Tax Cut

Jersey Shore Mystery #2

by Michele Lynn Seigfried

     "I saw him," she said. "He handed an envelope filled with money to the tooth fairy."
      The ramblings of eighty-nine-year-old woman with dementia.  The government employees are used to her regular phone calls and dismiss the crazy old lady; but the new municipal clerk, Chelsey Alton, isn't so sure the woman is off her rocker.  Something's amiss in the Village of Coral Beach, a small, New Jersey shore town community, and Chelsey's determined to find out what it is.
     The former clerk of Coral Beach, Vinny Buttiglieri was murdered and dead bodies keep popping up all over town.  Between being a single mom to a temper tantrum throwing two-year-old, bosses who humiliate her in public, the dead bodies, and a man named Mike Nero that is stalking her, she has her hands quite full!
     Chelsey recruits her good friend, Bonnie, a voluptuous woman with an off-color sense of humor, to assist her on a few recon missions. The deeper they dig, the more they put themselves in danger, becoming entangled with sinister mobsters, criminal activity, and government corruption.
     Not everything is as it seems. Chelsey thinks she's doing the right thing, trying to uncover the truth and protect herself at the same time, but can she save herself when she becomes entrenched too deep in this Jersey shore mystery?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2014

About the author

Michele Lynn Seigfried is the author of humorous, cozy mystery novels and a children’s picture book author/illustrator.

Michele was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 18 years in two different municipalities.

She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey.

In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013. She has won several awards for her novels.

Michele is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime – Central Jersey, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, New Jersey Author’s Network, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Central Jersey Registrar’s Association, Municipal Clerk’s Association of New Jersey, and the Municipal Clerk’s Association of Mercer County, where she is currently President. She also serves on the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Legislative Committee.

Reviews

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! I hadn't read the first book and if you have read my blog for any amount of time you know that I MUST read the books in order in a series, if only to understand better the personal stories of the characters. Well I think this is probably the first book in a long time that I didn't feel totally lost on the personal story. I felt like there was enough of the back story to catch me up enough to not feel lost.

That said....while I was reading the book, I was trying to figure out how this was a mystery. We knew that the council members (or at least a few of them) were corrupt and were being paid off or paying others off to get what they wanted done, or what the developers wanted done. Boy was I wrong! Not only was there a HUGE reveal, it was characters I didn't expect to be "dirty". I'm not going to say much more because I do not want to ruin the book for anyone. Needless to say I was quite shocked at the turn of events.

There are also some fun characters, like Mike Nero - a former classmate of Chelsey's that has decided he is in love with her and is basically stalking her. There is Babs, the older lady that calls her and lets her know that the Tooth Fairy is running a cemetery in the land across from her house. And of course Bonnie who takes no prisoners and tells Chelsey she needs to let her kitten out...her sex kitten that is.

And with any good mystery there is a love romance. Chelsey is dating (or trying to date) Kris. They are both single parents so it can be hard actually getting to go on a date but they manage to make it work. However, there is someone else that comes into the picture that could make it interesting for Chelsey. He has said that if things don't work out with Kris to let him know. I don't want to say more and I'm definitely not giving you his name because that would ruin some of the book.

[Edythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I can’t believe he threw a rock at someone holding a gun, “I said to Bonnie.
“Yeah, that one must have fallen out of the stupid tree and hit every branch on the way down,” Bonnie said with a smirk.”

Chelsey Alton is a Municipal Clerk for the state of New Jersey in Coral Beach Village recently returning to the workforce after a harrowing experience being held as a hostage at her previous employment for the Town of Sunshine. Working once again has Chelsey smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery that killed the previous Clerk holding the position that she is now employed. Her new employers are involved in a tax and money-laundering scheme that involves the citizens of Coral Beach Village and their expensive beachfront properties.

Chelsey begins her own investigation into the death of the previous Municipal Clerk Vinny Buttiglieri with her best friend Bonnie and discovers there are mafia involvement as well as murder, arson, and political corruption. In addition, Chelsey has three enamored men chasing after her and does not know whether to choose Kris the restaurant owner and chef, Bryce the co-worker who is keeping secrets, or Mike the nerdy computer geek who refuses to take no for an answer. Either way, Chelsey has more than enough to handle putting the pieces together in the mystery murder of Vinny when no one is who they seem and the mafia is on her trail.

This novel is very entertaining drawing the reader in from Chapter 1 until the last page of the book. The characters are likeable except for Mike Nero the computer geek who annoys Chelsey but serves the purpose of what the author intended. I recommend reading to those who love murder mysteries and suspense with a bit of humor.

I received this book free from the author through CLP Blog Tours in exchange for an unbiased opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

When single mom Chelsey Alton hears there is a job opening for a Municipal Clerk in Coral Beach, she quickly applies for the job. The council board members just as quickly vote to hire her, except for one, but the job is hers. Chelsey does have a few doubts about the job starting with the fact that the job is vacant because the previous Municipal Clerk is murdered. However, she puts that aside and delves into the job.

Chelsey learns there is an Administrative Assistant job opened as well after the previous assistant unceremoniously walked out. She recommends her friend Bonnie for the job and she gets hired too.

It doesn’t take long before Chelsey realizes something strange is going on in the town of Coral Beach from mysterious fires, murders, angry residents, mobsters and nasty board members. Determined to stay out of it, she finds just the opposite happens and she’s right in the middle of it.

What a great read this is! Each character was vividly portrayed. Chelsey is a strong heroine surrounded by a zany cast of characters. Her sidekick Bonnie keeps readers laughing. There are also stalkers, romantic interests and evil mobsters tossed into the mix. The story takes a million twists and turns and keeps you guessing to the end. I really enjoyed this well written mystery. Who knew being a Municipal Clerk could be so dangerous?

I haven’t read the first book, Red Tape, but it’s on my Kindle and I will definitely be reading it. Although Tax Cut is the second book, I felt it stood on its own. I didn’t feel lost as I read it, I jumped right in and I’m glad I did.




FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Chelsey Alton as she finally goes back to work when a city clerk winds up dead Chelsey's friend convinced her to get the job, when she does she finds out she gets more than she bargained for.

Chelsey and her good friend Bonnie end up looking into the death of Vinny. Who was really out to get him? This book also was told from a two angle one angle was Chelsey the other are the bad guys who committed the murder. Which made it a very interesting story, as we are quick to find out who is involved with the death of Vinny then to watch Chelsey piece it together. Will she solve it before she winds up like Vinny?

I really enjoyed the twists and turns this book took plus learning about the people in Chelsey's life, it was great to have a single mom being a detective so to speak. I also loved her banter with her friend Bonnie and how she handled Mike Nero Chelsey's stalker who seems to think they are destined to be together. Can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!

[Kelly Mccurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~I received this book en exchange for an honest review~~

This book had many twists and turns in it that I didn't see coming at all. Chelsey is the Municipal Clerk for Coral Beach, and did she get thrown into a shit storm. She is picking up basically where the previous Municipal Clerk left off. There is something going on in that little town, but she can't quite put her finger on what it is. With her friend Bonnie by her side, and a couple of good looking men to stare at, can she do her job?

This is the first book that I have read by Michele. It isn't going to be the last at all. The writing that she has done in this book kept me on my toes until I finished the book. I totally didn't see the twists that happened in this book at all. This is a breath of fresh air, you think it is one thing, but then it turns out totally different. I love it!

[Florry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating mystery mixed with amusing situations! It’s a page turner book worth reading.
Poor Chelsey: new job, new problems! I loved how she dealt with strange dangerous people & situations. Her detective side and romance life intrigued me.
I was happy that her friend Bonnie was back on track with her delicious answers. I also liked the Nero-Zero character and his rescuing crazy procedures. Babs is a sweet old lady who helps a lot.
There are many twists and events that spiced up the whole story. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you for the great reading time! Can’t wait to see what’s next :D

[Maria Scarlata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winning book by Michelle Seigfried. I couldn't put this book down. I took a liking to the Mike Nero character, as crazy as he was. It's about a woman who takes a new job and runs around trying to find who is killing off the residents around the "village". I know I don't make it sound good with my description, but it was fast-paced, fun, suspenceful, romantic, and filled with mobsters and crazy people. A great read for cozy fans!

[Les · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. I am avoiding using 'bad' because that can be misconstrued as positive and there is nothing positive about this book. My assumption is that the author read a few Janet Evanovich books and thought this can't be hard I'll write one. Then she created a check list, set it is Jersey, have a perky character who is confused about her love life, a sass talking character, an older woman who dresses inappropriately, a lecherous co-worker and some baddies who want to kill the heroine.

As anyone who has read all of the Stephanie Plum series will attest it isn't easy to write those books; even Janet has a dud from time to time. This book is like a high school student's attempt for a creative writing class. The dialogue is generally painful. The heroine of our story has a two year old daughter who is the human equivalent of Stephanie Plum's hamster Rex. She adds nothing to the story.

The character who drives the action is a municipal clerk which in NJ is an appointed government position. I know this because we are given endless detail about the actions, qualifications and job responsibilities of a municipal clerk; far beyond anything needed to move the story along.

The book starts by introducing a colleague from another town whose entire purpose is to point out that there will be a job opening and then she disappears. There are parents who are merely there to babysit the 2 year old (see why Stephanie Plum has a hamster) and to hear how her day went.

The problem with trying to take the Plum series characters and set them in a government office is the legality. See when Vinnie is evil and lecherous it's okay because no one takes him seriously and he's a relative who has subcontractors. When your colleague in a business office is a pig you file a complaint with the EEOC and sexual harassment charges. The same applies to the stalker; in Stephanie Plum's world they cause her problems with her bounty hunting; here a man is creating a hostile work environment. In lieu of a sass talking former 'ho; we get a sass talking secretary who has a neurosurgeon husband and lots of money. We even get an uncle who 'bought a one way ticket to the cruise liner in the sky'

And then we have the mob. In Stephanie Plum's world most of the mob guys are funny or quirky; a bit of the gang that couldn't shoot straight, and are only after one another. Here we have a small town where citizens are disappearing or dying at a rate that would have Mulder and Scully on the job and where arson is as common as shop lifting.

Amid all of this we have her disastrous love life and the guy who can't seem to make it to a date and when he does it is a mess.

Other contributing factors to the awfulness of the book are unnecessary weather details, time issues; she goes on a date to a St. Patrick's day parade and then weeks later goes out to dinner on St. Patrick's day and the author's need to make the corruption so obvious that even a toddler would question it.

The book resolves like a Scooby Doo mystery where no one is who they seem and they would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling clerks.

[Andrea Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I once read an article that outlined the difference between mystery and suspense. According to the Simon Wood’s article “9 Tips to Writing Suspense Fiction” (posted on Writersdigest.com), mystery begins with the crime while suspense works almost to avoid it. Wood uses the example of a presidential assassination. In a mystery, the murder takes place immediately, and the characters try to deduce who committed the crime. In a suspense novel with the same assassination, someone discovers the plot and works diligently to prevent the crime from occurring, ending in a massive crescendo where the good guys swoop in and—usually—foil the would-be assassin. Tax Cut does a bit of both.
The “whodunit” with Vinny begins Chelsey’s voyage down mystery lane, but she soon finds more conspiracy than a Jack Ryan movie. Other than the dreaded standing in line at the DMV, I have zero experience with county or city government, and if all the espionage in this novel is any indication of the depravity of local politics, I think I’m good with my limited knowledge. There wasn’t a great deal of “shop talk” in regards to government mumbo-jumbo, which kept me from getting too lost in the jargon, and the story is a true jigsaw puzzle of interlocking crime. I enjoyed how Babs’s story is mixes with the happenings.
But while the story is complex, I had some issues with stilted dialogue and overly embellished description. A couple of things were wince-worthy. Some of the chapters were written in third-person POV from the bad guys’ perspective, and the dialogue literally used the tag “the first killer said.” I also cringed then just downright hated the characters’ use of “eff” in place of the actual word. It’s a murder mystery. Be realistic and use the real deal or don’t use it at all. Cursing is cursing even if you use a euphemism. I also found some things unrealistic. For example, Bonnie fires a gun in the middle of a city to scare off a group of tween boys who call her a cougar. Even if it’s the ghetto, that’s a bit of an overreaction then they hang around to question someone rather than hightailing it out of there. Another issue I had was with Chelsey’s treatment of the “Nero” situation. Chelsey has survived a traumatic happening in book one. She was held at gunpoint by a crazy citizen, yet she puts up with Nero showing up at her house and sending her videos of himself partially dressed? That just didn’t make sense to me regardless of her feeble excuse that he’s “harmless.” She should watch a few episodes of Dateline. Those women always end up on the wrong side of dead.
Overall, it wasn’t my favorite read, but I respect the complexity of the plot.
3 Stars

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Good mystery. Fun Characters, Good plot twists. Well told story that keeps your attention. Also a clean read.

I was always trying to figure out who or what was going on. It unfolded the mystery a little at a time.

Chelsey Alton heard through a friend that a job in her field was open because the last one was murdered.
Chelsey decided to go back to work because of the job opening. As a Municipal Clerk for Coral Beach. It was close enough to commute to work and her parents could babysit her daughter. Chelsey's finds a letter from the previous clerk that say's if he is dead it was his bosses fault.

Chelsey is a single mom of a two year old. She is excited to date a guy she met at New Year's Eve party. He is a single father too. Her first day on the job she meets a guy who starts stalking her. A Seenior citizen that has memory problems calls complaining about too many birds, tooth fairy, dead bodies. Her bosses are not that friendly. Maybe the mob is involved with the clerk's death.

Also the previous secretary had quit before she came to work so she told her friend Bonnie about the job who she worked with before about it. Bonnie is married to a Doctor but she likes to look and flirt with other guys. Bonnie is funny and likeable.

The setting is on a island in New Jersey.

The pacing is good and unfolds the story at a steady pace. I think I would have reported her stalker right away when he would not take a no.

I would like to back and read the first book Red Tape in the series and see how it all unfolded too. I would read another book in the series.

Their is drama, action, romance and lots of humor in Tax Cut.

I was given this ebook to read and in return for being part of its book tour and to give honest review of Tax Cut.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fast-paced mystery to wile away a lazy summer day, then I have the book for you!

In Tax Cut, the second book in the Jersey Shore Mystery Series, the author transports the reader back to the Jersey Shore to follow Municipal Clerk Chelsey Alton on her latest mystery investigative adventure. Set in the small shore town of Coral Beach, Chelsey takes the reader on a riveting roller coaster ride full of surprising twists and turns as she and best friend Bonnie investigate the murder of her predecessor, Vinny Buttiglieri and other Coral Beach townspeople.

This book has enough humor, mystery, suspense, and romance that easily draws the reader into the story and keeps them guessing until the surprising conclusion. Chelsey's new position in the seaside town gets a tad bit crazy when her amateur sleuthing has her dealing with the mafia, corrupt politicians, crazy townspeople, and even a stalker! As this entertaining action-packed whodunit unfolds, the quirky characters and intriguing storyline will make you laugh, keep you in suspense, and even engage you in trying to solve the mystery along with Chelsea.

I would be remiss if I didn't send out congratulatory props to my fellow Jersey Girl, author Michele Lynn Seigfried.

Tax Cut is a fun mystery to read, and even though it can be a standalone read, I'll have to go back and read Red Tape, the first book in the series since I've become a Chelsey Alton fan!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Rosalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: This is the second in the series, following RED TAPE. Filled with suspense, humor, friendships, TAX CUTS is fast paced. Well written and engaging, it was hard to put down. Chelsey is likable and responsible, even conservative and naive. Her friend Bonnie is quite the opposite. When Nero/Zero is added in, along with Babs and her crazy calls, well to say the characters are unique would be an understatement. The suspense is there and it's not quite clear who's running the show until the very end. Hopefully, there will be another one in the Jersey Shore Mysteries series soon.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, let me just say the Michele made municipal government interesting. This book had a lot of action and kept my attention. The only thing I didn't like about the character Chelsey was that being a single mom, she tended to dump her daughter on her parents too much, I realize she was investigating a murder, but still, I guess she did have a lot going on, including a "stalker". This book was not only action packed, it made me laugh out loud sometimes. Great job Michele.





I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

[Ginny McCluskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marginally entertaining.

If you want a fast read, this is it. You can speed read it because there is a lot of unnecessary repetition on so many pages. There was an interesting twist at the end, which accounts for the two star rating, but overall I couldn't wait to finish the book just so I could get it over with!

[Shelly Novembre · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and fast paced book! Quite the enjoyable read. Told from the perspective of a single mom, I thought the characters were life like yet unique and there was a lot of mystery packed into this book. Don't wait--buy it today!

[Barbara Gareis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there were a few minor errors, I could easily overlook them because the story was so full of drama, suspense, mystery, and humor. I couldn't put it down! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Michele is a great author and I enjoy reading her books!

[Michael W. Lekflutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced crime mystery that takes place at the Jersey shore. Couldn't put it down until it was done. Makes you want more from this author.

[Madison Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this even better than the first book in the series. Keep um coming!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the moffa that was trying to get control of this small town on the beach.the murders and fires are counting.

[Lorraine Overturf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

An interesting story about small town politics.I've spent most of my adult life in small tourist towns. Not too far fetched.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

KEPT COMING BACK

The pacing of this bloom is a little off, but I would put it down, and then come back...all-in-all, I found it to be a good read.

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed it. would read the author again.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

New job or new problems?

She has just about recovered from the hostage situation and with her daughter now aged two the prospect of a new job is enticing. Hearing that the last Clerk had been murdered, not so much. However when she gets the job excitement fills her, especially once she gets her BFF on board. Add in the mob, extortion, kidnapping and attempted murder for another fun filled job. Just when she thinks everything is settled she is taken at gunpoint and threatened. Will she survive? What will happen to her daughter? Which guy will she choose? Will she take a risk and go into another career option completely? Can she fob her stalker off onto another female? A much better plot and the characters are unfolding well. Giving you more of an insight into them and their relationship to each other.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling odd applying for a job, after it became vacant because he was murdered. She was qualified,soon after starting, she realizes, it was a mess of corrupt politician, and soon she is in the midst of it. Another opening and her friend Bonnie gets it. Between the two of them, and a few boyfriends, giving this a humerous story to read, New job, and trouble for them is brewing, humerous, with twists to the end.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

It was a fun, cute book. The ending had a little twist which was good. The characters were developed enough that it's ok as a stand alone, or if you want more, you can read the series. I would recommend it; a good beach read.

[bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suspense, not mystery, because so much given away by various POVs. Didn't work for me. 2 star

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tax Cut (Jersey Shore Mystery Series) — Michele Lynn Seigfried (22 chapters) Dec. 10, 2017

This turned out to be really different (first, boring…then delightfully!) than I thought it would be. I should have know by the title that this story was going to be about a financial mystery. The plot sort of bored me after awhile, but I think if you are into municipal and/or financial mysteries, this one, might be much more entertaining. Then, when I was ready to just skip parts of it, I found myself hooked into the plot. I never thought that would happen…but I was left wondering what Chelsey is going to do next.

The story was based in New Jersey. If you are from that area, the locations the author described would prolly make more sense to you. The plot was well written, and the characters worked well together, but I did get bored with Chelsey constantly giving Kris a chance after nearly every event he bailed with her on. I mean, I don’t care how nice of a guy he was, after three crushing cancellations, I would be moving on, no matter how cute the person was. But she kept allowing him to make and break dates way after the sixth time. (I lost track of how many times it ended up being.) That was one of my biggest gripes of the story. But then Bryce? I thought immediately that the chemistry was good between them. I was sorry that it looks like that relationship, which was full of a ton more sparks, might not be going anywhere.

The chapters were broken up fairly well, and the story was the perfect length: not too long and not too short. Really loved the character interactions. Te secondary characters were just as full of life as the main ones, which is sometimes rare in a book. I really liked Babs and Nero/Zero. Great characters that I actually fell in love with!

I wasn’t sure I would continue reading from this author until about two-thirds of the way through. Then the story really kicked it up. The plot, in the beginning, didn’t so much for me. (But maybe that’s because I didn’t know when I started reading it that this was a second in the series. Maybe that was what I was missing that made me scratch my head about parts of the story.) I don’t regret reading it. It was a decent enough plot to kill a day. I’m super glad I stuck with the book, because I know I will read more in this series.

Three stars.

[Michele Seigfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't actually a review from me, but I couldn't find somewhere to put this review Tax Cut Received, so I put it here:

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers’ Favorite

In Tax Cut (Jersey Shore Mystery Series) by Michele Lynn Seigfried, readers once again join Chelsey Alton in another adventure. I did not read the first book and did not know there was one until after finishing this book. Tax Cut is really a good book that stands alone on its own merits. Chelsey starts a new job as the Municipal Clerk in Coral Beach along the New Jersey shore. She quickly finds out that there are a lot of bad people and wrong things going on. Chelsey tries to fix the wrongs and uncover the evils, but in doing so, she is forced to deal with the mob and not so honest politicians. There are also a lot of good things in her life: her two-year-old daughter Mandy, her parents (who are always available to take care of baby Mandy), Bonnie her friend (always ready to help track down a lead), Nero, the man who drives her crazy, Babs, a town resident suffering from dementia but knowing lots of town secrets, and finally Bryce and Kris, the love interests.

Tax Cut has everything – suspense, murder, romance. Michele Lynn Seigfried has written a story that will make you laugh, make you worry, make you want to find out the conclusion as quickly as you can. If you are a fan of the Stephanie Plum books, you will like the Chelsey Alton, Jersey Shore Mystery series even more. The characters are real and the story is fun yet suspenseful, all at the same time. I highly recommend this book and expect to see it rising quickly as a favorite series. Tax Cut will soon be the most talked about new book. Don’t miss out – read it today.

[Bonnie Phelps · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just could not get into this book. The characters seemed silly to me and the writing style didn't capture my attention. Since I know how hard authors work on their books, I'm glad other readers enjoyed it.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-weight mystery that doesn't live up to it's potential.