REVIEWS

THE EDISON EFFECT

“Pajer captures subtle details of early Seattle in a way that is charming and edifying without being overwhelming, while also stringing together several interesting themes and subplots.”

 Steve Steinbock, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

“Bernadette Pajer’s The Edison Effect has everything I want from a feel-good historical crime novel – page-turning intrigue, entertainment and karmic retribution with humility and goodness at its heart. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.”

Joanne P., Booklover Book  Reviews

“The newest installment in Pajer’s Bradshaw series is wonderful, a quick and satisfying read.”

The Historical Novel Society, November 2014

“Pajer offers readers a fascinating mix of science and history.”

Barbara Bibel, Booklist, August 2014

 

“So here comes The Edison Effect, which does for electrical engineering what Reichs does for bones . . .You could not ask for a better combination of elements and this is a book everyone interested in historical mysteries should read.”

David Marshall, San Francisco Book Review

“This is all done with great skill as the detail including cutting-edge technology from one-hundred years ago is gently introduced and explained . . . evidence this is an author who will continue to develop her craft and go on to great things.”

David Marshall, Thinking About Books, August 2014

“When Edison’s new lights are dead center in a murder, Prof. Benjamin Bradshaw’s investigation may cost Bradshaw more than he can afford.”

Kristi Chadwick, Library Journal, August 2014

“Pajer’s appealing fourth historical . . . homely fare in the best sense—solid, comfortable, welcoming but no less winning for it.”

Publishers Weekly, September 2014

CAPACITY FOR MURDER

“The author’s attention to period and scientific details provides a fascinating frame for this engaging historical mystery.”

Barbara Bibel, Booklist

4 Stars! “A Good Old-fashioned Whodunit on the Pacific Northwest Coast . . . missing gold, romance, quirky characters, surprising twists; this book has it all.”

Portland Review of Books

“There’s a lot I liked about Capacity For Murder: setting, characters, plot and what I particularly liked was writer, Bernadette Pajer’s ability to explain the workings of both the electrotherapy treatment and the machine that produced the electrical impulses, the explanations seamlessly included in the story in a simple concise manner . . .”

Janet Walker, Bookpleasures.com

“The more Benjamin Bradshaw mysteries I read, the more I enjoy them. . . . Pajer’s books just keep getting better — and I happily recommend this series to all historical mystery lovers.”

Cathy, Kittling Books

“Let’s just say that readers of historical fiction, mystery and romance will love this novel too. Heck, readers of any fiction will love this book. Many thumbs up for a story well-told. I highly recommend CAPACITY FOR MURDER by Bernadette Pajer.”

Susan Wingate, Writing from the Couch

“Pajer’s entertaining third Professor Bradshaw mystery . . . gets good mileage from odd health notions of the day, and her stubborn, resourceful detective finds more than one clever murder to solve.”

Publishers Weekly,  April 2013

“. . . .I prefer the quality of the puzzles produced by Bernadette Pajer . . . Capacity for Murder is distinctly intriguing murder mystery and well worth picking up.”

David Marshall, Thinking About Books

FATAL INDUCTION

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“Like all important novels, this mystery has wider implications for the larger world than the story is set in. We posit that the Professor Bradshaw series is on its way to being considered a classic in the mystery genre. Fatal Induction by Bernadette Pajer was awarded the Overall Grand Prize for Best Book in the Mystery and Mayhem Awards 2013, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.”

Chanticleer Book Reviews

“Fatal Induction by Bernadette Pajer was a real surprise package – this small and unimposing novel has enormous heart.”

Booklover Book Reviews, August 2012

FATAL INDUCTION received a 5 Star review from Long & Short Mystery Reviews, June 2012 and was voted Book-of-the-Month. To read the full review, visit Long & Short Reviews.

“Bernadette Pajer has created a great series. Readers will enjoy Fatal Induction.”

Rosalie West, Portland Review of Books, June 2012

“Pajer nicely underscores the contrast between early Seattle’s rough-and-tumble side and its more genteel aspirations. She’s also very good at explaining complex scientific concepts to the uninitiated.”

Adam Woog, The Seattle Times, May 13, 2012

“Bradshaw’s engineering and forensic skills offer readers a glimpse at life during the early twentieth century, including both the social unrest and the excitement over new scientific and technological discoveries. A fine choice for historical-mystery buffs.”

Barbara Bibel, Booklist, April 2012

“Bradshaw will win readers over as he puts his own life and his friendship with Det. James O’Brien in jeopardy in pursuit of the truth.”

Publishers Weekly, Jan. 30, 2012

Fatal Induction is a well-crafted historical mystery novel, posing and answering intriguing questions about murder and divers[e] other possible crimes at a time when technology was propelling America into the future.”

David Marshall, Thinking About Books, Feb.  2, 2012

“Pajer’s second series entry (after A Spark of Death) shines brightly, bringing a real sense of scientific inquiry and wonder to the turn-of-the-20th-century historical. Her ability to weave together technology and emotion (particularly the connection between Bradshaw and his son) makes for an engaging series.”

Library Journal, March 2012

“If you enjoy historical mysteries, Pajer’s series is a particularly good example.  She doesn’t just give the readers obvious details of setting; she digs a little deeper, works her research into the plot, and creates an immersive and enjoyable experience for the reader.”

Victoria Janssen, Criminalelement.com, April 30, 2012

A SPARK OF DEATH

“Hopefully, this is the just the first of many adventures for the indefatigable Bradshaw and his equally delightful cronies.”

Sue Emmons, Mystery Scene Magazine, Summer 2011

“With red herrings, foreshadowing, and hidden clues added in, A Spark of Death leads us on a . . . breathless journey from beginning to end.”

Judith Reveal, NY Journal of Books

Set in 1901 Seattle, Pajer’s deft, highly entertaining debut introduces calm, relentlessly logical Benjamin Bradshaw, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Washington.

Publisher’s Weekly 5/30/2011

“With plenty of historical details and an eclectic cast of characters, plus a well-constructed plot and terrific pacing, this engaging first novel should be recommended to all fans of historical mysteries . . . ”

Jessica Moyer,  BOOKLIST

“A SPARK OF DEATH crackles with mystery, romance, and expert, evocative explanation of electricity at the dawn of the 20th Century in vibrant frontier Seattle. Bernadette Pajer’s splendid debut promises dogged Professor Benjamin Bradshaw will be solving crimes in many books to come.”

William Dietrich, NYT Bestselling Author

“In Spark of Death, Bernadette Pajer backs up great storytelling with thorough research to deliver a gripping tale of intrigue, wonder and mystery.  A shockingly good read! ”

John Jenkins,  President,  SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

“I made the mistake of starting to read this book very close to bedtime. I was quickly drawn into the story, and found myself staying up entirely too late. It was with great difficulty I reluctantly set the book down to sleep, only to take it up again as soon as I could the next day. And so I finished it in two sittings . . . Be forewarned, it’s a very engaging read . . . ”

Laura “Tegan” Gjovaag,  Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog