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Die Laughing
DIE LAUGHING -- A CAPE COD COZY WITH A SIDE OF ROMANCE
Shelby Whitcomb stood out, even in a Cape Cod town filled with eccentrics. She was outspoken, politically volatile and incurably nosey. Most people considered her a harmless scold — until she was viciously murdered.
Nicole Nelson knew another side of Shelby. She’d befriended the young grad student, offering her friendship, a place to roost and plenty of good advice. Now Nik learns something astounding: she’s also an heir to Shelby’s estate. That pits her squarely against two determined men—Jarrod Whitcomb, a Yaley with a bad attitude, and Alejandro Lee, a gorgeous stranger who’s not what he professes to be.
DIE LAUGHING traces a young woman’s quest to avenge her friend’s murder and reassess her own life. It examines the surprisingly shady world of high-end comic book collectors where exceptional items that fetch millions are no laughing matter.
Shelby Whitcomb stood out, even in a Cape Cod town filled with eccentrics. She was outspoken, politically volatile and incurably nosey. Most people considered her a harmless scold — until she was viciously murdered.
Nicole Nelson knew another side of Shelby. She’d befriended the young grad student, offering her friendship, a place to roost and plenty of good advice. Now Nik learns something astounding: she’s also an heir to Shelby’s estate. That pits her squarely against two determined men—Jarrod Whitcomb, a Yaley with a bad attitude, and Alejandro Lee, a gorgeous stranger who’s not what he professes to be.
DIE LAUGHING traces a young woman’s quest to avenge her friend’s murder and reassess her own life. It examines the surprisingly shady world of high-end comic book collectors where exceptional items that fetch millions are no laughing matter.
- GenresMystery
261 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2012
5 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Arlene Kay
19 books85 followersArlene Kay is a mystery writer with a dark past. In another life, the author of INTRUSION (12-11), and DIE LAUGHING (12-12), was a Senior Executive with one of those alphabet agencies that strikes terror into the hearts of all Americans.
Since moving to Cape Cod, she abandoned government work to craft fiendishly clever mysteries with a touch of mayhem and a splash of romance. Her previous works include five novels in the Grace Quinn/Patrick Fong mystery series.
She recently completed SWANN DIVE (05-14); and MANTRAP (12-14); the first in her new Eja and Deming series featuring two intrepid sleuths who live the good life while vanquishing criminals in the very blue state of Massachusetts.
Since moving to Cape Cod, she abandoned government work to craft fiendishly clever mysteries with a touch of mayhem and a splash of romance. Her previous works include five novels in the Grace Quinn/Patrick Fong mystery series.
She recently completed SWANN DIVE (05-14); and MANTRAP (12-14); the first in her new Eja and Deming series featuring two intrepid sleuths who live the good life while vanquishing criminals in the very blue state of Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 4, 2012
Nicole Nelson has retreated to the small Cape Cod village of Goodhaven to finish her PhD thesis in a place where she can concentrate without distractions or romantic entanglements. Her friend, the crusty Shelby Whitholm, had offered her a place where she could stay inexpensively and focus on her work.
Her plans go awry when Shelby is found brutally murdered.
While Shelby was warm and maternal toward Nik, she was also the outspoken town gadfly, not afraid to express her opinions at town meetings or take on the powers that be. As Nik follows the trail of the crime, she discovers a numbers of secrets about Shelby, including that the old woman had been a collector of classic comic books, now worth a fortune—yet one more motive for murder.
Enter Alajandro Lee, an attractive stranger from the west coast who had been contracted by Shelby to appraise her collection—and who was the one who found her dead. Goodhaven is populated with an eclectic cast of characters, all of whom seemed to have a motive for murder. All, along with the newcomer, are suspects.
Nicole is bright and sassy, but a touch insecure, as she confronts her attraction to Aljandro Lee. The cast of colorful characters lead the two of them on a merry chase.
Arlene Kay’s breezy style and witty dialog make Die Laughing a thoroughly enjoyable read. This is her second novel and I think it’s safe to say she’s mastered the cozy mystery romance.
Her plans go awry when Shelby is found brutally murdered.
While Shelby was warm and maternal toward Nik, she was also the outspoken town gadfly, not afraid to express her opinions at town meetings or take on the powers that be. As Nik follows the trail of the crime, she discovers a numbers of secrets about Shelby, including that the old woman had been a collector of classic comic books, now worth a fortune—yet one more motive for murder.
Enter Alajandro Lee, an attractive stranger from the west coast who had been contracted by Shelby to appraise her collection—and who was the one who found her dead. Goodhaven is populated with an eclectic cast of characters, all of whom seemed to have a motive for murder. All, along with the newcomer, are suspects.
Nicole is bright and sassy, but a touch insecure, as she confronts her attraction to Aljandro Lee. The cast of colorful characters lead the two of them on a merry chase.
Arlene Kay’s breezy style and witty dialog make Die Laughing a thoroughly enjoyable read. This is her second novel and I think it’s safe to say she’s mastered the cozy mystery romance.
March 11, 2013
I received this a goodread first-read giveaway. This is an excellent well-written mystery. It had lots of twists and turns and kept you guessing until the end. The characters were believable and well developed. I really enjoyed it.
July 17, 2023
The female PhD student in this book (Nicole, Nik or double N) is a little frustrating. She seems smart enough but the gaga romance is a distraction to the mystery.
A small town makes a great setting for tying up all the loose ends; x is sleeping with y, a is ripping off b , b is related to c and d killed b.
quick easy read and I paid $0.99 at Goodwill gotta love it.
A small town makes a great setting for tying up all the loose ends; x is sleeping with y, a is ripping off b , b is related to c and d killed b.
quick easy read and I paid $0.99 at Goodwill gotta love it.
May 1, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I thought I would love it since it involved two of my favourite things - mystery and comic books. This was not the case. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the writing. I also didn't like or even empathize with the main character, Nicole Nelson. Normally, I fly through mystery novels, but I put this book down about halfway through for a few weeks before picking it up again.
April 8, 2013
Nicole goes to Cape Cod to stay with her friend, so she can finish her phd without distractions. Her friend, Shelby, ends up getting murdered. There's some twists that keeps this story going that readers will enjoys. I really enjoyed this book.
May 26, 2012
enjoyed the book,lots of choices and decisions that need to be made by the main char
August 20, 2013
A decent plot but very weak writing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews