Stardom Can Be Murder

Charlie Parker #12

by Connie Shelton

It seems like a simple trip to the bank, but it becomes a terrifying case of mistaken identity when a gang of robbers grab Charlie and someone tells them that she is a famous movie star. Disappointed with their take from the bank, they decide that a hefty ransom will be their ticket to riches. But what will happen when the real star steps forward? Charlie knows that only her wits will save her from this band of desperate men.

Meanwhile, in a race against the clock, Charlie's husband Drake is working with the FBI and local authorities to get Charlie back before her captors realize their mistake.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook

282 pages, Nook

First published April 20, 2011

About the author

My love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.

I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.

In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.

Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery

Reviews

[Jeffrey Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is kidnapped and held for ransom!

Our favorite heroine is mistaken for a celebrity and kidnapped during a botched bank robbery. What follows is a harrowing jaunt through the desert southwest as the kidnappers try to avoid the authorities and Charlie tries to come up with some way to free herself.

Great addition to the series! Gonna start the next!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie Shelton can really write a good story, and I was happy to finally get back to catching up with the Charlie Parker series. Her stories are borderline cozy but with an edge. Great main characters that don't mess around. Next in series lined up to read!

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book just as much as the others in this series. Where this one confused me was how they handled the apparent death of the main character’s dog, Rusty. We had just lost our own beloved dog weeks ago and it had a major impact on us. This book doesn’t mention Rusty at all until about 3/4 of the way through the book when Drake comes upon a woman giving away a puppy she found. Drake decides to adopt it because “they’ve missed having a dog around.” WTF??? THAT is how you’re going to let readers know that Rusty has died??? He wasn’t worthy of even a chapter explaining his death and their grief over it? Did I somehow miss a book or a short story that talks about Rusty that isn’t mentioned on the author’s website?

I was so confused that I had to go back and skim the previous book and the beginning of this one because I was sure I had missed it. I can’t be the only one that was like…wait…what? They don’t even mention Rusty by name or say he’s died. I can’t even begin to understand that, especially considering these books were previously titled “A Girl and her Dog Mystery.”

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read the next one

Each book gets better and better. I really like how in the prior book and this one that Samantha’s Sweets is mentioned. Those were my favorite, but theses are seriously growing on me. Looking forward to the next one. Glad I bought all of them. Starting the next one have a great day.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure I skipped ahead about 20 chapters because I don’t like hostage/kidnapping stories. Even at that I still gave it a 4. I love the characters. Btw, Rusty has gone on to his reward but a new pup has come along.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Michelle Himbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

I love this series. Connie never disappoints. Great characters and stories. I love your Samantha Sweets books too. I highly recommend this author

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 stars. Connie Shelton certainly knows how to write multiple viewpoints.

[WANDA HARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

scary, but brave, smart Charlie handles it! Having lived in that area, I still feel like I'm with her anytime she's in a car. Love this series, after finishing Stardom, I clicked into Phantoms..

[Diann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been getting bogged down for a while with Charlie Parker, but this was a good pick-me-up in the series.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't read this one, I had to cut out a good chunk of it, it is too hard to read about the kidnaping, staying alive, and planning for ways to escape.


The End though, is very satisfying.

[Kathie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla04/15/19 this was my least favorite of her books so far.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it...I wrote this one. Decided to give it a mention because my long-time editor was so overboard about it. She really felt that I shook up the series with this one and kept raving "love it!" Readers who haven't read earlier books in the series would probably want to do so, just to get a better introduction to the characters and where their lives are when this one starts. Enjoy!

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Charlie Parker story, with Charlie as the victim in a bank robbery gone wrong.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Charlie Parker book!! Love this series too. Can't wait for more.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit blah. I thought it ended, then it ended again, and once again, a contrived (several times) ending.

[Elaine]

#12 in the Charlie Parker series

[Diane Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliff hanger!

Wonderful romp with Charlie that keeps you guessing at what will happen next!
And great new addition to the cast of characters!

[Aleta]

very entertaining