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5 comments about Dream House.

1. I tried reading this book twice but it was such a waste of energy that I had to give up or lose my mind.
   
   At least the second time I persisted until chapter 21, much longer than the first try which was a mere 2 chapters.



2. Remembered for her splendid performance of "Blues In The Night," actress/voice performer Deanna Hurst gives an equally listenable reading of Ms. Krich's latest.

   When does an act of petty vandalism become an evil act? That's the thread of this compelling mystery starring Molly Blume, ace reporter of true crimes. Privileged residents of a luxe Los Angeles neighborhood are more than a little annoyed when pranksters (?) heave a pumpkin through windows and pitch eggs at front doors. Homeowners in this area expect the best, and are already ticked off at the preservation boards that prevent them from remodeling their pricey digs.

   Then, more terrifying than annoying, fire breaks out on Fuller Street at the home of Margaret and Hank Reston. The ensuing flames take the life of Margaret's elderly father. To Molly, arson doesn't fit the pattern of thrown eggs and pumpkins. Furthermore, Margaret is missing. Last seen in her garden some five months before she seems to have vanished leaving only a trace of blood.

   The police are stymied, and so is Molly. But she doesn't stop.

   "Dream House" is a unique crime story sure to entertain and enthrall.

   - Gail Cooke




3. Molly Blume doesn't like loose ends. Her career as a crime novelist free lance journalist involves making sense out of horrific bits and pieces taken from police blotters and weaving them into cohesive investigative reports. When the pieces don't fit, she wants to know why. A series of seemingly random acts of malicious vandalism in LA's exclusive Hancock Park catches her attention, and an initial swing through the neighborhood provides her with a first hand introduction to the kind of fiery dissension pro and anti-HARP (Historic Architectural Restoration and Preservation) forces have created in that area, an impression which is reinforced after she attends an acrimonious meeting where both factions are present. Her involvement with the dispute deepens and becomes more personal due to a chance encounter with former professor of architecture, Oscar Linney, whom she finds wandering the street in a mental fog and takes home to the house he once shared with his daughter Margaret and his irascible son-in-law Hank, thus precipitating her directly into the affairs of the troubled Reston family. Here are puzzles galore. It seems Margaret vanished without a trace five months ago, and now the house is up for sale. Inexplicably, a few days later, it burns to the ground with Linney trapped inside. While the police opine a case of HARP-related arson with tragic but accidental consequences, Molly's sense of order insists that there must be a connection between Margaret's disappearance and her father's death. Establishing it puts her right in the line of fire as she turns up enough missing links to eventually form a horrifying picture of greed, graft and corruption, point the police in the right direction to catch a clever and ruthless killer and write - 30 - to her story.

   I think Molly Blume is one of the most thoroughly satisfying, utterly delightful new sleuths to come along in ages. "Blues in the Night" hooked me, but "Dream House" sold me. I always expect rock-solid, off-beat plotting and expert craftsmanship from Rochelle Krich, but the mysteries that really ignite the fan impulse in me are novels of character. And Molly is such a wonderfully complex one! She's smart, caring, feisty...and fun! Lagniappe? Ms. Krich does such a superb job of delineating Molly's deep commitment to her Orthodox Jewish faith that her on-again-off-again romance with her rabbi boyfriend adds still another dimension of depth and humor to her adventures. I think James Joyce would be very happy with 21st century Molly...I know I am.




4. Molly Blume is my favorite kind of character: a person who is wiliing to keep digging and keep searching no matter how much she might be put off by police officers. She may be nosy but I like that. She is also very intelligent and tenacious.
   I have learned much from Rochelle Krich's Molly about being an Orthodox Jew in today's society. I also love her thoughtful and deep relationship with Zach which is so unlike the average short-term bedded-by-the-third date relationship.
   The story is gripping as Molly investigates first home vandalism and then murder. Complex enough to keep me guessing (and guessing incorrectly), I could not put this book down.
   I recommend Dream House highly. For an enjoyable, fascinating, and even educational book, read this second Molly Blume. And, if you haven't read the first, Blues in the Night, then make that your next book after this one!



5. Molly Blume, L.A. Freelance reporter, contacts the local police districts each week to compile the police reports for her Crime Sheet column in a weekly tabloid. From information her sister gives her, she determines that someone is vandalizing homes of the Historic Architectural Restoration and Preservation (HARP) board members. She starts looking into what HARP stands for and why so many people are against it. In researching this, Molly becomes acquainted with many of the board members.

   Professor Oscar Linney is a former board member. One day she gives him a ride to his daughter's house, only to find they've moved and he is confused. Luckily a neighbor, Tim Bolt, comes to her rescue. She also discovers that his daughter, Margaret, has been missing for months.

   Molly shares information from Detective Vince Porter, Wilshire Burglary division. He often assists her as well. Her best friend , Aggie Lasher, was murdered five years ago. Recently Molly was attacked and almost killed. These experiences have given her the resolve to get to the bottom of this situation to keep others from being hurt.

   The violence escalates to arson and finally murder. Molly keeps digging to try to find out how everything is linked and the why.

   This is the first I've read in this series. I highly recommend this book. I am really looking forward to reading more books about Molly Blume.

   Ms. Krich creates three-dimensional characters and has a well-constructed plot and story. I was a little concerned when the book said "A Novel of Suspense" as I feel those are usually scary. I didn't find this to be true in this series.

   This is a gripping novel and I had a hard time putting it down! The many interesting characters that Molly interacts with in her quest to find the truth are truly enjoyable.

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