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Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mysteries #2
Black Thursday
A bad deal for Mrs. Frugalicious
When Maddie Michaels, AKA Mrs. Frugalicious, is invited to take a local news crew with her on a Black Friday shopping expedition, she's excited to show viewers at home how to score the season's best savings. Despite a negative comment from Contrary Claire-- the sole naysayer in her growing Frugarmy--Maddie is hopeful her first TV appearance will be a bargain-savvy success.
But Black Friday eve takes a bleak turn when a shopper is crushed beneath a pallet of toasters. After learning that the victim could be Contrary Claire, it becomes clear that Claire has made more than one enemy. Maddie finds herself dealing once again with a murder investigation. Will she catch the killer before someone else is slashed like a sale price?
Includes couponing tips!
Praise:
"A fun and savvy mystery."--Booklist
When Maddie Michaels, AKA Mrs. Frugalicious, is invited to take a local news crew with her on a Black Friday shopping expedition, she's excited to show viewers at home how to score the season's best savings. Despite a negative comment from Contrary Claire-- the sole naysayer in her growing Frugarmy--Maddie is hopeful her first TV appearance will be a bargain-savvy success.
But Black Friday eve takes a bleak turn when a shopper is crushed beneath a pallet of toasters. After learning that the victim could be Contrary Claire, it becomes clear that Claire has made more than one enemy. Maddie finds herself dealing once again with a murder investigation. Will she catch the killer before someone else is slashed like a sale price?
Includes couponing tips!
Praise:
"A fun and savvy mystery."--Booklist
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Linda Joffe Hull
8 books66 followersThat Linda Joffe Hull’s father thought it well advised to read Kafka in general, and THE METAMOPHOSIS in particular, to his then eight-year-old daughter is a question better left for the therapist’s couch. As a result however, Linda was bitten by the literary bug.
Always an avid reader, she ignored the corresponding compulsion to write, receiving a B.A. in Economics from UCLA, embarking on a career in sales and diving headlong into the all-encompassing job of motherhood.
Thanks to the encouragement of her long-suffering husband and the incredible support of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers she finally gave in to the unavoidable urge and finally sat down in front of the computer.
Linda is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, but currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three children. She is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and a former board member of Mystery Writers of America.
Always an avid reader, she ignored the corresponding compulsion to write, receiving a B.A. in Economics from UCLA, embarking on a career in sales and diving headlong into the all-encompassing job of motherhood.
Thanks to the encouragement of her long-suffering husband and the incredible support of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers she finally gave in to the unavoidable urge and finally sat down in front of the computer.
Linda is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, but currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three children. She is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and a former board member of Mystery Writers of America.
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August 10, 2014
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Brought to you by OBS guest reviewer JoAnne
Maddie Michaels has problems. She lives in her now-for-sale house with her soon-to-be ex-husband and two sons. It’s Thanksgiving, and his entire family has decided to spend the holidays with them. She’s being stalked on her website, Mrs. Frugalicious - which she started because her cheating husband blew all their savings. Frank, her husband, has been fired from his television job because, as he is known as Frank Finance Michaels, he made bad investments, to be nice about it. He also had an affair, which didn’t help the situation, and they’re trying to sell their house to keep their heads above water.
With a house full of people trying to put her marriage back together, she jumps at the chance offered by a local television station to broadcast live from Bargain Barn; she’ll be offering tips for saving through the holiday season. Frank’s family has decided to tag along, hoping they can score some deals themselves. But while filming the show, a pallet of toasters falls on one unlucky shopper and kills her. Stunned by the accident, the owner of Bargain Barn leaves the scene to comfort the husband of the victim and Frank somehow pulls everyone together and the show, and shopping, continue on.
Maddie soon discovers that the victim was none other than CC, her online stalker, and begins to wonder if this ‘accident’ was more than meets the eye. She begins to question it, and while she’s discovering clues which may point in another direction entirely, she has to deal with the fact of Frank’s family deciding to stay on and “help out” and still keep her “Frugarmy” happy through the holidays.
I really liked this book, even if I didn’t agree with some of the things going on. For one thing, I personally don’t believe “every man cheats.” I also didn’t care for the fact that Frank’s family were ‘subtlely pushing’ Maddie to stay with him. I felt that she really couldn’t make the decision to stay or go on her own with their interference, and that she might come to regret whatever decision she made once she had time of her own to think about it. Let’s face it, the end of a marriage is a traumatic thing, not to be taken lightly; and if you discovered that people were trying to coerce you into making a decision instead of coming to it on your own, you might regret it. (I’m not telling what decision she ultimately makes, just offering my own opinion on the matter).
Be that as it may, the mystery was excellent. I obviously wrestled with the marriage decision along with Maddie (and you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens), and as she was discovering more about her stalker and even herself, the murder was still out there forefront, and everything seemed to fall together nicely. Being the person she is, she put her own troubles aside and tried to help the owner of Bargain Barn keep his business afloat, while still filming more episodes of her frugal shopper program.
Interspersed with the book were many shopping tips for those who like to save money (I’m a coupon clipper myself), so even if you know most of these tricks, there’ll probably be a few you haven’t heard of.
When we finally know the identity of the killer, the reason it happened made perfect sense to me, and was probably how it would have happened in real life. I can’t give you more than that or it will give too much away and ruin the book. I think this will be a good read, and especially for the holidays, when you’re looking for something that’s “seasonal.” Highly recommended.
Brought to you by OBS guest reviewer JoAnne
Maddie Michaels has problems. She lives in her now-for-sale house with her soon-to-be ex-husband and two sons. It’s Thanksgiving, and his entire family has decided to spend the holidays with them. She’s being stalked on her website, Mrs. Frugalicious - which she started because her cheating husband blew all their savings. Frank, her husband, has been fired from his television job because, as he is known as Frank Finance Michaels, he made bad investments, to be nice about it. He also had an affair, which didn’t help the situation, and they’re trying to sell their house to keep their heads above water.
With a house full of people trying to put her marriage back together, she jumps at the chance offered by a local television station to broadcast live from Bargain Barn; she’ll be offering tips for saving through the holiday season. Frank’s family has decided to tag along, hoping they can score some deals themselves. But while filming the show, a pallet of toasters falls on one unlucky shopper and kills her. Stunned by the accident, the owner of Bargain Barn leaves the scene to comfort the husband of the victim and Frank somehow pulls everyone together and the show, and shopping, continue on.
Maddie soon discovers that the victim was none other than CC, her online stalker, and begins to wonder if this ‘accident’ was more than meets the eye. She begins to question it, and while she’s discovering clues which may point in another direction entirely, she has to deal with the fact of Frank’s family deciding to stay on and “help out” and still keep her “Frugarmy” happy through the holidays.
I really liked this book, even if I didn’t agree with some of the things going on. For one thing, I personally don’t believe “every man cheats.” I also didn’t care for the fact that Frank’s family were ‘subtlely pushing’ Maddie to stay with him. I felt that she really couldn’t make the decision to stay or go on her own with their interference, and that she might come to regret whatever decision she made once she had time of her own to think about it. Let’s face it, the end of a marriage is a traumatic thing, not to be taken lightly; and if you discovered that people were trying to coerce you into making a decision instead of coming to it on your own, you might regret it. (I’m not telling what decision she ultimately makes, just offering my own opinion on the matter).
Be that as it may, the mystery was excellent. I obviously wrestled with the marriage decision along with Maddie (and you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens), and as she was discovering more about her stalker and even herself, the murder was still out there forefront, and everything seemed to fall together nicely. Being the person she is, she put her own troubles aside and tried to help the owner of Bargain Barn keep his business afloat, while still filming more episodes of her frugal shopper program.
Interspersed with the book were many shopping tips for those who like to save money (I’m a coupon clipper myself), so even if you know most of these tricks, there’ll probably be a few you haven’t heard of.
When we finally know the identity of the killer, the reason it happened made perfect sense to me, and was probably how it would have happened in real life. I can’t give you more than that or it will give too much away and ruin the book. I think this will be a good read, and especially for the holidays, when you’re looking for something that’s “seasonal.” Highly recommended.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I fell for Maddie in Eternally 21. A wife and mother trying to clean up a huge mess her husband is responsible for in a very creative way, blogging as Mrs. Frugalicious. What a wonderful protagonist!
Frank is trying to make amends but I don’t think Maddie is buying what he is selling. Her teenage sons are fantastic. Now that their mother’s secret is out they are super supportive even trying to help her with her site and helping her find her cyber enemy Contrary Clare.
On the other hand I hated most of Frank’s family, just as the author intended. I wouldn’t put murder past a couple of them. Yes, they say they are trying to support her but descending upon her house at the busiest time of the year for a shopping expert is just not cool, but again Maddie handles it all. She is even trying to clip the culprit that set that pallet of toasters in motion but let’s face it she would have done anything to get away from those people. But I think the search ended up much more than she bargained for…
I really enjoyed this story. Linda Joffe Hull has let these characters continue to grow and brought back some very special characters from the first story for a very surprising event.
She has also written quite a mystery. It may have you thinking twice as you head out for the holiday sales this year and looking up much more often as you shop those big box stores.
I also love and appreciate all the tips she provides about sales, shopping and coupons throughout the book.
My only complaint is with the e-copy formatting which is not the author’s fault and since I am reviewing from an uncorrected proof I am sure the problem was fixed in the final edition. Tips like this are easy to put at the top or bottom of a printed page but when you take it digital wonky things can happen, like these tips landing in the middle of a paragraph, which messes with the rhythm of the story.
A marvelous mystery to pick up and enjoy now so you are ready to shop and save this holiday season!
November 22, 2018
This book was just good ol' fun. Fun to read. Fun story. Fun ending. I enjoyed every minute of it. It really shows the dangers of becoming an obsessed extreme couponer.
June 9, 2016
Title: Black Thursday - A Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mystery 2
Author: Linda Joffe Hull
Published: 10-8-2014
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Pages: 338
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Amateur Sleuths; Cozy Mystery; Women Sleuths
ISBN: 9780738734903
ASIN: B00MMMCQS8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
Maddie Michaels aka Mrs. Frugalicious operates a popular blog Mrs. Frugalicious.com. Her blog continues to grow in popularity with only one black mark; someone who calls herself Contrary Claire and constantly writes negative comments. Maddie is asked to take viewers of a local television station on a journey to discover the best deals and strategies of Black Friday Sales. While shopping a customer is crushed to death by a toppled pallet of toasters. When it is discovered the dead woman is no other than Contrary Claire, Maddie finds herself once again involved in a murder investigation. Maddie sets out to find out who Claire had made an enemy of and who might want to commit murder over the sleight.
From her first book in the series "Eternally 21" Linda Joffe Hull has captured a following. We can all admit to trying to save a penny or two. Maddie is a character that is well developed and a friend we love to visit with often. She is a woman of strength that learned to stand on her own following her heart and doing what she enjoys, shopping. Supported by friends and family she forges her way through the world. Ms. Hull offers plots that are believable with a murder or two to tweak a readers interest. Offering clues and inviting readers to join Maddie in her search with her vivid writing. You will immerse yourself in Maddie's world and won't want to leave. My Rating is 4 1/5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a humorous cozy series to make you laugh as you read then Black Thursday is definitely a book to add to your be read list.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MMMCQS8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Linda Joffe Hull
Published: 10-8-2014
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Pages: 338
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Amateur Sleuths; Cozy Mystery; Women Sleuths
ISBN: 9780738734903
ASIN: B00MMMCQS8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
Maddie Michaels aka Mrs. Frugalicious operates a popular blog Mrs. Frugalicious.com. Her blog continues to grow in popularity with only one black mark; someone who calls herself Contrary Claire and constantly writes negative comments. Maddie is asked to take viewers of a local television station on a journey to discover the best deals and strategies of Black Friday Sales. While shopping a customer is crushed to death by a toppled pallet of toasters. When it is discovered the dead woman is no other than Contrary Claire, Maddie finds herself once again involved in a murder investigation. Maddie sets out to find out who Claire had made an enemy of and who might want to commit murder over the sleight.
From her first book in the series "Eternally 21" Linda Joffe Hull has captured a following. We can all admit to trying to save a penny or two. Maddie is a character that is well developed and a friend we love to visit with often. She is a woman of strength that learned to stand on her own following her heart and doing what she enjoys, shopping. Supported by friends and family she forges her way through the world. Ms. Hull offers plots that are believable with a murder or two to tweak a readers interest. Offering clues and inviting readers to join Maddie in her search with her vivid writing. You will immerse yourself in Maddie's world and won't want to leave. My Rating is 4 1/5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a humorous cozy series to make you laugh as you read then Black Thursday is definitely a book to add to your be read list.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MMMCQS8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
August 14, 2014
Black Thursday by Linda Joffe Hull is the story of Maddie Michaels, who is a middle-aged woman going through a divorce from her cheating husband. So why then has his whole family showed up at Maddie’s house to celebrate Thanksgiving? This seems a little unusual, don’t you think?
Maddie is not only dealing with her soon-to-be ex-husband and his family, she is also dealing with a murder case. She writes a blog about bargain shopping and couponing, and she has invited her followers to join her to go shopping on Black Thursday to find the perfect Christmas bargains. She is being interviewed and taped by the local news during her shopping expedition, along with her blog followers. Unfortunately, during the event, a shopper is killed when a pallet of toasters falls from above and crushes her. Was it an unfortunate accident or was it murder?
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout the story and I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end. It was a very plausible conclusion. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.
One thing I really like about this book is all the tips included. There are tips for shopping on Black Thursday or Black Friday, including before, during and after ideas. There are also tips for couponing and how to save the most money that you can. I think this is a great addition to the book.
One thing I did not particularly like was the idea that “all men cheat” and it’s to be expected. And that the wife should take advantage of the situation and get as many “gifts” from the wandering husband as possible. This really goes against my belief in marriage and family. I know it’s a fiction book but that idea just rubbed me wrong.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery read. If you are into couponing or enjoy Black Thursday/Friday shopping then I think you will especially like this book.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Maddie is not only dealing with her soon-to-be ex-husband and his family, she is also dealing with a murder case. She writes a blog about bargain shopping and couponing, and she has invited her followers to join her to go shopping on Black Thursday to find the perfect Christmas bargains. She is being interviewed and taped by the local news during her shopping expedition, along with her blog followers. Unfortunately, during the event, a shopper is killed when a pallet of toasters falls from above and crushes her. Was it an unfortunate accident or was it murder?
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout the story and I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end. It was a very plausible conclusion. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.
One thing I really like about this book is all the tips included. There are tips for shopping on Black Thursday or Black Friday, including before, during and after ideas. There are also tips for couponing and how to save the most money that you can. I think this is a great addition to the book.
One thing I did not particularly like was the idea that “all men cheat” and it’s to be expected. And that the wife should take advantage of the situation and get as many “gifts” from the wandering husband as possible. This really goes against my belief in marriage and family. I know it’s a fiction book but that idea just rubbed me wrong.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery read. If you are into couponing or enjoy Black Thursday/Friday shopping then I think you will especially like this book.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 5, 2014
From Goodreads:
A bad deal for Mrs. Frugalicious
When Maddie Michaels, AKA Mrs. Frugalicious, is invited to take a local news crew with her on a Black Friday shopping expedition, she’s excited to show viewers at home how to score the season’s best savings. Despite a negative comment from Contrary Claire– the sole naysayer in her growing Frugarmy–Maddie is hopeful her first TV appearance will be a bargain-savvy success.
