspects that Grusha herself is trouble. Drawn into the feckless lives of the rich and single, Claudia delves into a twisted world of love and lies fueled by desperation. But desperate enough to kill? Clues in the suspects' handwriting might help Claudia save Grusha's already dubious reputation before the names of more victims are scribbled into someone's little black book.
Reviews
Dead Write by Sheila Lowe
I have always found forensics of any type interesting and this forensic handwriting mystery did not let me down. Well-formed plot and characters, with suspense building throughout the book. This is the third in the Claudia Rose series by Sheila Lowe, but the first I have read. There are a few hints here and there that bring the reader up to date without going into a lot of repetition for those who have read the previous books.
On the strength of a television interview, Claudia receives an offer, albeit a rather demanding offer, to come to New York for an interview to work with Baroness Grusha Olinetsky -- immediately. The Baroness is a "world class matchmaker" and just fired her handwriting expert who also happens to be Claudia's nemesis. Claudia's first instinct is not to go, she is still recovering from the recent murder of a close friend and was nearly a victim of a psychopath herself. Her partner Joel Jovanic doesn't want her to go, nor does her ward, Annabelle. However, Grusha has arranged a flight the next day from California to New York, and offered a sum she feels she can not refuse. Besides, she is concerned about how serious the "bad mistakes" were that the previous expert made.
Once in New York her life becomes a whirlwind of unique characters, handwriting with "red flags" that were ignored, and too many coincidental deaths. Who is trying to bring Grusha and her business to ruination? The action picks up as the book goes along and Claudia becomes more involved with every page, while problems are also stirring back at home.
I found the book held my attention, loved learning bits and pieces of graphology, and will definitely be reading more of Sheila Lowe's books, starting with the first. Fascinating characters, bodies piling up, until the final diabolic debacle comes crashing down. An entertaining, cohesive story with lots of conceivable suspects. 4 stars
Reviewed on 02/20/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Betty Gelean
Claudia begins her day at a pre-dawn hour, heading for a faux news show about handwriting analysis. Thankfully the interview is short and Claudia soon heads home.
Calling, is Baroness Grusha Olinestsky, matchmaker to the rich and famous, who requests, help analyzing the writing of some of her clients. She promises full payment for Claudia's expenses, and begs Claudia to consider.
Arriving in New York, Claudia meets with the Baroness. She learns that three clients of the Baroness‘ had all had died under mysterious circumstances.
The next morning, she finds the Baroness had been attacked the previous evening. Someone crept into the kitchen and hit her over the head, rendering her unconscious. Discussing canceling a large party the Baroness had planned for Saturday, the decision was made to keep the party as is.
Meanwhile Claudia receives a picture text on her phone concerning her boyfriend Joel and his attractive partner Alex that worries concerns her.
It becomes obvious that someone has a problem with the Baroness and they must discover who is trying to sabotage Baroness Grusha's business.
Peace again is found with Joel and Claudia when visits her explaining the photo was part of a cover and he is only interested in Claudia.
During the Baroness' grand party, Andy Nicholson, another handwriting specialist, with a sarcastic and less than honest past, shows up uninvited upsetting the Baroness. Soon several guests show signs of having ingested a hallucinogenic drug. Taking charge, Claudia instructs individuals to take the women to the office until more can be done.
As the transference is happening, a commotion on the balcony and events unfurl that are best left for the reader to discover. Claudia is suddenly faced with a confession, suicide and she and the Baroness find themselves in peril as well. As time flies by, Claudia discovers who is behind the heinous crimes, deaths, and the horrific activities.
Through a remarkable feat of heroism, Claudia saves the day and the man behind the horrific acts is found. This book is suspenseful and an enjoyable read. One not to be missed!
Reviewed on 02/04/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Susan Pettrone
This is author Sheila Lowe's third installment in her Forensic Handwriting Series with Claudia Rose, a Los Angeles graphologist or handwriting expert. I had not read the first two books in the series and had no trouble catching up with what had happened in Claudia's past.
Fresh off the heels of a close call with murder, Claudia is invited to New York to analyze handwriting samples for Baroness Grusha Olinetsky, a Russian woman who owns a matchmaking service. Claudia finds herself in the middle of what she thinks are the mysterious deaths of Grusha's clients and her graphology skills are put to the test to uncover a killer. Claudia's attempts to find the killer are thwarted by several suspects and also by Grusha herself. Throw in a little professional rivalry and some trust issues with her LAPD cop boyfriend and Claudia's week in New York turns into a whirlwind.
I enjoyed this fast-paced mystery and was surprised by a few of the turns it took. I also appreciated Lowe's keen descriptions including "… a human tsunami flooding the streets" in her description of Forty-eighth Street. In this series, Lowe shares her skills in graphology with readers which may well nudge them into checking out her nonfiction books on handwriting analysis. Mystery lovers won't go wrong with "Dead Write."
Reviewed on 08/16/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Darcy Odden
The Baroness quickly gets Claudia on a plane to New York from California and once she starts reviewing the client files, Claudia sees more than a few red flags that cause her concern. After a close friend was recently murdered, Claudia is hesitant to be drawn into anything even remotely dangerous but the Baroness pleads for her help.
Still unsure that anything serious is going on Claudia agrees but she quickly learns that several members of the dating service have died in the past few weeks and although each death appears to be natural or accidental, Claudia tries unsuccessfully to cut all ties with the Baroness. Now Claudia is right in the middle of the feuding playboys who are her number one suspects and on top of that, her relationship with her boyfriend back home is on very shaky ground.
Dead Write is book three in the Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mystery series however it does stand alone. There are a few references to the events in books one and two but you can jump right into this story without missing a beat.
What I especially like about this book is the plausible storyline. Claudia isn't stumbling over dead bodies and jumping in to investigate the murders like in most cozies. It's a more realistic scenario where she even tries to run away from any sign of trouble.
I also love the unique premise of Claudia's work as a graphologist. Sheila Lowe has over 25 years of experience in this field but the book doesn't get too technical with the details. She makes it interesting enough that I want to get my own handwriting analyzed along with my husband and co-workers.
There is a pretty good cliffhanger at the end of Dead Write that leaves me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series which will hopefully be along soon. All three books in the series are a must read for all cozy and mystery lovers.
Reviewed on 07/30/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Monica Garcia
