Monday, June 10, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: RED TAPE by Michele Lyn Seigfried


About Red Tape:

In this captivating tale of crime, government corruption  and  mystery,  Municipal  Clerk  Chelsey Alton gets more than  she  bargained  for  when  she  encounters  an  irate  resident  and  loose cannon, Robert Triggers. He has been harassing the employees in the small, Jersey shore town where she works and becomes  the  prime  suspect  when  multiple  attempts  to  sabotage  the municipal building are made. Chelsey begins to piece it all  together  and  finds  herself  framed for a crime she did not commit. She narrowly escapes several attempts at her  demise,  only  to find herself in a much more precarious situation. Will she make it out  alive  or  end  up  a  tragic victim at the hands of a madman?

About Michele Lyn Seigfried:

Michele Lynn Seigfried is a mom, municipal clerk, public speaker and author. Born and raised in New Jersey, she has served for municipal  government  for  over  15  years  in  two  different municipalities. She holds a  B.A.  in  Communication  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey.  She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from  the  International  Institute  of   Municipal Clerks in 2010.  She  also  holds  the  Registered  Municipal  Clerk  certification  and  Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey.

Purchase from Amazon. 

Connect with Michele Lyn Seigfried:
   Twitter | Facebook

Join Michele Lynn Seigfried on tour.
June 3, 2013 – Books are Life – Vita Libri
June 4, 2013 - A Blue Million Books
June 5, 2013 - Brooke Blogs
June 6, 2013 - Cherry Lemonade
June 7, 2013 - Chloe Gets a Clue
June 10, 2013 - The Self Taught Cook
June 11, 2013 – Saving for 6
June 14, 2013 - Shelley’s Book Case 


Reader review . . . 

Municipal clerk Chelsey Alton has just returned from maternity leave, and it seems she returned to a storm.  Along with the usual quirky problems of a small-town, there is a newcomer in Sunshine, New Jersey.  Mr. Triggers has an explosive temper and an obsession with sand dunes.  When the city offices are sabotaged more than once, it looks as though the culprit might be obvious.  But the theft of safety papers muddies the waters, and when Chelsey is framed for a crime she did not commit, things get even more confusing.  Attempts on her life and a coming storm further complicate matters.

This debut novel is difficult to review, because it seemed to change course in the middle.  It started as a witty, edgy/cozy mystery with fun characters and great dialogue.  Admittedly, the mystery was easily solved, but it was still fun.  Suddenly, the feel of the book changes into a dark, violent novel ending with [SPOILER ALERT!] the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and a hostage situation.  It seems as though the author had several good ideas and tried to work them all into one book.  It's not a bad debut novel, and Ms. Seigfried has real talent.  I look forward to her future novels.  This one was good, and the next will be better.

3.5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cozy Mystery book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

 

2 comments:

Michele Seigfried said...

Hi. I just wanted to stop by and thank you for hosting my debut novel on your blog during its book tour. I very much appreciate it.

THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK said...

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review your novel. I look forward to your future work.

AddThis

Pin It