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Bits and Pieces
Forensic artist Matti James seeks change when she moves to the Las Vegas Valley. She adopts a dog that digs up human remains, joins a women's mystery club intent on solving cold cases, and learns here neighbors have ties to the Russian Maffia. Add two resident Inbetweeners who are not exactly alive, and Matti's life becomes decidedly different.
When her dog unearths a bullet-ridden skull, both the living and the dead want her stopped. As she begins forensic reconstruction, Matti discovers this was no ordinary Mob hit. Solving the murder becomes personal when she's put in the line of fire. Will police sergeant Luis Martinez and shadowy neighbor Joe Chauncey help or hurt her efforts? How far will Matti go to unmask the killer?
When her dog unearths a bullet-ridden skull, both the living and the dead want her stopped. As she begins forensic reconstruction, Matti discovers this was no ordinary Mob hit. Solving the murder becomes personal when she's put in the line of fire. Will police sergeant Luis Martinez and shadowy neighbor Joe Chauncey help or hurt her efforts? How far will Matti go to unmask the killer?
276 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
M.A.R. Unger
12 books27 followersM.A.R. Unger moved (escaped, she likes to say) from New Jersey to the Las Vegas Valley with her husband. She can't remember a time that she didn't write.
A local Las Vegas radio news spot brought her into the world of crime fiction and thrillers. “Nothing like zooming along the I-15 and hearing a broadcast about body parts found at a construction site in the desert,” she says. The cliché needed a twist and got it. BITS AND PIECES emerged from that news story, and the Matti James Mystery Series was on its way.
She is an avid researcher. In her novels, forensics and police protocol must be as real as possible without overpowering or compromising the story. "I have Las Vegas Metro and Henderson PD advisors to make sure I get things right."
Why choose a forensic facial reconstruction artist for the lead character? “I’m fascinated by this blend of science and art. An intelligent sleuth with a forensics background and an artist’s eye—what could be better?”
"When I write, I visualize the scene and hear the characters' voices. Sometimes I let characters wander out into the world on their own. Then I pull them back to follow my story line. Murder, mystery, forensics….what fun!"
A local Las Vegas radio news spot brought her into the world of crime fiction and thrillers. “Nothing like zooming along the I-15 and hearing a broadcast about body parts found at a construction site in the desert,” she says. The cliché needed a twist and got it. BITS AND PIECES emerged from that news story, and the Matti James Mystery Series was on its way.
She is an avid researcher. In her novels, forensics and police protocol must be as real as possible without overpowering or compromising the story. "I have Las Vegas Metro and Henderson PD advisors to make sure I get things right."
Why choose a forensic facial reconstruction artist for the lead character? “I’m fascinated by this blend of science and art. An intelligent sleuth with a forensics background and an artist’s eye—what could be better?”
"When I write, I visualize the scene and hear the characters' voices. Sometimes I let characters wander out into the world on their own. Then I pull them back to follow my story line. Murder, mystery, forensics….what fun!"
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2015
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
While reading this book, I found myself wavering a lot over how many stars to give it. By the end of the book, I decided to give it four, because I did find the book entertaining and easy to read, even if I was a bit hesitant about Matti's character at times.
I did like Matti, to a certain extent, though I did think there were times she came across as a bit self-centred. I also really liked the paranormal aspects in this book. Despite the blurb, I was expecting more of a hallucinations aspect, so I was really happy to see that there were actual ghosts and I found the mythos with them to be really interesting.
The mystery in this book was quite intriguing and I liked meeting a lot of the other characters. Linda was probably my favourite. Out of the other four women, I found her to be the most developed, likable character. I didn't really know what to make of Tricia, because she wasn't really shown very much in the book and was the only one out of the group who didn't seem to be explored as a character.
I was a bit confused about Luis, since he seemed to have a bit of an about-face in the book and it seemed to happen a bit fast. At the same time, I did find Joe to be quite good character. I liked his interactions with Matti and the friendship that formed between them.
I liked Abby as a character, too. It was also really interesting to see Matti's work as a forensics artist. I felt the author did a good job of showing how it all worked... though there was a bit too much of, 'this felt like the right colour'... etc. It was nice to see Fluffy and how big a part he played in the book.
I did think there wasn't as much foreshadowing in the book as there could have been. Although the journey to the end was interesting, I felt that something fell flat on the 'big reveal'. I would have liked to see a bit more on the mystery and less on Matti's love life.
I would probably read a sequel to this book. I enjoyed reading this and it was very intriguing. I'd like to see more of Linda especially in later books.
(This review may contain spoilers).
While reading this book, I found myself wavering a lot over how many stars to give it. By the end of the book, I decided to give it four, because I did find the book entertaining and easy to read, even if I was a bit hesitant about Matti's character at times.
I did like Matti, to a certain extent, though I did think there were times she came across as a bit self-centred. I also really liked the paranormal aspects in this book. Despite the blurb, I was expecting more of a hallucinations aspect, so I was really happy to see that there were actual ghosts and I found the mythos with them to be really interesting.
The mystery in this book was quite intriguing and I liked meeting a lot of the other characters. Linda was probably my favourite. Out of the other four women, I found her to be the most developed, likable character. I didn't really know what to make of Tricia, because she wasn't really shown very much in the book and was the only one out of the group who didn't seem to be explored as a character.
I was a bit confused about Luis, since he seemed to have a bit of an about-face in the book and it seemed to happen a bit fast. At the same time, I did find Joe to be quite good character. I liked his interactions with Matti and the friendship that formed between them.
I liked Abby as a character, too. It was also really interesting to see Matti's work as a forensics artist. I felt the author did a good job of showing how it all worked... though there was a bit too much of, 'this felt like the right colour'... etc. It was nice to see Fluffy and how big a part he played in the book.
I did think there wasn't as much foreshadowing in the book as there could have been. Although the journey to the end was interesting, I felt that something fell flat on the 'big reveal'. I would have liked to see a bit more on the mystery and less on Matti's love life.
I would probably read a sequel to this book. I enjoyed reading this and it was very intriguing. I'd like to see more of Linda especially in later books.
October 6, 2014
When I picked up M.A.R. Unger's novel "Bits and Pieces" I thought I was going to settle down with a nice, straightforward police procedural about a youngish widow who does facial reconstructions for cops investigating the demise of long-dead murder victims. That was okay by me because I really like them (I confess I have always been a big fan of the 87th Precinct novels and those of similar ilk.)
But, while Unger's novel is a really good read, "Bits and Pieces" is anything but an ordinary police procedural. I don't want to spoil the plot for future readers but the characters include a ghost-hunting dog; a dead showgirl who is - well, not to put it too bluntly - "ghostly;" Russian mobsters; vengeful spirits; lions and tigers and jaguars - oh my; a quirky group of ladies who investigate old crimes as well as a mysterious tattooed neighbor who always packs a high-caliber pistol - and knows how to use it. On top of that, the action takes place in the Nevada desert not far from Las Vegas, a locale that Unger describes with a very deft touch.
This is meant to be the first book in a series featuring Mattie James, an attractive widow who leaves Chicago enroute to a new life in California after her husband - a Windy City homicide detective - dies in a somewhat bizarre accident. On the way to California, however, Mattie starts thinking about what she'd look like in a one-piece black swimsuit when surrounded by - and compared to - hundreds of golden-haired, well tanned, young beach bunnies in string bikinis and, as a consequence, she opts to stop in Nevada. She rents a house and thinks she's going to settle into a nice quiet life in the desert before going back to work at some undefined point in the future but that's just not in her tarot cards. Things change rapidly once she moves into her new house and that's all I'll say about it except to add that I think you'll enjoy reading about just exactly how they do change.
If you enjoy quirky mysteries and strong female characters (I do and I do) then I think you'll like "Bits and Pieces."
I certainly did.
But, while Unger's novel is a really good read, "Bits and Pieces" is anything but an ordinary police procedural. I don't want to spoil the plot for future readers but the characters include a ghost-hunting dog; a dead showgirl who is - well, not to put it too bluntly - "ghostly;" Russian mobsters; vengeful spirits; lions and tigers and jaguars - oh my; a quirky group of ladies who investigate old crimes as well as a mysterious tattooed neighbor who always packs a high-caliber pistol - and knows how to use it. On top of that, the action takes place in the Nevada desert not far from Las Vegas, a locale that Unger describes with a very deft touch.
This is meant to be the first book in a series featuring Mattie James, an attractive widow who leaves Chicago enroute to a new life in California after her husband - a Windy City homicide detective - dies in a somewhat bizarre accident. On the way to California, however, Mattie starts thinking about what she'd look like in a one-piece black swimsuit when surrounded by - and compared to - hundreds of golden-haired, well tanned, young beach bunnies in string bikinis and, as a consequence, she opts to stop in Nevada. She rents a house and thinks she's going to settle into a nice quiet life in the desert before going back to work at some undefined point in the future but that's just not in her tarot cards. Things change rapidly once she moves into her new house and that's all I'll say about it except to add that I think you'll enjoy reading about just exactly how they do change.
If you enjoy quirky mysteries and strong female characters (I do and I do) then I think you'll like "Bits and Pieces."
I certainly did.
February 10, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway and was very glad I did.
Matti James is a recently widowed forensic artist who has taken her inheritance, insurance money and proceeds from the sale of her home and hit the road. She ends up in a little town, Henderson, outside of Vegas where she rents one of 3 homes on Clementine Street. The Russian neighbours house board wild cats for Vegas acts so she heads to the pound to get a dog she names Fluffy. The excitement begins. This book is part police procedural, part paranormal, part mystery and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed meeting the various characters that made up the "Crime Club" Matti gets involved with, plus the neighbours and the crooked cop thrown in for good measure. All these storylines mesh together so well, it was hard to put it down. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Matti James is a recently widowed forensic artist who has taken her inheritance, insurance money and proceeds from the sale of her home and hit the road. She ends up in a little town, Henderson, outside of Vegas where she rents one of 3 homes on Clementine Street. The Russian neighbours house board wild cats for Vegas acts so she heads to the pound to get a dog she names Fluffy. The excitement begins. This book is part police procedural, part paranormal, part mystery and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed meeting the various characters that made up the "Crime Club" Matti gets involved with, plus the neighbours and the crooked cop thrown in for good measure. All these storylines mesh together so well, it was hard to put it down. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 9, 2015
Unger quickly brings the reader into a different world in her murder mystery. Inbetweeners, those beings from a world beyond our normal experiences, are influential with both the problem and the solution in this first novel in a planned series. Unger’s engaging protagonist, Matti James, displays bulldog tenacity in pursuing a solution to the crime by using her unique talents as a forensic reconstruction artist. The details of the police procedures involved in this special aspect of detective work makes for educational as well as entertaining reading. Unger is particularly adept at bringing her characters to life through realistic, spitfire dialogue. Be prepared for a surprising ending.
September 30, 2014
MidWest Book Review 9/10/14
Critique: There are few things as entertaining as a deftly crafted murder mystery of the 'who done it' variety. Combined with an impressively written plot replete with unexpected twists and turns navigated by a memorable female detective, and you have "Bits and Pieces". Clearly M.A.R. Unger is a writer with a considerable talent for this genre. While "Bits and Pieces" is strongly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that it is also available to the mystery fiction enthusiasts in a Kindle edition
Critique: There are few things as entertaining as a deftly crafted murder mystery of the 'who done it' variety. Combined with an impressively written plot replete with unexpected twists and turns navigated by a memorable female detective, and you have "Bits and Pieces". Clearly M.A.R. Unger is a writer with a considerable talent for this genre. While "Bits and Pieces" is strongly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that it is also available to the mystery fiction enthusiasts in a Kindle edition
March 1, 2015
3.5/5.0
This novel had everything a good mystery needed – beautiful people, mysterious foreigners, whispers of misdeeds, and “souls” in need.
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
This novel had everything a good mystery needed – beautiful people, mysterious foreigners, whispers of misdeeds, and “souls” in need.
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
December 18, 2014
I enjoyed reading this story. I learned a bit out Las Vegas and the surrounding area. The idea of a murder club of women is terrific. Trying to figure out the good guys from the bad guys was a challenge as it should be with a mystery.
January 6, 2015
Enjoyable story of forensic artist who moves to Henderson, Nevada. Dog digs up human bones and she is dragged into joining a group of women that solve cold cases. Interesting characters, including those that have not crossed over in death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2016
Fine work ! Loved it ! I won my copy from a Goodreads giveaway .
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews