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Southern Beauty Shop #3
Die Job
After an attempted murder at a supposedly haunted plantation, the ladies of Violetta's beauty salon unravel secrets that link a high school student, a centuries-old crime, and the roots to a very dark mystery.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
10 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Lila Dare
5 books93 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
August 1, 2016
2.5**
High school senior Rachel Whitley enlists Grace Terhune, a stylist in the beauty shop where Rachel is the shampoo girl, as a chaperone for a class field trip. The students are going to investigate purported paranormal activity at a local antebellum mansion. It’s said that the spirit of Cyril Rothmere haunts the staircase where he fell (or was pushed) to his death. But instead of a ghost, Rachel finds fellow student Braden McCullers at the base of the same stairs. As he clings to life in the hospital intensive care unit, Rachel asks the ladies at Violetta’s salon to help her investigate what really happened.
I read cozies for the atmosphere – especially when they are set in a small Southern town – and for the quirky cast of characters. BUT, I do expect a reasonable murder mystery, and that where this particular book fell short. I liked the relationships between Grace, her mother ViIoletta (owner of the salon), Althea Jenkins (part-time aesthetician) and Stella Michaelson (manicurist); these are some strong ladies, physically, mentally and emotionally. I also thought the supporting cast of characters – students, school staff, police, etc – were suitably colorful.
But the plot? Well, there really isn’t much of one. The hurricane bearing down on the community was more in evidence that the mystery investigation.
This is book three in the series, though it’s the first one I’ve read, and perhaps the author is running out of ideas. Still, it’s a fast read and I might pick up another if it’s fulfills several challenges (as this one did).
High school senior Rachel Whitley enlists Grace Terhune, a stylist in the beauty shop where Rachel is the shampoo girl, as a chaperone for a class field trip. The students are going to investigate purported paranormal activity at a local antebellum mansion. It’s said that the spirit of Cyril Rothmere haunts the staircase where he fell (or was pushed) to his death. But instead of a ghost, Rachel finds fellow student Braden McCullers at the base of the same stairs. As he clings to life in the hospital intensive care unit, Rachel asks the ladies at Violetta’s salon to help her investigate what really happened.
I read cozies for the atmosphere – especially when they are set in a small Southern town – and for the quirky cast of characters. BUT, I do expect a reasonable murder mystery, and that where this particular book fell short. I liked the relationships between Grace, her mother ViIoletta (owner of the salon), Althea Jenkins (part-time aesthetician) and Stella Michaelson (manicurist); these are some strong ladies, physically, mentally and emotionally. I also thought the supporting cast of characters – students, school staff, police, etc – were suitably colorful.
But the plot? Well, there really isn’t much of one. The hurricane bearing down on the community was more in evidence that the mystery investigation.
This is book three in the series, though it’s the first one I’ve read, and perhaps the author is running out of ideas. Still, it’s a fast read and I might pick up another if it’s fulfills several challenges (as this one did).
April 25, 2012
This third book in the Southern Beauty Shop Mystery collection is a major disappointment from pseudonymous Lila Dare. Don't know if Dare dashed this one off to complete her three book contract or if the publishers pushed her in certain directions but the whole book is a bit of a mess. Our usually reliable detective, Grace Terhune, seems to have become one of those women who thinks all men find her attractive be they ex-husbands or imported from California school teachers or everyone in between. Maybe that's a nod to "romance novels" and who the expected audience is for this type of book in the mind of the publishers, but for someone who reads a lot of different kinds of mysteries it weakens the character of Grace and makes her less interesting. The mystery itself had some potential, with Grace acting as a chaperone for high school kids, including Rachel who works at the salon after school, visiting a supposedly haunted mansion. When Rachel's former boyfriend takes a tumble we are left with a nice number of suspects including a class full of teenagers, the other chaperones, and some parents who seem to strangely be on the scene in no time. All of the investigating might have made more sense if Rachel had been the lead detective, as the back cover of the book leads one to believe. However, for Grace to keep popping up at the local high school to ask questions is a bit unrealistic. Sure Dare invents a reason for her to be there once but would a high school really look the other way while an adult, with no children of her own, keeps walking around the high school. They would think it's odd and creepy and probably ask her to leave. Oh and I haven't even mentioned the hurricane. Or the time given to reading old letters from a woman who might have been murdered in the haunted mansion. Or the foolish ripped-from-a-Scooby-Doo-episode trap they lay for the "killer". Ok Ms.Dare #1, your contract is complete. Please collect your check and go back to writing under your real name. I hope Ms.Dare #2 tries to follow in the steps of the far superior Polished Off and not this mess.
March 15, 2013
To help a friend, stylist Grace Terhune agrees to help chaperone a group of high schoolers who are spending some night hours at a supposedly haunted plantation. But there's an accident, and Grace feels guilty that she couldn't keep the victim safe. She simply has to investigate, bringing her back into contact, and conflict, with John Dillon, the handsome Georgia state investigator she's met before. They think they have the perfect plan to trap the murderer, but a looming hurricane can disrupt everything.
