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cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
5.0
Angela Richman reluctantly spends some of her time off from her job as death investigator to attend the one-woman show of fading 1960s movie star, Jessica Gray. Angela goes to support her friend Mario Garcia who is Ms. Gray’s local hair stylist while she performs in St. Louis. Angela doesn’t care for Jessica’s mean-spirited humor and is appalled when she humiliates three homeless women up on stage as part of her show. Later, Angela learns that the star’s seemingly devoted entourage actually despise their controlling and vindictive boss. However, when Jessica dies in her limo on her way to return to California, it’s Angela’s friend Mario who becomes the prime suspect. Now Angela is determined to find the true killer to keep Mario from paying for a crime he didn’t commit.
I loved each of the prior books in this series which is set in Chouteau Forest, a fictional upscale suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Some of the places in the book, such as the “Fabulous Lux Theater” are based on real St. Louis landmarks. This book stands on its own even if you haven’t read the prior books. For readers familiar with the author’s other series, the book isn’t what I would call graphic, but definitely not as cozy as booka in her “Dead End Job” or the “Mystery Shopper” series. Fortunately, the serious moments are interspersed with some humor to help lighten the overall mood of the book.
Angela is easy to like. She’s good at her job, a loyal friend, and an intelligent woman who still grieves her late husband. In addition to trying to solve Jessica’s murder on the side, the book also includes details of Angela working on other assigned cases that are part of her work as a death investigator. I enjoyed the other cases Angela works on as much as the main plot of the book. The story also shines a light on the differences between the “haves” and have-nots” in the wealthy St. Louis suburb. There are clues given in the the case of Jessica’s murder but there everyone in Jessica’s circle of friends are viable suspects, so I was kept guessing until the end. I liked the way the killer was unveiled and enjoyed the epilogue which gives a long-term look ahead at what happens to some of the characters in the story. I really like this installment in this well-written, well-researched book and hope this series continues. I would rate the book 4.5 stars.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I loved each of the prior books in this series which is set in Chouteau Forest, a fictional upscale suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Some of the places in the book, such as the “Fabulous Lux Theater” are based on real St. Louis landmarks. This book stands on its own even if you haven’t read the prior books. For readers familiar with the author’s other series, the book isn’t what I would call graphic, but definitely not as cozy as booka in her “Dead End Job” or the “Mystery Shopper” series. Fortunately, the serious moments are interspersed with some humor to help lighten the overall mood of the book.
Angela is easy to like. She’s good at her job, a loyal friend, and an intelligent woman who still grieves her late husband. In addition to trying to solve Jessica’s murder on the side, the book also includes details of Angela working on other assigned cases that are part of her work as a death investigator. I enjoyed the other cases Angela works on as much as the main plot of the book. The story also shines a light on the differences between the “haves” and have-nots” in the wealthy St. Louis suburb. There are clues given in the the case of Jessica’s murder but there everyone in Jessica’s circle of friends are viable suspects, so I was kept guessing until the end. I liked the way the killer was unveiled and enjoyed the epilogue which gives a long-term look ahead at what happens to some of the characters in the story. I really like this installment in this well-written, well-researched book and hope this series continues. I would rate the book 4.5 stars.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
hwhite196's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
It was an entertaining and engrossing read that kept me hooked till the end.
I liked the plot that flows, the cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the plot that flows, the cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
annarella's review
4.0
It was an entertaining and engrossing read that kept me hooked till the end.
I liked the plot that flows, the cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the plot that flows, the cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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