Dianne Gray’s intriguing mystery
You all know that I’m a Dianne Gray fan, and I just finished reading her 2010 novel Wolf Pear. The reader has no idea whether or not the two main protagonists, JD Cusack and Esther Crooke will ever meet. Both characters mistreated as children, you hope that the something in the story will turn out well for them.
Poor Esther, fat, lonely, and constantly tormented, has worked her way into a very successful business with her best friend, Sandy in spite of having a despicably hateful family. JD, with his special talents to see beyond the normal, has become a top federal police officer. Both Esther and JD are haunted by their pasts as well as their present circumstances. Neither of them realize the danger that await them.
The novel opens with Esther burying a man that she has killed. To hide him, she plants tomatoes on his grave. The tomatoes grow exceeding well bringing her unsolicited notoriety and fame, and more agitation from her family. JD’s brother has been murdered, and JD takes time off to “relax”, and runs into to more bodies and unsolved cases away from home as he privately seeks his brother’s murderer.
The pace is fast, and once you start this short novel, you won’t want to put it down until you find out “who done it!” I did learn what a wolf pear was before the end, but I did not figure out the mysteries, so don’t cheat and read the end first – that’s not fair. See if you can do better than I did. 🙂
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
I’m a bit behind the times…I just now purchased it and am looking forward to reading it very soon!
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It’s really good. You will enjoy it.
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Beautiful people write beautiful books! Okay, not all beautiful people write beautiful books, but the beautiful person that is Dainne Gray qualifies for the statement…
Incidentally, thank you for liking my blog at the http://finalcurtain1.wordpress.com. Just posted a short story there, “The Moonlight Bar” ‘ hope you get a chance to read it… My best wishes.
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Thanks I will find the time. Writers need to read other writers. It hones our skills. That’s one reason I love Dianne – other than the fact she is such a love – and a GREAT writer! 🙂 Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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Great review. Short and sweet as a tomato. Can’t wait to read this one, but telling me about reading the end first is like telling me not to think about a pink elephant. haha. {{{hugs]}} kozo
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Oh NO! Kozo. Put that out of your mind. Read the end. Read the end! JK! Here’s a hug for you, so you can’t use your hands to turn to the end first! 🙂 hahaha Enjoy the book. You’ll love it! I know you will! 🙂
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Dianne Gray’s writing has that effect. Before I start reading her books, I clear my day. Great review. Wolf Pear will be my next DG read.
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haha Yes, I know just what you mean. I can’t put it down! Go to bed???? Are you kidding. I’ve got to see who was guilty! 🙂 Nothing changed from when I was a kid when I had a good book! Except that I don’t have to pretend I’m reading a textbook and have my fun reading hidden inside it so my mom doesn’t see it when she checks on me. hahaha! 🙂 I know you will enjoy it! 🙂
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Great review! It made me want to read it right now.
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YAY! I loved it, and I’m glad I could communicate that to you! 🙂 🙂
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I am going to put this on my Kindle today. Can’t wait.
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You’re in for a real treat! After this you’ll want to read all her books. I still have one more, then she’s going to have to get busy and publish some more! 🙂
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Great review, Marcia! I would never peek at the end, that spoils all of the fun. 🙂
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YAY! I have to TRY to figure it out – even if I’m rotten at it! 🙂
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I’ll peek at the end if I want to ~ I like to make sure all the main characters make it to the finish line!
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hahaha NO FAIR! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this great review. I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book and am a fellow fan of Dianne’s wonderful writing, so it’s nice to find you:-)
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Thanks! You can tell I’m a big fan! 🙂 Nice to meet you, too! 🙂
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A great review, Marcia… I’ll check it out later, when time allows. I enjoy a good ‘who done it’… 😉
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You can’t go wrong with any of Dianne’s novels. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Dianne Gray author and commented:
If you get a chance, please go over to Marsha’s blog and check out her review 😉
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I’ve had a lot of trouble getting into WP today. Marsha. I hope this reply works 😉
Thank you so much for this great review. I’m so glad you liked the story! 😀
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Thank you, and I surely did! I’m disappointed in myself for not being able to figure it out, but I really didn’t have a clue until the end, and then it all came together! Excellent! 🙂
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“…she plants tomatoes on his grave…” !!!!
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Who does that – really? What a great start to a book! 🙂
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Yes, yes! This was a great book. I loved the mystery, and wanted to throttle Esther’s wretched family. Wolf Pear kept me guessing ’til the end.
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I agree totally. There were no redeeming qualities in Esther’s family members! They needed to be throttled. Where were you? Dianne should have written you into the plot!!! 🙂 So I wasn’t alone sitting in the dark about “who done it!” That makes me feel better!!!! 🙂
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