Accessory to Murder

In Elaine Viets's Accessory to Murder, the third installment in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper cozy mystery series, this cozy is so twisted, it would leave you speechless and tied up in knots. For single mother Josie Marcus, she had a terrible boss who assigned her awful places to mystery shop. And when she filed a report on his niece Saber, he would make sure he would put Josie through hell. While she content with her mother's smoking habits and her matchmaking, her best friend Alyce Bohannon needs her help. When they arrest her husband Jake for Halley Hardwicke's murder, she would do anything to help Alyce out to clear her name and whodonit. They talked to her friends and closest neighbors, while the Wood Winds community had shunned her. They look for clues in every nook and cranny to dissect Halley's private and personal life. And when Josie thought she had it made in the shade, they hit a snag and someone charged her card and sent packages to shut her up for snooping. But when that didn't deter her, when Josie dug deeper into the heart of Wood Winds community and to Halley's closest friends, when one of them had more than a bone to pick with her. It would leave Josie scrambling and fighting for her life in the end.

This was another great installment in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper Cozy Mystery series. I do like the St. Louis backdrop for the scenic settings and the location for this cozy series. I did care for Josie and Amelia as she tried to make money the earnest way to provide for her daughter. I did find Jane a bit overprotective, but proud of her for kicking the smoking habit. I find find Granby a lech and Mike a hottie for a plumber. This also portrayed the artistic and retail world in a new light, especially with real air-tight cul-de-sac communities. Sometimes it can be darn right creepy. This would make you shake your head, grimace and groan, whistle and sigh, maybe grit your teeth with non-stop action, drama, suspense and a hint of mystery.

Will you be an accessory to murder tonight?

KIller Cuts

In the 8th installment of the Dead-End Job Mystery series by Elaine Viets, we've found Helen working as a gopher for the stylist to the stars and regulars in Killer Cuts. While Helen prepared for her own wedding, she helped Miguel Angel with the wedding details for Honey and King Oden's wedding. A lot of drama happened at the salon, when Phoebe, one of the assistants made rude comments to his customers and flirted with the wedding guests. On Honey's wedding day, it turned out to be a nightmare, when King Oden, a blog communist about gossip ended up dead by drowning, after they said "I Do." From there, Miguel fired Phoebe and rumors spread about Miguel being a person of interest. It was up to Helen and Phil to clear his name and save his business, before it would become too late for Helen's second wedding.

I love the couple of Phil and Helen. They both get a second chance in romance. I also love the Florida location and the scenic backdrop. To have it feature a hair salon was quick and witty with some interesting characters. I didn't like King Oden or Phoebe one bit. Miguel was an interesting and unusual character as well. But he did grew on me. There were some parts that I moaned and groaned  and let out a quick breath. I always look forward for more Helen Hawthorne cozies in the series.

Ready for a trim? Grab a copy or place it on your wish list!

Final Sail

If you like light cozies that are fun to read, you'll enjoy the 11th installment in the Helen Hawthorne Dead-End series.  In Final Sail, newly married, Helen and Phil were now a husband and wife PI team. Their first case was a tough one. When another one popped up, it was time for Helen to go undercover on a yacht for an emerald smuggler and Phil to tail a black widow type, who was more than she seemed. While these two cases were ongoing at the same time, it was up to Helen to find a connection to between them. They learned some interesting secrets on the high seas and on Hendin Island in Florida, when there's more than meets the eye. This cozy packs a double whammy of surprises for an enjoyable read.

This was another stellar cozy from Elaine Viets. I loved the setting of placing it on a sailboat and the open seas. That definitely built up drama and suspense as well. I loved the pairing of Helen and Phil, who both worked as a PI team and a newlywed couple. I hope there would be new cozies in the series, if it's not the end.

Ready to board as sailboat? Come sail away with a copy today!

High Heels Are Murder

If you love good cozies, you'll enjoy High Heels Are Murder, the second installment in the Josie Marcus series. Josie Marcus, a single mom, was a mystery shopper to make ends meet. We really do feel for her and her situation, especially with her pesky neighbors from hell. But this one, she witnessed a possible match--or mismatch--with her boyfriend Josh. I do feel for her some more, when her heart was broken as she discovered how he lied to her. We saw how devoted to her mom and how close she cherished her relationship with her best friend Alyce, and she loved her daughter Amelia and protected her from harm, as she grew up. She did get into danger, when she learned of a murder and found out who wanted to do her boss in with his sick foot fetish. It did go over her head and was in too deep of trouble, when she discovered who it was with a shocking twist. Lots of drama with twisted and turned and shocking revelations.

I love the Mystery Shopper series. Josie and Alyce are a hoot for two best friends. I loved how Josie cared for her mother and daughter. I loved the backdrop of St. Louis and the targeted malls, shops and boutiques. I didn't care for much for Mel, who was a pervert. But Josh seemed like a good match for her and a caring person as well. Her daughter was adorably cute as her mother was a gem to help her out in a pinch.

Ready to put on your walking shoes? Give them one a try!