What do you think?
Rate this book
Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery #4
Baked To Death
Writer, vampire, and sleuth extraordinaire Simon Kirby-Jones becomes immersed in medieval mayhem when a renaissance fair comes to town bringing with it Tristan Lovelace, the man who made him a vampire, and murder. Reprint.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
18 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 5, 2012
Very sad to come to the end of the last of this little series, but I have to say, it ended in style, and it was my fave of all 4 of them!
I completely love Simon and Giles, and wish I could go and live in Snupperton Mumsley, it sounds like the most fun village in England (well, asides from all the murders, of course!)
I completely love Simon and Giles, and wish I could go and live in Snupperton Mumsley, it sounds like the most fun village in England (well, asides from all the murders, of course!)
March 16, 2023
I really wish this series had gone on for a couple dozen more stories!
October 26, 2013
I really got into this book and I had fun imagining these characters in costume and loved the language Dean James used for his characters. I was guessing right up to the end. I also loved the ending of this book. I truly hope Mr James writes another book in this series, I would line up to buy it!
June 24, 2018
And I'm done! This is the fourth and final book of the Simon Kirby Jones series, and I'm glad to finished. Don't get me wrong... I liked the idea of the series--a vampire settles in a charming English country town and gets embroiled in romance and murder. This book, like the rest of the series, is light and airy and makes for an easy read while I'm working my way through other things. There are problems, though... first of all, the narrator is difficult to like. I found myself wanting someone to dropkick him over the moon in multiple places. And the other characters weren't terribly likable or relatable either. I was also disappointed in the way the author used the vampire element of the story. While his vampirism mattered a little more than it had in previous books, it was still pretty much a non-issue. I'm glad I finished the series to find out how the romance ended up.
July 17, 2022
A vampire cozy? Oh, yes! And boy does it work. Our MC: Professor Simon Kirby-Jones is a medieval scholar, amateur sleuth, and smitten by Giles, his handsome assistant. When a medieval faire sets up camp nearby, the marvelously madcapped event presents the perfect setting for what else? A murder! The characters are delightfully over-the-top, the writing top-notch, the pacing just right. This is a cozy of the highest craft. Highly recommend!
November 19, 2017
.
Interesting mystery with a touch of romance. i didn't guess who the guilty person was til the end.Looking forward to more adventures with Simon and his friend Giles.
Interesting mystery with a touch of romance. i didn't guess who the guilty person was til the end.Looking forward to more adventures with Simon and his friend Giles.
July 23, 2021
Wonderful
I have enjoyed this whole series and hope there will be more now that Giles has finally landed Dr. Simon Kirby phones.
I have enjoyed this whole series and hope there will be more now that Giles has finally landed Dr. Simon Kirby phones.
December 30, 2022
Another entertaining mystery and finally Simon comes clean to Giles. Although the big reveal seemed very rushed, it was virtually at the end of the book and Giles just accepted it.
October 28, 2024
I enjoyed this story with the main character being a vampire. I might have enjoyed it better if I had started from the beginning of the series. This was the only book I had in my stacks.
March 11, 2025
Absolutely wonderful
It saddens me once again that this is the last book in the series. I loved Giles and Simon so much as characters that I wish there was more.
It saddens me once again that this is the last book in the series. I loved Giles and Simon so much as characters that I wish there was more.
October 16, 2022
This is the last of Simon Kirby-Jones mysteries by Dean James, and it's just as delightful as its predecessors. This one takes place at a medieval fair that's been set up on the grounds of Simon's assistant/sort-of-boyfriend Giles's familial estate. A murder occurs among the offbeat participants and of course Simon is going to clear things up.
This book features the man who originally seduced Simon into the world of vampiredom; I wasn't crazy about him (not that I was supposed to be).
I really didn't want the story of Simon and Giles to end, but the author was wise to give us a nice satisfying conclusion to the series. Though if he could be persuaded to revisit these guys sometime in the future, I'd, shall we say, bite...
This book features the man who originally seduced Simon into the world of vampiredom; I wasn't crazy about him (not that I was supposed to be).
I really didn't want the story of Simon and Giles to end, but the author was wise to give us a nice satisfying conclusion to the series. Though if he could be persuaded to revisit these guys sometime in the future, I'd, shall we say, bite...
May 28, 2024
Enjoyable story that is well written with likeable characters and good world building.
