Jeff Miller (1) (1972–)

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer publishers via NetGalley for the ARC amazon kindle e-book. Here is my honest review.

[b: Borderline Insanity: A Dagny Gray Mystery] by [a: Jeff Miller|6525138|Jeff Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1454205159p2/6525138.jpg] is a well written novel which keeps the reader entranced until the brutal end.

[a: Jeff Miller|6525138|Jeff Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1454205159p2/6525138.jpg] writes a fictional story wrapped in a truth that does not get much show more honest discussion in our fragmented society.

"Borderline Insanity" is timely in that our trend in America has been to cling to the side of bullies. Hatred against Mexicans and Mexican Americans is approved by a whole political party. To many, one mean spirited Arizona sheriff who created a prison camp is a hero.

Yes, this is fiction, but based on truth. Many undocumented workers have been abused by pay-as-you-go contractors.

Human beings have been disappeared and no one cares. It is my hope that this will get a wide audience of people who care. Readers who will become active in calling out bullies. I love this kind of writing.

Jeff Miller has a new fan, and cannot wait to read more of his work. show less

This is the second book in a series. I didn't read the first, but there was enough background mostly to understand the characters. The mystery is good, and the murders are horrible. I loved the talk radio parts, those were really funny. Reminded me of my grandfather (a strong democrat) who would listen to a very conservative radio show just so he could yell at the host!

So the story was really good and I enjoyed reading it. Dagny is kind of odd and I really want to know what happens to her. show more This is probably the first book I ever read where the main character is anorexic. It added an interesting dimension to her. She uses the Weight Watchers point system to ensure she eats enough food for the day, but she usually ends up in a deficit. She's trying, though. I'm not sure why her relationship with her mom is so bad, unless it was addressed in the first book. The mom doesn't seem so bad, so I'm not sure why there's so much animosity on Dagny's part. I'm curious to learn more about Dagny and watch her overcome her struggles in future books.

Received this from GoodReads.com for review. show less

I very much enjoyed "The Bubblegum Thief" despite the fact that I found the main character Federal Agent Dagny Gray frustrating,due to her inclination to limit her calories to the point of making herself physically ill. While I have compassion for anorexics, bulemics and/or any obsessive personalities,it was difficult to sympathize with someone who had so much going for her including a loving boyfriend, yet still refused to see herself through his eyes (and despite what she could see with show more her own eyes,) until he sculpted a beautiful statue of her. Even then, it took a horrible loss for her to stop focusing on her destructive tendencies and focus on the crimes being committed. I understand that is the nature of the illness. But the author simply put Gray's anorexia behind her and described her eating in scene after scene. Too tidy and far too easy a solution, I think. Despite finding Dagny Gray difficult to comprehend, I expected a more logical resolution to her issues from the author, Jeff Miller. It is a debut mystery novel, though, and I give him kudos for that. Mysteries are challenging to write, demanding great logistical care. I found myself wondering, too, if Miller's intention was to make her a slightly annoying person.
Other than issues with characterization (albeit with a major character) the book moved forward nicely, and the other characters were well-developed. I would pick up another book by Jeff Miller. If you enjoy a fast-moving mystery, with lots of characters and a rather complex plot, you will enjoy "The Bubblegum Thief." show less

The Bubble Gum Thief by Jeff Miller

Thomas & Mercer
December 4, 2012
ASIN: BOO7RZ0716
426 pages

This is my first crime. My next will be bigger.

“This is my first crime. My next will be bigger.” So begins The Bubble Gum Thief. This message is found on a card to which a stolen stick of gum is taped. What follows is a series of crimes that escalate is horror and body count. Solving the crimes falls to FBI agent Dagny Gray, who has a handful of personal issues, not the least of which is severe show more anorexia. Dagny must fight through her medical problem, an FBI bureaucracy that hinders her every step, and a serial killer that is increasingly cleaver and brazen. Well written and fast paced and populated with interesting characters, especially Dagny who is well drawn and likable. A good read.

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Dub Walker and Samantha Cody thriller series show less