Dying For Dirt (All Soaped Up):

Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #3

by Marcy Blesy

Cozy Mystery, Book 3
Dying For Dirt (All Soaped Up)

It’s conference time, and Rosi and her co-workers are headed to the Senior Living Retirement Community Conference in Phoenix. But don’t think that it’s time off! Joined by some of the most delightful and most annoying representatives of Tucson Valley Retirement Community, the trip almost ends before it begins along Interstate 10. Things don’t get easier when at the opening ceremonies Rosi makes a most unfortunate introduction of herself. When her golden retriever puppy discovers a dead body that same night, Rosi pivots to sleuthing again as hilarity follows her every move.

The Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery

Dying to Go (Nothing to Gush About)
Dying For Wine (Seeing Red)
Dying For Dirt (All Soaped Up)
Dying to Build (Nailed It) Coming in March 2024

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Fiction

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2024

About the author

Marcy Blesy is the author of over thirty books across genres, best known for her Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series and the Monthly Murder Movie Club Cozy Mystery Series —humorous, heartwarming whodunits filled with senior sleuths, quirky characters, and animal sidekicks. Her cozy mysteries spotlight midlife reinvention, found family, and laugh-out-loud amateur sleuthing, perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan, and The Golden Girls.

Marcy also writes the Ghost Texter Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, starring a kindergarten teacher-turned-reluctant sleuth, and the Secrets romantic mystery duo (The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach), transporting readers to the scenic and suspenseful shores of Michigan.

For younger readers, Marcy’s best-selling Be the Vet series offers interactive veterinary mysteries for kids ages 9–13. Her early chapter book series—Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat—delight animal lovers and growing readers alike.

When she’s not writing, you’ll find Marcy treasure-hunting along Lake Michigan in search of rare red beach glass. She believes every story should offer heart, humor, and a hint of hope—whether it’s solving a mystery or chasing a dream.

Reviews

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick cozy mystery

"Dying for Dirt (All Soaped Up) (A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #3)" by Marcy Blesy feels quicker than the previous two books. Well, at least the mystery goes by quicker.

I didn't really feel like I got many clues towards who the culprit was, then the reveal happened. It's like the characters all got to the convention for senior living, a body is found and very very momentarily pinned on our main character but then not because the police officer is cousins with the one she knows. In the end I didn't totally see that reveal.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good

Glad there is another one coming out this month. They are quick reads with quirky characters. Who knew there could be so much intrigue at a retirement village?

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

A conference that is filled with information that Rosi, Tracy and the contingent from Tucson Valley are attending turns into a murder investigation. Unfortunately, Rosi finds a dead man in her tub at the hotel and of course solving the murder becomes priority. In the end, the murder gets solved and everyone heads home. A pit stop turns into a birthday party for Rosi.

[Sue King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery series is so funny. The writing is good, and you never know who did it until the very end. The characters are funny without meaning to be, but we all know people just like them. I can't wait for the next book!

[Nanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. Great story; characters are developing nicely; exciting read.

[Hillary Gurrola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series to listen to. I loved the names of the main character and love interest and the background of the names. I won’t spoil it, but it was a cute bonding moment. The premise of the retirement community is a great idea and makes for fun side characters and humorous plot points. After listening I felt lighter from the stress of the day. I recommend!

I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn Steenken korzekwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Done it again

Oh Rosi, trouble must follow you around, lol. In Phoenix for a conference and a dead body's in Rosi's bathtub!! We get the adventure of putting the pieces together, with twists that I never saw coming. Plus we get the extra fun knowledge from the senior conference! Here's to bettering our Tucson Valley Retirement Community in the next book🥂

[Abby Westling · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a blast getting to see all of the characters we know and love (somewhat) in a new space with the same kind of mystery. Rosi truly seems to find herself in some of the most precarious situations and I have no doubt that won’t be ending anytime soon. I loved all the good news and surprises we had at the end!

[Marisa Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Poodles!

Another fun book with the gang from Tucson Valley!
This books brings them up to Phoenix for a convention, and even involves Rosi going viral!

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good addition to the series. Enjoyed the storyline and character development.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is book three in this fun series, with the laughter and embarrassment just going from strength to strength. The book does work as a standalone but I think it is better when enjoyed as part of a series, you also get to know the characters so much better that way. The characters are a hoot and end up getting into all sorts of trouble that you just can't imagine. Rosi is a great main character with an adorable dog as her sidekick, what could go wrong? The mystery was good, although it did seem a short story, with not a great deal of suspects but I was still surprised when everything was revealed. I look forward to the next book.
Even though she has just got back Rosi is packing her bags once again, this time to join some of her co-workers at the annual Living Retirement Community Conference. Where they hope to learn new tips and tricks to help there elderly residents. Rosi went to the conference to learn how social media could help the residents instead she becomes a social media star and for all the wrong reasons. And that before she discovers a dead man in her hotel bath tub. With no idea who the man is, let alone how he got in there the police are baffled. At least being an internet star means the police don't think she killed him but can Rosi discover who the mystery man was, why he was killed and why he was left for her to find? All while still attending workshops?
I liked the narrator. She is a good choice for the series and does a wide range of voices for the characters.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE HUMOR IS BACK! THE STORY WAS FUN! NOT A FAN OF THE REVEAL HOWEVER.

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Rosi Leru, a woman who works in the theater of the Tuscon Valley Retirement Community.
In this book: Rosi and some of the other ladies from the community are granted a stipened to attend a convention to promote and assist retirement communities and good news, Barley, her dog, is able to attend with her. However, when Rosi finds her 3rd body since moving to Tuscon in her hotel bathroom with her name on a card in his breast pocket, Rosi knows she needs to solve the case.

THOUGHTS: I was glad to see the humor return in this book as it seemed to lack in book 2. I loved being at the convention and meeting all the new characters. The mystery was very intriguing - not only to find the killer, but also to find out how in the world he ended up in her hotel bathtub. However, sadly, the reveal was a letdown. It felt like it came out of left field and that there was no real way to solve the murder before hand. Owing to that I docked a star. Still a good read!

4 Stars!
xoxo.

[Jo Lynn Bruno-Diehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment of Rosi's silly adventures and murders to solve, we find her attending a Senior Community Development Conference. With her boss and several of the residents of the Tucson Valley Retirement Community and of course her dog Barley, Rosi is attending to get new marketing strategies for the community.
That all is put on the back burner when a man is found dead in her bathtub. For a change, she is not the suspect, but who is the killer? There are a lot of silly events and actually a pretty good mystery. There were clues, but they were hard to catch among the silliness.
This book is short and a bit too sweet, but when the murderer is revealed it qualified as a good read.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosi and her co-workers are off to a conference for senior living in Phoenix. The drive there gets off to a bad start when an issue comes up with the tire on one of the vans they were traveling there in. Then at the opening ceremony, Rosi is dragged up on stage and, well, ends up thoroughly embarrassed. Then when she finally gets back to her room for the night her dog, Barley, discovers a body in her tub. Rosi has to investigate who the victim was and who tried to set her up, while still participating in the conference she's there to attend.
A very entertaining story.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series! I love following along with Rosi and her coworkers as they stumble upon another mystery, this time at a conference out of town. I enjoyed also learning just enough about their sessions to feel like I could have been attending the conference as well and would have loved to see the viral video starring Rosi and her unfortunate choice of prop. There are plenty of laughs in this one as well and I can’t want to see what they get up to next.

I received a copy from the author for an honest review.

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series. Rosie works at a retirement village, and this mystery is set on the road when they go to a convention for people who work in the industry. However a fun weekend away with mingling gets interrupted with a dead body in the bathroom.

Poor Rosie - she really gets on the bad end of dead bodies and embarrassment. Luckily for the reader that makes for a super interesting story!

Loved it, and I can't wait for the next one.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Rosi! At a conference in Phoenix with her boss, coworker and some HOA members she is once again embroiled in another murder mystery. With her trusty sidekick, Barkley, she puts the clues together but needs a little help from her friends in the end. An entertaining edition to this series by Marcy Blesy.

[Juli Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! The craziness that happens at the Senior Living Conference in Phoenix is a hoot and then some. I loved the characters that made the trip with Rosi from Tucson Valley as well as the new characters we meet.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery! I love returning to the Tucson Valley retirement community. There’s always some senior mayhem and a murder to solve. This was yet another great example of an easy-read cozy mystery. Something to get lost in for a bit. 

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This is my 3rd book in this series. It is always fun to see what Rosi and the Tuscon Valley Retirement Community get up to!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment in this series is much quicker than the first two. It only took me a couple of hours to get through it. Same wonderful quirky characters.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is my favorite of the series so far! I loved the twists and humor! Rosie is such a relatable main character and you never know what funny disaster she will find next.