Journal Entry 1 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Friday, January 09, 2009

back cover:
Marilyn Monroe has been murdered, and tough, irrepressible ex-cop PI Grace Smith is hired to hunt down the killer. But there are no all-expenses-paid trips to California for this investigation, for Marilyn Monroe is a seaside donkey, and Grace is too broke to turn down the case. During the investigation Grace finds herself increasingly drawn in to the mystery surrounding the murder of a young prostitute whose death occurred on the same night as Marilyn's. Pitting her wits against a deranged criminal mind while trying to keep one step ahead of the police leads Grace into far more trouble than she bargained for. As she uncovers an extraordinary tale of greed and betrayal she soon relises her own life is in danger... 

Journal Entry 2 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Friday, January 09, 2009

A very enjoyable tale. Grace is a likeable character, as are her friends and colleagues, particularly the outrageous ones. December Drysdale and his donkeys are worth the saving.

This has long been languishing on my shelf waiting to be read & registered, & now I have found it on a friend's wishlist so it's time to travel. 

Journal Entry 3 by catsalive at Australia, RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/13/2009 UTC) at Australia, RABCK -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Journal Entry 4 by sally906 from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Monday, January 19, 2009

Whoo hoo - what a surprise - thankyou - another one to cross off my wishlist :) 

Journal Entry 5 by sally906 from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Thursday, May 14, 2009

Marilyn Monroe has been brutally murdered. Down in luck ex-cop PI Grace Smith draws the short straw and is assigned the case and hired to track down the murderer. However this is England, not LA, and in the seedy run down English beach resort, Marilyn Monroe is not a glamorous movie star but a decidedly dead male donkey. Despite this, Grace is inexorably drawn into a web of greed, betrayal and murder, where she is barely one step behind the killer.

This is the first in a series - Grace is a feisty female who only owns one feminine outfit, bludges food off everyone she comes in contact with, and is not afraid to do a little breaking and entering when the situation calls for it. She starts her investigation, only to find that it all points to a robbery and murder committed many years ago, but the mystery was never really solved, and although a man was sent to prison for the crime, it was all left rather up in the air.

I enjoyed this story, it was a well-constructed and well-paced thriller,with the occasional glimmer of humour. I have heard that Grace is being described as an English version of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum - this is not so, Grace has much more intelligence and character, and is more believable as a result.
 

Journal Entry 6 by sally906 at Palmerston Shopping Centre in Palmerston, Northern Territory Australia on Thursday, May 14, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (5/14/2009 UTC) at Palmerston Shopping Centre in Palmerston, Northern Territory Australia

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Being taken to the meet-up on Saturday morning at 9 am - if not selected will wild release 

Journal Entry 7 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Friday, May 15, 2009

Picked up at the meet-up. 

Journal Entry 8 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I found it slow at first, but the pace soon picked up. I loved December and the donkeys. 

Journal Entry 9 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Arrived today as part of the "Reverse Wishlist - Australia Only" relay.
This one's for PLW. Thanks amberC. 

Journal Entry 10 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, January 21, 2010

Read by PLW as the 'donkey whisperer' of the family. Was read pretty fast, and enjoyed - but obviously not quite as much as all you others above. Not sure what the issue was, but 6 stars was the verdict. :-)