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Southern Beauty Shop #4
Wave Good-bye
St. Elizabeth, Georgia, offers charm, Southern hospitality—and the occasional murder. This time, when a new hair salon tries to steal business, it’s someone’s life that gets cut short… Violetta’s salon is up in arms. Business is dead. Snippets, a big box haircutting chain, has opened in St. Elizabeth, undercutting prices and luring away loyal customers. Violetta’s daughter, hairdresser Grace Terhune, is shocked to discover that it’s her old high school rival Lisa Butterworth who’s behind the big sweep—and Grace isn’t going to take this sitting down. Snippets’ cold-blooded prized employee is doing wonders with Violetta’s client list. According to Lisa, it’s just business—until a bitter confrontation leaves Grace more than frustrated, and Lisa less than alive. Now Grace is the prime suspect in her rival’s murder. And only her friends at Violetta’s can save her—before the charge proves permanent.BEAUTY TIPS AND TRICKS INCLUDED!
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2013
About the author
Lila Dare
5 books94 followersAuthor of the Southern Beauty Shop mysteries, Lila Dare was born in Georgia and has lived in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia. Although she has never worked in a beauty shop, she frequents salons and likes to tell her stylist: “Surprise me.” Maybe that’s why she looks nervous in her photo. She currently lives west of the Mississippi with her husband, two daughters and dog, and misses Southern cooking and friendliness, but not the humidity.
Lila Dare is also Laura DiSilverio, author of the Mall Cop series and the Swift Investigations series.
Lila Dare is also Laura DiSilverio, author of the Mall Cop series and the Swift Investigations series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 6, 2013
I'm having a hard time believing this series entry was written by the same person who authored the previous three books. When did Grace become so pathetic, so whiny, so unlikeable, and frankly so idiotic and devoid of self-respect. What happened? It seems like a complete personality transplant. This book was difficult to finish and I considered relegating it to my "Do Not Finish Ever" digital shelf, but I thought this can't possibly continue. Grace became slightly more palatable as the book progressed, but so much damage was done to her character.
A character who thinks so highly of her physicality and exterior, and Grace does it often enough, should try to cultivate a strength of character and self-worth to match. It's rather sad that a woman who actively allows herself to be treated as a disposable blow-up doll would harp on the physicality of a successful woman.
The mystery was serviceable, but incredibly anticlimactic. The mystery was certainly not enough to make up for a transformed Grace, a domesticated Marsh, and all the dizzying subplots. Sam was a welcome addition, but he was the only one. The major subplots where basically resolved in the predictable happy ending way one would expect.
A few days ago I was debating between starting this or another book, obviously this won, but in the words of the Grail Knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I chose poorly.
A character who thinks so highly of her physicality and exterior, and Grace does it often enough, should try to cultivate a strength of character and self-worth to match. It's rather sad that a woman who actively allows herself to be treated as a disposable blow-up doll would harp on the physicality of a successful woman.
The mystery was serviceable, but incredibly anticlimactic. The mystery was certainly not enough to make up for a transformed Grace, a domesticated Marsh, and all the dizzying subplots. Sam was a welcome addition, but he was the only one. The major subplots where basically resolved in the predictable happy ending way one would expect.
A few days ago I was debating between starting this or another book, obviously this won, but in the words of the Grail Knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I chose poorly.
April 28, 2017
Unfortunately Berkley Prime Crime discontinued publishing this wonderful series after Wave Good-Bye. Shame on them! Lila Dare provided me with many hours of reading pleasure and I highly recommend this series to all cozy readers. I doubt that you'll regret it. My only hope is that Lila can find another publishing group that will pick it up and we all can continue reading the adventures of these colorful characters.
March 17, 2013
I'll admit I started off hating this book - I put it down and picked up a different book instead. The whole first chapter or two is her going out of her way to set herself up as a murder suspect while making herself sound as pathetic as possible.
I'm glad I stuck with it though - the book got better by 10 fold! First, there's a scene with her new parakeet Sam that had me laughing out loud until tears came to my eyes. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone else so I'll stop there, but really the book was just excellent after those first couple of chapters. The murder mystery was very well done too - the author had me certain I knew who had to have killed Lisa, only to find out I was totally wrong.
A great series and the pathetic-ness at the beginning aside, an excellent book!
I'm glad I stuck with it though - the book got better by 10 fold! First, there's a scene with her new parakeet Sam that had me laughing out loud until tears came to my eyes. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone else so I'll stop there, but really the book was just excellent after those first couple of chapters. The murder mystery was very well done too - the author had me certain I knew who had to have killed Lisa, only to find out I was totally wrong.
A great series and the pathetic-ness at the beginning aside, an excellent book!
May 6, 2013
Read this all in one day. Loved it! Very excited to see where the protaganist and her family/friends go from here.
