Death of a Perfect Man

by M.M. Gornell

Jada Beaudine has lost her husband Terry in a tragic and mysterious boating accident--and she badly needs a change. She leaves her home in Puget Sound to get away from the horror, the memories, and the relentless glare of publicity that surrounded her husband's death. Alone, she drives south and by the second evening finds herself taking a wrong turn in the stark Mojave high desert of interior Southern California. While mesmerized by the bigger-than-life beauty of a desert sunset, she nearly runs out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Amid mounting apprehension, she manages to find the odd "Red Rock Inn & Café," a lost, creepy old resort from some other place and time--where, Irina, a strange emerald-eyed woman materializes and convinces her to stay the night. She'll check out early in the morning and be on her way, right? But by morning, events unravel quickly and Jada finds herself pulled straight into the scene of a bizarre murder. As she reluctantly tries to make sense of this murder, it's soon followed by yet another. And all the while, Jada is being followed by people with varied, surprising and even sinister agendas of their own. Yes, she may have a knack for solving murders-as psychic Irina seems to know-but in this off-kilter scenario, Jada has her own powerful hunch that the next victim will be her. And every time she tries to leave this otherworldly place, she finds that somehow she can't...

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2009

About the author

M.M. Gornell is a lifetime lover of mysteries of all types. Besides reading and writing, she is a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing.

M.M. Gornell lives with her husband and assorted canines in California’s high-desert.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime (LA Chapter, Central Coast, International, High-Desert California Writers Club, and Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA)

Reviews

[Marja McGraw]

Death of a Perfect Man by M.M. Gornell is a mystery to remember with twists and turns that kept me reading.

Sometimes small towns grab hold of us and won’t let go. Such is the case for Jada Beaudine. A chance stop and the Red Rock Inn & Café lead to new friends, unusual people – and murder.

Coming from Seattle, the last place she ever expected to beckon to her was the Mojave Desert, and yet that’s where she found herself. Little does she know she’s being followed by someone who wants to kill her.

She unintentionally becomes involved in solving murders, and she has to deal with her own past at the same time, all the while oblivious to the fact that someone is after her. In addition, a dog named Tasha worms her way into Jada’s heart.

This was a good mystery with great characters and a wonderfully endearing dog. I was surprised to learn this was the author’s second book, reissued. I highly recommend this to mystery readers, and desert lovers.

[Evelyn]

After her husband passes away, Jada Beaudine decides to leave her somewhat distasteful life in Seattle and ops for a fresh start in Atlanta. On the way, she stops at the Red Rock Inn & Cafe, along Route 66 in the Mojave desert, for one night, or so she thought—until she gets caught up in two murders. Jada ends up staying and not only does she help solve the murders, but in a bizarre twist at the end, she nearly gets killed herself. This was a very well-plotted mystery. The fact that it was told from several points of view made it all the more interesting. Loved the descriptions of the sunrises and sunsets over the Mojave. Another great story from M.M. Gornell.

[Patricia Gligor]

Jada Beaudine has left her life in Seattle behind. Or so she thinks.
Driving toward Atlanta where she hopes to have a fresh start, she stops at the Red Rock Inn and Cafe in the Mojave Desert. But, what was intended as a one-night stay turns into a nightmare when two men are found murdered and Jada comes face to face with her own past.
If you enjoy mystery and suspense, I highly recommend you read "Death of a Perfect Man" by M.M. Gornell.

[Jackie Zortman]

Being a gal who lives in the Colorado mountains, I've never been much of a desert person. However, M. M. Gornell has kept me hooked with her fascinating books on the Mojave Desert and the breath-taking descriptions of the spectacular sunsets. Sunsets are something we don't see in this bowl of tall mountains where I live.

I have to admit that the first description of Jada's drive into the desert alone at night made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Then the motel she was forced to stay in smacked of Alfred Hitchcock's movie. But soon I was captivated by the people surrounding Jada as she struggled to help solve a murder that turned in to multiple homicides. A sweet dog in the picture takes the edge off a little bit as does the tough, but soft inside chief of police and his crew.

My spare time has been devoted to this wonderful book and I loved it. You will, too!

[Jakenv]

Finished reading for second time. Enjoyed so much first time last year when received saved for a New Year treat. Author caught my attention from first page & kept me reading with intensity. Story is well written & unfolds with ease into mystery. Mystery lovers will find a new treasure.