Promissory Payback by Laurel Dewey

Promissory Payback:
A Jane Perry Novelette
Author: Laurel Dewey
Publisher: The Story Plant
Pub Date: August 02, 2011
Paperback: : 80 pages
ISBN: 9781611880076

About the Book:

Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.

In this novelette, Jane is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of a woman who profited greatly from the misfortunes of others. The case leaves Jane with little question about motive...and with a seemingly endless number of suspects.

My Thoughts:

I had not read anything by Laurel Dewey before, so I thought this novelette would be a great place to start. Under 100 pages, this fast paced mystery kept me on my toes and was easily read in one sitting. I was a bit concerned about how well developed a mystery could be in such a short book, but Dewey pulled it off brilliantly.

This novelette centers around the murder of a unscrupulous and extremely selfish woman. With her past, the list of possible suspects is quite long - keeping one wondering if the murder was hinged on personal or business reasons. Full of suspenseful twist and turns, this one had me guessing to the end.

Although part of the Jane Perry series, I found Promissory Payback could easily be read as a stand alone. The main character, Detective Jane Perry is a strong female character who is one tough cookie that I enjoyed immensely. My exposure to her made me want to get the other books in the series so I could start from the beginning to really get to know her. She seems to be a complex character with a history that I really want to find out more about.

(I suggest this book for people over the age of 18)

About the Author:

Laurel Dewey’s writing career has been anything but predictable. Born in Glendale, California, Dewey began her career working in public relations. Her writing talents quickly took her into other entertainment avenues. As an assistant editor at BOP Magazine in the late 1980's, Dewey helped launch the blockbuster career of teen pop groups, including The New Kids on The Block. During this time, she wrote a string of successful mystery radio plays for Los Angeles public radio networks.

Not satisfied to write in only one genre, Dewey went on to pen a western novella “In the Name of the Land” which was nominated for a Silver Spur Fiction Award. A collection of short stories followed, as did a successful stint writing and producing radio ads and promos.

In the early 1990’s, Dewey relocated to rural Colorado. But her eclectic writing forte continued as she pursued work as a freelance investigative journalist, advertising/marketing promoter and newspaper columnist. In the mid and late 1990’s, two of her books on plant medicine were published, along with 10 booklets and hundreds of articles on alternative health. During this time, she appeared as a featured guest on hundreds of national radio and television programs and lectured extensively across the United States and Canada.

But then the pages turned...literally. In 2007, Dewey released her first fiction novel, PROTECTOR, a gritty, mystical crime thriller that follows the rocky life of damaged Denver homicide detective Jane Perry. In preparation for writing the book, Dewey immersed herself in detailed research, interviewing Colorado homicide detectives and traveling on "ride-a-longs" with street cops. The intricate research helped Dewey create a debut novel that is powerful, compelling, controversial and utterly original.

The sequel to PROTECTOR, REDEMPTION, was released in June of 2009. The third book in the Jane Perry series, titled REVELATIONS, is due to be released June 14th, 2011. A series of short stories and novellas featuring Detective Jane Perry will be released throughout 2011, starting with "An Unfinished Death" which is a prequel to PROTECTOR.

Dewey lives with her husband and two orange cats in rural Colorado.



I received a copy of this book from Netgalley courtesy of The Story Planet. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.