May 23, 2020
Grace Ann Terhune, hair stylist at her mother's salon, has a run in with Lisa Butterworth, who scammed them for their client list by posing as a social media marketing consultant. That same night Lisa is killed. Besides being a suspect and having to deal with her ex who is a gung-ho policeman, she also has to deal with her mother's salon being infested with mold and a shaky long distance relationship. This was an OK finish to the series although Grace was a bit too hair-triggered temperamentally at the beginning causing some of her own problems.
November 7, 2020
Very good read
I've all the books in this series , can't wait for the next book in this series. A very good read
I've all the books in this series , can't wait for the next book in this series. A very good read
June 9, 2023
Great series - just wish there had been more. :(
March 20, 2013
Snippets, a national chain of hair salons, has opened a new shop in St. Elizabeth, Georgia. Their cheap prices and shady business practices may mean the end of local favorite Violetta’s Salon. Violetta seems resigned to the fate of her salon, but daughter and employee Grace Ann Terhune is not about to give in without a fight. Unfortunately, Grace Ann also finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and a leading suspect in the murder of Lisa Butterworth, a rival employee at Snippets.
“Wave Good-Bye” is the fourth book in this series and has the same southern charm and behind the scenes look at a beauty salon. I love Grace Ann’s mother Violetta and her best friend Althea. GBI agent “Marsh” is also a great character and wonderful friend to Grace Ann. I don’t care for Grace’s “best friend” Vonda who is the first to jump ship and run to Snippets to take advantage of a coupon she receives from them and an ugly argument between Grace Ann and Vonda left me feeling sad and shocked that two supposed friends could talk to each other this way and then act like nothing happened the next time they meet.
I like the premise of a large chain coming into town and competing with Violetta’s and this introduces a whole new cast of unique characters from Snippets. However, the fun of the various characters and the interesting investigation is spoiled a bit by Grace Ann and her man troubles. Her vain, womanizing ex-boyfriend is back in town and another suspect in Lisa’s murder and her obnoxious ex-husband Hank alternates between making passes at Grace Ann and trying to arrest her. I’ve never cared for her current boyfriend Marty, who always puts his career before Grace Ann, but how he treats her in one scene in this book actually turned my stomach. Grace Ann says she is in control of the situation, but she seems desperate. The best guy in the whole book is Marsh, the one she’s not involved with!
The best parts of this series are on a par with Anne George’s Southern Sisters mysteries. I love Violetta’s and love author Lila Dare and am looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully by then, Grace Ann will have her love life settled and the book can focus on the lovably quirky characters and the next investigation that needs Grace Ann’s special sleuthing skills.
“Wave Good-Bye” is the fourth book in this series and has the same southern charm and behind the scenes look at a beauty salon. I love Grace Ann’s mother Violetta and her best friend Althea. GBI agent “Marsh” is also a great character and wonderful friend to Grace Ann. I don’t care for Grace’s “best friend” Vonda who is the first to jump ship and run to Snippets to take advantage of a coupon she receives from them and an ugly argument between Grace Ann and Vonda left me feeling sad and shocked that two supposed friends could talk to each other this way and then act like nothing happened the next time they meet.
I like the premise of a large chain coming into town and competing with Violetta’s and this introduces a whole new cast of unique characters from Snippets. However, the fun of the various characters and the interesting investigation is spoiled a bit by Grace Ann and her man troubles. Her vain, womanizing ex-boyfriend is back in town and another suspect in Lisa’s murder and her obnoxious ex-husband Hank alternates between making passes at Grace Ann and trying to arrest her. I’ve never cared for her current boyfriend Marty, who always puts his career before Grace Ann, but how he treats her in one scene in this book actually turned my stomach. Grace Ann says she is in control of the situation, but she seems desperate. The best guy in the whole book is Marsh, the one she’s not involved with!
The best parts of this series are on a par with Anne George’s Southern Sisters mysteries. I love Violetta’s and love author Lila Dare and am looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully by then, Grace Ann will have her love life settled and the book can focus on the lovably quirky characters and the next investigation that needs Grace Ann’s special sleuthing skills.
May 16, 2013
In this fourth book of the series, 'A Southern Beauty Shop Mystery,' was a treat. I enjoyed the change of location. I enjoyed the keeping of the supporting characters. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the storyline. Well, I guess in summary, I enjoyed this book.
Beautician, Grace Ann Terhune, works, after her failed marriage and failed love affair, back in St. Elizabeth, Georgia in her mother's beauty salon, 'Violetta's.' The novel opens with changes. Grace Ann faces major changes when she finds out Violetta's client list has been stolen, by a person Grace Ann had hired to help publicize the shop.
While Grace Ann faces the closure of Violetta's due to lack of custom, and deadly black mold from the hurricane, Lisa Butterworth, the woman who orchestrated the theft, is enjoying being manager of the rival 'Snippets.' It turns out that others are not enjoying her being Manager, and when Lisa is found dead after a confrontation with Grace Ann...well, you can imagine. I could too, but, not the action and dialog that accompanied the scene, for that you need to read this book.
This book had a good solid murder mystery. It had humor, and likable suspects. You will be surprised at the ending, as was I and finally, Grace Ann's ex-husband is dealt with in a terrific scene. In fact this book is filled with great scenes.
I recommend reading this cozy and having a great experience.
Beautician, Grace Ann Terhune, works, after her failed marriage and failed love affair, back in St. Elizabeth, Georgia in her mother's beauty salon, 'Violetta's.' The novel opens with changes. Grace Ann faces major changes when she finds out Violetta's client list has been stolen, by a person Grace Ann had hired to help publicize the shop.
While Grace Ann faces the closure of Violetta's due to lack of custom, and deadly black mold from the hurricane, Lisa Butterworth, the woman who orchestrated the theft, is enjoying being manager of the rival 'Snippets.' It turns out that others are not enjoying her being Manager, and when Lisa is found dead after a confrontation with Grace Ann...well, you can imagine. I could too, but, not the action and dialog that accompanied the scene, for that you need to read this book.
This book had a good solid murder mystery. It had humor, and likable suspects. You will be surprised at the ending, as was I and finally, Grace Ann's ex-husband is dealt with in a terrific scene. In fact this book is filled with great scenes.
I recommend reading this cozy and having a great experience.
May 8, 2013
I've never read a series where the authors changed midstream, and while I found Wave Good-bye enjoyable, I didn't enjoy it as much as the three previous books. I'm not certain if I will continue with the series or not because Grace lost some of her spunky-ness in this novel. She was content to sit back and let events happen, and I don't believe the Grace Terhune I thought I knew would do that. (As an aside, this kind of breaks my heart, especially if the original author conceived these characters.)
Snippets is a chain salon offering steep discounts to St. Elizabeth's residents. Grace isn't certain whether her mother's salon will be able to compete. When her old rival, Lisa Butterworth, is killed, Grace decides to investigate, and Marshall John Dillon of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation returns to the scene of the crime.
I was glad to have Grace and "Marsh" finally confess their love for each other. They'd been dancing around it for three books. Again, I didn't find it as rewarding as I had hoped, and I'll give the reasoning to the writing style.
I was content to bid St. Elizabeth and Violetta's farewell after book 3, but Wave Good-bye was a good way to tie up loose ends leftover from Die Job.
Snippets is a chain salon offering steep discounts to St. Elizabeth's residents. Grace isn't certain whether her mother's salon will be able to compete. When her old rival, Lisa Butterworth, is killed, Grace decides to investigate, and Marshall John Dillon of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation returns to the scene of the crime.
I was glad to have Grace and "Marsh" finally confess their love for each other. They'd been dancing around it for three books. Again, I didn't find it as rewarding as I had hoped, and I'll give the reasoning to the writing style.
I was content to bid St. Elizabeth and Violetta's farewell after book 3, but Wave Good-bye was a good way to tie up loose ends leftover from Die Job.
December 17, 2013
Wave Good-bye is the fourth in Lila Dare's Southern Beauty Shop cozy mystery series. The series is no better written than the average cozy mystery, but contains relatable characters and interesting plots. Wave Good-bye is no different, and in fact contains a little more depth than I expected.
In this novel, Grace Ann, the main character, is going through a period of transition in both her relationships and her career. When a business rival is murdered, her situation becomes even more precarious. In typical cozy mystery fashion, the mystery is a bit predictable and the writing quite average. However, the characters, setting and plot are done well enough to overcome the flaws. Wave Good-bye is a very pleasing palate cleanser with just enough depth to keep it from getting boring.
I would recommend Wave Good-bye to fans of cozy mysteries. Dare manages to overcome the formulaic nature of the genre with well-developed characters and interesting plots. This was a light, fun read.
3.5 Stars
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
In this novel, Grace Ann, the main character, is going through a period of transition in both her relationships and her career. When a business rival is murdered, her situation becomes even more precarious. In typical cozy mystery fashion, the mystery is a bit predictable and the writing quite average. However, the characters, setting and plot are done well enough to overcome the flaws. Wave Good-bye is a very pleasing palate cleanser with just enough depth to keep it from getting boring.
I would recommend Wave Good-bye to fans of cozy mysteries. Dare manages to overcome the formulaic nature of the genre with well-developed characters and interesting plots. This was a light, fun read.