September 16, 2012
Time Taken To Read - 3 days
Blurb From Goodreads
With the help of some dandy little pills, Simon can get through his first summer in Snupperton-Mumsley with only a mild aversion to the sun. On the other hand, his assistant, Giles Blitherington, is bemoaning the beginning of the season. A medieval faire is coming to town--and setting up tent practically in Blitherington Hall's backyard. It doesn't take Simon long to don tunic and tights and gambol straight into controversy. The group putting on the faire is in the midst of a power struggle. Their "king" is about to be dethroned by a charismatic and popular duke. But when the usurper is poisoned by way of a fig pastry, Simon is confronted with enough suspects to fill a royal court. Now Simon must infiltrate the players to uncover a murderer most medieval.
My Review
If you haven't read the previous 3 books you don't really have to but as this one focuses a lot on the Simon and Giles side I would suggest you do to get a proper understanding on it (but the story itself is easy to read as a stand alone). We are back in the little town of Snupperton-Mumsley (got to love that name), where everybody knows or is in everyones business. This time there is a medieval fair coming in Giles back yard (much to his mothers annoyance), and once again we have an untimely murder. Simon sets about investigating, finding plenty of suspects and trying to solve the crime.
I do enjoy the humor of these books, it is all very murder she wrote with all the gossiping and skulduggery going on, Simon being the gay male version of Jessica. Did I mention Simon is also a vampire? These books are very tongue in cheek and they keep you guessing as each chapter comes along we have yet another suspect in the picture of who could have done it and why.
This book focused I felt a lot more on the Giles/Simon aspect, although there is plenty of of focus on the killing and all that follows but normally in the books the relationship between the two is a background side story, this time is more upfront and key to the story. A great wee series and I will be sad to see it go, a 3/5 for me this time.
Blurb From Goodreads
With the help of some dandy little pills, Simon can get through his first summer in Snupperton-Mumsley with only a mild aversion to the sun. On the other hand, his assistant, Giles Blitherington, is bemoaning the beginning of the season. A medieval faire is coming to town--and setting up tent practically in Blitherington Hall's backyard. It doesn't take Simon long to don tunic and tights and gambol straight into controversy. The group putting on the faire is in the midst of a power struggle. Their "king" is about to be dethroned by a charismatic and popular duke. But when the usurper is poisoned by way of a fig pastry, Simon is confronted with enough suspects to fill a royal court. Now Simon must infiltrate the players to uncover a murderer most medieval.
My Review
If you haven't read the previous 3 books you don't really have to but as this one focuses a lot on the Simon and Giles side I would suggest you do to get a proper understanding on it (but the story itself is easy to read as a stand alone). We are back in the little town of Snupperton-Mumsley (got to love that name), where everybody knows or is in everyones business. This time there is a medieval fair coming in Giles back yard (much to his mothers annoyance), and once again we have an untimely murder. Simon sets about investigating, finding plenty of suspects and trying to solve the crime.
I do enjoy the humor of these books, it is all very murder she wrote with all the gossiping and skulduggery going on, Simon being the gay male version of Jessica. Did I mention Simon is also a vampire? These books are very tongue in cheek and they keep you guessing as each chapter comes along we have yet another suspect in the picture of who could have done it and why.
This book focused I felt a lot more on the Giles/Simon aspect, although there is plenty of of focus on the killing and all that follows but normally in the books the relationship between the two is a background side story, this time is more upfront and key to the story. A great wee series and I will be sad to see it go, a 3/5 for me this time.
July 17, 2014
Baked To Death (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries)
by Dean James
Edition: Hardcover
Continuing a wonderful series, August 10, 2011
This review is from: Baked To Death (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries) (Hardcover)
This was my 4th read in this Simon Kirby-Jones series by Dean James. IF I've gotten to the 4th book in a series someone is doing something right and that someone must be Dean James. All I can say about Dean is that he most certainly is a gifted writer and developer of characters.
I really appreciate the relationship between Giles and Simon throughout the books in this series. There is always something or someone new popping up and creating an interesting variety of situations. This time it's Simon's old flame, Triston, meeting with Giles. How is Simon going to handle this?
I was disturbed to learn that Dean James' publisher had decided not to renew this fabulously fun series...and I'm sure by the other reviews many of his readers (Simon's fans) are also not too pleased with their decision. Hopefully they can read...and may come to their senses.
I highly recommend this entire series-you won't be disappointed.
January 26, 2011
I liked the book despite the vampire angle not because of it. In fact, I think it would've been better if we'd just had the mystery without that part. Still, it wasn't a completely intrusive element like I thought it might be.
Simon Kirby-Jones is a gay vampire who writes historical romantic fiction. Oi. His assistant Giles is in love with him, but doesn't know Simon's secret about being a vampire.
When Simon's old lover shows up and wants to win Simon back, Giles gets jealous.
I mention all this because it plays a pretty big part in the mystery, so if you're not into gay romance, this might not be the book for you.
The main story takes place when a medieval fair is being held in land adjoining Gile's family property. He and his mother aren't happy about it, but can't really do anything about it. When one of the people involved in the fair is murdered, there are plenty of suspects.
It was a fun setting and the style of writing rather camp. I was in the mood for that.
Simon Kirby-Jones is a gay vampire who writes historical romantic fiction. Oi. His assistant Giles is in love with him, but doesn't know Simon's secret about being a vampire.
When Simon's old lover shows up and wants to win Simon back, Giles gets jealous.
I mention all this because it plays a pretty big part in the mystery, so if you're not into gay romance, this might not be the book for you.
The main story takes place when a medieval fair is being held in land adjoining Gile's family property. He and his mother aren't happy about it, but can't really do anything about it. When one of the people involved in the fair is murdered, there are plenty of suspects.
It was a fun setting and the style of writing rather camp. I was in the mood for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2015
I've spent the last few days reading all four books in this series and I've really enjoyed them. They are cozy mysteries which are set in a small village in England. Simon Kirby-Jones is a gay vampire who finds himself investigating murders. If you are concerned with the terms gay and vampire each is not a major factor in the series. Simon has his little pills which make it possible to head out into the sunshine as well as live without drinking blood.
I liked the writing in the books and I really liked the stories. There is a love interest which is satisfied at the end of book 4. It appears that there will be no more books in this series.
Recommended for reading in front of the fire on a cold and stormy night.
I liked the writing in the books and I really liked the stories. There is a love interest which is satisfied at the end of book 4. It appears that there will be no more books in this series.
Recommended for reading in front of the fire on a cold and stormy night.
July 24, 2012
Posted to Death. Faked to Death. Decorated to Death. Baked to Death. Books by Dean James. I wanted a light mystery series and found this series of 4 books featuring a gay vampire detective- Simon Kirby Jones. "Gay vampire" was the ploy used to differentiate itself from other cozy mysteries but the character was taking anti-vampire pills which defeated the whole purpose. Also, there seemed to be an unbelievably high number of gay characters in each book. Certain characters, dialogue and situations were amusing at first but overall the series was cliché, repetitive and redundant. It was only because I have a completist mindset that I read them all.
September 25, 2015
Enjoyable fourth and last book in this series about a gay history author from America living in a small English village, who is secretly a successful romance and mystery author and by the way, a vampire. A vampire whose need for blood and sun "allergy" is controlled by medication. Additionally in the tradition of British cozy mysteries, murders happen around him (as he calls it the "Jessica Fletcher syndrome") and he solves them.
September 21, 2012
3.5 stars. Good gay mystery in which an old friend shows up trying to regain Simon's affections and a medieval fair provides a dangerous distraction. This was the last book in the series and one thing had to happen for me to be happy with how it ended. I'm happy. :)
December 29, 2016
The plot wasn't quite as good as the previous ones (as far as I can recall), but I found it to be a great conclusion to the series--assuming the author doesn't write a new one. Hint hint. And I did enjoy the ending,
December 7, 2009
learned a lot about festivals reading this book also learned about culture and food preperation.
June 10, 2010
I totally wasn't expecting the gay vampires in the book but once
I got past that aspect I really enjoyed the mystery in the story and the setting at a medieval fair.
I got past that aspect I really enjoyed the mystery in the story and the setting at a medieval fair.
January 7, 2011
.. really enjoyed this series
June 10, 2012
Love the Ren Fest setting, and particularly love the ending. :)
August 11, 2012
More gay vampire fun and a lovely ending!
September 12, 2012
I'm afraid I just wasn't in the mood for Simon this time around. I skimmed through this one and quickly passed it on.
July 17, 2013
Excellent cozy. See full review here: http://angrygreycatreads.com/2013/07/...
December 12, 2013
Fluffy and fun read. Enjoyed the character development.
March 26, 2015
Very nice. Enjoyable, brought the romance (not really the focus, but still) to a conclusion, so yay.
March 25, 2015
Gay vampire mystery writer solves ren faire murder mystery! Wheee!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews