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Start giftingUnforced Error
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Learn moreRep and Melissa Pennyworth attend a reenactment of a Civil War battle in Kansas City, Missouri, while seeking a cutting-edge copyright case for attorney Rep—and find a corpse instead. Melissa’s best friend from girlhood, Linda Damon, worked for the victim before his death and, on one regrettable occasion, got a bit too intimately involved in her job. Linda’s husband, Peter, an enthusiastic Civil War hobbyist, had a motive, an opportunity, and a Civil War saber that now turns out to be drenched in the victim’s blood. It would seem logical that this is a job for the police and that Rep’s knowledge of trademark and copyright law, Melissa’s PhD in literature, and the passionate Anglomania of Peter’s boss would be of no help to the investigation. But when Rep and Melissa are involved, logic is seldom a reliable guide. Their contribution ends up being essential to the solution of a crime whose roots go back to an execution during World War II and a contemporary hatred that has grown way out of bounds.
Mike Bowen, a graduate of Harvard Law School with a passion for politics, is a retired trial lawyer and the author of numerous mystery novels.
Malcolm Hillgartner has narrated over 175 audiobooks. He was named an AudioFile Best Voice of 2013. His work ranges from children's titles such as On the Blue Comet (AudioFile Best of 2011, Earphones), and Neal Stevenson's sci-fi epic REAMDE (Audible.com Best of 2011) to the biographies Kissinger (AudioFile Best of 2013, Earphones) and Cheever (AudioFile Best of 2009, Earphones). He is also an accomplished actor, writer, and musician. With his wife and partner, Jahnna Beecham, he has written over 130 books for teens and young readers, as well as the musicals Chaps! and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Musical, which have been produced in the U.S. and Canada.
Reviews
“Unforced Error scintillates with witty badinage, trenchant humor, deft plotting, and amusing characters. Bowen’s command of Civil War arcana floored me, and his sly cultural commentary cuts like an 1840 heavy cavalry dragoon saber.”
“In Bowen’s well-crafted, well-researched second Rep and Melissa Pennyworth misadventure, the couple hook up with their good friends librarian Peter Damon and his wife Linda in Kansas City, Missouri, for a reenactment of an obscure Civil War battle…an astounding plot that will certainly catch the reader by surprise. Amusing references to cultural icons both high and low punctuate the narrative…A fictional reality-TV program provides the neat twist in the novel’s clever opening chapter. And the Civil War stuff is a treat, too: fans of more literate mysteries have good reason to cheer.”
“A modern-day Nick and Nora, the quick-witted Rip and the literature-loving Melissa trade sophisticated quips that may make readers wish they had paid more attention in English class. Good fun.”
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