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Laurel McKay Mysteries #2
Dying for a Dance
IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO--BUT ONLY ONE TO MURDER
Discovering she has two left feet isn't the biggest problem for Laurel McKay when she agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend's Lake Tahoe wedding. Stumbling over the lifeless body of a sexy Russian dance star with her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth... is far worse. Almost as bad as running into the hunky detective she dated briefly before he disappeared from her life.
When another death occurs on the ballroom floor, Laurel finds herself waltzing her way into the dark secrets of the Golden Hills Dance Studio. Navigating kids, career, wedding planning and murder requires some fancy footwork. Can Laurel tango with a killer and stay alive?
Discovering she has two left feet isn't the biggest problem for Laurel McKay when she agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend's Lake Tahoe wedding. Stumbling over the lifeless body of a sexy Russian dance star with her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth... is far worse. Almost as bad as running into the hunky detective she dated briefly before he disappeared from her life.
When another death occurs on the ballroom floor, Laurel finds herself waltzing her way into the dark secrets of the Golden Hills Dance Studio. Navigating kids, career, wedding planning and murder requires some fancy footwork. Can Laurel tango with a killer and stay alive?
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2010
174 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Sample
17 books207 followersCindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more fun than plodding through paperwork. After one too many mergers,she retired to write her national bestselling and award-winning Laurel McKay Humorous mystery series set in the California Gold Country. Spindrift Cove Mysteries, her newest series, is set in Washington State, featuring Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise director.
Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com
Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
December 17, 2019
The world of ballroom dance hasn't been much on my radar but I enjoyed getting a peek. It is a good mystery but not as funny as Dying to Date. I am looking forward to reading more...am I sensing a little bit of a love triangle coming up????
May 25, 2012
This book series has me hooked. I truly like amateur sleuth and bank loan officer, Laurel McKay. She finds herself in amazing situations and truly copes with her ready sense of humor and the thing is...I get the jokes!
Jokes and murder? Yes, they do in fact go together like a fine glass of wine and dark chocolate. In this episode, we find Laurel attempting to learn to Foxtrot for her best friend, Liz's Winter wedding at Lake Tahoe. Laurel finds herself surrounded by a Russian cast just like on their favorite show. "Dancing With the Stars."
A common woe for the dancers is broken heels and this is Laurel's as well. After breaking her heel then stepping on her own toes for an hour, she gratefully heads for home. Only to be stopped outside in the parking lot, by the sight of the dancing schools leading man, Dimitri's dead body, with her broken heel in his mouth.
A brouhaha breaks out and handsome Detective Hunter appears. Laurel appears also as the police's main suspect. The romp to finding out who is the killer of the dancers and why they have Laurel in their sights as well will make you laugh, gasp, and in my case, never saw it coming, surprised.
This was an excellent murder mystery. I can't wait for more.
Jokes and murder? Yes, they do in fact go together like a fine glass of wine and dark chocolate. In this episode, we find Laurel attempting to learn to Foxtrot for her best friend, Liz's Winter wedding at Lake Tahoe. Laurel finds herself surrounded by a Russian cast just like on their favorite show. "Dancing With the Stars."
A common woe for the dancers is broken heels and this is Laurel's as well. After breaking her heel then stepping on her own toes for an hour, she gratefully heads for home. Only to be stopped outside in the parking lot, by the sight of the dancing schools leading man, Dimitri's dead body, with her broken heel in his mouth.
A brouhaha breaks out and handsome Detective Hunter appears. Laurel appears also as the police's main suspect. The romp to finding out who is the killer of the dancers and why they have Laurel in their sights as well will make you laugh, gasp, and in my case, never saw it coming, surprised.
This was an excellent murder mystery. I can't wait for more.
November 5, 2023
Luv the Laurel McKay Series!
What do weddings, dance competitions, and murders have in common? In this cozy mystery, Laurel McKay. In this story, she plays many roles ... mother, maid of honor, bank loan officer, and amateur sleuth. And, she plays them all to the hilt!
I don't want to give too much away, so let me just say, "Read this book!" It's cast of characters will keep you turning those pages and guessing until the very end of this whodunit. I know that I'll be checking out
the other books in the Laurel McKay series.
What do weddings, dance competitions, and murders have in common? In this cozy mystery, Laurel McKay. In this story, she plays many roles ... mother, maid of honor, bank loan officer, and amateur sleuth. And, she plays them all to the hilt!
I don't want to give too much away, so let me just say, "Read this book!" It's cast of characters will keep you turning those pages and guessing until the very end of this whodunit. I know that I'll be checking out
the other books in the Laurel McKay series.
December 17, 2012
I love traditional mysteries. I love them even more when they’re funny and Dying for a Dance is a very funny mystery. Laurel reminds me of a boss I used to have who was also a very good friend. Marilyn, like Laurel, was an attractive woman who usually had her act together and had a good man in her life (still does). She was one of those women it would be easy to hate because she seemed to have it all, you know the type? And then she would pull off a ridiculously silly and inept move, frequently involving her feet. One time, we were walking across an icy parking lot and she was suddenly not there—she had literally slid under a car. Another time, we were at a business dinner and she excused herself for a few minutes. On the way back across a tile floor, her feet went up in the air (she was wearing these shoes called Candies that were notorious accidents waiting to happen) and, the next thing we knew, she was flat on her back with her skirt over her face. All in view of our clients, of course.
So when I read Cindy Sample‘s stories about Laurel, I have a clear picture of her in my mind and I’m laughing before I even start. Fortunately, the author does not let me down. In this case, I can relate to this essentially clumsy woman having to stumble her way around a dance floor or face the wrath of Bridezilla and Laurel is clearly relieved, in a way, when she gets involved in a murder investigation. What better excuse could she have to avoid the dance floor?
Going along with Laurel as she annoys her detective boyfriend and a bunch of potential murder suspects, copes with her mother’s boyfriend who once suspected Laurel of murder, fends off amorous Russians and learns more than she wants to know about competitive dancing is pure fun and I really hope the third book is coming soon.
So when I read Cindy Sample‘s stories about Laurel, I have a clear picture of her in my mind and I’m laughing before I even start. Fortunately, the author does not let me down. In this case, I can relate to this essentially clumsy woman having to stumble her way around a dance floor or face the wrath of Bridezilla and Laurel is clearly relieved, in a way, when she gets involved in a murder investigation. What better excuse could she have to avoid the dance floor?
Going along with Laurel as she annoys her detective boyfriend and a bunch of potential murder suspects, copes with her mother’s boyfriend who once suspected Laurel of murder, fends off amorous Russians and learns more than she wants to know about competitive dancing is pure fun and I really hope the third book is coming soon.
December 2, 2011
Single mom Laurel McKay reluctantly agrees to take dancing lessons for a routine for her best friend’s upcoming wedding in Lake Tahoe. Klutzy Laurel trips during a practice dance, breaking the heel of her shoe. Later that night, that same heel is found sticking out of the mouth of one of the male instructors, dead in the parking lot with a pool of blood under his head. Laurel thinks things can’t get much worse but they do when Detective Tom Hunter shows up to investigate. Hunter pegged Laurel as a suspect in a prior murder and now it looks like the same thing is happening all over again. To add insult to injury, Laurel’s still reeling over the fact that Hunter dumped her without an explanation after a two-week dating spree. To make matters worse, Laurel’s mother is now engaged to Hunter’s retired partner, a man who also pegged Laurel as a murderer. When the wife of Laurel’s boss becomes the primary suspect, he asks Laurel to help clear his wife’s name. Laurel’s only too happy to do so and off she goes on another amateur sleuthing rampage, dancing all the way, with a whole plethora of suspects to investigate.
This follow-up to Dying for a Date featuring Laurel McKay is another hilarious romp filled with twists and turns and a vexing mystery. Sample introduces her readers to the fiercely competitive world of competition dancing and does not disappoint with the sizzling chemistry between Laurel and Detective Hunter. Sample’s one-liners are amusing and her development of Laurel McKay as a caring, self-deprecating, everyday woman is well-done. This reviewer looks forward to the next in this series.
This follow-up to Dying for a Date featuring Laurel McKay is another hilarious romp filled with twists and turns and a vexing mystery. Sample introduces her readers to the fiercely competitive world of competition dancing and does not disappoint with the sizzling chemistry between Laurel and Detective Hunter. Sample’s one-liners are amusing and her development of Laurel McKay as a caring, self-deprecating, everyday woman is well-done. This reviewer looks forward to the next in this series.
June 27, 2012
Who would think that a simple bridal dance could become a problem? But when Laurel's best friend, Liz, decides that the entire wedding party will have dance lessons, trouble steps all over Laurel's feet. And it isn't only that she's clumsy on the dance floor, either. Someone has stolen her dance shoes, and when she finds one stuck in the mouth of a very volatile, very dead, Russian dance instructor, she knows she's in trouble—again.
Soon, Laurel is shoved into the murder investigation when her boss's wife is arrested, because as her boss says, who better to solve the case than Laurel, who has a tendency to be in the middle of trouble anyway.
Russian dance émigrés, jealous lovers, and suspects abound in this delightful tale of murder, and, with Laurel in it, mayhem.
Smart, fun, and witty with just enough romance between Laurel and the deputy to charm any reader.
Highly recommended
RP Dahlke
Author of humorous mysteries:
A Dead Red Cadillac, #1 in the Dead Red Series
A Dead Red Heart, #2 in the Dead Red series
A Dead Red Oleander
Soon, Laurel is shoved into the murder investigation when her boss's wife is arrested, because as her boss says, who better to solve the case than Laurel, who has a tendency to be in the middle of trouble anyway.
Russian dance émigrés, jealous lovers, and suspects abound in this delightful tale of murder, and, with Laurel in it, mayhem.
Smart, fun, and witty with just enough romance between Laurel and the deputy to charm any reader.
Highly recommended
RP Dahlke
Author of humorous mysteries:
A Dead Red Cadillac, #1 in the Dead Red Series
A Dead Red Heart, #2 in the Dead Red series
A Dead Red Oleander
May 2, 2014
#2 in the Laurel McKay series. Laurel is a divorced, mortgage underwriting, soccer mom in California Gold Country - she has two children (well behaved, in contrast to those in several other cozy series), a domineering, super-competent mother, and a police detective who gets her hot (in five minute encounters) - oh, and she also has a tendency to stumble over dead bodies. This is an enjoyable cozy series that would be improved if Laurel would break the cycle of hating Detective Hunter for his inattention only to fall deeply in lust if he touches her.
Laurel McKay series - It takes two to tango --but only one to murder. Lead-footed single mom, Laurel McKay, agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend's wedding. After she trips her instructor, crashes into a pair of dancers and breaks the heel of her new shoes, she thinks her evening can't possibly get any worse. Then she stumbles over another dancer. A dead one. With her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth. The action moves from the California Gold Country to Lake Tahoe as Laurel searches for the killer amid the sequins and flying feathers of a ballroom competition.
Laurel McKay series - It takes two to tango --but only one to murder. Lead-footed single mom, Laurel McKay, agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend's wedding. After she trips her instructor, crashes into a pair of dancers and breaks the heel of her new shoes, she thinks her evening can't possibly get any worse. Then she stumbles over another dancer. A dead one. With her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth. The action moves from the California Gold Country to Lake Tahoe as Laurel searches for the killer amid the sequins and flying feathers of a ballroom competition.
February 18, 2015
I borrowed this and Dying for a Date by the same author a few months back and have been reading both books trying to return them in somewhat of a timely manner. (LOL)
This time our heroine Laurel McKay is taking dance lessons for her BFF's upcoming wedding and along with the lessons she comes across a couple of bodies. She's pretty familiar with people in the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department because of previous encounters and she's back in their crosshairs again.
Cindy Sample is a local writer and sets these light, highly entertaining Who-Done-Its in her local area. This time she's expanded up to Lake Tahoe.
Her mysteries remind me of the TV show "Castle". You think you know who did it but then there is more evidence to point to someone else and by the end of the book the person who did it is the person you least expected. I like that.
This time our heroine Laurel McKay is taking dance lessons for her BFF's upcoming wedding and along with the lessons she comes across a couple of bodies. She's pretty familiar with people in the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department because of previous encounters and she's back in their crosshairs again.
Cindy Sample is a local writer and sets these light, highly entertaining Who-Done-Its in her local area. This time she's expanded up to Lake Tahoe.
Her mysteries remind me of the TV show "Castle". You think you know who did it but then there is more evidence to point to someone else and by the end of the book the person who did it is the person you least expected. I like that.
October 19, 2011
Author Cindy Sample has another hit on her hands. Dying for a Dance is a tense murder mystery that is loaded with funny one-liners and quips from soccer-mom-turned-detective, Laurel McKay. McKay is learning to dance for her best girlfriend's wedding. Little does she know that murder is afoot and McKay is in the middle of the action. McKay juggles kids (who are both wonderful by the way), a mom who is dating a retired cop, an ex-boyfriend who is a current cop that she wants back, as well as a full time job. She manages to squeeze in hunting for a murderer in a style that only she could come up with. Like the author's first book, Dying for a Date, Laurel McKay is an unlikely heroine that you find yourself rooting for every step of the way. An excellent book!
March 3, 2014
Yes Again!!
I loved Cindy Sample's first book featuring Laurel and her friends and family but Dying for a Dance was even better. Once again I found myself laughing out loud. The mystery was intriguing and I didn't figure it out until right until the end. But the mystery itself takes a backseat to the wonderful characters in this series of books. I love Laurel and I love seeing the world through her eyes.
These books are definitely must reads!!
I loved Cindy Sample's first book featuring Laurel and her friends and family but Dying for a Dance was even better. Once again I found myself laughing out loud. The mystery was intriguing and I didn't figure it out until right until the end. But the mystery itself takes a backseat to the wonderful characters in this series of books. I love Laurel and I love seeing the world through her eyes.
These books are definitely must reads!!
January 28, 2012
Even better than the first in the series and that's saying a lot! Funny, witty with an intriguing mystery- a must read!
February 9, 2016
Cindy Sample's series is great fun. I enjoy her cast of characters and her setting.
August 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The story had so many things going on at once that it is hard to stop listening too, don't get me wrong it isn't confusing and everything is nicely connected. I love the family drama and wedding preparations but it was the mystery that I really liked. It is all set in or around a dance studio that works well for the wedding theme and despite never having an interest in ballroom dancing or even watching dancing on tv, I was hooked and it was easy to imagine because it was so well described without being over the top of technical. With so many suspects it kept me guessing and I never did come up with the motive until near the very end. This is proving to be a fun series both for the mystery and humour and I look forward to starting the next book.
Laurel best friend is getting married and Laurel.would do anything to make her friend happy except maybe learn the foxtrot. Even with dance lessons the dream to have all the wedding party participants dancing at the end seems a nightmare. Especially when Laurel finds one of the dance instructors dead with her shoes heel stuck in his mouth. Rather than be the number one suspect, the police focus in on her boss and his wife. Could the president of the bank really be responsible? And if he was why would he ask Laurel to investigate the murder and clear his and his wife's name? With the wedding fast approaching Laurel will have her work cut out for her learning the steps and maybe just maybe trying to solve a murder. Then another one of the dancers is killed and it seems like it's murder on the dance floor. Could the motive be money and the up coming dance competition that is happening at the same place as the wedding?
I liked the narrator, she really helped to bring the story to life with some great voices.
