Slanderley: Love and Death in Cornwall
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Do you like to laugh out loud? Can you use a mystery with many twists and turns? Slanderley is an estate in Cornwall with a twisted past, in part due to the tainted blood of the de Loverly family. Butler Eddie Quirk grew up on the estate and imagined a quiet life. Then deaths fall like spiders, and he falls into the web. He gets no help from co-workers Sloth or Mrs. Anvil. Slanderley is a refreshing riff on a classic. The haunted ancestral mansion, scheming firebug housekeeper, skulking servants, chinless aristocrats and naïve bride get a delightful re-vamp in this briskly-paced, hilarious spoof on the “woman in jeopardy” genre. The story is told by Quirk, intent upon correcting a best-selling book about crimes at the house. Alert readers will recognize Rebecca as the inspiration, yet it stands alone as a twisted romp for those unfamiliar with du Maurier's story. Adding to the pleasure are details relating to the time 1900-1935, whether styles in dress and automobiles or the events that impact the characters. The humor has a British bent as well, with silly names and places, puns, and outrageous turns of plot. The mystery plot turns repeatedly yet resolves unexpectedly. Now available as eBook on Kobo, B&N, Amazon and everywhere else Order print version from your favorite independent book seller ISBN 978-0-9967693-0-3 https://bookshop.org/shop/stasz If you must, http://amazon.com/dp/B01GQLVASM Reviews
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Though a spoof on "Rebecca" by Daphne de Maurier, from the first sentence, Slanderley shows us that it won't take itself too seriously. Clarice Stasz takes us on a rollicking ride through an array of hilarious names, situations and plot twists. Although the references to Rebecca are a nice addition to this satire, readers who have not read it will not be disappointed. I particularly liked the way that Slanderly pokes fun at the class system in the UK, but really what won me over were so many laugh out loud passages that are peppered throughout the whole novel. Amazon reviewer
I loved Slanderley! The rich characters, the descriptions, the scenes and plot twists were superb. Slanderley would make a great miniseries (Netflix please). Along with being an authority on Jack London, Clarice is an excellent novelist. This book is a keeper. Amazon reviewer
I loved Slanderley! The rich characters, the descriptions, the scenes and plot twists were superb. Slanderley would make a great miniseries (Netflix please). Along with being an authority on Jack London, Clarice is an excellent novelist. This book is a keeper. Amazon reviewer