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Soap Opera Mystery #1
Death in Daytime
First in a fun new soap opera MYSTERY series-written by an emmy-nominated soap star... She's bold. She's beautiful. And she's about to go to jail for murder... Soap opera actress Alexis Peterson has starred in the nation's top soap opera for almost 20 years. But her career takes a nose-dive when Marcy Blanchard is hired as the head writer. Little did Alexis realize that Marcy's been holding a grudge all these years-and is ready to take her revenge. So when Marcy turns up dead, bludgeoned to death with her Emmy, no one is surprised that Alexis is the prime suspect. No one except Alexis, that is, who knows she has to take matters into her own hands if she wants to avoid being arrested for a crime she didn't commit-and becoming the real killer's next victim...
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2008
27 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Davidson
6 books49 followersEileen Davidson originated the role of Jabot Cosmetics executive Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1982. She departed the show in 1989 and returned in 1999. Davidson was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" in 2003, and was nominated for a Soap Opera Award for "Favorite Return" in 1999. In 1998, she made daytime television history for portraying five characters at one time on Days of Our Lives, and was honored with a Daytime Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" for her performances. She previously portrayed Kelly Capwell on the daytime drama Santa Barbara. Davidson also starred in the primetime television series Broken Badges and the telefilm Sharing Richard with Ed Marinaro.
Her feature film credits include starring roles in Eternity with Jon Voight and Armande Assante, and Easy Wheels, with Paul LeMat. She also starred in The House on Sorority Row. A Southern California native, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Vincent Van Patten; her son, Jesse; and two stepsons, Duke and Vinny. When Davidson is not working, she surfs, snow skies and scuba dives. She also plays piano, paints and enjoys writing.
Her feature film credits include starring roles in Eternity with Jon Voight and Armande Assante, and Easy Wheels, with Paul LeMat. She also starred in The House on Sorority Row. A Southern California native, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Vincent Van Patten; her son, Jesse; and two stepsons, Duke and Vinny. When Davidson is not working, she surfs, snow skies and scuba dives. She also plays piano, paints and enjoys writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 14, 2024
reading all Real Housewives books reading vlog: https://youtu.be/yuhvTqFl_sI
the author obvi wrote this in a day and i suffered through it for 3
the author obvi wrote this in a day and i suffered through it for 3
December 19, 2020
This series appeared on a goodreads friend's list this week, and I decided to try it. I approached it with a good deal of trepidation since I don't watch TV and know nothing about soaps. To my relief, it was very entertaining, although I am hoping that the main character Alex Peterson isn't going to turn out to be one of these women who can't make up her mind or commit to a relationship. There are already two male interests in the first book, and both are worthy recipients of her affections. I plan to read the next in the series and see if it holds up. The mystery itself isn't all that great. I knew who I wanted to be the murderer early on and that's who it was all right. An easy and fun read.
January 16, 2017
My guilty pleasure being "Real Housewives of BH," I picked up the first mystery by soap and reality TV star, Eileen Davidson. The actress's voice and sense of humor come through clearly in the character of Alexis Peterson, a long-time star of "The Yearning Tide." It was fun to get an inside look (albeit, a fictional and, I assume, exaggerated one) behind the scenes of a top soap opera. Of course, just as in the soaps, the dialog is padded and the scenes are dragged out somewhat to extend the story line, and the motive in the end a little forced. But I so liked the character and voice of Alexis that I had to give this a third star. I don't read as many cozies as I once did, but confirmed readers of this genre will probably enjoy this mystery as much, if not more.
November 10, 2010
I liked this cozy and learned a lot of behind the scenes things about soaps. I nearly spit my tea out when the author mentioned an ugly rumor being spread about the main character being a man by a vengeful head writer, because I know that rumor happened to the author herself and now I wonder if that is why! This protaganist is a little more blunt and sassy than other cozy protaganists, (I means she even swears...the horror!), but I liked her and the mystery. I will def. read book 2.
April 21, 2010
Super cute mystery. I was attracted by the idea that this book was written my an actress on a soap I watch sometimes, but I was pleasantly surprised by a fun story.
March 16, 2018
This was a really fun book. The story flowed well, and I loved the short chapters. I needed to read a book written by a celebrity for a library challenge and this fit the bill to a "T." There was a bit more foul language than what you normally see in a cozy, but it mainly came from one side character in particular. I think the author wanted this character to be rather obnoxious and that was one way of doing it.
It felt like the story was coming from the authors own voice, which in turn made me feel that I was seeing real insight into the world of daytime drama. I definitely want to read the rest of the series.
It felt like the story was coming from the authors own voice, which in turn made me feel that I was seeing real insight into the world of daytime drama. I definitely want to read the rest of the series.
January 25, 2018
It started out as three stars— kind of vapid and oddly delightful (I did a full narration to an audience for this novel, which might have made it slightly better than it would have been if I had just straight-up read it). But! Then she had to go all 'old woman very out of touch thinks she's queen of 'the gays' simultaneously transphobic and homophobic in a few of the chapters' so I knocked off a full star for that.
I might read the second one, I don't know.
I might read the second one, I don't know.
July 31, 2024
Will look for more of this older series as it was fun and interesting. A soap star must hide from a killer and dodge the police who have her as suspect numero uno for murder. She hunts, she interviews her fellow cast members, she gets attacked, she starts to fall for the cop after her head. All the normal things in a light murder mystery.
May 6, 2025
in all fairness - this rating may be more reflective of the soap opera mystery genre, than it is of the book. however, i knew it was the life coach wellll before it was proclaimed. i have to hold the predictably of this book accountable, and as a result it is reviving 3 stars.
i also think my expectations of the ‘daytime’ life were let down. i could’ve killed (lol) for a little more.
i also think my expectations of the ‘daytime’ life were let down. i could’ve killed (lol) for a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
I love soaps so I most likely will read #2.
April 4, 2018
Eileen Davidson is not only a great actress, she can also write a great cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
September 18, 2020
Not really enough mystery, not really enough daytime drama. It has its moments but it’s also very transphobic right at the end.
November 28, 2020
This is a fun murder mystery. I had fun trying to figure out who it was going to be. Eileen Davidson uses her experience as a Soap Opera actress to give the reader an awesome ride.
August 24, 2021
A fun mystery that kept my interest.
November 16, 2023
Being a long time soap and Eileen Davidson fan, I enjoyed this book very much. It was fun, lite reading which I needed!
June 10, 2012
What a fun little mystery!! This book is not one of those high-brow stories by any means, but it is a fun little read where you are wondering for the greater majority of the book who the killer is. Unfortunately it does become quickly apparent about 3/4 of the way in who it is, but I enjoyed the book regardless of this fact because you were still left wondering why up until the reveal.
I recognize that this is the first novel written by Eileen Davidson, who is primarily an actress known for roles on Days of Our Lives and Young and the Restless, so I thought this was a rather good attempt at creating a mystery story. I think she mixes just enough of her own individual knowledge of being an actress with the threads for the mystery aspect that it comes out just right in both directions. This is a book where you have to get through the initial few chapters because Davidson has to get her footing, but once you get past that you will greatly enjoy the book. Also she adds elements as it goes along that will make reading subsequent books interesting, such as a love triangle. Also the friend/family characters that are around the main character, Alexis, do not seem forced, but natural extensions of her. They feel like people that a real actress would have surrounding her, which adds a very believable element to this story.
There is not a lot of help in discovering the killer in this particular book because I think Davidson is used to more of the dialogue of a soap opera, which doesn't necessarily help her out in the writing here, which is why I give it only four instead of five. I believe as she progresses as an author she will get better, thus I believe the subsequent books will be a thrill to read.
I recognize that this is the first novel written by Eileen Davidson, who is primarily an actress known for roles on Days of Our Lives and Young and the Restless, so I thought this was a rather good attempt at creating a mystery story. I think she mixes just enough of her own individual knowledge of being an actress with the threads for the mystery aspect that it comes out just right in both directions. This is a book where you have to get through the initial few chapters because Davidson has to get her footing, but once you get past that you will greatly enjoy the book. Also she adds elements as it goes along that will make reading subsequent books interesting, such as a love triangle. Also the friend/family characters that are around the main character, Alexis, do not seem forced, but natural extensions of her. They feel like people that a real actress would have surrounding her, which adds a very believable element to this story.
There is not a lot of help in discovering the killer in this particular book because I think Davidson is used to more of the dialogue of a soap opera, which doesn't necessarily help her out in the writing here, which is why I give it only four instead of five. I believe as she progresses as an author she will get better, thus I believe the subsequent books will be a thrill to read.
January 28, 2013
Review from Backchatting Books
"Death in Daytime" is a light soap opera mystery written by a soap opera star Eileen Davidson – she’s the one who played Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless and starred in Days of Our Lives. Writing a mystery with a soap opera diva detective is a smart move as it is obviously a world she is familiar with. A head writer with a grudge against our protagonist has her head smashed in with her Emmy and Alexis is the prime suspect. It is a fun story even though it is not terribly complicated.
The main character, Alexis Petersen, seems to walk around in a bit of a bubble. She is fairly self-centred and keeps reassuring herself that she doesn’t really care what other people think about her. There wasn’t a lot of subtlety with the characters – much like a soap opera – which was a shame. I would have liked a deeper sense of how Alexis became the way she did beyond the cursory background we were given. The secondary characters were also drawn with the same broad strokes. Some of the situations she gets herself into beggar belief as her investigating skills are fairly basic. If I read any more of this series, I hope Alexis improves in this department.
Given Davidson’s background, the novel reads more like a soap opera script. I guessed the baddie fairly easily even though there were a few red herrings slipped in to trip up the unwary reader. The plot dragged a bit in the middle with the obligatory potential love triangle. Generally speaking, all the right ingredients were there but they needed greater finesse. Humour was sprinkled throughout and it made the book more palatable.
I think that future books will probably be more engaging as Davidson refines her style.
"Death in Daytime" is a light soap opera mystery written by a soap opera star Eileen Davidson – she’s the one who played Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless and starred in Days of Our Lives. Writing a mystery with a soap opera diva detective is a smart move as it is obviously a world she is familiar with. A head writer with a grudge against our protagonist has her head smashed in with her Emmy and Alexis is the prime suspect. It is a fun story even though it is not terribly complicated.
The main character, Alexis Petersen, seems to walk around in a bit of a bubble. She is fairly self-centred and keeps reassuring herself that she doesn’t really care what other people think about her. There wasn’t a lot of subtlety with the characters – much like a soap opera – which was a shame. I would have liked a deeper sense of how Alexis became the way she did beyond the cursory background we were given. The secondary characters were also drawn with the same broad strokes. Some of the situations she gets herself into beggar belief as her investigating skills are fairly basic. If I read any more of this series, I hope Alexis improves in this department.
Given Davidson’s background, the novel reads more like a soap opera script. I guessed the baddie fairly easily even though there were a few red herrings slipped in to trip up the unwary reader. The plot dragged a bit in the middle with the obligatory potential love triangle. Generally speaking, all the right ingredients were there but they needed greater finesse. Humour was sprinkled throughout and it made the book more palatable.
I think that future books will probably be more engaging as Davidson refines her style.
June 10, 2013
I had this book on my shelf to read for a while and quickly grabbed it as my next cozy read. I read the back of the book, and the author bio caught my attention.
(from the back of the book) Eileen Davidson is best known for her Emmy-nominated roles on The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives. She is currently starring in the international sensation The Bold and the Beautiful.
I hesitated and wondered if I should grab another one, but then decided no I needed to just read it. After finishing the book, I was very glad I hadn’t skipped over this one. This was an exciting cozy. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a new series that has had such a great start.
The writing was superb. The characters were entertaining. The details of the filming and set information was not overdone. The potential and past relationships were well balanced. The crime was well thought out. It all came together very well. There were a couple times I thought I had guessed right at who had done it and in the end I was wrong.
If you are looking for an entertaining, fun, fast read, this book is for you. I was also excited to see there was a second book in the series, now if I can just get my hands on it!!
(from the back of the book) Eileen Davidson is best known for her Emmy-nominated roles on The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives. She is currently starring in the international sensation The Bold and the Beautiful.
I hesitated and wondered if I should grab another one, but then decided no I needed to just read it. After finishing the book, I was very glad I hadn’t skipped over this one. This was an exciting cozy. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a new series that has had such a great start.
The writing was superb. The characters were entertaining. The details of the filming and set information was not overdone. The potential and past relationships were well balanced. The crime was well thought out. It all came together very well. There were a couple times I thought I had guessed right at who had done it and in the end I was wrong.
If you are looking for an entertaining, fun, fast read, this book is for you. I was also excited to see there was a second book in the series, now if I can just get my hands on it!!
October 1, 2011
I'm always in the mood for a new Cozy Mystery series, and I picked up books 1 and 2 of this one on PaperbackSwap so I thought I would give them a chance.
The author is a long-time soap actress and so she would know about the soap world, although I don't think I have ever seen any of this occuring before, but it's a cozy mystery.
The lead character, Alex looks like the author in my mind, and she is engaging enough, you feel for her and you like her, but she's just kinda there. I don't know, there is just something about her that pushes me back a bit, and maybe that is on purpose since her ex-husband embazzled money from her and others and so she is always holding others at arms links.
The detective counter-part in this if Frank Jakes, of just Jakes, and he comes across as a bit of a ladies man.
I liked it well enough to read the second book in the series, and maybe I will know more then, but over-all it was a good read, just not my favorite, but good enough to try another and to recommend to friends.
The author is a long-time soap actress and so she would know about the soap world, although I don't think I have ever seen any of this occuring before, but it's a cozy mystery.
The lead character, Alex looks like the author in my mind, and she is engaging enough, you feel for her and you like her, but she's just kinda there. I don't know, there is just something about her that pushes me back a bit, and maybe that is on purpose since her ex-husband embazzled money from her and others and so she is always holding others at arms links.
The detective counter-part in this if Frank Jakes, of just Jakes, and he comes across as a bit of a ladies man.
I liked it well enough to read the second book in the series, and maybe I will know more then, but over-all it was a good read, just not my favorite, but good enough to try another and to recommend to friends.
April 4, 2018
3.5 Stars.
This book surprised me. I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I mean its written by a soap star turned Real Housewife, my expectations were low...real low.
Death in Daytime is about Alexis Peterson the star of the soap opera The Yearning Tide who is wrongfully suspected of murdering the head writer Marcy Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard is not a popular person and almost everyone she knew wanted her dead. Alexis decides to solve the case and clear her own name and in the process she meets and develops a connection with one of the cops investigating her.
I wish I was a soap opera watcher I think I would have gotten more of the inside jokes. I also really want to know who the real life inspiration was for the loathsome Marcy Blanchard. Eileen Davidson painted quite the picture of the behind the scenes goings on at a highly successful daytime soap. Also I didn't guess the killer till the book was almost over. Good job Davidson!
Recommended to lovers of Cozy Mysteries and Daytime Soaps.
This book surprised me. I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I mean its written by a soap star turned Real Housewife, my expectations were low...real low.
Death in Daytime is about Alexis Peterson the star of the soap opera The Yearning Tide who is wrongfully suspected of murdering the head writer Marcy Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard is not a popular person and almost everyone she knew wanted her dead. Alexis decides to solve the case and clear her own name and in the process she meets and develops a connection with one of the cops investigating her.
I wish I was a soap opera watcher I think I would have gotten more of the inside jokes. I also really want to know who the real life inspiration was for the loathsome Marcy Blanchard. Eileen Davidson painted quite the picture of the behind the scenes goings on at a highly successful daytime soap. Also I didn't guess the killer till the book was almost over. Good job Davidson!
Recommended to lovers of Cozy Mysteries and Daytime Soaps.
April 9, 2016
Having never written a book myself, I really shouldn't give this book such negative feedback, but dang, it was horrible. Right from the start the character says that she's not a diva. Whatever. All she does is talk about herself. And her kid. Here's a thought lady, stop snooping around and getting whacked on the head and start spending time with your child. I got so tired of hearing about it.
Anyway, this is about a soap star to gets accused of murder so naturally she takes it upon herself to find out who did it. As horrible as this book was, I really did not expect the killer to be who it was. So thumbs up to her for that.
Needless to say, I will not be reading anymore from this series.
Anyway, this is about a soap star to gets accused of murder so naturally she takes it upon herself to find out who did it. As horrible as this book was, I really did not expect the killer to be who it was. So thumbs up to her for that.
Needless to say, I will not be reading anymore from this series.
April 16, 2013
This was a really cute story that was ruined by a few F-bomb laced tirades from a manager and another staffer on the set. Really? Really? Ugh!
I'm going to try another one and hope the language is cleared up. This seems like it would be a nice little series. Likable protagonist and supporting characters. A little romantic tension between the soap star, her forensic specialist boyfriend, and the cop who revs her engine. Just enough romance for a bit of suspense but not nearly enough to make me gag and put down the book.
The mystery itself wasn't anything special, although I didn't narrow it down far enough to make a guess. The answer didn't come out of nowhere, though, so that is good.
I'm going to try another one and hope the language is cleared up. This seems like it would be a nice little series. Likable protagonist and supporting characters. A little romantic tension between the soap star, her forensic specialist boyfriend, and the cop who revs her engine. Just enough romance for a bit of suspense but not nearly enough to make me gag and put down the book.
The mystery itself wasn't anything special, although I didn't narrow it down far enough to make a guess. The answer didn't come out of nowhere, though, so that is good.
January 2, 2015
Really 3 1/2 sta4rs.
I had no idea that soap star Eileen Davidson (Y&R, DOOL) had written a mystery, much less several, I liked this book,a lot, and would like to give it a higher rating, but for one problem, Our heroine Alex is too tallky. We don't have to know every little detail I felt like Alex was telling the story to her gilfriemds or into a tape recorder.Or writing a script.
I'm sure some of the characterless are based on real people in SoapWorld, but who? I decided immediately that our first victim was the loathseome Jill Farren Phelps, who IRL should be thankful fans haven 't bonked her with her Emmy.
If you like soaps, this is a good read.
I had no idea that soap star Eileen Davidson (Y&R, DOOL) had written a mystery, much less several, I liked this book,a lot, and would like to give it a higher rating, but for one problem, Our heroine Alex is too tallky. We don't have to know every little detail I felt like Alex was telling the story to her gilfriemds or into a tape recorder.Or writing a script.
I'm sure some of the characterless are based on real people in SoapWorld, but who? I decided immediately that our first victim was the loathseome Jill Farren Phelps, who IRL should be thankful fans haven 't bonked her with her Emmy.
If you like soaps, this is a good read.
January 22, 2013
I wanted to give this book more stars as it started out really well and then it seemed to just get too predictable towards the end. I liked it enough that I do want to read the other books in the series, I'm just hoping that the momentum of the story does not get lost next time. It had some great humor and of course Eileen Davidson definitely knows Daytime Television which allows for the tongue and cheek humor which was great.
February 7, 2009
Light murder mystery, based on the filming set of a soap opera. Don't have to be a soap fan to enjoy it, just a light mystery fan.
The soap star is accused of being the murderer, but becomes an sleuth to find the true killer, while trying to keep her daughter and mother safe and not get killed herself.
The soap star is accused of being the murderer, but becomes an sleuth to find the true killer, while trying to keep her daughter and mother safe and not get killed herself.
March 31, 2009
This was a must-read for me as it is written by an actress from my fave soap - The Young and the Restless. That said, it was good, soapy fun, and I never saw the end coming, the killer was a mystery to me till the end, YAY
July 26, 2009
I liked this book so much that I went out and bought the second one the next day. I loved Eileen Davidson's writing...it's a wonderfully clever, chatty style as if the character is one of your friends narrating the tale to you....a total winner and great plot as well.
March 1, 2011
It was a fun easy read. Alexis was really funny and I love all the Soap Opera insight. The mystery was okay however, you sorta guessed who the killer was even though there were so many suspects. I liked all the flirty moments but wish there were more. Can't wait to read the next book.
June 8, 2013
loved this start of the series. the character of Alexis is really good. I can't wait to read the next adventure. I love the author as an actress on Days of Our Lives and love her as an author even more.
July 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this first entry in the series and look forward to reading more. It was a fast paced, quick read. I even fingered the culprit, I like that every once in a while - makes me feel smart!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews