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Haley Randolph #3
Shoulder Bags and Shootings
Little Black Dress's favourite shopaholic sleuth, the lovable (and fashion-crazed) Haley Randolph is in trouble again... Get ready for another thrilling and funny romantic suspense from Dorothy Howell.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
41 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Howell
78 books272 followersDorothy Howell writes for two publishing houses, in two genres, under two names. She writes mysteries as Dorothy Howell historical romance novels under the pseudonym Judith Stacy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 14, 2018
Unfortunately I did not love this book as much as the first two in the series. Partially the problem was the random plot tangents. They didn't feel quite as...random and exciting as previous book? I'm still baffled why these plots always end on a crazy note but start off as if nothing happened.
And also how Ty makes love is not a particularly interesting plot point. I think I'm going to start shipping her with the detective.
But I did love other elements of this plot. It incorporates past characters, villains, and adventures well. Some moments were super exciting.
Finally, though, I would give this book 4 stars for the moment she started thinking about the nature of her parents' relationship. It was really sweet.
But then also, like I said, didn't care about all the plot lines. So 3 stars. But still delightful.
And also how Ty makes love is not a particularly interesting plot point. I think I'm going to start shipping her with the detective.
But I did love other elements of this plot. It incorporates past characters, villains, and adventures well. Some moments were super exciting.
Finally, though, I would give this book 4 stars for the moment she started thinking about the nature of her parents' relationship. It was really sweet.
But then also, like I said, didn't care about all the plot lines. So 3 stars. But still delightful.
August 12, 2013
I like my protagonists to be flawed. I also need them to be likable. Dorothy Howell got it half right.
The main character, Haley, is so horribly shallow, mean and, quite frankly, stupid, I didn't really care if she were arrested. Or shot. Or both.
The main character, Haley, is so horribly shallow, mean and, quite frankly, stupid, I didn't really care if she were arrested. Or shot. Or both.
October 3, 2020
Kolejna część i znów Haley ładuje się w kłopoty .
Oczywiście stara się na własną rękę prowadzić dochodzenie ,i oczywiście temat przewodni to znów markowa torebka której nigdzie nie może kupić ;-)
Jak dla mnie to jest to dobra lektura na poprawe humoru,bo Haley jest czasem taka głupiutka z tymi swoimi domysłami ,ale i tak ją lubię .
Oczywiście stara się na własną rękę prowadzić dochodzenie ,i oczywiście temat przewodni to znów markowa torebka której nigdzie nie może kupić ;-)
Jak dla mnie to jest to dobra lektura na poprawe humoru,bo Haley jest czasem taka głupiutka z tymi swoimi domysłami ,ale i tak ją lubię .
October 6, 2015
This is a really fun series. These books remind me of the Shopaholic books and the Jaine Austen books. They are a lot of fun, and definitely need to be read in order.
November 30, 2014
Title: Shoulder Bags and Shootings
Author: Dorothy Howell
Pages: 265
This book follows a young college student named Haley who has just come back from a mini-vacation with her new boyfriend Ty. When murder follows her in the trunk of her boyfriend's grandmother's car. The main suspect is Haley. During all of this Haley is scouring Los Angeles for a Sinful handbag.
While this is a good light read, not what one would consider a heavy mystery at all. Haley spends most of the time obsessing over a handbag, and getting her co-workers in all sorts of setbacks as they try to reach a high customer service rating. At times it felt a little cheesy for lack of a better word.
I think the author should have focused more on the murder and less on the handbag obsession. It's good for a person who loves handbags, but if your looking for a good mystery you might want to scour else where.
This book was given to me by FSB Media for a honest and fair review.
I give this one 3 cups as you can laugh at Haley as being what people consider a typical blonde well except she's not blonde, but otherwise not worth the read.
May 4, 2023
This was such a hard book to finish. Let me tell you why.
First, the main character, Haley. She's selfish, clueless, self-absorbed, mean, hates everyone, and isn't too bright. I don't mind if a main character has some unlikeable traits, but there is nothing likeable about Haley.
Then, the plot. It was kind of vague and not really driven by Haley or anything she did. It felt like most of the murder plot happened off-screen.
Also, it was unrealistic. Haley is earning $7 an hour in California, living in her own apartment, drinking Starbucks all the time, and carrying new Versace and Dolce & Gabanna bags? (Haley doesn't strike me as someone who would buy a used bag, no matter the condition) Uh, no. I know the book was written almost 15 years ago, but that lifestyle wouldn't have worked then, either.
First, the main character, Haley. She's selfish, clueless, self-absorbed, mean, hates everyone, and isn't too bright. I don't mind if a main character has some unlikeable traits, but there is nothing likeable about Haley.
Then, the plot. It was kind of vague and not really driven by Haley or anything she did. It felt like most of the murder plot happened off-screen.
Also, it was unrealistic. Haley is earning $7 an hour in California, living in her own apartment, drinking Starbucks all the time, and carrying new Versace and Dolce & Gabanna bags? (Haley doesn't strike me as someone who would buy a used bag, no matter the condition) Uh, no. I know the book was written almost 15 years ago, but that lifestyle wouldn't have worked then, either.
October 27, 2019
Started out good...
...but I ended up struggling to finish it. I bought the first one in the series and really enjoyed it. Same with the second one. This one, though, was hard to follow. The continuity was horrible. One minute she was at Starbucks and the next sentence she was at her friends house?? Wait. She was just at a coffeehouse. How and when did she go to her friends house? Several scenarios like that throughout the book. It’s like she didn’t recognize the need for new paragraphs. And the author used “ as only a best friend could” and “official boyfriend” and “-long story” way too many times. I have book 4 but I’m hesitant to read it. I will, but I hope the proofreading and editing is better in #4 than it was in #3.
...but I ended up struggling to finish it. I bought the first one in the series and really enjoyed it. Same with the second one. This one, though, was hard to follow. The continuity was horrible. One minute she was at Starbucks and the next sentence she was at her friends house?? Wait. She was just at a coffeehouse. How and when did she go to her friends house? Several scenarios like that throughout the book. It’s like she didn’t recognize the need for new paragraphs. And the author used “ as only a best friend could” and “official boyfriend” and “-long story” way too many times. I have book 4 but I’m hesitant to read it. I will, but I hope the proofreading and editing is better in #4 than it was in #3.
November 21, 2022
This is a good mystery featuring Haley, who loves purses more than almost anything. Haley has just returned from a trip to England with her new boyfriend who also just happens to own the company where she works, when she finds a dead body in his grandmother's trunk. Of course the grandmother only gave her permission to drive the car to her apartment and back, not to other places, so there is a big issue with the dead body when Haley has to admit where she drove the car. There is suddenly a lot of angst in Haley's life because she is accused of murder, then doesn't hear from her boyfriend, and has to wonder if he, too, suspects her, or if he has already found someone else. This is a good mystery for those who like fashion and mystery combined.
October 22, 2021
Haley is a self centered person and has a major passion for designer handbags. Nothing will stop her searching for the Sinful bag she saw in Elle. When she uses her new boyfriend's grandmother's Mercedes to pick up donations and finds a body in the trunk. Since she tops the suspect list she tries to find out who did it while on her search for the Sinful bag.
July 26, 2023
I bought this for a dollar at a local library strictly for the name. I wasn't aware this was book 3 in a series but I still loved it. Haley is probably the most annoying character I've read in a long time and I now inspire to be her. In the words of April Ludgate, "she's the worst person I've ever met. I want to travel the world with her." I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
April 26, 2019
Haley still needs to make some adult decisons.
I think the stories are more intriguing and interesting, but Haley is still self absorbed and I still don't like her. All she cares about are designer things on part-time salary of $7.00 dollars per hour.
I think the stories are more intriguing and interesting, but Haley is still self absorbed and I still don't like her. All she cares about are designer things on part-time salary of $7.00 dollars per hour.
June 19, 2017
The main character is extremely superficial, and she made the book hard to get through. However, the story was interesting, but somehow every guy she met was madly in love with her...
August 26, 2017
Good, light-hearted fun.
September 2, 2017
The main character is shallow and self centered. I couldn't finish this book.
January 12, 2022
Even if Haley is selfish, self-centered and mostly self-involved AND obsessed with designer handbags, and it’s easy to become involved in the stories, as well as be exasperated. NEXT!
May 7, 2024
Haley is growing on me
September 14, 2025
Main character is a shallow, whiny hot mess. I don’t know how I made it through the first three books in this series. I won’t be finishing the series.
July 24, 2010
Haley Randolph enjoys everything life has to offer. She just spent the last couple of weeks in Europe with her handsome boyfriend, Ty, who happens to be the owner of the department store where she works as a salesperson. She then gets a chance to drive his grandmother’s expensive Mercedes home from the airport and now she’s on her way to buy the latest designer pocketbook – a Sinful pocketbook. She absolutely must have one. Things don’t get better than this…until she looks in the trunk of the car. Facing her is the dead body of her business competitor, Tiffany Markham.
Haley and Tiffany have had their problems in the past since they both have purse party companies and are constantly competing with each other, but Haley didn’t want her dead. Unfortunately, the police don’t believe her and are ready to pin the crime right on her doorstep. Haley realizes if she wants to prove her innocence, she’ll have to do it on her own.
This madcap adventure will have readers laughing along with Haley’s antics, as well as trying to figure out who really killed Tiffany. Howell writes with a comedic flair and in the same vein as Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic series. Think chick lit meets cozy mystery.
Although it’s the third book in the “A Haley Randolfph Mystery” series, I have not read the previous two but that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. I do have the first two books and intend to read them.
I totally enjoyed this book. It’s a fast-paced tale that will leave readers smiling after the last page is turned. This is one author I’m adding to my book buying shopping list.
Haley and Tiffany have had their problems in the past since they both have purse party companies and are constantly competing with each other, but Haley didn’t want her dead. Unfortunately, the police don’t believe her and are ready to pin the crime right on her doorstep. Haley realizes if she wants to prove her innocence, she’ll have to do it on her own.
This madcap adventure will have readers laughing along with Haley’s antics, as well as trying to figure out who really killed Tiffany. Howell writes with a comedic flair and in the same vein as Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic series. Think chick lit meets cozy mystery.
Although it’s the third book in the “A Haley Randolfph Mystery” series, I have not read the previous two but that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. I do have the first two books and intend to read them.
I totally enjoyed this book. It’s a fast-paced tale that will leave readers smiling after the last page is turned. This is one author I’m adding to my book buying shopping list.
July 31, 2010
Haley is a shallow, bubble-headed spoiled girl who believes the world revolves around her. Although irritating, this was endearing and provided entertainment. The character shows no personal growth but, again, that wasn't so terrible. In fact, I found her tactics for avoiding the customer while on the clock ingenious.
Besides Haley, however, there are a myriad of characters that I simply couldn't keep straight and lacked any depth at all. Even compared to Haley. In fact, too many characters that had a past with Haley but little interaction with her. My big complaint is that so much of the book seems to be an indirect marketing tool for previous books. When a new character is introduced, a previous crime is alluded to but never quite explained and I'm left wondering if it is pertinent to the current mystery. In fact, when the character makes a second or third appearance in the current book, the previous criminal involvement (or victimization) is voiced yet again. I found it distracting and never really warmed to the peripheral characters.
I enjoyed the ease of read. Fun, shallow Haley who cares nothing for anybody but herself and how she looks. She never changes, never grows, and continues to entertain me. Writing style was consistent. Story line unrealistic but enjoyable. Too much reference to previous books and not enough character development for other players.
Besides Haley, however, there are a myriad of characters that I simply couldn't keep straight and lacked any depth at all. Even compared to Haley. In fact, too many characters that had a past with Haley but little interaction with her. My big complaint is that so much of the book seems to be an indirect marketing tool for previous books. When a new character is introduced, a previous crime is alluded to but never quite explained and I'm left wondering if it is pertinent to the current mystery. In fact, when the character makes a second or third appearance in the current book, the previous criminal involvement (or victimization) is voiced yet again. I found it distracting and never really warmed to the peripheral characters.
I enjoyed the ease of read. Fun, shallow Haley who cares nothing for anybody but herself and how she looks. She never changes, never grows, and continues to entertain me. Writing style was consistent. Story line unrealistic but enjoyable. Too much reference to previous books and not enough character development for other players.
September 25, 2010
Genre: Mystery
About: Hailey is a young woman who is obsessed with owning the newest designer hand bags. Along the way of acquiring these handbags she finds herself implicated in a murder. While tracking down the must-have bag, she inadvertently solves the crime.
Descriptive Words: fashion obsessed, ditzy,
Thoughts: I had no expectations when I accepted a review copy of this book. I thought the story sounded cute and I do like a good mystery. Well, I have to say that this one just did not make the grade. I thought Haily was a bit of a spoiled brat. She basically showed up for work when she wanted and just wasn't someone I warmed up to. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that I myself can not understand the need to have a designer bag that costs thousands of dollars. I felt she was absolutely clueless as to what matters in the world and just couldn't buy into the whole, I work retail yet I can still buy these big dollar bags and oh yeah, along the way I solve crimes storyline
Source: FSB Associates
Recommend? I truly hesitate to recommend this one to my friends. If this remotely sounds like a book you would to read I would tell you to start at the beginning of the series with Handbags and Homicide. I honestly feel that I needed to begin there to get the background on Hailey and maybe I would have been able to like her.
Rating: 2.5/5
About: Hailey is a young woman who is obsessed with owning the newest designer hand bags. Along the way of acquiring these handbags she finds herself implicated in a murder. While tracking down the must-have bag, she inadvertently solves the crime.
Descriptive Words: fashion obsessed, ditzy,
Thoughts: I had no expectations when I accepted a review copy of this book. I thought the story sounded cute and I do like a good mystery. Well, I have to say that this one just did not make the grade. I thought Haily was a bit of a spoiled brat. She basically showed up for work when she wanted and just wasn't someone I warmed up to. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that I myself can not understand the need to have a designer bag that costs thousands of dollars. I felt she was absolutely clueless as to what matters in the world and just couldn't buy into the whole, I work retail yet I can still buy these big dollar bags and oh yeah, along the way I solve crimes storyline
Source: FSB Associates
Recommend? I truly hesitate to recommend this one to my friends. If this remotely sounds like a book you would to read I would tell you to start at the beginning of the series with Handbags and Homicide. I honestly feel that I needed to begin there to get the background on Hailey and maybe I would have been able to like her.
Rating: 2.5/5
July 19, 2010
Haley Randolph has just returned form a fabulous trip to Europe with her boyfriend, Ty’s grandma. Haley picked up a bunch of new, fashionable items. The only thing missing is…the Sinful bag. It is the seasons must have item. Haley needs to get her hands on one. Ty’s grandma has Haley drop her off and drive herself home in her car. She tells Haley, she can return in the next day.
Haley’s day quickly goes down hill. First she finds the body of her arch rival, Tiffany Markham in her boyfriend’s grandmother’s truck of the car and second Haley can’t find a Sinful bag anywhere. Oh what is a girlfriend to do?
Shoulder Bags and Shootings is the third Haley Randolph mystery. This book just happens to be the first novel I have read by Dorothy Howell. After reading this book, I plan to go back and read the first two books. Haley was so hilarious. This book made me laugh and kept a smile on my face. I love that no matter that she was the prime suspect in a murder investigation, her one top priority was getting her hands on a Sinful bag. Haley is definitely dedicated. Shoulder Bags and Shootings is a great cozy mystery novel. Pick up a copy of this book today. You won’t be sorry you did.
Haley’s day quickly goes down hill. First she finds the body of her arch rival, Tiffany Markham in her boyfriend’s grandmother’s truck of the car and second Haley can’t find a Sinful bag anywhere. Oh what is a girlfriend to do?
Shoulder Bags and Shootings is the third Haley Randolph mystery. This book just happens to be the first novel I have read by Dorothy Howell. After reading this book, I plan to go back and read the first two books. Haley was so hilarious. This book made me laugh and kept a smile on my face. I love that no matter that she was the prime suspect in a murder investigation, her one top priority was getting her hands on a Sinful bag. Haley is definitely dedicated. Shoulder Bags and Shootings is a great cozy mystery novel. Pick up a copy of this book today. You won’t be sorry you did.
January 10, 2012
From My Blog...[return][return]Shoulder Bags and Shootings is the third novel in Dorothy Howell’s Haley Randolf Mystery series. I have not read the previous two novels, and did not have trouble following this fashionista style cozy mystery. It all begins innocently enough with Haley’s obsession of acquiring the newest, trendiest handbag, which leads her to loan Ada’s Mercedes in which she discovers the body of Tiffany Markam, a rival of Haley’s. Shoulder Bags and Shootings is not the typical cozy mystery, rather it is a fast paced, fashion-centered mystery filled with a lot of shopping suitable for any fashionista, several suspects, and little time. Howell knows her handbags and makes certain her readers will as well. Full of shopping, friends, rivalry and a murder, this book has everything a fun, fashion centered cozy mystery should. Howell’s characters are vividly described which is both a positive and a negative as at times I felt as though the quest for the handbag overshadowed the mystery. However, Shoulder Bags and Shootings makes for a fast and fun mystery for fashionistas everywhere.
July 17, 2010
From My Blog...
Shoulder Bags and Shootings is the third novel in Dorothy Howell’s Haley Randolf Mystery series. I have not read the previous two novels, and did not have trouble following this fashionista style cozy mystery. It all begins innocently enough with Haley’s obsession of acquiring the newest, trendiest handbag, which leads her to loan Ada’s Mercedes in which she discovers the body of Tiffany Markam, a rival of Haley’s. Shoulder Bags and Shootings is not the typical cozy mystery, rather it is a fast paced, fashion-centered mystery filled with a lot of shopping suitable for any fashionista, several suspects, and little time. Howell knows her handbags and makes certain her readers will as well. Full of shopping, friends, rivalry and a murder, this book has everything a fun, fashion centered cozy mystery should. Howell’s characters are vividly described which is both a positive and a negative as at times I felt as though the quest for the handbag overshadowed the mystery. However, Shoulder Bags and Shootings makes for a fast and fun mystery for fashionistas everywhere.
Shoulder Bags and Shootings is the third novel in Dorothy Howell’s Haley Randolf Mystery series. I have not read the previous two novels, and did not have trouble following this fashionista style cozy mystery. It all begins innocently enough with Haley’s obsession of acquiring the newest, trendiest handbag, which leads her to loan Ada’s Mercedes in which she discovers the body of Tiffany Markam, a rival of Haley’s. Shoulder Bags and Shootings is not the typical cozy mystery, rather it is a fast paced, fashion-centered mystery filled with a lot of shopping suitable for any fashionista, several suspects, and little time. Howell knows her handbags and makes certain her readers will as well. Full of shopping, friends, rivalry and a murder, this book has everything a fun, fashion centered cozy mystery should. Howell’s characters are vividly described which is both a positive and a negative as at times I felt as though the quest for the handbag overshadowed the mystery. However, Shoulder Bags and Shootings makes for a fast and fun mystery for fashionistas everywhere.
November 20, 2010
Being book three in a series Dorothy Howell stays true to her style and gives the reader yet another crime that the leading lady aka purse whore Haley feels the need to solve. This time though she luckily doesn't end up as the main suspect again, but that doesn't keep her from poking her nose in the matter after finding a dead body in the trunk of a car.
Granted, it might be hard to fathom how Haley can be so easily distracted by the newest handbag while at the same time trying to find a killer, but for those who share a passion for bags it is certainly entertaining. Her working morale is practically non existant, and her thoughts and comments while roaming the store, trying to hide from customers, are hilarious.
While fast paced and witty, this book doesn't come close to Kinsella's Shopaholic books, but it's nonetheless an entertaining read.
In short: A fun, but certainly not very deep, book about handbags and killers.
Granted, it might be hard to fathom how Haley can be so easily distracted by the newest handbag while at the same time trying to find a killer, but for those who share a passion for bags it is certainly entertaining. Her working morale is practically non existant, and her thoughts and comments while roaming the store, trying to hide from customers, are hilarious.
While fast paced and witty, this book doesn't come close to Kinsella's Shopaholic books, but it's nonetheless an entertaining read.
In short: A fun, but certainly not very deep, book about handbags and killers.
July 28, 2010
I tried. I just can't do it. The premise sounded like fun, entertaining chick lit. Unfortunately, the book is just like the main character, shallow and trivial. Perhaps I'm just too old to enjoy a story about a flighty, superficial young woman whose sole purpose in life seems to be fashion and avoiding true responsibility. Think the girl from Confessions of a Shopaholic. I didn't read the book, but sat through the film trying not to fall asleep while everyone else around me laughed themselves silly. Haley reminds me of Rebecca. So, if you liked Confessions, I think you'll like Shoulder Bags and Shootings.
September 9, 2010
The three star rating on this is a little generous--the real mystery, for me, at least, is how anyone can be as preoccupied with shopping and handbags as Haley Randolph. Haley is not interested in her retail job or her college classes; now that she's officially dating handsome Ty, she doesn't seem too interested in him, certainly not while he's in Europe closing a big business deal. When she finds a body in Ty's grandmother's car (which she wasn't supposed to be driving), she's interested in that--but perhaps not quite as much as in finding a new release purse that is sold out of all the stores she can find.
July 25, 2011
This was a fun, fluff-type read. To be honest the main character drove me nuts sometimes with no signs ever of any sort of personal growth or self-realization. She is shallow, selfish and fairly empty-headed. Although I found Haley obnoxious about 60% of the time, her antics andself-absorbedness (I know, that's not a word) were often quite humorous and I think her clueless personality is part of what makes the book a successful read.
I had a fun time reading this book and I would definitely go back and read the previous 2 books (since this book gives nothing away about the previously solved murders). And I'll also continue reading any subsequent Haley Randolph series books.
I had a fun time reading this book and I would definitely go back and read the previous 2 books (since this book gives nothing away about the previously solved murders). And I'll also continue reading any subsequent Haley Randolph series books.
December 30, 2020
Purse lover and amateur sleuth Haley Randolph once again is in pursuit for this seasons it handbag. However, after she discovered the corpse of yet another person in the Holt's department store, she is not only chasing ofter a killer, but someone is also chasing her!
I always enjoy Howell's novels and think they are nice little late night reads, or beach/pool side entertainment. While Haley isn't perfect and at times selfish and some what self centered, she is also kind, fun and honest. I look forward to reading the novella out for the holiday season and then catching the next installment soon.
I always enjoy Howell's novels and think they are nice little late night reads, or beach/pool side entertainment. While Haley isn't perfect and at times selfish and some what self centered, she is also kind, fun and honest. I look forward to reading the novella out for the holiday season and then catching the next installment soon.
October 10, 2022
I really liked the first book. I love designer bags and Haley made me laugh. The second book was okay. This one had me screaming at Haley for being an idiot. I can get beyond her shallowness since she occasionally redeems herself, but I hate characters who are stupid. Walking around a bad part of town for days looking for someone she suspects is a killer? Hoping you’ll randomly see him? Really? Her falling for literally every man that crosses her path is annoying. All the repeated phrases. 99% of this book was annoying. I had checked out the entire series after the first one but they’ve since been returned. So Done.
July 7, 2010
I don't know why I like this series as the main character is a shopaholic and I've spent $0 on clothes, shoes, and accessories this year. I guess I relate to her because I know what it feels to have that struggle, as an underachiever, when peers start passing you by. It takes a while to make that adjustment to where you understand that life is about happiness not money and feel content with your choices and happy for friends and family who have chosen a different, and more lucrative path.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews