A Ceremonial Death

Shirley McClintock #6

by B.J. Oliphant

Shadow Dancer Was Readying Her Hogan For A Healing Ceremony -- and Her Own Terrible Death....

And the beautiful cosmic healer, nee Bridget McCree, had not been dead long when her neighbor Shirley McClintock found her viciously mutilated body.

Was the murder the work of extraterrestrials, as recent cattle mutilations in the Santa Fe area are believed to be? Shirley's investigation into Shadow Dancer's torrid romances and tangled family affairs suggests more traditional greed, lust, and envy.

So after a second sordid killing and sly rumors that Shirley and her family are somehow involved in both crimes, she goes on the straight toward the unexpected truth and a head-on confrontation with Shadow Dancer's murderous last client...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

283 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

This is a pseudonym for author Sheri S. Tepper.

Reviews

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent mystery set in New Mexico. When Shirley McClintock finds her neighbor brutally murdered, the local police brush it off and allow people to think it was done by aliens. Shirley knows, however, that the killer is definitely human and that it is up to her to try to figure out what happened. When some relatives of the murdered woman turn up unexpectedly, things get even more complicated. There are complex relationships at play, both within the family group and within those who were connected to the murdered woman, and it is up to Shirley to figure out what is going on, how the love triangles work out, and exactly who and what caused the murder. This is an interesting mystery that has good characters, a good plot, and an intriguing setting.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might not be the most skillfully plotted mystery in the series, but it evokes the area around Santa Fe so well that I’m willing to overlook many transgressions. Truthfully, there aren’t that many, but to point out the most egregious of them would lead to spoilers, which I don’t want. The one that I will point out is that I think Oliphant has given Dawn’s posse way too much credit. Without Dawn plotting and scheming, they’re basically rattlesnakes with no fangs, yet they managed to pull off a major dirty trick. Still, I enjoyed the book immensely. I like the recurring characters, particularly JQ, and it’s gratifying to see Shirley mellowing a bit. I’ll read the next book, which, I’m sorry to say, I think is the last.

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep.. she got better as this series went on..

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, hovering about the three and a half mark

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent mystery. A bit of teenaged angst. Good interactions between Shirley, J.Q., and Allison. Lots of red herrings.

[Eunira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow Dancer Was Readying Her Hogan For A Healing Ceremony -- and Her Own Terrible Death....
And the beautiful cosmic healer, nee Bridget McCree, had not been dead long when her neighbor Shirley McClintock found her viciously mutilated body.

Was the murder the work of extraterrestrials, as recent cattle mutilations in the Santa Fe area are believed to be? Shirley's investigation into Shadow Dancer's torrid romances and tangled family affairs suggests more traditional motivations: greed, lust, and envy.

So after a second sordid killing and sly rumors that Shirley and her family are somehow involved in both crimes, she goes on the warpath: straight toward the unexpected truth and a head-on confrontation with Shadow Dancer's murderous last client...

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the mutilated body of the town's healer is made to look like the work of extraterrestrials, former rancher Shirley McClintock seeks the truth. She gets further involved when a second murder occurs that involves her foster daughter, Allison. I love Shirley. She says what's on her mind and doesn't take any b.s. from anyone. The mystery is always good in this series. The next book is the last and I'm really going to miss her.

[Krk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. I will admit that I put this down for months with 30 pages to go and finally skipped to the end to confirm what I suspected. It's not a bad book, it's well written, and at points engaging, but I thinks mysteries just are not for me. Also, Sherri S. Tepper is her at best with Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I don't think I'll be hunting down the others of this series.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shirley solves the murders pretty quickly. I found the alien angle amusing. Why do people want to believe in aliens? Fast read for sunny afternoon.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

instant justice again but otherwise very engaging

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5...

A surprisingly good read. I wasn't expecting much given the blurb on the cover, but it was an entertaining, fast-paced tale. I couldn't help liking Shirley, & I enjoyed the interaction between her, J.Q. & Allison. The supporting cast were well-written too. The seemy murder mystery provided a great backdrop for this excellent characterisation. Nice one!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After moving from Colorado to the lands outside Sante Fe, Shirley McClintock, JQ and ward Allison have set up a ranch and guest rentals. Shirley runs her errands in town as well as one for her neighbor Bridget McCree aka Shadow Dancer. When she returns, she finds Bridget dead and maimed. In addition to the brutality, the murder scene is compromised by signs of alien investigation. The elected Sheriff is more than happy to follow that lead – any publicity, and this gains a lot, is worthy.

Shirley and JQ are old enough and wise enough to know that aliens are not the answer. They look for clues and signs in more traditional places.

There is a large cast of characters here: relatives Bridget never new she had, mysterious lovers. Alllison takes a more prominent role in this installment. The move from Colorado makes her a ‘new girl’ which sets off a truly nasty ‘mean girl’ and her cohorts. Money also raises its ugly motive.

This is another strong offering in a very strong series. I only wish there were more of them. Highly recommended. B.J. Oliphant also writes as A.J. Orde and Sheri S. Tepper.

Readalikes:
Charlotte & Aaron Elkins – A Cruise to Die For; Tony Hillerman mysteries; Jonathan & Faye Kellerman – Double Homicide; Michael McGarrity Police Chief Kevin Kerney mysteries; Aimee & David Thurlo - Blackening Song; Steven Havill – Come Dark; Sandi Ault – Wild Indigo; Kirk Mitchell’s Parker/Turnipseed mysteries.

Pace: Fast
Characters: Well-developed; quirky
Story: Character-driven; intricately plotted.
Language: Engaging
Tone: Suspenseful
Frame: New Mexico, contemporary