Simon Said

By Sarah R. Shaber

Book Overview

Winner of the Malice Domestic/St. Martin's Press Best First Traditional Mystery Award Forensic historian Simon Shaw likes his murders old and cold, and his first case fits the bill. An archeologist friend has found a skeleton with a bullet hole in its skull under historic Bloodworth House, and Simon investigates with his usual doggedness until he discovers that the corpse is Anne Bloodworth, an heiress who disappeared in 1926. Shaw feels compelled to find out who killed her. But this turns out to be more than an academic exercise when someone who wants to hide past secrets tries to murder him "Shaber charms us with her personable prof and her warm, vibrant portrait of small-town Southern life." --New York Times Book Review This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312965559
• ISBN13: 9780312965556
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Who said history professors were dull?

Professor Simon Shaw has anything but a dull life. No sooner is he asked to advise on the finding of some remains at a historical site than someone is trying to kill him. Are the two related? You'll enjoy finding out. I agree with other reviewers that there are some plot weaknesses; in particular, a tenured professor would not face being fired because he was taking antidepressants, and someone denied tenure might stay...

What a Great Start.

Very fun book, I read it in one day, couldn't put it down. Wonderful characters, I loved Simon, very real and human character. The supporting cast is also a lot of fun. Different characters in different jobs. Ms. Sharber really makes you root for Simon's love interest, Julia. I hope that we see a lot more of her in the next books. Ms. Sharber does a good job of hiding the villians and had me guessing up to the end...

A terrific, well-written whodunit

As a long since escaped native of Raleigh (the scene of the crime), I was fully taken with Ms. Shaber's description of the older Raleigh area. I could feel the oppressive humidity in the air and walked the streets of Cameron Park with her. Although I guessed the identity of the "hard cases", I found this to be an entertaining and well-written first mystery. Can't wait for her next book.

Great, believeable, intelligent characters.

I enjoyed the entire story line. The old murder mixed in with the current lives of the present day folks. I loved Simon, his interpretation of the south. And I also want to hear more about his developing relationship with Julia.

Great read--more, more, more

This book was well worth the 3 week wait for my reserved copy at the local library. How soon can we expect more of Simon's exploits? Mystery, humor, and a little romance + intelligence without ego.