3.5 Stars
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
April 10, 2013
I won this book via a blog giveaway and wasn't sure what to expect honestly. I did not know the author and was unfamiliar with the whole "cozy mystery" genre prior to this book. I have to say that I was VERY pleasantly surprised. I read the 310 pg paperback in one day and LOVED it! It did not have sex in it (sex was mentioned and there was romance a bit and some kissing but nothing graphic) and very little foul language. It was VERY PG and that normally is NOT my style. I like raunchy and action packed normally, with lots of hot sex and foul language. I liked this one so much and that shocked me to death! It was very well written, fast paced, funny, and, with its southern roots, very much struck me at my core (I am from WV and could so relate to a lot of the stuff in this book). I will definitely check out the other books in this series and am even going to look more into this genre. It was a perfect spring read with the windows of my house opened and myself plopped in bed with a big bunch of pillows behind me. DEF recommend to anyone who enjoys a good clean mystery (or even someone who thinks they won't! LOL).
May 4, 2013
I was interested to learn that this series was being continued by a different author, and once I started reading it became very obvious. Although the characters are the same the tone is different and the cat on the cover makes only one or two appearances in the whole book. Still, the main character gets a cute new pet, her romance situation evolves agreeably and other changes are made that I was actually happy about in the end. I liked the new author's style and really enjoyed this book, with the one complaint that I wish she had included the kinds of visual descriptions of the town that the previous author had- those descriptions made the series so warm and cozy and made me want to visit Georgia. Still, I'm looking forward to more!
October 29, 2014
Wave Good-bye by Lila Dare is the 4th book in A Southern Beauty Shop Mystery series. Snippets, a national beauty shop chain, opens up in St. Elizabeth and Violetta's find that the opposition have stolen their client list. When the new manager is killed, Grace Ann becomes a suspect. I was not looking forward to reading this book as the beauty shop theme did not really interest me but I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying it immensely. I loved the characters and found the book difficult to put down once I started. The mystery was engaging, although the killer was easy to spot. I had not read any of this series before this book, but found it easy to get to know every-one and did not feel as if I had missed anything. I definitely plan to read more of the series.
April 12, 2013
A 4.5 star read....I hate that there are no 1/2 stars!! Anyway, this is one of my favorite series and this one did not disappoint. I love the ladies from Violetta's and things aren't going so well for them when this one begins. The victim deserved what she got, IMHO! Good story and some resolutions in the romance department. RECOMMEND!! (found out today that this book was written by a different author than the first 3. Laura DiSilverio wrote the first 3, which I knew. This one was written by Joanna Campbell Slan)
September 17, 2013
Grace Ann has plenty of reason to dislike Lisa Butterworth. Lisa lied to Grace Ann's mother and got a customer list of Violetta's salon, which she's using to steal once-loyal customers. Then Grace Ann finds that Lisa is dating her old mentor and boyfriend, who is now married to Lisa's boss. So when Lisa is killed, Grace Ann's clingy ex-husband sees a good opportunity to get his revenge by treating her as a murder suspect. Can trouble get any deeper? Yes, ma'am!
March 26, 2016
if you like Cozy Mystery + Romance, Funny and A Little Bit of Drama read it.
From the first to middle chapter Grace Ann didn't concentrate to solve the crime but after that you will not disappoint.
I really enjoyed and look forward to the next book.
From the first to middle chapter Grace Ann didn't concentrate to solve the crime but after that you will not disappoint.
I really enjoyed and look forward to the next book.
October 5, 2013
I could be friends with Grace Ann. First, she lives in St Elizabeth, the fictional equivalent of my town. Second, anyone who properly describes something as a "big honking" anything is speaking my language. You are too cool, Lila Dare!
October 16, 2013
I like this series and this was a pretty good addition to the series. I was discouraged with the first part of the book as it all seemed so doom and gloom. The rest of the story progressed in a better vein but some of the my favorite characters played very minor roles. It was still a good read.
July 20, 2014
Enjoyable cozy with plenty of believable red herrings. There were tons of subplots that sometimes took away from the main narrative thread. I don't know if that impression stemmed from my not having read any precious books or not.
March 10, 2013
This is the kind of story where the book ends and you turn the book over Hoping there is more--somewhere! I hated the book ended, I want MORE!
March 25, 2013
an Ok addition to the series, not the best by far.
April 3, 2013
I am giving this one a 4.25/5 ... yup more than 4 stars!!
May 29, 2013
Fun series. The southernisms are charming. Bless her heart! Glad to see her in a better relationship and job. Eager for the next book in this series.
April 22, 2013
I really enjoyed all the book sin this series so far, but thought this one was the best. Highly recommend reading this book!!!
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December 26, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
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June 21, 2015
Weakest of this series. What was with the love affaire with Subway?
March 9, 2016
Another fun cozy during these cold winter months
February 4, 2016
The ending wasn't what I had hoped for a series ending book - but maybe they didn't know it would be the last one...who knows...good book tho.
December 3, 2016
good book - just curious if this is the last book in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews