Buzz Cut: A Mortician Murder

by Greta Boris

There’s no love lost between Imogene and her boyfriend’s mother. But when Eleanor is admitted to a local sanatorium for her migraines, Imogene takes the high road and visits. The hospital is housed in a creepy mansion with a chilling past. The medicines being used are a throwback to the days of snake oil and superstition. And while she’s there, Imogene bumps into a newly deceased patient. As hauntings go, this ghost steals the show. And everything else. Turns out Becky Riddell was being treated for kleptomania. Her influence is hard to resist. Things take a sinister turn when dead bodies start popping up around the sanatorium at an alarming rate. Imogene knows she should investigate, but the last thing she needs is more drama in her life. She has enough thanks to the poltergeist that’s been dogging her steps for the past month. However, if Imogene doesn’t figure out who’s killing off patients and why, she’ll have to move out of her apartment. Thanks to Becky’s compulsion, she’s pinched so much stuff, there’s barely enough room for her and her cat. Besides, El would never forgive her if his mother became one of the not-so-dearly departed. If you can imagine Agatha Raisin as a twenty-something, rockabilly ex-hairstylist with a weird connection to the dead, this book is for you.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2023

About the author

Greta Boris is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Mortician Murders, a paranormal suspense series, and The Almost True Crime Series, a psychological suspense series.

She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.

Reviews

[Philip Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mortician's assistant fights poltergeist, learns history and finds murderer - 4 stars

Imogene Lynch is a hairdresser who is becoming a murder investigator. Usually, the victims she encounters are already dead; she experiences their lives after touching their hair (she makes the dearly departed's appearance nice for the mourners). With more than a year of experience after starting with the Greener Pastures funeral home, Imogene has taken several academic courses in mortician science and has developed a close relationship with her co-workers.

El is her boyfriend, security, and potential mate. Alphonso is Imogene's supervisor who exhibits an outlandish collection of eccentricities, keeping up with his outside-of-work ambitions of having starring roles in horror films. So far Imogene and El have solved several murders that the authorities had failed to recognize. While visiting El's mother in a private hospital, Imogene touches an elderly lady in the hospital's common room and realizes that the woman (Becky) was dead. When more people at the small hospital wind up dead, we have the launching point of a murder investigation.

Unfortunately, Becky's trait for kleptomania is transferred to Imogene. Imogene fills three large garbage bags of things that don't belong he her. Additionally, Imogene is pursued by (a mean-spirited poltergeist. Imogene can't stop herself from collecting trinkets, memorabilia, and even food at the grocery store. The race to clear up the murder (and rid herself of the poltergeist and her uncontrollable need to steal) add to the intensity of this story.

Imogene calls on family and friends to get information about the dean and the previous owners of the small hospital building. She lies, she fibs and is nearly caught while stealing things. The writing style captures many malapropisms and many observations which gives an 'aw shucks' feel of the characters as being part of Imogene's extended family.

The story comes together with an unexpected happy ending -- even her supervisor, Alphonso at Greener Pastures, and a friend of a friend who were both difficult people seem to be captivated by Imogene's charm. I predict that you will be charmed as well.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normalize the occult
While I’m a practically minded person, I do leave room for the possibility that realms cross over and interact with each other. Who am I to say that the deceased cannot communicate with the living or that my house is messy due to a poltergeist’s playfulness?

The author made this even more realistic by her references to several books-to-movies: “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “The Shining”, “Mommy Dearest”, and the all-too-real “Starvation Heights”.


There are two positive areas in Imogene’s life that I’d like to see more of IRL:
*Having been raised by her Gran, Imogene doesn’t know from a generational gap. She’s extremely comfortable around and respectful to her elders. She continues to have some ongoing contact with the Liberty Grove residents as well as her former hair salon clients.
*Local gardens not only provide leisure activities for senior citizens, they also are a great excuse to get outdoors and to socialize. There a wonderful was for multiple generations to spend time together and for the elders to pass down their wisdom and life stories. Salsa gardens are pretty practical and….the more bees we keep, the better for our world.


As always, this series is very nostalgic for me:
Cities (Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin), Disneyland (practically grew up there), and fish tacos (found a great Mexican place in Jerusalem tat serves these). Just wish that I had learned more about local history of the places where I’ve lived and toured sites. If you live in The OC, go check out some of the places listed in these books.


Fave line:
‘Gran wasn’t afraid to face her fears’

Fave explanations:
‘My gift … was in understanding the victim.’ ‘I needed to find my clues in the victim’s soul.’
‘This is the problem with lies. They’re like potato chips. You can never have just one.’

Speaking of not stopping at one… the author has another series ‘The Seven Deadly Murder’ to check out.

[JBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things to do is to settle down with a cup of tea and read a new adventure from this authors mortician series books. The plot of each book is engaging, interesting and focuses on a surprising and unique twist related to how someone met their maker - and believe me when I say unique!! Imogene, our reluctant heroine, is delightful in her narration, her dry sense of humor as well as her approach to the odd situations she finds herself in - which often include elements of the paranormal. In this book she finds herself dealing with deaths (or are they homicides?) in a healthcare sanitorium. Always trying to identify who the bad guys are in a murder mystery I was gobsmacked when the guilty party’s identity was revealed. While each story stands on its own as a fantastic read what is really enjoyable about the series as a whole is ‘getting to know’ each character better and also watching how the various relationships develop. I just love the Alphonso character - he is the head embalmer at Greener Pastures Mortuary and the storyline around him is funny. It was also delightful to read about Imogene’s evolving relationship with her boyfriends condescending mother (well condescending to Imogene) as part of this storyline. I highly recommend your reading this book! I received a free Advanced Copy of this book to read and place an unbiased review.

[Lise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Severe headaches have caused El's mother to check into a sanatorium with the hope of finding a cure. Despite being less than friendly with the woman, Imogene's loyalty to El prompts her to visit. An accidental brush with a dead woman nets Imogene a ghost who compulsively shoplifts. Add in a poltergeist, and Im's life has become pretty full. But then more people start dying at the sanatorium...

This series started on a high note and went from strength to strength. It's fair to say that "The Mortician Murders" series is my favourite read. I never know what's coming around the corner, and a gasp, a chortle, or a belly laugh is always there to be had.

By now, I know the main characters as well as I do my friends. Each has that life sparkle that allows them to leap off the page. What a treat to visit them, knowing their personality will shine through.

Previously, when I finished one of these mysteries, I would think, "Oh, she'll never top that!" I don't anymore because I know Greta Boris will. I don't know how she does it - perhaps she's a magician!

Thank you so much to Greta Boris for the privilege of reading this eARC. As always, my opinions are my own - honest and true.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favourite book series.
Buzz Cut is the 5th book in The Mortician Murders but can easily be read as a stand alone.

Imogene is still suffering with being followed by a poltergeist and it has started to take its toll on her, especially when it is getting more and more violent towards her.
But in Imogene's world the dead never rest peacefully, especially when they have been murdered.
When Imogene's partner El mother is admitted to the private clinic for her excruciating migraines, things take a sinister turn for the worse. On their visit Imogene accidentally touches the hair of a recently deceased patient and unfortunately she had a unique reason for being there, she was a Kliptamainac which she unfortunately past on to Imogene!

So not only does Imogene have to deal with the poltergeist following her she now has a new murder to solve.
But when the patients start dropping like flies or wasps in this case, both Imogene and El have to act quickly, because they believe that El's mother is in extreme danger.

The characters really do come into there own in this instalment and it's lovely to see old faces and some new ones. It was also wonderful to get to know Alfonso a bit better.

I'm so looking forward to see what happens next.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start this book, you are grabbed, drawn in and must finish it in one sitting to see what the surprise end will bring. A poltergeist has been following Imogene and has been getting more violent toward her. To make matters worse, El's mother has been admitted to a private nursing type home because of her suffering from migraines. Although El's mother does not like Imogene, he wants her to visit his mother with him. When El touches a woman's hair by accident, she finds the woman is actually dead. She was a kleptomaniac. To make matters worse, more patients are dying. What is going on? Is there a murderer on the loose in the private clinic? Will El's mother be next? Can Imogene solve the case and take care of her violent Poltergeist or will she be plagued forever? This is a fast moving, fun read that you just can't put down! I received and ARC of this book and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Andrea J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greta Boris never fails to deliver a totally entertaining story, and she has done it again with the next in her Mortuary Murders series. Buzz Cut is another of Imogene’s adventures with excitement, spookiness, murder (of course), a little romance and a lot of humor. There actually are some roll on the floor laughing scenes. I also found most interesting is that there really was a woman called Linda Hazzard, nicknamed the Starvation doctor, who ran a sanitorium in Washington state in the early 20th century. She performed horrible procedures that resulted in numerous deaths. Look it up. Amazing, but true. I won’t spoil how it is connected to this story.
You get to learn a lot more about Imogene’s cousin, Chelsea, the veterinarian, and Alphonso, the head mortician, and his challenging struggles with English.
Overall, a fun book to read. Be sure to check it out.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Imogene and El visiting El's mother when upon leaving, they discover a dead body. Im touches the victim's hair and she discovers that this person was murdered and as a result, Im has the woman's spirit hovering around her and also picks up Becky's bad habit. Another time visiting El's mother, they come across another dead body. Im doesn't touch that person's hair so there is no indication of whether the victim was murdered.

As time goes by, Im and El start looking into what possibly happened. Im's last visit leads her into trouble.

To learn what was going at the sanitarium where El's mother was at, why people died, what bad habit Im picked up from Becky what other spirit Im had to deal with and how it all worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.

[Lonnie Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series and each book is better than the previous. Imogene is be followed by a poltergeist that pushes her up steps and crashes her car. Then you have El's mother is in a Sanitorium that in the past so many strange things have happed there. El gets Imogene to go with him to visit his mother even though his mother doesn't like her. When they get there they have issues finding her room. Imogene sees a woman in the sitting in a chair and asks her where to find El's mother. She touches the woman and finds out the woman is dead and was murdered. We find the woman was a kleptomaniac and a hoarder. Until Imogene can solve the case she has the ghost making her steal things.

You will love this book this book has it all humor, paranormal and ghosts. Its a great series you will want to read them all.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Boris has penned another wild adventure for Imogene and her boyfriend, El. Her stories
are well-written, easy to read, and very intriguing. She uses ordinary people who care about life
and each other. They have some odd psychic gifts (curses?) and they struggle to achieve
justice in an odd case or two. In this story, she has included deeper interactions with their
relatives, friends, and co-workers, which added interesting sub-plots, as well as some very
humorous moments. I have been totally engrossed in each of these books, right from the start,
and don’t want to put them down until the end. I highly recommend this series, and suggest you
start with the first book, To Die For, to better understand how the characters have matured
through the series. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I am eager to read
more books by this outstanding author.

[Brian Lobodzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amusing Supernatural Slanted Murder Story.
Another entertaining enjoyable read involving Imogen, the supernaturally connected hair stylist. Sit back and relax as you delve into the world of bee keeping, crackpot scientists, madness, kleptomania, an egotistical poltergeist, annoying 'almost in-laws' and or course, murders. As if this collection isn't enough you will smile when you come across multiple crucifixions of the English language. Hunt for 'verbal missteps' such as pelicanable, the paint sprayer going hay ride, plaid past, stupendous deal and 'next to himself'. The story revolves around a 'Sanatorium for Chronic Pain', its history and the consequences for today's patients. I won't say more than this about the plot but leave you to hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.

As per usual I received an ARC copy but the views and comments are my own.

[BJayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in the Mortician’s Mysteries Series is better than the last. Reconnecting with the characters is like catching up with old friends: Imogene - the main character, El - her boyfriend, Eleanor - El’s mother, Alphonso - Imogene’s coworker, plus many other old and new characters.

