Author of Suspense, Sex and Satire:
Writing designed to inspire
Aaahs, Ahhhs, Hahahas and Ahas!
Author of Suspense, Sex and Satire:
Author D.M. Barr,
Photo by Marty Umans
Released October 15, 2020
from Black Rose Writing:
Saving Grace, a Psychological Thriller!
Order by Clicking Here!
Released October 15, 2020
from Black Rose Writing:
Saving Grace, a Psychological Thriller!
Order by Clicking Here!
What Reviewers are Saying:
Review
Saving Grace is a psychological thriller with more than enough twists, turns, and misdirection to keep even the most jaded reader turning pages all night long. The title character is as appealing as she is flawed, and her struggle to deal with a loveless marriage and a tortured childhood keeps us rooting for her--even when we're not sure if she's a tragic victim, whose life is in danger, or a sadly deluded woman in need of psychiatric care.
Grace's husband, father, and therapist all try to help her maintain her fragile grip on reality. As her doubts and fears grow, she turns her back on them and assembles a most unlikely group of amateur sleuths to take their place. But will these new friends help her escape her family's loving clutches? Or are they like all the others--ready to betray her if they can find a way to get their hands on her money?
Saving Grace is beautifully paced and convincingly narrated, and the suspense builds to a most satisfying conclusion. It's a terrific read, from start to finish.
- Lori Robbins, author of the Silver Falchion Award-winning novel, Lesson Plan for Murder
Review
In this entertaining and fun mystery, D.M. Barr introduces us to Grace Rendell, an over-medicated and overwrought protagonist. After decades of mental institutions and medication, Grace decides enough is finally enough. Call her crazy, but she's determined to find out what's really going on with her micro-managing, oh-so-solicitious husband, Eliot, who she fears is plotting to kill her. His motive? Steal the billions she'll inherit from her crusty,on-his-last-legs billionaire father. Wanting to make sure her impending death will be pinned on Eliot, she comes up with a plot of her own: write a novel that lays out the whole story. Mix in a famous author, her sketchy brother, and a very caring poison expert, and Grace may have just what she needs to save herself and her sanity.
Saving Grace is a fun and fast-paced mystery that will have you laughing out loud, while you're wondering if Grace will save herself and catch the bad guys. If you like Susan Isaacs, you'll love D.M. Barr.
- Cathi Stoler, author of BAR NONE A Murder On The Rocks Mystery
Review
Saving Grace is a roller coaster ride of fun and frantic sleuthing that steadily builds to a thrilling climax. D.M. Barr has concocted a recipe of false identities, touching romance, and multigenerational escapades, stirring in just the right amount of psychological suspense. A page turner, Saving Grace was impossible to put down! An added bonus? The protagonist learns to write a novel! Fantastic!
-Suzanne Trauth, Author, Dodie O'Dell Mystery Series
Review
Grace Rendell, the hero of Saving Grace, at first, seems beyond saving. A New Jersey CPA, wife,mother and daughter of a billionaire, Grace appears to be a self-doubting,scatterbrained pill popper. All her life, Grace has been told she'd be worse off--even violent--if not heavily medicated. But is that really true?
When Grace starts weaning herself from her meds, the world comes into sharper focus. She's suspicious of some of the people closest to her but wonders if her suspicions can be trusted. With her new confidence and determination, Grace gets very close to exposing her betrayers. But when they realize she's onto them, it's a race to see if she can catch them . . . before they catch her.
This twist-filled mystery by D.M. Barr offers plenty of wit, a nice supporting cast,heart-stopping finale and, best of all, an underestimated, in-over-her-head hero worth rooting for.
- Deb Pines, author of the Mimi Goldman Chautauqua Murder Mystery Series.
Review
The latest treat for mystery lovers and a contemporary story of riveting suspense. Emerging from a horrific childhood, an old crime, and a dark secret, Grace Pierrepoint Rendell, with a long history of sedation and confinement in a mental hospital, has been labeled a paranoid schizophrenic. But is she? Trapped in a miserable marriage with a patronizing husband, how can she defend herself against the threat of murder?
- June Trop, author of the Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series
Review
Saving Grace is a testament to a main character literally writing her way out of mortal danger, with more than one dead body along the way. You will feel her shock and her pain as she uses newly learned tools to maneuver through the revelation of family secrets and solve the deepest kind of mystery-- one that spans generations. - Rona Bell, author of the award-winning short story, Prey of New York.
Review
This book is a page-turner, with many twists and turns throughout the story. The reader is engaged from the first page to the last. The writing is well crafted, creating a fast-paced, exciting scenario. There are many provocative characters in the plot, including the famous author's family members, Grace's father and his current girlfriend, and Grace's teenage sons. It is not clear who has good or evil intentions. The entire premise of an author writing about her own possible demise is certainly a unique way to create a mystery plot. Author D. M. Barr will keep every reader on the edge of her/his seat in the compelling work, Saving Grace. A fascinating read! - Deborah Lloyd, Readers' Favorite
Review
Saving Grace by D.M. Barr was an exciting psychological thriller. I haven't read anything quite like it before. Grace, the main character, was so dynamic and full of inner chaos. Grace's mania and paranoia often had me shaking my head or throwing my hands up in horror. Her mental disorder made it difficult to determine what was real in the story and what was imagined by her own mind. This resulted in so many possibilities and questions throughout the story, I just had to keep reading. Of course, plots of murder almost always keep me reading as well. This mix of internal and external battles resulted in unsettling suspense that kept me going until the very end.I would highly recommend this book to others and am excited to see what else this author has in store! - Shannon Winings for Readers' Favorite
Review
I enjoyed Saving Grace because it is a complex novel that will keep you intrigued. The central question of Grace's mental state is an exciting core to the story and gives it a great backdrop with interesting characters. In fact, I found myself following along and wondering if the husband and psychiatrist were all they appeared to be or if even they were struggling with psychological problems of their own. The budding friendship that develops while Grace writes her novel is also a great plot element, as the writer has a family as complex as Grace's own, albeit in different ways. D.M. Barr has done a great job of writing a wonderful suspense thriller that will keep you intrigued to the very last page. - Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite
Review
The driving idea behind this book, the originality in plot development, and the depth of character are just a few of the elements that got me interested in the story. The author creates a compelling character in Grace,a woman powerful by virtue of her family's wealth, yet so flawed and vulnerable. Her fear of murder feels real and the reader quickly learns to like her. But her plan leads her to an even more complicated juncture. It is so well-plotted and written that the cinematic style of writing is evident. D.M. Barr weaves a yarn with strong themes and characters that are real and fascinating. I couldn't put it down. Saving Grace: A Psychological Thriller was a wonderful companion for the night. - Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
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What Kirkus Reviews says about Slashing Mona Lisa:
Barr (Expired Listings, 2016) has a knack for building stakes and maintaining a steadily intense pace throughout...the unusual premise of the murder plot brings a freshness to the thriller sections... A love story that becomes elevated by a dynamic psychological crime drama.
From Publishers Weekly's Booklife Prize Reviewer:
An unusual and entertaining mystery, Barr's narrative is built like a hedge maze, with every twist and turn suggesting additional possible outcomes. Lost in this intriguing maze, the reader is as eager to find the answers as investigative reporter Carmen Torres.
Barr's writing is packed with dry wit and tongue-in-cheek humor that adds levity and serves to balance the seriousness of the murder case. The dialogue is generally a treat to read...
Unlike many modern mystery-thrillers, Barr ensures that her story moves beyond cliched dialogue and cheap plot devices. The strength of Barr's narrative resides in its exploration of what it means to be a modern North American woman--to grapple with the socially-conditioned pressures they face to have a"perfect body." It is this angle that gives her story such immense power.
Barr gives character and dimension to both her heroes and villains. However, Barr's abilities are most brilliantly showcased in her depiction of Camarin Torres--the protagonist's "broken beauty" giving her a depth that makes her relatable to readers.
