Painted Lady

Elderhostel #4

by Peter E. Abresch

Watching a woman jump to her death isn't a fun way to start an Elderhostel. Who is the American Indian shaman dead on the streets of Denver? And why was she murdered?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

324 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

    Born in the USA... a long, looooong time ago.
    I held many knock-about jobs before going to college, and after two with the government: a geodesist traveling all over the world: and a systems computer programmer, traveling back and forth to work: and now, retired, a full-time writer which I had been doing all along. Also during this time I managed to hammer and nail a 3400 square foot house together and build three sailboats.
    I sold my first story, a novella called Hi Diddle Diddle, to Analog Magazine in 1968, sold a movie option on it, and thought my career was made, but it was thirty years before I was published again with Bloody Bonsai, the first of the Elderhostel Mysteries. Four more in the series followed.
    My latest novel is THE FALTESE MALCOM. Within its pages you'll find adventure, love, laughter, a hard-boiled mystery, a walk on the fantasy side with time travel. It's a humorous take-off on the Maltese Falcon, a Harry Potter entertainment for adults.
    The Faltese Malcom is published through Create Space, an Amazon company, along with If They Ask for a Hand, Only Give Them a Finger, and soon to be published, Capitol Coven. Both books are available on CDs.
    Some time back I started a free newsletter called BookMarc, lessons and advice in fiction writing. It led to a contract and the publishing of Easy Reading Writing, easy reading about writing easy reading, http://easyreadingwriting.com/ The BookMarc newsletter is ongoing, restarted recently, and everyone is welcome to join the list by emailing me with 'subscribe BookMarc', it's free and can be stopped anytime.
    I'm still not a NYT bestseller. I'm still not a millionaire. Nor do I rule the universe.
    But my Father does.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique murder mystery that takes place just before a group of retirees are to set off on a tour of the old Santa Fe Trail. Jim Dandy (former physical therapist) and his lady friend, artist Dodee Swisher are participating, but just before they depart Jim witnesses a Native American Indian lady fall from a Denver building to her death. Jim has a strong inclination that she was pushed.

Along the tour, Dodee paints some of the vistas that she sees, and miraculously the Native American lady shaman appears in her work. One of the seniors who is along on the tour claims to be a spiritual medium, and she believes that the shaman is trying to speak. The story is fascinating, and fun. I like the bold choice to flavor the mystery with a touch (maybe) of the supernatural.

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onvan : Painted Lady - Nevisande : Peter E. Abresch - ISBN : 373264887 - ISBN13 : 9780373264889 - Saal e Chap : 2003

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Next to the last in this short (5 book) series, and it’s fairly good - I might have liked it better without the repeated canoodling scenes at the end of every day’s travel with Jim and Dodee’s Elderhostel tour; I get it, they’re mature consenting adults enjoying each others’ company, but jeezum! enough is enough, get on with the story!
This tour is along the Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico, and there are some interesting historical footnotes thereto included. The plot, while truncated, is plausible and presented well. I’ll look to get a copy of the last book, Name Games, and complete the series.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a fun traipse along the old Santa Fe Trail through Colorado and New Mexico. Although fun to read I did get hung up in some of the techniques such as using full names for characters which were kind of irritating in the first place; a man named Martin Martin. And a poor man who was never mentioned except to say he was bald or hairless. As a reader I found that a little insulting, like I can't remember that fact from page to page. I think it was meant to be funny or cute but just irritated me.

[Becs · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of a series of mysteries set in Elderhostel outings. Not memorable. Writing adequate. Not much more to say than that.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great "Cosy Mystery". But I wouldn't call it cosy. There are quotes - phrases - and scenes that beg to be written down and reviewed often. This book has parts that make you think.

That said some of it is hokey. Sorry Peter - I don't believe in oooOOOooo. But I do think you are a writer I want to read more of. Please keep writing.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

What started out as a good little Elderhostel cozy murder mystery veered off in the last quarter of the book to delve into spiritualism and ghosts, thereby ruining a great deal of the first part of the book. Too bad!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I'm going to get some more of his books.

[Maddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

RATING: 1.5