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Haircut and Highlights
Abby, the owner of Goldilocks Hair Salon, is shocked when she finds blood at the entrance of her salon. She has a soft spot for a homeless woman named Rose, who she wants to rehabilitate. But Abby fears the blood found at her salon may belong to Rose, since the woman slept there and now has disappeared.
Determined to find Rose, Abby becomes an amateur sleuth, but is discouraged by Jack, a Daytona Beach Police Sergeant. While their relationship blossoms, in the wings is the handsome neighbor and fireman Mark, who has a knack for being present whenever Abby gets into trouble.
Relationships become complicated when a young employee becomes pregnant and one hairdresser doesn't view Rose quite the same as Abby. Despite intrigue, danger and being stalked, Abby maintains her bright outlook and wisdom. Readers will enjoy the times when some characters from the author's 50-Plus Condo series visit the salon.
The first book in the Daytona Beach Mysteries series, 'Haircut and Highlights' is a mystery involving love of humanity, coming of age and romance, with a touch of faith.
Determined to find Rose, Abby becomes an amateur sleuth, but is discouraged by Jack, a Daytona Beach Police Sergeant. While their relationship blossoms, in the wings is the handsome neighbor and fireman Mark, who has a knack for being present whenever Abby gets into trouble.
Relationships become complicated when a young employee becomes pregnant and one hairdresser doesn't view Rose quite the same as Abby. Despite intrigue, danger and being stalked, Abby maintains her bright outlook and wisdom. Readers will enjoy the times when some characters from the author's 50-Plus Condo series visit the salon.
The first book in the Daytona Beach Mysteries series, 'Haircut and Highlights' is a mystery involving love of humanity, coming of age and romance, with a touch of faith.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 29, 2025
Really boring. Would not waste my time on anything else by this author.
September 27, 2025
Explains the characters.
This book gives the background of the characters and since I accidentally read book 2 before Book 1 the characters are now better understood.
Abby is fresh out of a divorce and looking to rebuild her life in Daytona Beach.
Along the way of opening up a new hair salon and hiring beauticians, she falls for a police officer meets her neighbor, the fireman, helps a homeless woman and has her ex husband show up. She also is nearly killed.
It's enjoyable, but if I had read this first, I don't think I would be looking forward to reading the next books.
This book gives the background of the characters and since I accidentally read book 2 before Book 1 the characters are now better understood.
Abby is fresh out of a divorce and looking to rebuild her life in Daytona Beach.
Along the way of opening up a new hair salon and hiring beauticians, she falls for a police officer meets her neighbor, the fireman, helps a homeless woman and has her ex husband show up. She also is nearly killed.
It's enjoyable, but if I had read this first, I don't think I would be looking forward to reading the next books.
May 7, 2024
I thought this was going to be a mystery. And I guess it was. In part. There were a lot of side stories happening.
Then all of a sudden I'm at the end. Not a cliffhanger, but I wasn't expecting it to end so abruptly.
It's the first in a series. It looks like the future books feed off of the side stories, in part. I won't read the next one
There was too much going on for me to really enjoy the book.
Then all of a sudden I'm at the end. Not a cliffhanger, but I wasn't expecting it to end so abruptly.
It's the first in a series. It looks like the future books feed off of the side stories, in part. I won't read the next one
There was too much going on for me to really enjoy the book.
May 6, 2024
Haircut and Highlights
I loved this book. It's different because it actually helps to see the homeless in a different way. I'm on my way to buy the second one. Lol, grab a cup of tea or coffee and get started. You'll be glad you did.
I loved this book. It's different because it actually helps to see the homeless in a different way. I'm on my way to buy the second one. Lol, grab a cup of tea or coffee and get started. You'll be glad you did.
July 15, 2024
Not a Mystery Book
This is not a mystery but still a good read about relationships, challenges and being kind and grateful while calling on God for help. Worth reading, even for a mystery buff.
This is not a mystery but still a good read about relationships, challenges and being kind and grateful while calling on God for help. Worth reading, even for a mystery buff.
November 20, 2024
A not-well-written story with redemption and kindness as its themes. I liked it enough to give it 3 stars.
May 4, 2024
I listened to this entire book while on an international flight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Abby opens a hair salon and befriends a young woman and a homeless woman. Abby's strong faith guides her through difficult and dangerous events. Ivvy, the young woman, becomes pregnant. Rose, the homeless woman, witnessed a murder and disappears. Abby found out she had been dating a player. Her worries about Ivy and Rose are profound. Eventually Ivy had the baby and marries the baby's daddy, Rose gets a job and moved in with Abby. The murderer comes looking for Rose and tries to kill Abby. Fortunately Abby's neighbor comes to her rescue. Abby's faith had kept her strong and as she shares that faith with others they do better. I love that faith is throughout the story and that all ends well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2025
MC professed to be a Christian however some of her behaviour was not great and she never felt bad about it. I don't think she should have been mad Jack was dating others because they never said they were exclusive. Then to shave a bald strip from the nape of his neck to his hairline on his forehead was ridiculous - and she never once felt bad about it. Where's her "turn the other cheek" thinking or even her forgiving others so that she may be forgiven. She also didn't seem to be working on deepening her relationship with God by reading the Bible or praying regularly.
On top of that the writing wasn't that good. There were contradictions in the story and it was choppy - it didn't flow smoothly.
All in all I was disappointed.
On top of that the writing wasn't that good. There were contradictions in the story and it was choppy - it didn't flow smoothly.
All in all I was disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
New life in Daytona
Abby relocates to Daytona Beach and begins to rebuild her life and the life of those around her. Interesting characters, interesting take on the life of the homeless. Being from a different culture, it is difficult to imagine how easily one can become homeless in a country like America. It easily brings to mind the concept of the working poor.
Abby and Ivy are nice well developed characters. Abby's faith helps to define and set the tone for the book.
Abby relocates to Daytona Beach and begins to rebuild her life and the life of those around her. Interesting characters, interesting take on the life of the homeless. Being from a different culture, it is difficult to imagine how easily one can become homeless in a country like America. It easily brings to mind the concept of the working poor.
Abby and Ivy are nice well developed characters. Abby's faith helps to define and set the tone for the book.
June 16, 2024
Ready start Book 2
Janie definitely set the scene for this one as a someone that grew up in Daytona the descriptions of the area are to the tea. I am ready to start book 2 I need to know what happens next.
Janie definitely set the scene for this one as a someone that grew up in Daytona the descriptions of the area are to the tea. I am ready to start book 2 I need to know what happens next.
April 17, 2025
Amazing story about redemption and new beginnings Abby is opening her hair salon after an ugly divorce in an attempt to start over, she helps Rose a homeless woman. There are many complicated twists and turns to this story. Great Read.
August 19, 2025
Ok
Have the next two, but am unlikely to read them. Too religious for my taste. Story is reasonable, but I just don't do religion. If you're a fan of "christian" books, you may like this.
Have the next two, but am unlikely to read them. Too religious for my taste. Story is reasonable, but I just don't do religion. If you're a fan of "christian" books, you may like this.
August 21, 2025
Love the variety of characters
Very entertaining as the author intertwines the unique characters as the stories progress. Redemptive theme for homeless and naive is refreshing. Abby's faith is inspirational
Very entertaining as the author intertwines the unique characters as the stories progress. Redemptive theme for homeless and naive is refreshing. Abby's faith is inspirational
August 23, 2025
Nice Story
It's fun to read a story that is about people's lives and not all serial killer mayhem. You follow a woman who believes the best of everyone until she sees some that are nasty and manipulating.
It's fun to read a story that is about people's lives and not all serial killer mayhem. You follow a woman who believes the best of everyone until she sees some that are nasty and manipulating.
September 2, 2025
A real feel good story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and almost all of them were likable. One person helping another made me feel as if there is hope for all of us.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and almost all of them were likable. One person helping another made me feel as if there is hope for all of us.
September 24, 2025
An easy read
The storyline is good but the writing style can get a little preachy.
Tried to tackle big issues but a bit superficial. Will probably give the next book in the series a go but need to see more depth to the characters to really be drawn on and invested.
The storyline is good but the writing style can get a little preachy.
Tried to tackle big issues but a bit superficial. Will probably give the next book in the series a go but need to see more depth to the characters to really be drawn on and invested.
September 27, 2025
A wonderful book
I really enjoyed reading this book. Abby is the owner of a salon.She ends up adopting a Siamese kitten. She also becomes friendly with other women who work in her area. There is murder and mayhem too.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Abby is the owner of a salon.She ends up adopting a Siamese kitten. She also becomes friendly with other women who work in her area. There is murder and mayhem too.
March 9, 2026
Haircut and Highlights by Janie Owens is the first installment in the Daytona Beach Mysteries series; a cozy mystery that follows Abby, a recent divorcee who moves to Daytona Beach, Florida, to open "Goldilocks Hair Salon." She is shocked when, one day, she discovers blood at the entrance of her salon and fears it may belong to Rose, a homeless woman she's been trying to help, who has suddenly disappeared. Like many other characters in cozy mysteries such as this one, Abby becomes an amateur sleuth to try and solve the mystery.
Every now and then, I immerse myself in feel-good stories, which provide a necessary break from the heavier subjects I typically read. This one has a nice atmosphere with its salon setting and descriptions of Daytona Beach. Its focus on kindness and new beginnings was also appealing.
However, although the concept was interesting, the execution was somewhat lacking. I wanted to stop reading early on but kept going, hoping it would improve. One of the biggest drawbacks for me was its often preachy tone and overt religious themes. The significant issues tackled felt a bit superficial, character development was weak, pacing was slow, and the book could be quite dull at times. This isn't the worst book I've ever read, but I wasn't invested enough to continue with the series.
Every now and then, I immerse myself in feel-good stories, which provide a necessary break from the heavier subjects I typically read. This one has a nice atmosphere with its salon setting and descriptions of Daytona Beach. Its focus on kindness and new beginnings was also appealing.
However, although the concept was interesting, the execution was somewhat lacking. I wanted to stop reading early on but kept going, hoping it would improve. One of the biggest drawbacks for me was its often preachy tone and overt religious themes. The significant issues tackled felt a bit superficial, character development was weak, pacing was slow, and the book could be quite dull at times. This isn't the worst book I've ever read, but I wasn't invested enough to continue with the series.
May 3, 2026
Like a comfy chat with a good friend
Opening this book and sitting down to read it, I almost felt like I was one of the patrons of Abby's salon. It left me wanting to read what is next in the series because I wasn't yet ready to say goodbye to the characters.
Opening this book and sitting down to read it, I almost felt like I was one of the patrons of Abby's salon. It left me wanting to read what is next in the series because I wasn't yet ready to say goodbye to the characters.
April 22, 2024
Loved every paragraph
Well drawn characters and realistic plot and dialogue all come together to make this book a winner. Happy to have found it.
Well drawn characters and realistic plot and dialogue all come together to make this book a winner. Happy to have found it.
June 26, 2024
Excellent
I couldn't put this book down and I am looking forward to the next one in this series. Pick this first book up and dare yourself to put it down.
I couldn't put this book down and I am looking forward to the next one in this series. Pick this first book up and dare yourself to put it down.
August 21, 2025
very good first book in a good series.
September 6, 2025
I loved the self confidence of Abby the main character. She didn’t mince words and said how it was or just came out and asked. Nor did other ppls attitude or lack of concern change her thinking. She really showed God’s kindness.
October 12, 2025
Sorry but this was a rather boring book. Characters are not developed. Very surface level read.
December 25, 2025
I really liked this book,kept my attention.
February 2, 2026
I liked most aspects of the story - homelessness, murder, the salon characters - but I don't want to read a preachy book telling characters (and the world) to pray.
March 28, 2026
Loved it
This book had me giggling, holding my breath and hoping everything worked out, for everyone. Thoroughly enjoyed a refreshing read
This book had me giggling, holding my breath and hoping everything worked out, for everyone. Thoroughly enjoyed a refreshing read
May 19, 2026
Book 1 of a new series
I liked the characters & the plot. The book brings out the subject of homelessness & feelings around that subject. On to book 2!
I liked the characters & the plot. The book brings out the subject of homelessness & feelings around that subject. On to book 2!
June 25, 2026
Ah yes, the way to solve your homeless problem is with a good hair cut and "making an effort"
God knows how this has a 4 star rating.
God knows how this has a 4 star rating.
July 9, 2026
While it held my interest, this story was short of my interests. Thought there would be a more mysterious scenario. It was really a religious storyline and not really believeable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews