Out of Hormone's Way

Bel Barrett #5

by Jane Isenberg

Reluctantly taking on the task of heading up the Urban Kayaking Club, middle-aged Jersey City community college professor Bel Barrett finds her job taking on a whole new meaning when the battered body of club member Belinda Judd is found and the club president, campus Casanova Jason, becomes the prime suspect in the crime. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something about the way cozies are written-- I get to know that characters, I like them, but my emotions don't get all involved like they do in more serious books. I just kind of float along, feeling okay, without any real highs or lows. I was grateful for that in this book, because of the breast cancer storyline. I was really glad that the author touched on this disease, which affects so many women the Bel's age. I liked how the characters got their yearly screenings together, and we saw the steps that happened after a positive mammogram. The author also explored the anger and fear patients feel, and the emotional support that good friends and family provide. But because it was a cozy, I didn't get all torn up and emotional (my grandmother had metastatic breast cancer and did not survive; my mother is a breast cancer survivor). So the book had good breast cancer awareness without making me cry.

The mystery itself was good, although I wanted more closure about Belinda's homelife (her cousin and her mother's ex-boyfriend).

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is an enjoyable "cozy mystery" series. I love the writing and the characters. Looking forward to the next book.

[Velma Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will look for another book by this author. Story of friendship and solving murders.
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[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first novel of hers that I have read! Enjoyed the characters & her sense of humour. Nostalgic

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 - Very Good

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two thumbs up for bringing breast cancer awareness into the storyline.