June 6, 2014
Hate triangles. Hate static triangles even more. Love the characters, love the mystery, love the writing, but did I mention I hate triangles (what's in D.C. should stay in D.C.).
January 1, 2020
Hair stylist, Grace Terhune, is asked by her teenage shampoo assistant, Rachel, to fill in as a chaperone on a high school field trip. The trip is a science project on ghost hunting. However, it is on Halloween weekend and leads to pranks. During one of them while everyone is distracted one student falls down a staircase similar to the death of the ghost they are hunting. Braden ends up in a coma. Feeling guilty that this happened on her watch, Grace tries to figure out what happened. There are side stories involving a prankster, a drug study and Grace's interest in the death of the man who was the ghost being investigated. Another good mystery in this series.
November 13, 2019
I would have given this book a much better rating if it hadn't been filled with so many four-letter words. God's name was also misused. I was very disappointed. I don't recall that being in the first two books, or any other book I have read by this author--and it certainly didn't add anything to the story.
March 30, 2019
Good book. Lots of Characters. I will read the other two in the series.
June 9, 2023
More from Ms Dare please!
September 11, 2023
A story that will have you hooked from the first page.
October 31, 2014
St. Elizabeth sits smack dab on the Georgia coast, so when the weather forecasters start talking about a hurricane headed our way, even is it's still way out at sea, conversation at the salon tends to center on the storm.
That first sentence was a doozy! So is this 3rd installment of the Southern Beauty Shop series. A hurricane and Halloween. How much better could it be?
Grace Terhune agrees to chaperone a group of teens (including part time shampoo girl, Rachel) to a local plantation for a little ghost hunting. Grace steps up her own investigation when a young man is injured on the same steps where Cyril Rothmore allegedly died. She also looks into what really happened to Cyril all those years ago.
It was nice to catch up with Grace, her mom, Violetta and the other ladies of the salon. I particularly like Althea. I'm not sure where the romance portion of the story is going. I will read the next book in the series to see what is resolved.
A quick afternoon read.
That first sentence was a doozy! So is this 3rd installment of the Southern Beauty Shop series. A hurricane and Halloween. How much better could it be?
Grace Terhune agrees to chaperone a group of teens (including part time shampoo girl, Rachel) to a local plantation for a little ghost hunting. Grace steps up her own investigation when a young man is injured on the same steps where Cyril Rothmore allegedly died. She also looks into what really happened to Cyril all those years ago.
It was nice to catch up with Grace, her mom, Violetta and the other ladies of the salon. I particularly like Althea. I'm not sure where the romance portion of the story is going. I will read the next book in the series to see what is resolved.
A quick afternoon read.
February 4, 2012
Our Beauty Parlor sleuth, Grace Terhune is surprised when Rachel Whitley, her part-time helper asks for Grace's help with being a chaperone for her high school outing.
Grace is even more surprised when she realizes the field-trip is going to be a ghost debunking trip at the local Rothmere Mansion. Long considered, by the youth, of St. Elizabeth's, GA, to be haunted by Cyril Rothmere who died mysteriously at the bottom of the stairs. When is this happening, why Halloween night.
Sadly, a tragedy hits the outing and Grace has no way to keep out of the mysteries.
The characters are well drawn and the mystery was good and I was surprised by the killer. I was a bit tired of Grace's relationship with her ex. I wish it would be resolved. Grace is a strong enough character on her own. I do think three men in the offing is a bit too much in my opinion.
Grace is even more surprised when she realizes the field-trip is going to be a ghost debunking trip at the local Rothmere Mansion. Long considered, by the youth, of St. Elizabeth's, GA, to be haunted by Cyril Rothmere who died mysteriously at the bottom of the stairs. When is this happening, why Halloween night.
Sadly, a tragedy hits the outing and Grace has no way to keep out of the mysteries.
The characters are well drawn and the mystery was good and I was surprised by the killer. I was a bit tired of Grace's relationship with her ex. I wish it would be resolved. Grace is a strong enough character on her own. I do think three men in the offing is a bit too much in my opinion.
March 5, 2012
The third in the Southern Beauty Shop mystery series, Die Job, picks up where the second book, Polished Off, ended. In addition to the mystery Grace Terhune and the women of Violetta's seek to solve, the town of St. Elizabeth is battening down the hatches for the arrival of a hurricane. And as tensions in town rise in anticipation of the hurricane and the murder investigation, this who-done-it isn't exactly what it would appear to be.
I was surprised by the presence of the romantic triangle featuring Grace, Special Agent Dillon, and Grace's long-distance boyfriend, Marty Shears and a little bit disappointed it was left open-ended. So I do hope there will be another book in this series, simply to solve the mystery of Grace's love life.
