Reviews of One Too Many
Compelling characters
By day, Rose Leary writes murder mysteries; by night, she tends bar to pay the bills. Set in 1980s New York City, One Too Many continues the adventures of writer-turned-witness Rose Leary. First captivating readers in Jennings' debut novel, Bartender Wanted, our witty protagonist is still struggling in all the usual ways, trying to finish a novel while dealing with new management at the bar and strained relations with detective Frank Butler.
That's when Leary finds the body of a murdered colleague and sets off another round of mystery that escalates the action and the humor. At the heart of One Too Many is Jennings' fully realized world of New York City. The author calls west Sonoma County home today, but in another time she was a veteran of several Manhattan dives while working as a copy writer and journalist. Here, Jennings creatively culls these real-life experiences for a vividly crafted re-creation where a simple walk down Houston Street comes alive with vendors and colors and where a "promiscuous musk scented the humid air, as if damp sheets tented the city." It would be easy to get lost wandering these endless streets, but luckily Jennings never lets the action wander, as our heroes must confront a series of dangers and their own suspicions before time runs out.
One Too Many works well as a murder mystery with a mix of murky atmospheres and compelling characters. Leary doesn't suffer fools, and she isn't afraid to tell you so. Yet at the same time, Jennings achieves a subtle level of detail throughout the novel in her brief but knowing descriptions of looks and drink orders that read volumes of character development between the lines. —The North Bay Bohemian, Charlie Swanson, 4/15
The long desired second Rose Leary mystery brings proof that Rose, never Rosie, is a magnet for corpses and a driving force in solving murders, even if she has a difficult time finding time to write. As a bartender in a restaurant that Anthony Bourdain could have worked in and written about, Rose has many "characters" to fuel snappy repartee and questionable behavior. Add in a struggling love life and serve it up with extra salt to keep the regulars coming back for more. The only problem will be the wait for the next Rose mystery.—Tony Reis, 10/14
Ready to enjoy the best of NYC in the 1980s?
Start reading the Rose Leary series and enjoy the food, fashion, cocktails, and ambience. Book two does not disappoint with one of the best murder scenes I've ever read and you'll never guess who did it.—Marsee, 1/15
Maureen Anne Jennings hits her stride in this second Rose O'Leary mystery. The story moves along nicely, with shocking surprises along the way. Without giving too much away, the deaths are appropriately gruesome, with just the right level of detail.
The book is well written without being overly intellectuallized. One of my favorite parts is when Rose tries to write a letter to her boyfriend without success--you can practically see the crumpled pieces of paper on your own floor. Rose resorts to listing her feelings, and when she rereads her list, she calls it an alphabet of sorrow. Nice phrase, Rose!
I'm looking forward to the next installment.—K. Kay 2/15
The Latest Rose Leary mystery is even better than the first one (BARTENDER WANTED)
The latest Rose Leary mystery is even better than the first one (BARTENDER WANTED). One reason is that it's an opportunity to spend time with Rose again with her sense of style, her love of good food, her dislike of NYC summer heat, her great work ethic. Another strong point of this book is the suspense Maureen Anne Jennings creates. It is, after all, a mystery.—Mary A. Gaffney, 12/14
Love this book. Reading it was just plain fun. I don't know what it is about it--the characters, the NYC in the 80s setting, the witty banter, or all the twists and turns in the story. I just know that when you pick it up, it's a satisfying book to read. You don't want to put it down again. And it's very difficult to figure out how it's going to end. One Too Many is perfect for leisure time reading when you want to indulge yourself. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.-- K. Barrett, 2/15
Back with Rose, want more in next book
So happy to have settled into a great read with confidence that Rose would survive and triumph over nasty characters roaming the Village in 1980s, took the characters further than first "Bartender Wanted" so I'm waiting for the next. Both trip down memory lane and very current feeling in just the right way. Loved it, highly recommend.—B Baer, 2/19
Thank goodness for the 2nd book in the Rose Leary Mystery series! Loved the continuing story - my only complaint is that now I have to wait for the 3rd book! I may have to read the first one again to satisfy my mystery craving . . .-- Betsy Waliszewski, 1/15
Great mystery and second Rose Leary story!—Jack of Trades, 10/14