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The Unscripted Detective #1
Curtains for the Condo Casanova
Dumped from the lead role on her detective show, snubbed by Hollywood and hurting for cash, TV star Marla Dane sees only one way running home to Minnesota. There she can lick her wounds, eat ice cream and check up on her seemingly capricious sister. She’ll never again have to think about catching killers.
But that’s before a resident in her sister’s condo building is found dead on the front lawn. There’s just something about Marla that makes the neighbors and overworked cops think she can help solve the case, no matter how many times she tells them she was just a pretend sleuth who never worked off-script.
Trusting that Marla can get an insider’s take on the suspects, the police chief pairs her with Rex Alcorn, an ex-cop who lives in the same condo complex. Rex is less than enthusiastic about working with a lay person who’s also a celebrity, but he owes the chief from way back, and doing this favor should get the guy off his back. And even Marla has to admit he’s not bad to look at.
But Marla’s scripted takedowns didn’t prepare her for murky clues, quirky condo residents and the cagey methods of her new partner. Can she and Rex solve the crime before an all-too-real killer puts them in danger, too?
But that’s before a resident in her sister’s condo building is found dead on the front lawn. There’s just something about Marla that makes the neighbors and overworked cops think she can help solve the case, no matter how many times she tells them she was just a pretend sleuth who never worked off-script.
Trusting that Marla can get an insider’s take on the suspects, the police chief pairs her with Rex Alcorn, an ex-cop who lives in the same condo complex. Rex is less than enthusiastic about working with a lay person who’s also a celebrity, but he owes the chief from way back, and doing this favor should get the guy off his back. And even Marla has to admit he’s not bad to look at.
But Marla’s scripted takedowns didn’t prepare her for murky clues, quirky condo residents and the cagey methods of her new partner. Can she and Rex solve the crime before an all-too-real killer puts them in danger, too?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 6, 2026
When the aging star of a popular TV show about solving mysteries gets fired and replaced by a younger actress, she finds out she's darn good at sleuthing in real life! Marla is a smart, interesting, dynamic detective, and I couldn't help liking her. She's thrown from the life of a rich starlet into the ordinary world, where she's forced to adapt. The story delivered on all my expectations based on the fun premise. The advanced ages of the characters provided a refreshing twist that added depth and layers to the book that wouldn't have been possible in a story centered around younger people. There's even a sprinkling of romantic tension. I can't wait to read more books in this wonderful series!
July 28, 2025
a cozy and relaxing crime/mystery book. did not disappoint. A breath of fresh air when an author can perfectly write a mystery without several character perspectives and not filing empty space to get a longer book (THANK YOU FOR THAT!!). it keeps it more engaging when we hear from only Marla and Rex
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews