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‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the mannequin factory things were not quite what they seemed—especially not for the body of the woman splayed out in the dark warehouse. Nothing like a nice little murder to stir things up right before the holidays in this quaint New England town where absolutely nothing ever happens.
When Alex Harris, owner of the Always Prepared staffing agency, stumbles over the body of Mrs. Scott, nothing will ever be the same. Along with her sister and partner, Samantha Daniels, and their assistant, Millie Chapman, the Winston Churchill-quoting, M&M popping Alex probes and plods through clue after clue trying to unravel secrets before the murderer strikes again and really ruins Christmas.
When Alex Harris, owner of the Always Prepared staffing agency, stumbles over the body of Mrs. Scott, nothing will ever be the same. Along with her sister and partner, Samantha Daniels, and their assistant, Millie Chapman, the Winston Churchill-quoting, M&M popping Alex probes and plods through clue after clue trying to unravel secrets before the murderer strikes again and really ruins Christmas.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2011
22 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Macko
12 books9 followersFrom a very young age, I possessed an over-active imagination finding intrigue and mayhem in everyday situations. Take Humpty Dumpty. Everyone thinks he took a great fall, but I'm pretty sure he was pushed.
While living abroad I decided to try my hand writing a mystery and after several months, completed a draft of my first book, ARMED, and moved on to three other books in the series. I grew up in Milford, Connecticut, and my New England roots are never far from my mind so I centered them on the fictional town of Indian Cove, Connecticut, which for some reason looks a lot like Milford! I also include a European connection in each book bringing together my love of both places.
I've been getting some great reviews for ARMED and I'm pleased that people think the family dynamic is what makes the book so appealing. They love my heroine, Alex, and can't wait to read more of her adventures. I hope you'll agree! Enjoy!
Elaine
While living abroad I decided to try my hand writing a mystery and after several months, completed a draft of my first book, ARMED, and moved on to three other books in the series. I grew up in Milford, Connecticut, and my New England roots are never far from my mind so I centered them on the fictional town of Indian Cove, Connecticut, which for some reason looks a lot like Milford! I also include a European connection in each book bringing together my love of both places.
I've been getting some great reviews for ARMED and I'm pleased that people think the family dynamic is what makes the book so appealing. They love my heroine, Alex, and can't wait to read more of her adventures. I hope you'll agree! Enjoy!
Elaine
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 11, 2019
The one armed killer strikes
A great read about normal people who get caught up in abnormal situations. A plot that uses greed, revenge and subterfuge whilst at the same time inflicts romance and everyday life into it. Great characters showing the basic human traits - greed, curiosity and vengeance.
Her good deed of help out her old client leads to a day sorting the mailing out they need for Christmas and finding a dead body. Now as a suspect she has to do something to save the good name of the employment agency that she and her sister have worked so hard to establish. How best but to step into the dead woman's shoes. It didn't hurt that her case was being investigated by a handsome detective. Add in mysterious packages, a crime ring, affairs, stolen bids and cold blooded murder. Can she find out what has really been happening at the mannequin factory? Will she get the killer or will her actions force the killer to add her to the list?
A great read about normal people who get caught up in abnormal situations. A plot that uses greed, revenge and subterfuge whilst at the same time inflicts romance and everyday life into it. Great characters showing the basic human traits - greed, curiosity and vengeance.
Her good deed of help out her old client leads to a day sorting the mailing out they need for Christmas and finding a dead body. Now as a suspect she has to do something to save the good name of the employment agency that she and her sister have worked so hard to establish. How best but to step into the dead woman's shoes. It didn't hurt that her case was being investigated by a handsome detective. Add in mysterious packages, a crime ring, affairs, stolen bids and cold blooded murder. Can she find out what has really been happening at the mannequin factory? Will she get the killer or will her actions force the killer to add her to the list?
October 12, 2019
I’ve got my eyes on you!
Alex, Sam (her sister) & MiMi ( little bit ditzy, but smart) had a Temp Agency. Business got slow & Alex went to help a friend out in a manikin factory! Easy right? Wrong! Doing a little mailing for the business led to a really “dolly folly”! Murder, mayhem & of course a gorgeous cop!
Alex, Sam (her sister) & MiMi ( little bit ditzy, but smart) had a Temp Agency. Business got slow & Alex went to help a friend out in a manikin factory! Easy right? Wrong! Doing a little mailing for the business led to a really “dolly folly”! Murder, mayhem & of course a gorgeous cop!
January 25, 2019
Alex and her sister Samantha ran a temp agency. The day began with Alex out of M&M and business was slow. When a call from the mannequin factory came in she jump at it.
and a dead body
and a dead body
April 10, 2025
More garbage
November 20, 2011
From the very first page, I felt connected to the character of Alex Harris. A quirky, feisty thirty-something woman with a special fondness for M & Ms and Winston Churchill quotes, she had me laughing throughout this murder mystery. Now who doesn't love a murder mystery with humor?
She and her sister Sam run a temp agency called Always Prepared, in the small town of Indian Cove, Connecticut, and one of their jobs is at a local mannequin factory. The excitement in this book started early on when Alex goes to assist at the factory, and just before leaving one night, she stumbles upon a dead body: Elvira Scott, the administrative assistant. Because one of the detectives questions Alex, among others, and seems to suspect her for some reason, she decides she has to find out who committed the murder for her own self-protection.
A good part of the fun in "Armed (An Alex Harris Mystery)" was following Alex's antics as she goes up one blind alley after another, questioning people who work at the factory and putting clues together. As Detective Van der Burg tries to discourage her sleuthing, he also seems more and more attracted to her as time goes by, just as she is in him.
Will a romantic pairing come together? What was Elvira Scott suspicious about in her final days, and what do some strange printouts have to do with anything? How significant is a cryptic note left in Elvira's kitchen? And what is the one thing that niggles at Alex, even as she thinks she has put everything together?
I enjoyed Alex's special connections with family members, like the grandmother she calls Meme, and the big family get-togethers with Italian overtones. I wanted to be a part of this wonderfully gregarious family...and loved the family moments almost as much as the mystery. I am hoping this is the first book in a series so I can live through these characters again. Five stars.
She and her sister Sam run a temp agency called Always Prepared, in the small town of Indian Cove, Connecticut, and one of their jobs is at a local mannequin factory. The excitement in this book started early on when Alex goes to assist at the factory, and just before leaving one night, she stumbles upon a dead body: Elvira Scott, the administrative assistant. Because one of the detectives questions Alex, among others, and seems to suspect her for some reason, she decides she has to find out who committed the murder for her own self-protection.
A good part of the fun in "Armed (An Alex Harris Mystery)" was following Alex's antics as she goes up one blind alley after another, questioning people who work at the factory and putting clues together. As Detective Van der Burg tries to discourage her sleuthing, he also seems more and more attracted to her as time goes by, just as she is in him.
Will a romantic pairing come together? What was Elvira Scott suspicious about in her final days, and what do some strange printouts have to do with anything? How significant is a cryptic note left in Elvira's kitchen? And what is the one thing that niggles at Alex, even as she thinks she has put everything together?
I enjoyed Alex's special connections with family members, like the grandmother she calls Meme, and the big family get-togethers with Italian overtones. I wanted to be a part of this wonderfully gregarious family...and loved the family moments almost as much as the mystery. I am hoping this is the first book in a series so I can live through these characters again. Five stars.
June 29, 2012
Some of the creepiest scenes ever written involve mannequins. Body parts hanging from the ceiling, blank stares so similar to dead eyes, headless torsos laid on tables and floors…all contribute to a sense of foreboding. Author Elaine Macko uses the disturbing setting of a mannequin factory to full advantage in “Armed,” her sinfully rich murder mystery. Macko offers a strong debut novel with a feisty female protagonist.
Alex Harris and her sister Samantha Daniels own a temporary agency in the small community of Indian Cove, Connecticut. When Alex fills in at the Poupée Mannequin factory, she stumbles on a murder and finds herself a suspect in the crime. In an attempt to clear herself and help out the factory owner, she tries to investigate on her own, something that doesn’t sit well with Detective John Van der Burg.
Harris is a delightful character. She is addicted to M&M candies, tea, potato chips and books. Her sense of loyalty wars with her sense of justice and her love of family trumps all. Besides her sister and sister’s family, we meet her parents, her paternal grandfather, maternal grandmother and a zany employee. All of them add to the charm of the story.
Armchair detectives, bring your best deductive skills. This book will please cozy mystery lovers, as well as those who enjoy a well-written story from a strong (but not perfect) woman’s perspective. With well-drawn relationships and totally understandable quirks, the book makes a great character study. I’m looking forward to Macko’s next outing!
Disclaimer: This review was base on a review copy of the book provided by the author. No constraints were placed upon the review. All opinions are my own.
Alex Harris and her sister Samantha Daniels own a temporary agency in the small community of Indian Cove, Connecticut. When Alex fills in at the Poupée Mannequin factory, she stumbles on a murder and finds herself a suspect in the crime. In an attempt to clear herself and help out the factory owner, she tries to investigate on her own, something that doesn’t sit well with Detective John Van der Burg.
Harris is a delightful character. She is addicted to M&M candies, tea, potato chips and books. Her sense of loyalty wars with her sense of justice and her love of family trumps all. Besides her sister and sister’s family, we meet her parents, her paternal grandfather, maternal grandmother and a zany employee. All of them add to the charm of the story.
Armchair detectives, bring your best deductive skills. This book will please cozy mystery lovers, as well as those who enjoy a well-written story from a strong (but not perfect) woman’s perspective. With well-drawn relationships and totally understandable quirks, the book makes a great character study. I’m looking forward to Macko’s next outing!
Disclaimer: This review was base on a review copy of the book provided by the author. No constraints were placed upon the review. All opinions are my own.
April 13, 2012
Cozy mysteries aren’t the highest on my “to read” list, but I’ll make an exception every time for Elaine Macko! Her first Alex Harris mystery, “Armed”, had me from the title, a delicious pun on the murder weapon. Her sleuth runs a temp agency with her sister, Sam, and isn’t expecting to find a body for Christmas. But with the help of her grandmother, Meme, who’s addicted to bingo—and has been run out of the game at Saint Michaels—and Sam, Alex helps wrap up presents for everyone. Ms. Macko has taken a cozy and added spice, humor and just plain good writing to craft a great first novel. “Poisoned”, her second novel, is coming later this year and it’s on my list to buy.
September 4, 2014
I liked this much better than "Mahjonged." The setting, plot, and characters were pretty good, but it bothers me when characters are involved in a murder investigation but act as if nothing unusual is going on. Being brave is one thing, but being foolish is something else, and these characters sometimes acted very foolish, plus they seemed to forget that a tragedy had occurred that would affect the people who knew the victim. There seemed to be more joking around than sympathy displayed. I enjoyed the scenes with Alex and her family - those added some depth to the character.
December 30, 2013
Alex Harris was just helping a perspective client at a mannequin shop when she stumbles over a body. Before long she is entrusted upon to find out who murdered Ms. Scott. I must say I did enjoy this book at times there were some places where it seemed to drag on but overall this was a good mystery. If you enjoy suspense, M&M’s, and a little romance this book is for you.
December 16, 2013
Yes, there were editing issues throughout. If you can get past that, the book has a good plot and better character development than a lot of books nowadays. Well worth the money, and an excellent book to read around Christmas.
October 1, 2013
Nothing special about this mystery series. M&Ms and Winston Churchill quotes did not make up for the one-dimensional characters and formula mystery format. Lack of editing made me crazy...missing words or the wrong word used many times. I will not be moving on to book two.
November 18, 2011
Written by my neighbor!
November 20, 2013
Just finished. I'd read the next in the series!
December 31, 2014
Readers who like humor in their mysteries and sleuths who dive in more courage than finesse will enjoy this story.
November 6, 2015
Pretty good
I really like this book. It had many twists and turns to keep you thinking. The characters were very likeable.
I really like this book. It had many twists and turns to keep you thinking. The characters were very likeable.
January 1, 2017
Actually enjoyed most of it. A little drawn out but good characters.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews