A Hardboiled Murder: An Aggie Underhill Mystery

Aggie Underhill Mysteries #4

by Michelle Ann Hollstein

The body of a film star crashes upon the roof of a moving tramcar, a mystery author is discovered hardboiled and bobbing in a hot tub, a home is ransacked, and two grandmothers are battling.

With bleached blonde hair, an English accent, a brand spanking new red-hot turbo machine, and an oversized pocketbook to match every outfit, Aggie?s sure to stick her nose into everyone?s business. But is Aggie over her head when the clues she unearths hit a little too close to home?

Join Aggie in another fun-filled Palm Springs mystery. Who knew the desert could be so much fun?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Amazon, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published September 26, 2009

About the author

Michelle Ann Hollstein resides in Southern California with her two wonderful children and her spoiled pup, Dougal. She’s the author of the quirky and comical Aggie Underhill Mysteries, the Fantasy Trilogy, The Niberia Chronicles, the paranormal romance mystery series, A Lost Souls Novel, and the new nonfiction series, Who Says You Can’t Paint?

You can visit her website at http://www.MichelleHollstein.com to learn more about her books and to view book trailers.

Reviews

[Markie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and fluffy mystery!!!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve yet to meet an Aggie Underhill mystery I didn’t like!

Although I’m a little biased because I’ve yet to meet any Michelle Holstein books I didn’t like. I must say Aggie Underhill and her best friend Betty and her cousin Roger I think are my favorite. There’s something fun about a quirky older lady and her best friend scurrying around looking for clues to solve a murder. With her pocketbook in hand in her new red turbo she’s ready to solveHer next murder and she doesn’t half to wait long when a woman is found thrown from my viewing site. Will Aggie solve the mystery will Rogers keep offending Aggie or will Roger upsetBetty to the point that he is the next murder victim? All these questions are answered in this hard boiled Aggie Underhill mysteries. I loved it I loved it I loved it and if you love fun quirky mysteries you’ll love it too. Let me just say the mystery is not what’s quirky the investigation is they have so many laugh out loud moment. There are times when I’m doing housework or something else and think of something Maggie did said or situation she was in and I laughed out loud. So the book less further than just the pages in the book you’ll be laughing for weeks to come.

[Liza O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of A Hardboiled Murder
An Aggie Underhill Mystery
MICHELLE ANN HOLLSTEIN
Murder Mysteries are always dicey.
There are several ways they can go:
1) You can stuff the book with an excessive number of potential murderers.
2) You can sneak the true villain later into the story.
3) You can create such a tangled web, that none of the readers can make sense of the confusing evidence and they’ll accept whoever ends up being the killer because they now have a headache.
Or, you can deftly write a story that uses a bit of 1 and 2, but avoids the pitfall of 3.
And that is what Michelle Hollstein achieves.
Honestly, I eyed over everyone including the Tom, the guy our heroine is NOT dating as a potential suspect for the murders. (Yep there is more than one person murdered.)
Hollstein does an excellent job creating interesting characters that help move the story along.
The main characters are more mature, well not really ‘mature’, but they are older and most amusing and often outrageous.
There are so many cute scenes I wish to share, but I don’t want Esmerelda coming down on me for spoilers. So, let me just recommend this story and stop sharing the details.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Hardboiled Murder: An Aggie Underhill Mystery (A quirky, comical adventure) Book 4 [Kindle Unlimited] — Michelle Ann Hollstein (21 chapters broken up September 4-8) December 5-6, 2020

Somehow I hopscotched over this book and read the book after this one. The numbering for this series is a bit confusing. It didn’t seem to matter too much. I did get to see how the next book’s location came to together though. [This book should be read before "One Hell of a Cruise".]

Aggie, Betty, Roger and Tom (along with Aggie’s daughter and family,) get back together for a fun time of book clubs, interior design, and murder...like two four the price of one murder!

This is a pretty funny, laugh out loud, book except that there is too much filler in it. I think I read like nearly a whole chapter on food, which had nothing to do with the plot. However, the ending does get better and the story ends mostly enjoyable.

I had to knock two stars off for the filler (explained above) and for some unfortunate editing issues (missing words in sentences, grammar mistakes, etc.)

But overall a very fun, quick book that I didn’t regret reading in one night.

Three stars.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book in this series but I don't think I have missed out too much by listening out of order it was a fun no nonsense listen. It was completely different from other cosy listens that I have read - not only due to the narration (male) but also being honest re drinking and mixing medication. I am interested to see how long this pseudo relationship with the detective lasts. I cant believe that she did not know about her husband's life but I may be missing something as not listened to the other books so not sure on the personalities yet. However it was entertaining enough to go straight onto the next book.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hardboiled Murder (Aggie Underhill Mysteries #4) was a great read by Michelle Ann Hollstein. A film star's body crashes on the roof of a moving tramcar, a mystery author is discovered bobbing in a hot tub, a home is ransacked, and two grandmothers are battling. Aggie is sure to stick her nose in everyones business and may just be in over her head. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the series but the first one I've read. It reads well as a stand alone. Murders or accidents? Who can tell? This was a fun book in the series. I think I would enjoy more of the Aggie Underhill mysteries. There are spies and lies. Cheaters and other oddities. I enjoyed going on an adventure with these cast of characters.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hardboiled Murder

Oh, how I love the Aggie Underhill mysteries. This one did not disappoint and these characters are always a blast to listen to. I am very excited for when the next installment will be released.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Donna Ransdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

A fun, clean and cozy mystery! I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. If you like cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this one.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was cute and funny and the 'so called' lady detective really worked hard to solve this mystery. I think I just found a new detective to follow (Aggie).

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Didn't capture enough of me to continue this series.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth every penny I paid for it.
The narrator is a true martyr.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying

Needs better job of editing Aggie is just so annoying Glad this was a free book Will not be reading rest of series

[Susanna Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story with Aggie Underhill, One would described as an Agatha Christie character, an elder Brit woman with her off colour humor and her passion to solved mysteries, introducing Mrs. Aggie Underhill who can't keep herself from not getting involved with a mystery where ever she goes and she becomes so entrenched in it she puts herself in to dangerous and witty dilemmas.

It opens with a young couple celebrating their first year anniversary of adultery in the scenic hills of California. On a date of a romantic dinner, the female character has to tell her lover a secret not sure how he will respond to it. Her secret did not go well, and now she is suffering the scary consequences.

Chapter two opens with the main character, Aggie Underhill she is a widower and has a discipline in her manners, except on a spur of a moment dare from a dear friend she purchases a sports car and enjoys the freedom it give her. She relocated from Britain to be near her daughter and family. She lives in Palm Springs and her close friend of twenty years Betty lives next door.

She is reminiscing about her deceased husband and his note and necklace he left behind, leaving her, her own mystery to solve but she is not ready to face the tumult of going through his personal items. Meanwhile she is late for a coffee engagement, not a date with the handsome police officer and is being followed and trying to compete for a parking space with a blue hair lady who looks like Marge Simpson.

As the plot continues the mystery girlfriend is back in the story. Mixing in dysfunctional family dynamics and the book club fiasco, this reader wants to thank the author for writing hilarious scenarios; this book will definitely lift one’s spirits. And wait there is still the other mystery to solve of the young greedy married man who is cheating on his rich wife and the mysterious girlfriend and the threat of sabotage and murder lurking around every corner. Of course the characters will all crossed paths which give Mrs. Underhill the advantage to unravel the clues of the suspicion events.

In the midst the author adds family gatherings and antics which delights the reader for each character has their own colorful personality, especially Mrs. Underhill, entertaining this reader with her brazen confrontations with others.

There is karma floating throughout the plot, it is good to see the bad guys get their dues when they commit acts of spite against another, a good hot coffee spilling in the lap, yeah karma.

Betty, Aggie's best friend too gets involved not by her own will just being in the Wrong place, at the wrong time, put all the characters together and you have a comedic and suspenseful story in the makings. The competition between the mature ladies over the handsome police officer is a riot. Reading along and bang an event and this reader's pulse went racing not expecting that twist.

The suspects are leaving clues, two dead bodies, was it intentional or accidental, what about a ransacked home, missing jewelry and cherished jewelry all lead to an adventure with so many twists it hard to keep track but entertaining too. So many occurrences and this reader's mind was racing wondering who are the suspects? And what is one's motive to invaded someone boundaries, the question, what were they looking for?

In the author's words:

"My word," Betty said. "It has Alexander Dominsky's name scribbled on it."
Aggie nodded. "That's Lionel's handwriting." "It doesn't make sense. Why would Lionel have Alexander Dominsky's name written down? Unless... maybe it's just a fluke.
Maybe he liked his books."

"Maybe," Aggie muttered. "But I doubt it. Someone ransacked my home the same day Dominsky was found dead. There's something more going on here."

"I don't know, Aggie." Betty shook her head. "I think you might be looking too deep."

“Aggie held up the key dangling from her necklace. "This means something, Betty. You said so yourself. I say we go over to the Sinclair's. At the book club, Esmerelda Sinclair announced that Alexander Dominsky was staying in her guesthouse and that he was a good friend. What are the odds that she died the same day, too?"

As this reader read the plot it turned out to be an intriguing investigator’s mystery with the ring of an British Agatha Christine flowing through the pages and continues with excitement and humor all the way to the conclusion with some very strange and complex events; plus there is a hint of conspiracy mixed in too. I highly recommend readers who like little daring middle age ladies who view everything with a Brit’s perspective about life, that in itself is entertainment, If so, you will enjoy this and the other mysteries in this series written by this author. Plus there is a You Tube video to give you a glimpse of this talented author’s style, just goggle book title and author’s name and be amazed. . ..

http://www.amazon.com/Hardboiled-Murd...

http://youtu.be/86uAdeQSK1E

[Terry Palardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hardboiled Murder, an Annie Underhill Mystery. Michelle Ann Hollstein writes a story of grandmothers, movie stars, grandsons, a marine, a police officer, an adulterer, a murder victim, an inscribed piece of jewelry, a spurned wife, and a tram ride up the side of a mountain during fall foliage season. This is a breathtaking ride that involves a dead body falling from the roof of one of the tram cars. It involves a search on foot through the woods on the side of the mountain, with treacherous cliffs unseen in the dark. It's a story of family devotion, family competitiveness between grandmothers, and a story of a marriage between ages. It's a story of a book group, a callous lover, and an anticipated inheritance. It is quite a cast of characters, each carefully described in the foreword of the book and each well developed through the actions of the story. It is a delight to read, and another five star story.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cozy mystery from an established series. Agatha, her friends and family, live in the high desert of California. And in this book, someone is killed, but just who did it? And although the victim wasn't well liked, she had enough money so she didn't care. And Aggie, of course, has the coolest head and figures out the mixed up mess.

This was a bit muddled, and the badly edited grammer did nothing but detract from the story, partially because the mistake (primarily with plurals and possesives and apostrophes) weren't even consistant.

I wouldn't go out of my way to find any others in the series, but might read another if I ran across it.

[Jeannine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Annoying characters and plot. Very disjointed and not believable. There is one scene where the main character, Aggie, is hanging off of a cliff and her boyfried, Tom, is trying to grab her hand to pull her up. During the entire scene, they have a complete and detailed conversation as if they were sitting in a room having tea. So unbelievable. If I was hanging off a cliff, desperately trying to give my rescuer my hand, the only sounds either would be making would be screams and grunts from exertion. Such a bizarre scene. And I figured out the bad guy and most of the mystery about half-way through the book.

[bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's comma issues are really only a minor factor of my dissatisfaction with this mystery... if I can call it that. It has dead bodies and an amateur sleuth, but a serious lack of suspects and clues. The characters mostly were shallow and I didn't find myself caring that much about any of them. The constant head hopping also didn't help. I definitely prefer a relatively stable POV.

I might read one more just to see if it is any better, but only because I already stumbled over the next one free.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Entertaining

Because this wasn't a big name author I really didn't expect a lot from this novel but it turned out to be very entertaining and fun to read. Reqminiscent of a Stephanie Plum novel this character is a middle-aged widow with great independent wealth, a few close and loyal friends, and great investigative skills. She does have a knack for finding trouble wherever it can be found and along the way she finds a murderer or two. This was a fun read and I highly recommend it.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story, a cozy-type mystery, was reasonably entertaining, but the typos (plenty of unnecessary apostrophes and some incorrect homonyms) were distracting. The character of Aggie is likeable, if a bit impulsive. I was a bit frustrated with her inability to deal with the "other" grandmother - seems to me that a tough, self-assured woman like Aggie should not have let her get to her!

Good beach read, but I don't see a book group discussion happening (bad book group selection!). Not bad for a free Kindle offering.

[D.S. Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book didn't really grab my attention, there was far too much repetitiveness in the language used, and an over emphasis on very wordy descriptions. The book could have benefited from a good editing and had a number of areas where the wording was repeated. The characters didn't grab me, nor did I find them particularly likeable or find myself interested in their lives. It was unfortunate, because I like a good murder mystery, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

[Marilyn Groves · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a light, light read. Did I mention that it was light? Aggie Underhill, a widow who moved from England to California to be near her daughter's family, snoops around the murder of a has-been movie star. With her is her best friend who bought the condo next door, and a police officer who wants to be more than a friend.

Not much of a mystery, to be honest. But if you want some fluff with no gore, bad language or sex involving amateur mature female detectives, it may be for you.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hardboiled Murder (Aggie Underhill Mysteries #4) was a great read by Michelle Ann Hollstein. A film star's body crashes on the roof of a moving tramcar, a mystery author is discovered bobbing in a hot tub, a home is ransacked, and two grandmothers are battling. Aggie is sure to stick her nose in everyones business and may just be in over her head. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needs serious editing. There is too much repetition and misuse of words. (Cohorts instead of cahoots, for example.) I also felt the writer does not have a good understanding of the age group she is working with. Fifty-two year olds are not as decrepit as she makes them out to be and not likely to be wearing french-twist hairdos. The villains were a bit too stupid to be believed.

[D.L. Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book for me. The main character was always angry, always seemed to be defending herself, treated her male "friend" badly. The character of Sabrina was pathetic. The man that tried to kill her was working as a waiter (what?) at the end of the book when he should have been in jail, enough said, just not for me.

[Victoria Halphen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

This story was well written with the right amount of suspense and humor. What I liked best was there was no profanity, and no hot and steamy sex scenes. I'll read the next in the series as well.

[Elisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

It just wastes too much time on unrelated issues. Oh no! She has Celiac disease... really? Is this a mystery or a PSA about the perils of gluten? The whole explanation for the murder seems random and silly. I appreciate how hard it must be to write a book, but this was just stupid.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

Great

this is a wonderful way to read about the way the older women in investigate the mysteries that the gear involved in.

[Nancy]

Offered Free 6/28/14.