Sat 17 Jul 2010
Reviewed by Barry Gardner: JAN BURKE – Sweet Dreams, Irene.
Posted by Steve under Bibliographies, Lists & Checklists , Characters , Reviews[5] Comments
JAN BURKE – Sweet Dreams, Irene. Simon & Schuster, hardcover, March 1994. Reprint paperbacks: Avon, February 1995; Pocket, September 2002. Irene Kelly #2.
I thought Burke’s first novel, Good Night, Irene, was one of the better new voices this year, and Irene Kelly one of the better characters. The sophomore jinx seems to be a common thing with mystery novelists, though, so I kept my expectations under control.
Things are going good and bad for intrepid reporter Irene Kelly. Good is her romance with the cop from the first book, and bad is that her paper has taken her off the police beat because of the relationship.
She’s handling a race for DA as the book opens, and the son of one of the candidates comes to her for help. His father’s opponent is going to relase a picture that shows the kid as part of a Satanic cult; except it’s not, it’s a witches’ coven, and he’s not really part of it.
Irene begins to dig around, but before she gets very far, the rich, elderly neighbor of her lover is murdered, with signs pointing toward satanic worship. The murdered woman sponsored a homeless shelter where some of the “witches†lived. Could there be a connection? Could, yes.
I still like Burke’s writing. She has an easy, unforced style, and paces her story very well. As with her first book, the characters major and minor are clearly drawn and believable. The plot is complex, and in the end, I’m afraid it wasn’t very convincing. A villain was dragged in out of left field, or maybe from a neighboring ballpark.
Burke did well telling the story of Irene and her lover, but despite a lot of bloody action the criminal plot just didn’t hang together for me. Good taste, but not enough calories.
The Irene Kelly Mysteries:
* Goodnight, Irene (1993)
* Sweet Dreams, Irene (1994)
* Dear Irene (1995)
* Remember Me, Irene (1996)
* Hocus (1997)
* Liar (1998)
* Bones (1999) [Edgar winner, Best Novel]
* Flight (2001) (from the POV of Frank Harriman)
* Bloodlines (2005)
* Kidnapped (2006)
Award Nominations —
Agatha Award Best Novel nominee (1997) : Hocus
Agatha Award Best Novel nominee (1998) : Liar
Macavity Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) : Hocus
Anthony Awards Best Novel nominee (2000) : Bones
Anthony Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Flight
Macavity Awards Best Novel nominee (2003) : Nine
Anthony Awards Best Novel nominee (2006) : Bloodlines
Anthony Awards Best Novel nominee (2007) : Kidnapped
July 17th, 2010 at 1:29 am
Ah, this is embarrassing. I’ve not read one of these books, although I think I have them all. My, my goodness.
July 17th, 2010 at 4:58 am
I’ve read a couple in this series and enjoyed them but it has been a number of years.
July 17th, 2010 at 7:08 am
I read the first one; eh. Also read her book of stories, EIGHTEEN.
July 17th, 2010 at 11:04 am
From the list of awards and nominations for awards, Jan Burke and Irene Kelly don’t seem to have hit their stride until Book #5 in the series, HOCUS, in 1997.
July 17th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
This is one of those series I missed for the brief period I dropped out of reading mysteries heavily. Looks like I may have to play catch up now.
So many books — so little money … and time.