I was surprised by the presence of the romantic triangle featuring Grace, Special Agent Dillon, and Grace's long-distance boyfriend, Marty Shears and a little bit disappointed it was left open-ended. So I do hope there will be another book in this series, simply to solve the mystery of Grace's love life.
September 2, 2013
With this 3rd book in the series, I have no officially read the whole series (started with the 4th book that I won) and really hope there is a 5th book coming (anyone know?). As someone who enjoys supernatural reads, this books subject matter was fun for me while not too far-fetched for even readers who don't like supernatural genres. Again I enjoyed reading the history of the series and getting 100% up to date on all the characters by finishing the current series and was not disappointed in the plot or storyline. As usual I laughed, cried, and groaned. There may have even been a gasp this time around. LOL If you like cozy mysteries, I def recommend this series. While each book does stand on its own, I recommend starting with book one not four to prevent spoilers.
September 19, 2012
There is certainly a lot going on in Grace's life. She is lucky to have so many people who love and care about her.
I wish that Hank would get a clue that he blew it and is never going to get another chance with Grace, in the beginning of the series it was amusing but it is past pathetic now. Maybe if his new partner would make her move he would finally let go of the past.
As much as I like Marty I am glad that he moved to DC, he and Grace are okay together but not great.
Agent Dillon on the other hand would be perfect for Grace they just need to make time for one another.
Glen is an interesting new addition to the town, I wonder what part he'll play in the future...
I wish that Hank would get a clue that he blew it and is never going to get another chance with Grace, in the beginning of the series it was amusing but it is past pathetic now. Maybe if his new partner would make her move he would finally let go of the past.
As much as I like Marty I am glad that he moved to DC, he and Grace are okay together but not great.
Agent Dillon on the other hand would be perfect for Grace they just need to make time for one another.
Glen is an interesting new addition to the town, I wonder what part he'll play in the future...
January 12, 2012
In a strange way, this book, with all it's hurricane prep made me homesick. I certainly don't miss hurricanes! But the author did a really good job describing the atmosphere in a town under threat, reminding me of my childhood and adolescence and the connection to the weather that rarely exists when you live in a big city.
I thought the plot was really well done - I never guessed the bad guy and found out when only when the author wanted me to. I have concerns that the author intends to yank the readers around with love triangles, but I'm willing to withhold judgement on that until after the next book.
I thought the plot was really well done - I never guessed the bad guy and found out when only when the author wanted me to. I have concerns that the author intends to yank the readers around with love triangles, but I'm willing to withhold judgement on that until after the next book.
March 8, 2013
I really like Lila Dare's writing style. The setting for this particular book was intriguing. St. Elizabeth is a fictitious town less than 20 miles from my house. When the main character described the narrow windows on the Georgia crime lab, she was absolutely right. The building is right next to my library! Good dose of reality, at least as far as geography and hurricane conditions are concerned. Nice work!
February 18, 2016
The southern beauty shop mysteries are just plain fun. The characters are comfortable without being overdone. Our heroine is cute, spunky and reasonable. There are no great cultural or philosophical statements being made. It's just an easy fun read to let your brain relax at the end of a hard day.
May 20, 2014
It's been so long since I read the last book is this series (Southern Beauty Shop Mystery) that it took me a while to remember all of the characters and their relationships, etc.
However, the story, itself, was great! Ghosts and murders and teenage angst and more!
However, the story, itself, was great! Ghosts and murders and teenage angst and more!
July 16, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters are engaging and believable. The setting in delightful -- I can just feel that southern humidity and impending storm. Well-crafted crime and solution. I'm sticking with this series!
October 28, 2013
This series seems to get a little bit better. The mystery on this one -- I did NOT figure out, and Kudos to the author for that twist at the end. I like the protagonist, the mystery, etc. Enjoyable, cozy reading but not a compelling page turner.
October 6, 2014
Good addition to the series. Grace has a knack for figuring things out. Ask a few questions, you may get the answers you're looking for. She actually solved a 100 year old mystery also. I love southern cozies.
May 27, 2012
Halloween, a haunted house, a hurricane and a great ending?? Loved this one!
January 24, 2012
Love this series and think this one may be the best one yet! She did a great job with the hurricane stuff.
January 27, 2012
great story! I have 3 books out from the library, and I started with this cuz I knew it wouldn't disappoint!!
March 1, 2013
really enjoying this series - will keep reading for sure ... 4.25/5
July 7, 2014
Cute! Light reading but kept my interest!
A mystery in which the sleuth is a hairdresser who works in her mom's salon.
A mystery in which the sleuth is a hairdresser who works in her mom's salon.
October 19, 2016
great fun read. the best one in the series so far in my opinion
April 6, 2012
Another good one.
July 11, 2013
Beauty salon mystery. Lots of action--high school drama, hurricane, romantic triangle, etc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews