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Bubbles Yablonsky #3
Bubbles Ablaze
The Barnes & Noble Review
Bubbles Yablonsky and sexy photojournalist Steve Stiletto are back in this wickedly funny follow-up to Bubbles in Trouble. This time out, their plans for a passionate get-together are foiled by a hot new case: the murder of a prominent local businessman who had recently petitioned for a permit to build a gambling casino in the town of Slagville, Pennsylvania. For many in the town, where unemployment was nearing 20 percent, a casino would mean "hotels, restaurants, an amusement park, and jobs, job, jobs." However, the proposed site for the casino happens to be a patch of land known as the Dead Zone -- an area lying between the town's active coal mine and the neighboring town of Limbo -- which sits atop an underground mine fire that's been burning for the past 40 years. Naturally, some in town are worried that the casino would be "full of grandmas at the slot machines collapse into a giant sinkhole faster than the Titanic sank into the North Atlantic."
Bubbles Yablonsky and sexy photojournalist Steve Stiletto are back in this wickedly funny follow-up to Bubbles in Trouble. This time out, their plans for a passionate get-together are foiled by a hot new case: the murder of a prominent local businessman who had recently petitioned for a permit to build a gambling casino in the town of Slagville, Pennsylvania. For many in the town, where unemployment was nearing 20 percent, a casino would mean "hotels, restaurants, an amusement park, and jobs, job, jobs." However, the proposed site for the casino happens to be a patch of land known as the Dead Zone -- an area lying between the town's active coal mine and the neighboring town of Limbo -- which sits atop an underground mine fire that's been burning for the past 40 years. Naturally, some in town are worried that the casino would be "full of grandmas at the slot machines collapse into a giant sinkhole faster than the Titanic sank into the North Atlantic."
So, for Bubbles and her motley crew of amateur sleuths, the motive may be obvious, but getting her shot at breaking a front-page news story for the Lehigh News-Times before the competition beats her to it is no easy task. Not only is the prime suspect married to her favorite cousin, but also, as Bubbles's luck would have it, the next victims on the culprit's list could very well be her and Stiletto!
With sharp, witty dialogue and colorfully engaging characters, Strohmeyer's Agatha Awardwinning mystery series continues to delight. Janet Evanovich has her Stephanie Plum; Susan Strohmeyer is making a claim to an equally endearing sleuth in Bubbles.
Tanya Chesterfield
MP3 Book
First published January 1, 2003
22 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Strohmeyer
26 books1,276 followersSarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 19, 2020
This was a good story. Lots to try and keep track of. I really like Bubbles, she is a fun character and you can’t help but root for her. Looking forward to reading more of her adventures. #readforkimberly
November 19, 2023
Love the coal mines in Pa
July 14, 2015
Steve and Bubbles try to have a romantic weekend. What could possibly go wrong? Murder, of course. This book is hilarious! Bubbles is quickly moving up to the ranks of my favorite heroine. If you haven't read these books, you're really missing out!
January 31, 2021
When Max Factor meets the Molly Maguires, heck, when Bubbles Yablonsky (aka Bub to G) meets (learns about) the Molly Maguires, you know you're in the heart of coal country. With her bodyguards/entourage of Mama and Genevieve to keep her safe, plus the bodyguard hired by Steve Stiletto, what could go wrong as Bubbles tries to find her cousin's missing husband, Stinky, with a few bodies and trip into a coal mine along the way? The Slagville Sirens are a delight, and not just because the Nag 'n Feed spell works so well. The Hoagie Ho brought visions of 5am hoagie making every month for the LHS band fundraisers; happily no untoward accidents every occurred, unlike Bubbles' rendezvous with Stinky, er, Pete. As ever with Bubbles, you just had to be there!
Will Jane end up with G after all? Will G blossom into a hair genius? Will Steve end his spiritual quest and chastity vow? Will Bubbles' hair survive her own chastity vow? Gotta keep on reading the series ...
Will Jane end up with G after all? Will G blossom into a hair genius? Will Steve end his spiritual quest and chastity vow? Will Bubbles' hair survive her own chastity vow? Gotta keep on reading the series ...
June 20, 2020
Bubbles is dealing with someone who is pulling the strings behind the scenes, luring her and Steve to an abandoned mine where a dead body is found and the car of her cousin's husband who is accused of being a dangerous ex employee of the mine.
She and Steve are nearly killed when there is a mine explosion. A suicide of one of the players further convinces her that there are unseen forces at work, hiding the secret mining, the new invention which could put out the under ground fires in limbo, making the possible casino plans a reason for rich profits to be on the horizon.
There are a zillion people running around the town, including Bubbles mother, Genevieve, a PI and his crazy parents and the town Sheriff, who listens to all phone calls and may be connected to the puppet master.
She and Steve are nearly killed when there is a mine explosion. A suicide of one of the players further convinces her that there are unseen forces at work, hiding the secret mining, the new invention which could put out the under ground fires in limbo, making the possible casino plans a reason for rich profits to be on the horizon.
There are a zillion people running around the town, including Bubbles mother, Genevieve, a PI and his crazy parents and the town Sheriff, who listens to all phone calls and may be connected to the puppet master.
June 10, 2018
Because the setting of this book wasn't something I could quite relate to, it wasn't my favorite, but it was still interesting with several funny parts.
Bubbles and Stiletto get summoned to investigate a murder, but it's a set-up to try to kill them. Stiletto's step-father didn't die at the end of book 2 and was working to make even more money and corrupting people along the way. At the end, though, one of the newly corrupted turned back to good and shot Metzger in the head instead of killing Bubbles.
Bubbles and Stiletto get summoned to investigate a murder, but it's a set-up to try to kill them. Stiletto's step-father didn't die at the end of book 2 and was working to make even more money and corrupting people along the way. At the end, though, one of the newly corrupted turned back to good and shot Metzger in the head instead of killing Bubbles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
Bubbles is a hairdresser, but is also always looking for the next big story. Coal mining, building a casino and figuring out how to build on land that has a burning core, leads to a great mystery. The characters in this series make it humorous and fun to read.
December 7, 2020
Bubbles is like a fun friend that doesn't require maintenance. She is much like Stephanie Plum in that if I miss a few details, I don't worry too much because I will be able to figure it out eventually. I love these stories--they are perfect mind-candy for pandemic entertainment.
February 11, 2019
I couldn't put this book down! I finished it in two days. My favorite so far. I found it to be a little edgy with that intensity you get from the possibility of danger.
February 20, 2019
Another fun book in the Bubbles Yablonsky series. I look forward to the next book.
June 19, 2020
Laugh out loud at the dialogue in this series! Waking my husband up with the giggles. Lighthearted read with a twist of murder thrown in. I can't get enough of this stress reducer
September 1, 2024
Could not finish it. Saw nothing interesting. So moving on. Still hope some will like it.
Read
March 17, 2025This totally did not work for me, but I finished it, so two stars for keeping me reading. I've got a chicken and the egg issue with this book because by the time things came to the crisis point and the players all started to be revealed, I found I couldn't keep the characters straight. Was it because the book didn't do a good job at making it clear, or was it because the book simply didn't resonate with me and thus nothing clicked?
There was a lot going on here that I just didn't get. I didn't think Bubbles' mother and friend Genevive were funny. Zeke's parents were horrible. Chrissy Price was horrible. A lot of the men were horrible -- including Stiletto, who really was quite a turd, especially in how he treated Bubbles. He's by turns controlling and manipulative, tacitly encouraging the rumors about him and Esmerelda. Man, I hope Bubbles dumps him. And at the end? WOW.
I also couldn't get a fix on Bubbles. Is she a ditz? Is she a legit reporter? Is she kind? Compassionate? Smart? Caring? Driven? What is she? She seemed kind of bland and nothing about her stood out -- except for the money stuff. The "I put my $19.95 Payless special shoe through the door." It simply wasn't authentic to the speech of people who live on very small, tight budgets, shall we say. (Or not? Okay. Poor. Poverty line. But... is Bubbles poverty line? It's impossible to tell. My hairdressers make easy six figures. So why can't Bubbles? Is she even working as a reporter? If so, what's her salary? If you're going to portray her in this socioeconomic class, these are germane questions... and the expectations that readers who live in this world are going to recognize not only where she shops but her mindset about it, and that mindset is what's missing.)
I just have too many questions that aren't answered, and they are important questions that kept me from wanting to discover those answers.
There was a lot going on here that I just didn't get. I didn't think Bubbles' mother and friend Genevive were funny. Zeke's parents were horrible. Chrissy Price was horrible. A lot of the men were horrible -- including Stiletto, who really was quite a turd, especially in how he treated Bubbles. He's by turns controlling and manipulative, tacitly encouraging the rumors about him and Esmerelda. Man, I hope Bubbles dumps him. And at the end? WOW.
I also couldn't get a fix on Bubbles. Is she a ditz? Is she a legit reporter? Is she kind? Compassionate? Smart? Caring? Driven? What is she? She seemed kind of bland and nothing about her stood out -- except for the money stuff. The "I put my $19.95 Payless special shoe through the door." It simply wasn't authentic to the speech of people who live on very small, tight budgets, shall we say. (Or not? Okay. Poor. Poverty line. But... is Bubbles poverty line? It's impossible to tell. My hairdressers make easy six figures. So why can't Bubbles? Is she even working as a reporter? If so, what's her salary? If you're going to portray her in this socioeconomic class, these are germane questions... and the expectations that readers who live in this world are going to recognize not only where she shops but her mindset about it, and that mindset is what's missing.)
I just have too many questions that aren't answered, and they are important questions that kept me from wanting to discover those answers.
May 17, 2013
This was the third installment of the Bubbles mystery series. Bubbles is cute, funny, and admirable. But this particular mystery was drawn out and hard to follow, with too many characters. I like Bubbles and her family and friends, but there were just too many characters to keep track of. Solving the mystery wasn't even possible with all the extra players, but I didn't even seem to care - this is one of those books you just want it to end so you can move on to the next one in the series.
I'm a big supporter of the underdog, but the reference towards the end that Bubbles is a better reporter than a seasoned AP reporter was a little hard to fathom. This one didn't leave me wanting too much more from Bubbles as a reporter. I would like for her to go back to being primarily a hairdresser who gets pulled into adventures.
On the bright side, I hope Bubble's cousin, Roxanne, comes back to visit in future installments. With Jane moving on to more mature men (which is a good thing), I'm hopeful G will manage to stay in the series in some capacity.
I "read" this book via CD, and the narration by Barbara McCulloh was spot on. She really brings Bubbles and her cohorts to life, which is just about all that this installmnt of the series had going for it. I can't imagine having to read this one from the written page.
I'm a big supporter of the underdog, but the reference towards the end that Bubbles is a better reporter than a seasoned AP reporter was a little hard to fathom. This one didn't leave me wanting too much more from Bubbles as a reporter. I would like for her to go back to being primarily a hairdresser who gets pulled into adventures.
On the bright side, I hope Bubble's cousin, Roxanne, comes back to visit in future installments. With Jane moving on to more mature men (which is a good thing), I'm hopeful G will manage to stay in the series in some capacity.
I "read" this book via CD, and the narration by Barbara McCulloh was spot on. She really brings Bubbles and her cohorts to life, which is just about all that this installmnt of the series had going for it. I can't imagine having to read this one from the written page.
May 25, 2015
I love the Bubbles stories. Not because they are great literary works, but first, because they are about my "Home Town" of Bethlehem PA. The streets I remember, the actual High School I attended, Freedom. The High School my Mom went to, Liberty. The streets and the different bridges, routes and towns that are mentioned. Two Guys was an actual booming store back in the late '60's and 70's. It was on Easton Avenue not far from where I grew up. However East Hills wasn't really as uppity as Bubbles alluded to. But Thanks , just the same Sarah! I just love listening to the Bubbles Saga.
I love the Narrators voice because she sounds las if she could be one of the locals. The foods that are mentioned are so much like things that I grew up eating. I just plain enjoy this series. The historical aspect is changed, there is no actual town named "Limbo" but the town with the fire burning below is true. A lady I quilt with Norma, in her 70's is from that area, she sent me an email and the towns name is(was?) Centralia.
Anyway, the Bubbles books are a treasure. I hope she gets her Honeymoon with Steve, somewhere besides the Poconos. What great fun I have had listening and laughing with these books!
I love the Narrators voice because she sounds las if she could be one of the locals. The foods that are mentioned are so much like things that I grew up eating. I just plain enjoy this series. The historical aspect is changed, there is no actual town named "Limbo" but the town with the fire burning below is true. A lady I quilt with Norma, in her 70's is from that area, she sent me an email and the towns name is(was?) Centralia.
Anyway, the Bubbles books are a treasure. I hope she gets her Honeymoon with Steve, somewhere besides the Poconos. What great fun I have had listening and laughing with these books!
September 1, 2010
This is the 3rd installment of the Bubbles Yablonski series. Her romance with photographer Steve Stiletto heats up in this exciting fast paced novel. With witty dialoge and oddball characters, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. Someone is posing as Steve Stiletto and tried to set Steve and Bubbles up to be murdered. Instead they find a dead body, and later a suicide. Now Bubbles and Steve are compeating for the same story. Having Bubbles armed with a portable curling iron, and Genevive armed with mashed potatoes, the bunch is on the hunt to find the murderer and solve the mystery. I give this book yet another 5 BOLD stars
February 2, 2012
A continuously burning underground fire in a coal mine, leaves the land, what most consider worthless, but Stinky's Fire Extinguishers can make the land worth Billions, giving motive for several murders. LOTS of characters and suspects make this challenging to read.
Spoiler Alert: In the end it was the guy who died 2 books ago, didn't see that coming. Wonder if he's really dead this time? Amazing how fictional characters both in books and on TV seem to come back to life. I don't know of a single person in real life who has resurrected. A few who think they are Jesus but don't think they've actually risen from the dead.
Spoiler Alert: In the end it was the guy who died 2 books ago, didn't see that coming. Wonder if he's really dead this time? Amazing how fictional characters both in books and on TV seem to come back to life. I don't know of a single person in real life who has resurrected. A few who think they are Jesus but don't think they've actually risen from the dead.
March 25, 2013
Bubbles is off to Slagville to investigate a murder of a high profile person. It ends up her cousin's husband, Stinky, is involved as well. Meanwhile Steven Stiletto is getting cozy with a beautiful old acquaintance. Someone seems to know an awful lot about Steve and Bubbles and their schedules. The whole family ends up in Slagville facing off against the Slagville Sirens. The end was sort of a surprise of resurrected dead man Henry Metzger being behind the entire thing. I didn't think this was as good a story as previous books. At the end, Stiletto has taken a vow of chastity after his brush with death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2011
Bubbles always gets herself into these crazy, convoluted mysteries! In this one, she comes across Esmeralda Green, an AP reporter who seems to have a past with Steve. Irritating! She also gets involved with coal country, murder, kidnapping, and a ghost from her past. Dun dun dun! This is another hysterical addition to the Bubbles series. She just cracks me up. She's getting smarter, thinking more like a reporter, that's for sure. Hopefully the Zeke thing works out, because he seems like a good character. Onward with Bubbles!
April 21, 2013
Enjoyable and fun....kept me guessing in parts and I didn't see the twist until about 5 min before Bubbles. My rule on mysteries is I will keep reading the ones by an author until I can predict the who, why and how of the crime. This is why I don't read Agatha Christie anymore. So far, I'm entertained!
Oh, and I totally hope that Zeke and Jane work out. I was hoping for the two of them to get together...and hoping Jane would pick a normal hair color....I'm hoping in book 4 that these things happen...
Oh, and I totally hope that Zeke and Jane work out. I was hoping for the two of them to get together...and hoping Jane would pick a normal hair color....I'm hoping in book 4 that these things happen...
August 4, 2008
God I love these books! I discovered them at my local library, before I moved, read the 3 that they had, and forgot about looking for more! I really think Sarah Strohmeyer had a goldmine idea here. I'm usually not one for such silliness, but the zany Bubbles, who is everything I'm not, just cracks me up! and the home recipes are great! I totally intend to stain my hair with coffee one of these days... and I'm always deviously telling teenagers how to color their hair with Kool-aid.
January 2, 2010
Bubbles Yablonski is Pennsylvania's answer to Stephanie Plum. A no-so dumb blonde hairdresser/investigative reporter and her hunky boyfriend solve mysteries in spite of the help of her odd assortment of relatives. I am definately going to look for the other books in this series and will recommend them to my fellow Plum fans.
August 3, 2016
This book is a screwball mystery or at least that's what I call it. A little too much intimate details for me, but nothing outrageous. If you like Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich, this will be a book you might enjoy as well. Pennsylvania regional details & real(quirky)characters. Not realistic maybe, but it is entertaining.
March 26, 2013
LOVED the Bubbles series by Sarah Strohmeyer!! Funny, engaging and so well written, with enough anticipation and surprise to keep the pages turning... the characters drew me in and kept me there. As I finished each book, I couldn't wait to open the next one in the series.LOVED the Bubbles series by Sarah Strohmeyer!!
May 6, 2015
10 sound discs (11 hr., 30 min.) Borrowed from Springfield library.
When Bubbles' dream weekend with jetsetting photographer Steve Stiletto is interrupted by a wild ride down an abandoned mine shaft in a runaway coal car, it isn't long before she's discovered a dead body and found herself in the midst of a high-powered conspiracy. In other words, Bubbles is at it again.
When Bubbles' dream weekend with jetsetting photographer Steve Stiletto is interrupted by a wild ride down an abandoned mine shaft in a runaway coal car, it isn't long before she's discovered a dead body and found herself in the midst of a high-powered conspiracy. In other words, Bubbles is at it again.
August 24, 2014
Bubbles gets a call that has her racing to an abandoned coal mine for a potential big story. She finds her boyfriend, Steve Stilletto, unconscious, and another man dead. Getting Steve out of the coal mine isn't easy when an explosion blocks them in.
Third in the series. Very funny. My rating: 4 Stars.
Third in the series. Very funny. My rating: 4 Stars.
August 5, 2009
I love this series!!!! Its so funny. I feel bad for Bubbles some times but then i have to giggle and think that she deserves what she got lol. You never know what you are going to get when you turn the page on these series. A must read.
June 24, 2010
This was a struggle to get through. The author is clearly mimicking Janet Evanovich, but without the wit. The plot was much too confusing, with too many characters made to look overly quirky. Too bad, because some of the themes--miners' rights, for example--could have been explored effectively.
September 28, 2010
3.5
The mystery to this one is a bit convoluted. I wish I'd had the print format to more easily flip back to key ideas or character scene. So, while I enjoyed the other two versions in audio, this might have been better with text.
That said, I am officially hooked on Bubbles Yablonsky!
The mystery to this one is a bit convoluted. I wish I'd had the print format to more easily flip back to key ideas or character scene. So, while I enjoyed the other two versions in audio, this might have been better with text.
That said, I am officially hooked on Bubbles Yablonsky!
April 18, 2011
This series is growing on me - this was good and funny. Very much in the Janet Evanovich Staphanie Plum mould. Bubbles has an on again off again rommance going, that is definately on again in this story.
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