But Black Friday eve takes a bleak turn when a shopper is crushed beneath a pallet of toasters. After learning that the victim could be Contrary Claire, it becomes clear that Claire has made more than one enemy. Maddie finds herself dealing once again with a murder investigation. Will she catch the killer before someone else is slashed like a sale price?
Includes couponing tips!
My Thoughts:
What a better way to kick off fall and the start of the holiday season than with a little Black Thursday/Friday shopping murder-mystery?
This is the second book in the Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mysteries. I didn’t have a chance to read the first one, but this one stood alone well on its own. It’s a nice little cozy murder-mystery with a little fun along the way. Although there is the seriousness of the murder, it’s still a light read.
And as the summary says, it does include couponing tips. I normally don’t like reading e-books with footnotes. They just don’t translate well to the digital edition and you forget what the author was talking about when you finally get to the footnote. However, I absolutely loved these couponing tips. I’ve never been into couponing, but when I see the shows and read this book, it really makes me want to start.
I really like the cast of characters in this book, and the ending left us wondering if there could be a 3rd book in the series coming ….. Fingers crossed.
I give Black Thursday 4 out of 5 bookmarks.
A bad deal for Mrs. Frugalicious
When Maddie Michaels, AKA Mrs. Frugalicious, is invited to take a local news crew with her on a Black Friday shopping expedition, she’s excited to show viewers at home how to score the season’s best savings. Despite a negative comment from Contrary Claire– the sole naysayer in her growing Frugarmy–Maddie is hopeful her first TV appearance will be a bargain-savvy success.
But Black Friday eve takes a bleak turn when a shopper is crushed beneath a pallet of toasters. After learning that the victim could be Contrary Claire, it becomes clear that Claire has made more than one enemy. Maddie finds herself dealing once again with a murder investigation. Will she catch the killer before someone else is slashed like a sale price?
Includes couponing tips!
My Thoughts:
What a better way to kick off fall and the start of the holiday season than with a little Black Thursday/Friday shopping murder-mystery?
This is the second book in the Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mysteries. I didn’t have a chance to read the first one, but this one stood alone well on its own. It’s a nice little cozy murder-mystery with a little fun along the way. Although there is the seriousness of the murder, it’s still a light read.
And as the summary says, it does include couponing tips. I normally don’t like reading e-books with footnotes. They just don’t translate well to the digital edition and you forget what the author was talking about when you finally get to the footnote. However, I absolutely loved these couponing tips. I’ve never been into couponing, but when I see the shows and read this book, it really makes me want to start.
I really like the cast of characters in this book, and the ending left us wondering if there could be a 3rd book in the series coming ….. Fingers crossed.
I give Black Thursday 4 out of 5 bookmarks.
October 7, 2014
4 STARS
Good mystery, better hints for shopping savings. Makes you want to shop on Black Thursday. The characters are interesting and want you to see them again. The mystery was pretty good I did figure out the killer early on. The hints did distract some from the story.
Maddie Michaels is a middle aged woman who is getting a divorce. Her husband Frank lives in the basement of the house. She has Trent & FJ twin boys in high school. A stepdaughter Eloise in college.
Frank's whole family ended up at their home for their last family Thanks Giving. The house they live in is up for sale because of divorce and financial problems.
Maddie to make ends meet has started her own blog, Frugalicious. It is going great. Frank is on the local news and his station wants to have Maddie do a special Black Thursday at Bargain Outlet. They will follow her and members of her blog shopping deals and be on the news live. While shopping their is a accident and someone died. Some think accident whiles others don't. Maddie wants to save Bargain Outlet busiest weekend of the year.
Los Angeles is setting of the book and time frame is Thanks Giving weekend. It is a fast paced story.
The hints are good ways to save money while shopping for things you need. That anyone can use to save money every week.
I would read other Frugalicious Shopping Mystery books in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Midnight Ink.
August 6, 2014
This cozy mystery is a load of fun from start to finish. Packed with interesting characters and enough family stress to fell an ox, we're drawn into Maddie Michael's frenzied holiday frazzle that only seems to get worse and worse. Maddie's a coupon diva who's drumming up business for her couponing website by promoting a local store's "Black Thursday" sales event to all of her followers. And now it's all going to be on TV as Mrs. Frugalicious broadcasts live from the sale!
When one of the "Frugarmy" ends up flattened beneath a pallet of toasters, Maddie's stricken. So's the handsome store owner who's had his eye on Maddie along with her soon-to-be-ex Frank, who's helped Maddie with her TV time. (Frank is also trying to get himself out of the hole after having cheated on Maddie in the previous book).
The mystery seemed rather easy to unravel but it's an enjoyable journey to get to the eventual resolution, full of thrills and a few chills along the way. The characters around Maddie make for some interesting reading, too, although her frantic worries about her army of in-laws get to be a bit over-the-top at times. All in all? A good, fun read for fans of cozies.
When one of the "Frugarmy" ends up flattened beneath a pallet of toasters, Maddie's stricken. So's the handsome store owner who's had his eye on Maddie along with her soon-to-be-ex Frank, who's helped Maddie with her TV time. (Frank is also trying to get himself out of the hole after having cheated on Maddie in the previous book).
The mystery seemed rather easy to unravel but it's an enjoyable journey to get to the eventual resolution, full of thrills and a few chills along the way. The characters around Maddie make for some interesting reading, too, although her frantic worries about her army of in-laws get to be a bit over-the-top at times. All in all? A good, fun read for fans of cozies.
February 13, 2016
A family in crisis and Mom comes to the rescue and solves a murder at the same time! Maddie Michaels has created Mrs. Frugalicious and her Frugarmy online to save money with coupon clipping and finding great deals on everything. Her husband, Frank, a financial guru on their local TV station lost all their money in a Ponzi Scheme and then got publicly caught in a torrid affair. Now in the middle of a divorce and trying to sell their house, Maddie is asked to let the local news film crew accompany her and her followers while shopping on Thanksgiving Night. Murder ensues and Maddie is working to clear the store owner, where they were shopping, of murder charges. Wonderful and wacky characters are alive and fun to be with. The coupon clipping theme is well done and highly helpful, as well as being entertaining. I enjoyed the first book in this series and this second one continues to build the characters and theme extremely well. Add a really interesting and unusual murder plot and you have another evening's adventure to enjoy!
June 12, 2015
I received this book (Many thanks!) during Midnight Ink's 10th anniversary celebration at the 2015 Malice Domestic Conference. It is the second of the new Mrs Frugalicious Shopping Mystery series and I plan on tracking down the first one (Eternally 21) to read as well.
Maddie Michaels, the Mrs Frugalicious of the series, is forced into economizing when her now-estranged husband Frank loses everything in a Ponzi scheme. Set in Denver, the series is populated with a quirky bunch of characters, numerous plot twists and savvy shopping tips included in footnotes. Maddie and her Frugarmy are assembled at Bargain Barn to snag Black Friday bargains when disaster strikes--a pallet of toasters topples onto a shopper and crushes her. Is it a horrible accident or murder? With the help of her extended family, local TV anchor Anastasia Chastain and newbie cop Griff Watson, Maddie tracks down the killer and saves the day along with money. A fresh, new series that will be fun to follow!
Maddie Michaels, the Mrs Frugalicious of the series, is forced into economizing when her now-estranged husband Frank loses everything in a Ponzi scheme. Set in Denver, the series is populated with a quirky bunch of characters, numerous plot twists and savvy shopping tips included in footnotes. Maddie and her Frugarmy are assembled at Bargain Barn to snag Black Friday bargains when disaster strikes--a pallet of toasters topples onto a shopper and crushes her. Is it a horrible accident or murder? With the help of her extended family, local TV anchor Anastasia Chastain and newbie cop Griff Watson, Maddie tracks down the killer and saves the day along with money. A fresh, new series that will be fun to follow!
July 31, 2016
My mom received a copy of the second Downward Dog mystery courtesy of Midnight Ink (thank you!) at a 10-year birthday celebration the publisher hosted at the 2015 Malice Domestic conference, and kindly shared it with me. Both the series and author were new to me, and they were a fun discovery! The protagonist is a professional bargain hunter who is experiencing some personal struggles while trying to build up her business. The story is set during the Thanksgiving timeframe with "Mrs. Frugalicious" offering Black Friday shopping tips on a local news broadcast. She and the family head to a local electronics store on Thanksgiving day to do the spot. However, tragedy strikes and a member of the Frugarmy is killed in the store. The story moves along a brisk pace and is packed with memorable characters. Along with an enjoyable mystery, the book is packed with shopping tips. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for other offerings in this series based on reading this one!
July 31, 2014
Plot: I liked the actual mystery a lot - it kept me guessing, and it was more interesting than cozy mystery plots generally are. However, I didn't like much else about the plot. I thought all of the bargain hunting tips got a bit obnoxious and preachy, and I really didn't like the relationship plots. The "all men cheat and you just have to accept it and forgive" theme was depressing and insulting to both men AND women. Those two things really brought this book from 4 stars down to 3.
Characters: I didn't particularly like any of the characters, in large part because of the relationship stuff I talked about above. Griff did seem like he could be a likable character though, and I liked Eloise.
Overall: This mystery had a lot of potential, but there were too many things that rubbed me the wrong way.
Characters: I didn't particularly like any of the characters, in large part because of the relationship stuff I talked about above. Griff did seem like he could be a likable character though, and I liked Eloise.
Overall: This mystery had a lot of potential, but there were too many things that rubbed me the wrong way.
June 14, 2015
This was an OK light series starring Mrs. Frugalicious. When her husband has an affair, she dumps him but then has to support herself and her two boys, which she does by couponing and then blogging about couponing. In this particular novel, she is considering going back to her husband, as she stars in a media series about Black Friday shopping and how to get bargains for the season. The plot is interspersed with many end notes about how to shop well and save a lot of money. Basically, a person who keeps writing critical comments on her blog goes to the Black Friday event and is killed. Mrs. Frugalicious tries to determine if her killer is the nice man who owns the local furniture/appliance store, a supercenter weeding out competition, or an insane friend or enemy of Mrs. Frugalicious herself.
November 7, 2014
This is probably perfectly obvious, but I'm not a big one for cozy mysteries. I decided to check out this series though because of how much I enjoyed "The Big Bang" and I've never regretted it. What can I say? It catches my interest and is fun to read. I enjoyed the first book, but I think this one works even just a little bit better. The tension was different so that still felt fresh, and there was a good mix of old and new interesting characters. I think the mystery in this one was even more plausible than the first, though again I did like the first book. I don't know, maybe I like cozy mysteries and just don't know it. What I do know is that I loved this book.
December 30, 2014
Confession: I hate shopping. So this tale of a wife and mother who blogs under the name Mrs. Frugalicious on bargain buying is not going to be my comfort zone. Maddy (aka Mrs. F.) finds herself playing hostess to her estranged husband's whole family for Thanksgiving, but when they go out for a little retail therapy after dinner, they run into a camera crew--and a murder. It does take Maddy quite a while to figure out the culprit (who gives it away by drugging her), but she does have distractions. I liked it more than I expected to.
October 6, 2014
Throughly enjoyable cosy mystery - which made me go back and read the first book in the series. I did find the husband annoying and hope that that character is sidelined in the future. I would recommend this as an enjoyable and easy read. Thanks to Netgallery and Midnight Ink for the chance to read the book.
December 14, 2014
Fun mystery but best part were all shopping tips to get real bargains especially during Holiday season.
Only regret not reading sooner but it is helping with last minute purchases.
Definitely be reading more from Author Hull.
Only regret not reading sooner but it is helping with last minute purchases.
Definitely be reading more from Author Hull.
May 25, 2014
a better than average cozy
October 16, 2014
This was my first Frugulious, but a cute, light read. Will look for more of these books in the future.
December 19, 2014
Fine writing with charming characters. Shopping tips bonus I applied to this seasons shopping.
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