Murder for Beltene: A Beltene Family Mystery (...Dressed Like a Mystery, with Fantasy Lingerie...)

by Sandra L. Brewer

In this cross-over genre work, Rhiannon Beltene, the Beltene of the Celtic Beltene family, whose roots (and lives) go back hundreds of years to William the Conqueror, must figure out who's leaving... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1885173679
• ISBN13: 9781885173676
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Write Way Publishing
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Just to be fair...

I loved this book. I have re-read it many times. I would also love to see more books about the Beletene Family. It appears very unfair that one review is listed twice and apparently counted in the book rating twice.

Druids, Vampire Wannabes, and Murder

Funny debut novel about the Clan Beltene of Sevyrn Michigan. The Beltenes, a family of Welsh descent, have been in the area for centuries and basically control it financially and politically, due to certain peculiarities in their nature. Rhiannon Beltene has just been chosen The Beltene, the leader of the family and its fortunes. This is a role that gets passed around periodically to the eldest "Unchanged" member of the family.Rhiannon, however, is initially not happy with being The Beltene. She is a writer of popular vampire fiction, and has never been that deeply involved with family matters. All that changes when a series of dead bodies start showing up around town, with incision marks on their necks and the bodies drained of blood, and their deaths dedicated to Rhiannon. Advance notice of the murders was sent to the tabloids and they have descended upon the town en masse. To complicate matters, there is a new Sheriff, Daniel Thorpe (who is not of Welsh descent, nor is he a local), chosen by the older members of her family (one of whom is the mayor), and who is unaware of the true nature of the Beltenes. Unfortunately for Dan, he doesn't know that the elders are also playing matchmaker - Rhiannon does, and she's not pleased by it. The Beltene family is large, but Ms. Brewer kindly gives the reader a cast of characters, maps and floor plans at the beginning of the book to quickly orient the reader. This was one of those books that when it ends, you're surprised that it's over. Hopefully the sequel won't be long in arriving.

an occult Charlotte MacLoad

This book is great fun. Ms. Brewer writes a good mystery with wonderful excentric people. She creates a whole new background that seems just like the people and places that you know but with a lovely twist. I'm sorry if I misspelled Charlotte MacCload's name but she truely reminds me of the New England excentrics of Charlotte's books. Sorry I never give up any of the books intimate pieces - well why read a book that's been thoroughly spoiled. But I highly recommend spending time with the Beltenes as great fun and time well spent! - Sr. Cyndy

This family gives new meaning to the term "eccentric".

It only takes a few pages of Murder for Beltene to realize that these are definitely characters worth spending an evening with! The Clan Beltene, a family of Welsh druids, has lived in Michigan since before Michigan was part of the United States. But you won't see them running around the woods in long robes; they've adapted to the modern world quite well, bringing their unique family perspective to such occupations as doctor, county prosecutor, judge, artist, even vampire novelist. Even without the mystery, this book would be enjoyable for the characters. The mystery - who's leaving embalmed bodies around the town in honor of Rhiannon Beltene, best-selling author of vampire novels and reluctant head of the Beltene clan? Is this murder spree leading up to an attack on Rhiannon? Will the family castle soon be under seige? Sandra Brewer paints an interesting, and accurate, picture of life in a small Michigan town, peopling it with the type of "characters" so many of our little villages seem to have in abundance. They're goofy, cantankerous, and very real. And lest anyone think this is only a book for fans of horror, fantasy, or vampire novels, let me set you straight on that. I don't read horror or vampire novels, and not much fantasy, but I enjoyed Murder for Beltene and I'll be waiting for the next installment on this unique family. Yes, there is material about druids and vampires, but it fits in so well with today's society that I'm not left rolling my eyes. I have, however, been tempted to pull out my Atlas of Michigan and try to figure out just where "Up North" Sevyrn really is. This is a novel for fans of hometown mysteries, too.

For fans of Laurell K. Hamilton

In Brennan County, Michigan lies the sleepy town of Sevyrn. However, the normal looking hamlet actually serves as the seat of power for Clan Beltene, a group of Druids hiding their power from the world. The head of the clan is Rhiannon Beltene who makes decisions on behalf of her entire community while being a very popular author of vampire novels.New sheriff Dan Thorpe immediately faces a series of murders in which the victim's blood is drained from their necks, contains puncture marks, and their body is embalmed. A companion note states that the corpses are courting gifts of love to Rhiannon. Since Dan is involved in family business, the clan initiates him as a clan member in a ceremony called the "welcoming." This allows him access to all Beltene business. As the body count rises, Rhianon's life becomes endangered by a deadly but unknown obsessed being.Anyone who enjoys Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter or the Diana Tregarde series will gain much pleasure from reading MURDER FOR BELTENE as well as previously released related short stories. The story line contains much information involving the occult, but never loses sight of the superbly developed who-done-it. This combination provides a crossover appeal to fans of horror, urban fantasy, and mystery. Sandra Brewer has created a unique lead character and family that will make her a fan favorite.