Dying to Dance (Cha-Cha-Ahhh)

Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #5

by Marcy Blesy

Things are booming at the Tucson Valley Retirement Community, and Rosi and her team at the senior center are very excited to be chosen as the location for the Southwest Arizona Senior Dancing with the Pros Competition where one female and one male resident will be chosen to compete at the state level. But things are never simple. When the professional dancers arrive in Tucson Valley to meet their senior partners, nerves get rattled and jealousy rages, leading to a most unfortunate ending for one unlucky dancer that may derail the improved status of the retirement community. Rosi is once again forced into an investigative role to make things right. Buoyed by the support of her boyfriend Keaton and the never-boring antics of her golden retriever Barley, Rosi just might be able to save the day before the drama dances away.
The books each contain a full, separate murder and can be read out of order, but the character arcs of the characters are more fully enjoyed if the books are read in order.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 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

[Abby Westling · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better! I’m glad we took a different turn with Rosi’s usual MO. It was different but done well. I definitely enjoyed all the new and old characters. I’m glad we got to see some of Rosi’s insecurities play out and addressed in a healthy way. The surprise at the end had me with happy tears.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dying to Dance (Cha-Cha-Ahhh): A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #5" by Marcy Blesy is the best one yet, in my opinion. The Tucson Valley Retirement Community has been picked as one of the stops as the Southwest Arizona stop for Seniors Dancing with the Pros competition. Competition is heated too. We've got jealous ex husbands, injured/ill professional with local stand ins and possibly some fraudulent paperwork.

The build up to the mystery was fairly smoothly done. However, once the real target was figured out I didn't feel there was much exploration into why they were the target. That then made it a bit of a jump as to what the motive could have been. That is until it's all revealed. I suppose it would have lit up the culprit like a giant neon sign if there had been much digging into them.

[Dawn Steenken korzekwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've gotta read it!!

I think this one has been the best yet! It was good clean fun with a little side of mystery, and I do mean little. We were halfway through the book before the shoe ever dropped and it was just little blips in the background this time around. It was a fun kind of change, but remember these are cozies so there's nothing bloody, gory, or super detailed-oriented to take away from the fun of the story. We also got to meet a few new important characters and lost a couple to jail...again, lol. Grab you a copy and see for yourself because I'm off for the next one 😉

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This is book five in this fun series! There is a whole lot of fun and a little bit of mystery in this series. All of the characters are likeable, especially Rosie, the main character and her sweet dog Barely!

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Another crazy week at the senior community. A dance competition for seniors is happening and Rosi and Tracy are in charge. It gets crazy as usual and someone isn't who he seems. Love this series and can't wait for the next one.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and quick mystery by Marcy Blesy. Rosi has her hands full with a senior dance competition, attempted murder and questionable residents who may be more than they seem. Clever twists and smooth pacing of the story kept me turning the pages.

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever plot centered around a Senior Dancing Competition! I liked the short chapters, great characters, and storytelling. The motive was a bit weak, but it was an enjoyable read.

[Marisa Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series! Love these characters