Died Blonde
By Nancy J. Cohen
Kensington, 2005, $5.99
Here’s another of Cohen’s “Bad Hair Day” mysteries. Marla Shore is a hairstylist and salon owner who seems to find her way into the middle of any murder that happens in her town.
This time, Detective Dalton Vail actually requests Marla’s help, probably because the deceased is her former employer.
I enjoy the characters in this series and look forward to the next book.
Maggie Without a Clue
By Kasey Michaels
Kensington, 2005, $6.99
Suspend your disbelief for this little mystery because it’s well worth it. Maggie Kelly’s protagonist, Viscount St. Just, hero of her historical mystery novels, has come to life to help Maggie solve mysteries herself.
Maggie’s friend Bernie wakes up to find herself in bed next to her ex-husband. He just happens to be very dead. Obviously, she’s the prime suspect, so Maggie gets to work to find the real killer.
A Mourning Wedding
By Carola Dunn
Kensington, 2005, $6.50
This is one of Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher mysteries, set in London during the early part of the 20th century. Daisy and her policeman husband, Chief Inspector Alex Fletcher, are invited to the wedding of Daisy’s good friend, Lucy. Daisy goes to the country early to help Lucy with plans, but Alex finds himself there pretty quickly because someone turns up dead.
I like this cozy mystery series.
Watching Amanda
By Janelle Taylor
Zebra, 2005, $6.99
William Sedgewick wasn’t much of a father. Amanda would have given anything to have known him, but his death rules out that option. Even though William never gave her anything, he does leave a large sum of money in his will – provided Amanda follows some instructions.
Amanda isn’t sure it’s worth it, but she’s willing to try. Ethan Black was asked by William prior to his death to watch Amanda to make sure she adheres to the conditions of the will. He’s reluctant, but owes William a big favor. He doesn’t count on how he’ll come to feel about Amanda.
Undead and Unreturnable
By Mary Janice Davidson
Berkley, 2005 $21.95
Mary Janice Davidson writes in an amusing style, but her language may be a little borderline for some folks.
This is the fourth in her mystery series featuring Betsy Taylor, queen of the vampires.
If you haven’t read the earlier books, you may have difficulty in following the relationships among the characters.
Grave Sight
By Charlaine Harris
Berkley, 2005, $23.95
Harper Connelly is in a rather unusual occupation: she has the skill allowing her to sense the final resting place of the recently deceased — and to relive their last moments.
As you can imagine, she is in demand as folks seek their lost loved ones, but the law enforcement community is not always so crazy about her.
Harper and her stepbrother, Tolliver, help look for a missing girl in Arkansas and find themselves in danger when Harper senses some of the secrets in the small town.
I like Harris’ new series more than her Sookie Stackhouse vampire-werewolf series.
Faye Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com.
