A great PI series. This book is on the edge of hard core without all the gore. The character development gives you an insight into the feelings of the book and the plot development keeps you wanting to read on and on. I met Janet Dawson at a booksigning a number of months ago. Bought this first book to try "one of these days". When I finally got around to trying it I could kick myself for waiting so long. It is wonderful. If you haven't tried it, for crying out loud, get it. Just don't do what I did and wait for awhile. Buy it, read it, NOW!!!

I got this book for Christmas and Linda Howard's story made me laugh, it was so bad. It could have been made into a great novel, but it was extremely unbelivable, the characters were two-dimensional, and her story was pretty bad. The other stories are pretty good. I don't think I've read the other authors, so I don't have anything to compare them to, but Howard's story disappointed me.She is usually a thought-provoking author, and in my opinion one of, if not the, best authors I've ever read. Also, the switching between historical and contemporary when I was expecting all contemporary was frustrating. All in all, it was an ok book at best.

The novella can be a challenging genre for an author, since she has to create believable characters and develop a satisfying romance in a much smaller amount of time.

While "Under the Boardwalk" is not one of the best collections out there, it's still a decent collection of stories. My biggest complaint with the book, as a whole, is the combination of historical and modern stories. While I, personally, enjoy both types, I know a lot of romance readers have definite preferences one way or the other. Also, it's more difficult to create a distinctive yet satisfying and smooth collection of stories set in different periods.

I bought this collection for Howard's entry, and the story itself contains many of the elements I enjoy in Howard's work. However, the story was almost too short, and a bit unsatisfying, and I really wanted to know more about the characters and their romance.

Dawson's "Castaway" is a decent entry, with appealing characters and a believable romance. There were some funny moments. My major complaint is that it seemed more a contemporary romance than an historical one.

Hunter's "Ruined" was my favorite of the bunch. I loved the hero and heroine, and enjoyed Hunter's writing style. I can't wait to check out more of her work!

Jarrett's "Buried Treasure" was, I think, the weakest of the bunch. I couldn't get into the characters and didn't really enjoy the romantic plot. However, I must disclaim that the American colonial period isn't a period I typically enjoy reading about.

Stewart's "Swept Away" was another solid addition, with good characters and a decent romance. I appreciated the emotional depth provided by Jeremy's facing of his past, and the sunburn provided a few chuckles.

All in all, this is a solid addition to the compilation genre.

Pocket has compiled five wonderful short stories from some of the romance genre's top authors. Each tale is superb, fully developed, and will grip fans who like short romantic tales.

Alabama Sheriff Jackson Brody hates a "Blue Moon" month because people seem to act crazier when the moon is full. Following up on some weirdness, Jackson meets local "witch" Lilah Jones in the back woods where the only electricity is between their hearts. Linda Howard scribes a winning rural love story.

In 1883 Texas, Drew Coryell lives by himself on an island. His ex-wife arrives, needing a big favor. The "Castaway" wants to punish his beloved, but their love remains strong. However, is it powerful enough to thwart the interference of her father? Geralyn Dawson provides readers with a fabulous western romance.

In 1843 Cornwall, her yacht crashed off of his cove. Rylan "Wicked" DeWilde never expected to fall in love with his guest Sydney Windsor. However, she is engaged to his enemy. Jillian Hunter adds gothic elements into her brilliant Victorian romance.

In 1772 Massachusetts Colony, Miriam Rowes becomes engaged to steady Chilton Chuff. However, pirate Jack Wilder returns to claim his beloved. Miriam needs to decide which beau will treat her as their most precious treasure. Miranda Jarrett shows why she is the queen of the colonial romance.

Private Investigator Jeremy Noble wants to see Jody Becket, but she has gone to Ocean City on a vacation. He grew up there, vowing never to return after the fire killed his family. Will he be able to go home to find love? Readers will be "Swept Away" by Mariah Stewart's wonderful contemporary.

Great fun lies within this magnificent anthology.

Harriet Klausner

Private Investigator, Jeri Howard is out to find the real cause of her present, but just past away client, Rob Lawter. She goes undercover, travels, worked double shifts to find the answer to how Mr. Lawter died and what was the cause of it? This book is packed with gradually piled on suspense that can't exactly keep me interested. There seems to be a lack of description of the characters and the settings. Or maybe I'm just slow. It does include accurate information when it comes to describing the cities mentioned in the story, San Francisco and Oakland. Could get a higher rating, it just doesn't have what I want in a mystery novel. I would highly recommend this to San Franciscans and Oakland-ERs.

THE PLOT Private Investigator Jeri Howard is back and she's lost a client. Rob Lawter comes to Jeri and retains her services, tells her he'll brief her later, but he takes a header out of his apartment window -- suicide, accident or murder? Jeri investigates and takes a job as a legal secretary (her previous employment) at the company where Rob worked as a paralegal. All she has is a determination to help her now-dead client and an anonymous threatening note he received warning him about "blowing the whistle". Lots of people enter, stage left, and most of them stick around for the duration making it hard for Jeri to pin them down.

Was it one of the lawyers? Was it the corporate bigwigs who took over the company in a hostile takeover and are they going to take the company apart piece-by-piece? Was it the plant managers conspiring to hide some terrible secret? Was it the brother-in-law who is trying to convince everyone that Rob committed suicide? And what do Rob's neighbours know about what happened that night?

WHAT I LIKED There are no super-human powers of deduction shown here by Jeri. She is a plodder -- one piece of the puzzle at a time, turning it around and around to see if it fits anywhere. And a lot of the time, she doesn't know what to do with the pieces and doesn't try to make them fit anywhere. The writing is up to Dawson's normal first-rate level and it is particularly interesting to see how Jeri goes about her non-investigating tasks around the office. The office, and the office politics, are made real by describing Jeri's experiences -- all of them, including the rules for working the photocopier. They set the tone for the workplace and most writers would have left them out. Dawson includes them, and the story is better for having them.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE Jeri can be a bit of a dunce at times. Several "clues" leap off the page at the reader, but Jeri misses them, or rather, completely misses the significance -- at the time. There are a couple like that, so quite often the reader knows where the story is going when Jeri doesn't, and it is only to the credit of Dawson's writing that you don't say "Hurry up and get there already."

Secondly, at the end, Dawson doesn't play fair -- there are two "clues" that turn everything around for Jeri, the final pieces of the puzzle, and she doesn't show them to the reader. "Foul!", I cry.

OVERALL RATING There is nothing overly exciting about the book, but it is a decent entertaining mystery, and the descriptions of the office raise it up a notch. The fouls at the end lower it a bit, so an overall 3.5 out of 5.0. Wouldn't want to buy it in hardcover, but it would be worth a paperback purchase.

There is a familiar ring to the Bates food manufacturing company. Could it be another LBO company deep in the heart of Oakland that Jeri Howard finds so familiar? An excellent book full of Bay Area flavor -- which is what draws me to Dawson's books. She's a wonderful, entertaining writer and you find yourself right beside her in the produce district sleuthing for clues.

Jeri Howard is not among the strongest representatives of the female PI genre, but these stories are well plotted and believable. This installment has a neat plot twist after making an early point on the evils of stalking and harassment. This book is recommended for a solid, entertaining read.

As always, Janet writes a great story

I have consumed every one of Janet Dawson's series involving private eye Jeri Howard. I love the characters and Jeri's sense of humor, as well as the realism in the issues which she confronts. I heartily recommend any of the Jeri Howard series to anyone who likes mysteries involving female detectives and lots of character!

This author is developing into a rival for the Paretskys and Cornwells of the genre. Jeri is an engaging, courageous and honest protagonist and, along with secondary characters, is well-drawn by the author. The plotting here is compelling and frighteningly topical. Jeri and her exploits rank highly on my must-read list.

I was so excited to see another Jeri Howard adventure by Janet Dawson as I've read all her previous ones and thoroughly enjoyed them as bits of fluff that held your interest for a plane ride or a w/end at the beach...thought that this would go in more deeply about the "hidden children" but she whet one's appetite for more but barely skimmed the surface....didn't pay for that trip to Paris...and as previous reviewer stated, the two stories never really got together to make one really good story...I still liked the one set in Monterey the best..."Never turn your back on the ocean"....It still was like spending time with an old friend...keep on writing, Janet Dawson...this one showed a definite change in your writing...more depth...thanx for a good read...anyone who read her previous books, will enjoy this one as well...

Private detective Jeri Howard is excited over her latest assignment. She is to travel to Paris to bring home a runaway, teenager Darcy Stefano, the daughter of wealthy parents. When Jeri arrives in France, she learns that Darcy is paying homage to her beloved grandmother, who, as a French Jew, was hidden away from the Nazis during the WW II occupation. Jeri accompanies Darcy as she visits various holocaust memorials and other Jewish sites. Upon completing her quest, Darcy and Jeri return to California.

A few months later, The Stefanos hire Jeri to once again track down their errant daughter, who has vanished from her school. Jeri begins her investigation with the school. She quickly uncovers a Neo-Nazi movement that apparently Darcy previously discovered. Jeri knows that it will take all of her skill to keep Darcy alive from the Nazis who are not ready to divulge their existence.

WITNESS TO EVIL is a strange novel in that both parts are well written and fun to read, but the two halves fail to blend together into a credible novel. This is one time where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. Jeri remains a very good female sleuth and the story line is well designed and written, but Paris and California never connect.

Harriet Klausner

Jeri Howard, private investigator is in Monterey for a restful vacation (or so she hopes)! But she immediately finds herself in the middle of several mysteries -- mutilated pelicans, mysterious accidents at a trendy restaurant and her own cousin accused of murder! This book keeps you interested and moves along at a good pace. Having visited the Monterey/Carmel area, I enjoyed the familiarity of sites mentioned. I am a new reader of female p.i stories but highly recommend this book to others who enjoy this type mystery. I'm glad there are several more Jeri Howard mysteries waiting to be read!!

As a favor to her friend David Vanitzky, Jeri investigates threats made against racehorse owner and trainer Molly Torrance. Unfortunately, Jeri's primary suspect is soon murdered and she is left with more questions about Molly's relationships and past. The action moves along quickly and Dawson provides a fascinating study of the world of horseracing. One of my concerns about this novel is that too little time is spent on Jeri's personal life, especially in comparison to her eight previous mysteries. Also, many of the plot twists are predictable and the confession virtually falls into her lap. Overall though, this is a fast, enjoyable read, while not one of Dawson's best.

I tend to agree with the previous reviewer, both on the number of stars and the developed characters. I enjoyed "Don't Turn Your Back on the Ocean" more; possibly because it was set around Monterey, CA where I spent some years. "Take a Number" fleshes out some of the characters so that you admire or sympathize with them or have disdain and contempt for them. Jeri Howard starts out with a case of hunting for missing money (hidden assets in a divorce case) and ends up investigating a murder. Her client, Ruth Franklin Raynor, is suspected of murdering her estranged husband but there are lots of other suspects with plenty of motive and less than ironclad alibis. Janet Dawson's strengths seem to be in developing her settings and her characters. The plots are okay too but not extraordinary. (I was going to say "earthshaking" but seeing as how the mysteries are set in California that might induce the author to bring in an earthquake in her next book!) I enjoy the series and still have a number of them to look forward to reading.

Jeri Howard is one of those "believable" characters - she has to work pretty hard to find her answers, and she doesn't often get the thrill and glamour of "traditional" PI's. The book's pace was moderate, most of the characters were well developed, their personalities grew as Jeri learned more about them. I think what I enjoyed most about the book, though, was the setting. I liked reading about the characters bobbing about in my neighborhood, and actually visualizing the areas they visit and drive through. I get the same pleasure from reading the Kat Colorado books, though I think Dawson is generally a better read.