Framework For Death (Tory Travers/David Alvarez Mysteries) (ISBN 037326349X)

Excellent:
1998 Anthony Nomination! This mystery is even better than the first one in this series. Ms. Schumacher has really out done herself on this one. El Paso Detective David Alvarez, who we met in ENGINEERED FOR MURDER, is working on a murder case in which a second floor room falls on 2 people, killing them. Detective Alvarez calls in Tory Travers, whom we also met in the 1st book, to help him figure out what caused the collapse. Before you know it, they are up to their necks in trouble, with a killer, who needs answers and is willing to do anything to get them. This is one killer who will stop at nothing to get his questions answered, even if it means killing Ms. Travers infant son and the son of Alvarez's partner, as he has threatened to do. The ending is Superb. I was so into this book, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to hurry and get all the answers myself! Thank you Ms. Schumacher for an excellent read.

This series keeps getting better:
Second book in a series by this author. Better than the first. Female engineer (Travers) is an unusual role model (but about time!). Watching the relationship between Travers and Alvarez grow makes for a good read. Dialogue is witty and entertaining.

Very poorly written:
It's obvious that Ms. Schumacher got all her friends to write sterling reviews. PLEEZE! The writing is so bad, I couldn't finish the book and just skimmed the first part. Why? Ms. Schumacher, please take a basic writing class. They will tell you NOT to use illitertive names! One is bad enough but I counted at least four! Talk about lack of creativity! But by far the most egrecious error is her constant use of adverbs to modify weak verbs or attribution. "she said haltingly. He asked hestitatingly" and on and on.... Not bad enough? How about poor editing? On page 211 Annika Atkins (EEEEKKK) is described as, "looked like someone's retired gym teacher." Then on page 214 she's described as, "the grayhaired woman who looked like someone's benevolent grandmother." Those are two very different images. Which one is right? Who cares? I gave this book two stars for the author managing to talk someone into publishing it. Now I can see why Write Way Publishing is out of business. I'm glad I got my copy from the library - I'd have been very unhappy if I'd paid $23.95 for this piece of amatur drivel.

Another fun book from Aileen Schumacher:
Engineers don't get a lot of page-time in fiction novels. So, I was thrilled to discover Aileen Schumacher's mystery series a few years ago. I've read them all, always eagerly awaiting the next novel. The characters are well developed and the plots are well designed -- allowing you to sometimes figure out what will happen and other times be utterly surprised. Seeing the characters develop in this second novel and the relationship between Tory and David grow has been a real treat. My disclaimer is that I'm an engineer, so I may enjoy the subject matter of the series more than most, but it should be a good read for all mystery readers.

An engaging mystery with a lot of heart.:
A great follow up to a great beginning! The murder mystery is just as puzzling as the first in this fun series, and the dialog between Tory Travers and David Alvarez still sizzles. This one really got to me, on an emotional level, too. Highly recommended.