There’s lots of murder, mystery, and mayhem in “Buzz Cut”. Something’s not right at the hospital where El’s mother has been admitted for treatment of her migraines. Will Imogene be able to solve the mystery before anyone else dies, and while she’s dealing with a ghostly attachment, a poltergeist, and uncooperative staff? You’ll be on the edge of your seat, reading page after page, until you get to the truth.

I received an advance copy of the book, and this is my honest review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buzz Cut - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Imogene has a lot going on in her life, including her internship at a mortuary, spending time with her boyfriend El Brown, who wants to be a detective, the strange goings-on in her home and at work, which she believes to be due to a poltergeist, being haunted by a dead woman who just happened to be a kleptomaniac and trying to get El's Mom Eleanor to like her, and give the couple her blessing to wed.
That's without trying to solve more murders, and work out the history of the sanatarium Eleanor's checked into for a radical new treatment to cure her migraines.
How do bees come into the investigation?
What's the family connection that spells danger?
To find out, get your hands on Buzz Cut by Greta Boris today!

[TV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Buzz Cut grabs your attention from the start and holds on long after the story ends. It’s fascinating seeing how much the characters have grown. They’ve become so true to life; they’re the guys next door or friends down the block - they feel like real people! Her chosen profession may not be for everyone but we all must realize that Imogene is working in an essential part of life and reality. Here we get a tidbit of some of the work performed on our dearly departed before they are viewable. Imogene goes above and beyond always getting a feel for the person before performing her magic. El is applying to the police academy, his ethics and strong and his moral compass pointing true north.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buzz Cut: A Mortician Murder is book #5 in The Mortician Murders series by Greta Boris.

Imogene Lynch goes with her boyfriend to visit his mother in a sanatorium. Imogene accidentally runs into a dead body and this ghost is something else.

There is a lot of humor in this book thanks to the ghost that is attached to Imogene. I like Imogene and El as a couple. They balance each other out. He is so sweet trying to help with the poltergeist. The mystery of the sanatorium was chilling and I’ve never rooted so hard for a case to be solved. I can’t wait to see what happens with Imogene’s next investigation.

Thank you to the author for the copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Janet L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing entry in The Mortician Myrders series. Imogene is taunted by a poltergeist and then is also possessed by the spirit of a woman who dies at the sanitarium where El’s mother is a patient when she and El go to see his mother. The ghost was a kleptomaniac and of course Imogene becomes one as well and steals all kinds of things. El has to go away for training and asks Imogene to check on his mother and chaos ensues. Don’t want to spoil the book but suffice it to say that Imogene and El’s mother are in danger but manage to escape and actually realize they like each other. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Sandass · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like honey bees or if you hate them I recommend that you read this book. If you're afraid of bees or are allergic to them, you might be traumatized.
Other scary stuff in the book that might make you cringe or lose sleep at night are the unexplained deaths of people in an old folks/rehab home.
Imogene and her boyfriend work at a Mortuary. His mom is in the 'home' and growing weaker by the day. Imogene and El's experience in solving mysteries related to death cause them to be suspicious immediately. Could mom be next?
The drama that follows allows Imogene and El's mom to become friends instead of bitter enemies.
I received an ARC of this book.

[Amanda Pecotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I would like to thank the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am absolutely in love with this series and this book had such a good case for Imogene and El to solve. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next and what clue Imogene and El would find.
The details and thought throughout the book are absolutely amazing. The whole story really keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen. I also love seeing how much Imogene and El have grown throughout the entire series.
I would highly suggest reading this series if you haven't read it yet.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book addition to the Mortician Murder Series, every new book is better than the previous one because by now we feel like Imogene is our friend and we can't wait to go on another murder/mystery adventure with her.
I laughed with her but I also felt her frustration, anguish and anger at some of the situations she found herself into and also with the spirits that lived with her in this story.
And let's talk about the title of the book, a better one cannot have been more appropriate for this book, since bees are a big part of the story, I loved it.
I can't wait to read the next installment and laugh again with and because of Imogene.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Mortician Murder story.   I love watching Imogene's unconventional ways of solving a murder. 


In this installment there is something afoot at the sanatorium where El's mother is staying.  As well there seems to be a poltergeist bothering her.  While visiting El's mother,  Imogene touched the hair of a recently deceased patient there. Unfortunately for Imogene this lady was a kleptomaniac.  This of course adds a bit of humour to the adventure for us. 


Greta Boris brings these fabulous characters to life for us!  I can't wait to see what adventures may ahead. 

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fabulous addition to the series. Might even be the best one so far. I love the relationship between Imogene and El, and the interactions between her and Alphonso crack me up. What an interesting character he is. Sprinkling fact with fiction made the non-supernatural parts of the story quite believable and the last quarter of the book was definitely "do not put down" material. What an exciting ending, now I am jonesing for the next!
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving a voluntary review of the tale.

[Randi Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of this series. A creepy sanatorium with a nefarious past, a poltergeist, and a kleptomaniac ghost. Oh, and bees, lots of bees. I learned lots about bees. What more could you want?. By now Imogene and El are my old friends. We get to know Alphonso much better, meet Fredericka, and see much more of El’s mean mom Eleanor. The plot is interesting and the story moves right along and is at times informative and at times humorous. I love this series and can’t wait to read more. Thanks to the author for giving me a copy.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene is trying to get along with Elmore's mom but it is not easy. Eleanor is at a sanatorium for her migraines While visiting, Imogene touches a woman who happens to be dead. That is when all the fun begins. I love the character of Imogene and how she takes on characteristics of the dead person she touches. This story definitely has some laugh out loud moments, I was not the most popular person on my flight laughing randomly. :) This was a great fun read and the author keeps you guessing about the killer. Loved this one.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book drew me in and held me delightfully-captive from beginning to end. The plot is fun and interesting, the characters are realistic, likable and identifiable, and the scenery is described in such a way as to make you feel that you are an actual bystander in every scene. Once I started reading this story, the desperate need for sleep is the only thing that made me put my Kindle down. I am SO excited for the next book in the series!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Carol George · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the Mortician series. They just keep getting better and better. El and Imogene - I just can’t get enough of this duo. In love but afraid to admit it. Compatible sleuths taking down poltergeists while solving murders and sending those poor spirits to their happy ever after place in the light. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens in the end but I didn’t want the story to end. Five Stars - Six if I could! Wonderful character development, storytelling and humor.

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sudden deaths

In a prestigious hospital, a female patient dies unexpectedly. Imogene's boyfriend, El is not too happy with his mother being in that hospital, especially when there is a second and then a third death. Will they be able to save her? Meanwhile, El and Imogene are trying different solutions to getting rid of a pestering poltergeist. A page turner which had me enthralled with its hilarity and suspense. A very entertaining read.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun, crazy of Imogene the assistant mortician. She goes with her boyfriend El to visit his mom at a clinic and touches a lady that has died under mysterious circumstances and suddenly she turns into a kleptomaniac. To make matters worse she has a poltergeist following her around causing problems. Several deaths with unusual circumstances and she's in the middle of a whole lot of craziness. You must read the story to see how she and El get through it all only a bit worse for wear.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! This was a fast paced mystery with lots of interesting complex and quirky characters! A supernatural feel, this witty entertaining story will capture you on the first page and keep you wanting more! There are funny parts and scary parts too! Lots of twists and turns, murder, and lots of bees!! I cannot begin to express how much this page turner will keep you wanting more! I cannot wait for the next book! A must must read!

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Touch of Scary

In my younger days, I loved horror movies and books. This book is not a horror. But it does have one thing I find terrifying. Being in an asylum where bad things happen to good people. Scary dary. Another interesting murder mystery. I think I would rather have a ghost make me itch than make me steal. I was so afraid she would be caught! But, Conrad still needs his comeuppance.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buzz Cut: A Mortician Murder (The Mortician Murders Book 5), my fourteenth read from author Greta Boris. An enjoyable, well-written ghost mystery. “I received a courtesy Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Splitting Hairs: A Ghostly Mortician Murder Mystery (The Mortician Murders Book 6) high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.