Laurel best friend is getting married and Laurel.would do anything to make her friend happy except maybe learn the foxtrot. Even with dance lessons the dream to have all the wedding party participants dancing at the end seems a nightmare. Especially when Laurel finds one of the dance instructors dead with her shoes heel stuck in his mouth. Rather than be the number one suspect, the police focus in on her boss and his wife. Could the president of the bank really be responsible? And if he was why would he ask Laurel to investigate the murder and clear his and his wife's name? With the wedding fast approaching Laurel will have her work cut out for her learning the steps and maybe just maybe trying to solve a murder. Then another one of the dancers is killed and it seems like it's murder on the dance floor. Could the motive be money and the up coming dance competition that is happening at the same place as the wedding?
I liked the narrator, she really helped to bring the story to life with some great voices.
November 4, 2018
Dying for a Dance #2 — Cindy Sample (53 chapters) Oct. 21-24, 2018
Second book in the series.
Laurel is taking dance lessons for Liz’s special wedding reception. While there a murder is committed and her heel appears sticking out of the dead person’s mouth. She nis relieved to find that she isn’t a suspect in the murder, but aghast that her boss’ wife is. Now her boss wants her to solve the mystery and clear his wife of the deed!
This was a fun, (fast towards the end,) read. It more me than anything, but I’ve gotten so I like to read compact cozys: short and to the point. This book (and the one before it,) wanders around a lot. This is great for readers who like to be immersed in the characters and their plots, but for me: so many books…so little time!
In this one, Laurel in distraught because her boyfriend detective gets up and leaves and doesn’t return (this is told in an event that happened sometime between the last book and this one.) We know this because when a dancer ends up dead at the studio where she is taking classes she gets all flustered with he shows up.
Things progress from there. This book not only solves a case but also works out some issues, subtly, for Lauren and Detective Hunter.
Aside from being a bit long (it took me three days to read, but as mentioned earlier, it read a lot faster with shorter chapters in the last 1/3 of the book,) it was an enjoyable read. All the regular characters are back. Although there is really nothing new here, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Three stars.
Second book in the series.
Laurel is taking dance lessons for Liz’s special wedding reception. While there a murder is committed and her heel appears sticking out of the dead person’s mouth. She nis relieved to find that she isn’t a suspect in the murder, but aghast that her boss’ wife is. Now her boss wants her to solve the mystery and clear his wife of the deed!
This was a fun, (fast towards the end,) read. It more me than anything, but I’ve gotten so I like to read compact cozys: short and to the point. This book (and the one before it,) wanders around a lot. This is great for readers who like to be immersed in the characters and their plots, but for me: so many books…so little time!
In this one, Laurel in distraught because her boyfriend detective gets up and leaves and doesn’t return (this is told in an event that happened sometime between the last book and this one.) We know this because when a dancer ends up dead at the studio where she is taking classes she gets all flustered with he shows up.
Things progress from there. This book not only solves a case but also works out some issues, subtly, for Lauren and Detective Hunter.
Aside from being a bit long (it took me three days to read, but as mentioned earlier, it read a lot faster with shorter chapters in the last 1/3 of the book,) it was an enjoyable read. All the regular characters are back. Although there is really nothing new here, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Three stars.
January 6, 2025
Laurel has to learn a dance routine for her friends wedding. She's is taking lessons at a local dance studios, but it's not going well since she has two left feet. During practice she ends up breaking the heel of her dance shoe. She puts on her work shoes and finishes her lesson. When she goes to get her shoes from the dressing room they are gone. Annoyed she heads home only to find the body of one of the male dance instructors in the parking lot with her shoes heel in his mouth. Not she has to investigate who killed him since she is now a suspect.
Great mystery. So many twists and turns. Very enjoyable.
Great mystery. So many twists and turns. Very enjoyable.
February 23, 2022
Great book
What a wonderfully funny, romantic, and genuine story! I know its only fiction but with the goings on of the world today (2020-2021), it very easy to believe as a true story with the names changed to protect the innocent! Laurel always gets her man! Who knew dancing could be life threatening? Wowzer! Continue on to book three to keep and eye on Laurel and Dan!. Great book!#Cindysample
What a wonderfully funny, romantic, and genuine story! I know its only fiction but with the goings on of the world today (2020-2021), it very easy to believe as a true story with the names changed to protect the innocent! Laurel always gets her man! Who knew dancing could be life threatening? Wowzer! Continue on to book three to keep and eye on Laurel and Dan!. Great book!#Cindysample
August 2, 2022
Laurel learns to dance Foxtrot for her best friends Liz upcoming wedding. Not an easy task for her but when she brakes a heel on her expensive dance shoes and that particular heal ends up in the mouth of a murder victim things get from bad to worse.
Laurel’s mom has a surprise in store of her own and how will the relationship with Laurel’ s former boyfriend and investigating officer develop? Lots of twists and turns and a surprising end.
Laurel’s mom has a surprise in store of her own and how will the relationship with Laurel’ s former boyfriend and investigating officer develop? Lots of twists and turns and a surprising end.
November 22, 2021
Entertaining.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I cannot wait to read more of this series. It is fun and interesting, with colorful characters. Best of all, it keeps you guessing as to the killer. It's nice to see a main character based in reality. She was more real than a lot of other main characters in this genre. This book is definitely worth reading.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I cannot wait to read more of this series. It is fun and interesting, with colorful characters. Best of all, it keeps you guessing as to the killer. It's nice to see a main character based in reality. She was more real than a lot of other main characters in this genre. This book is definitely worth reading.
December 19, 2021
Laurel seems to live life on the edge...of everything! Her bank account, her family, her dancing skills, her friends, her job, but it works for her! It took me awhile to get into the story, but it built as it went along and I was left guessing who the "bad guy" was until the end. There was a fun little twist at the very end of the story that made me chuckle.
July 6, 2022
A very exciting cozy mystery
I loved this book. It is so exciting I hated to put it down when I had to do something. I love all of the characters. They seem like real people. Cindy Sample is such a good writer, you feel as if you are there. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good exciting cozy mystery.
I loved this book. It is so exciting I hated to put it down when I had to do something. I love all of the characters. They seem like real people. Cindy Sample is such a good writer, you feel as if you are there. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good exciting cozy mystery.
May 14, 2017
I am hooked on Cindy Sample! Dying for a Dance was another fun read, and another surprise ending! Laurel McKay is so authentic, and part of her charm is not being perfect! I can hardly start the next adventure!
June 19, 2022
Another great entry in the Laurel McKay series. Once again she finds herself mixed up in another murder investigation. But at least she is making progress with her personal relationship. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 4, 2023
Hilarious
This high quality cozy mystery is high on zany comedy. You wouldn't believe all that could happen to one person forced into dance lessons, but it all fits in this book, patched together.
This high quality cozy mystery is high on zany comedy. You wouldn't believe all that could happen to one person forced into dance lessons, but it all fits in this book, patched together.
February 9, 2026
4/5 STARS! This cozy mystery series is a blast! Filled with fun & funny characters, crazy situations, & a slow burn romance, I enjoy whatever is happening in this world. Great mysteries, super enjoyable on audiobook. Anyone in a reading slump will enjoy this easy listen.
November 3, 2017
This was an okay book. It dragged out a bit. Not as good as the first in the series. I will give the third book a chance since it came in a set.
February 26, 2020
Delightful mystery
Fast paced and keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is good read and I highly recommend this book
Fast paced and keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is good read and I highly recommend this book
March 2, 2020
This was a really fun story. I can relate to Laurel trying to learn to dance and not being very good at it.
February 8, 2021
A likeable enough story. A little too twee in places for my liking. I like the way bodies crop up wherever she goes in a Murder She Wrote parallell.
November 16, 2021
Who killed Dimitri and why??? Kidnapping, smuggling and shooting??? I enjoyed this story, cold as it was, and recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews