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A Jaine Austen Mystery #13
Death by Tiara
“Entertaining…cozy fun.” — Publishers Weekly
Freelance writer Jaine Austen thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she landed a gig working behind the scenes at a teen beauty pageant. But between the vicious stage moms, exacting judges, and trash-talking teens, she’s not sure she’s the woman for the job—especially when the catfights turn deadly…
Jaine has been hired by über-pushy stage mom Heather Van Sant to write lyrics for her daughter Taylor’s song in the talent competition for the Miss Teen Queen America pageant. It’s different from anything Jaine has done before, but if nothing else, she’s looking forward to a free weekend in a swanky hotel and a chance to see what really goes on backstage at a beauty pageant. But the hotel is a dump, the cattiness is out of control, and Candace—the perfectly-coiffed, whip-cracking pageant director—is making even Jaine’s life miserable.
When Candace’s assistant Amy is found bludgeoned to death with a silver tiara, there are more suspects than sequins on a pageant gown—and Heather is first on the list. Taylor begs Jaine to help clear her mom’s name, but the search for the killer hits a dead end as Jaine quickly realizes that finding the culprit is going to be trickier than walking the stage in stilettos…
Freelance writer Jaine Austen thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she landed a gig working behind the scenes at a teen beauty pageant. But between the vicious stage moms, exacting judges, and trash-talking teens, she’s not sure she’s the woman for the job—especially when the catfights turn deadly…
Jaine has been hired by über-pushy stage mom Heather Van Sant to write lyrics for her daughter Taylor’s song in the talent competition for the Miss Teen Queen America pageant. It’s different from anything Jaine has done before, but if nothing else, she’s looking forward to a free weekend in a swanky hotel and a chance to see what really goes on backstage at a beauty pageant. But the hotel is a dump, the cattiness is out of control, and Candace—the perfectly-coiffed, whip-cracking pageant director—is making even Jaine’s life miserable.
When Candace’s assistant Amy is found bludgeoned to death with a silver tiara, there are more suspects than sequins on a pageant gown—and Heather is first on the list. Taylor begs Jaine to help clear her mom’s name, but the search for the killer hits a dead end as Jaine quickly realizes that finding the culprit is going to be trickier than walking the stage in stilettos…
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2015
81 people are currently reading
1728 people want to read
About the author
Laura Levine
57 books1,232 followersGrew up in Brooklyn, New York, back when mastodons (and Edsels) still roamed the earth.
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
August 4, 2022
In DEATH BY TIARA, the 13th book in the fabulously funny Jaine Austen series, Jaine is hired to write lyrics for a contestant in a teen beauty pageant. But while Taylor, the contestant, is lovely and only wants Jaine to continue providing her M&M’s to escape her mother’s horrible diet, all the moms involved are a piece of work. And of course, someone winds up dead and Jaine does some amateur sleuthing. As with every book, there are adorable scenes with Prozac the crazy cat, and fun emails from Jaine’s wacky parents, who in this one, are at odds over the golf cart Jaine’s father has purchased. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Jaine’s fledgling romance hits some roadblocks.
February 5, 2016
Much of the same-o, same-o with Jaine. I thought there was way too much storyline about Scott's family and not enough of her actually solving the mystery. Her sudden "epiphany" at the pageant where she figures every part of the mystery out was just ridiculous.
Also, what does the author have against giving Jaine a steady boyfriend? She needs one that will help her solve mysteries. And for the love of gawd, get rid of the damn cat. So sick of Jaine being a pushover for that cat and and with other people. Just once I want to read about her putting someone in their place. She lets everyone walk all over her.
Also, what does the author have against giving Jaine a steady boyfriend? She needs one that will help her solve mysteries. And for the love of gawd, get rid of the damn cat. So sick of Jaine being a pushover for that cat and and with other people. Just once I want to read about her putting someone in their place. She lets everyone walk all over her.
August 3, 2020
Death by Tiara by Laura Levine is the 13th book in the Jaine Austen Mystery series. Jaine is hired to write lyrics for a teen beauty pageant contestant only to find herself looking into another murder when the pageant directors assistant is bludgeoned to death by a tiara. Fun and entertaining, although Jaine should stand up for herself a bit more instead of letting herself be pushed around. It was a shame that her boyfriend's family was so obnoxious. Her parents emails are always funny and a highlight of this series for me. An enjoyable and interesting mystery.
February 3, 2016
Such a fun book!! I literally laughed out loud several times while reading it. This series Never fails to entertain. My only complaint is they are much too short!! Lol. This is the book series I wish they'd turn into a movie.
August 4, 2015
I've read one of the previous books in the Jaine Austen series, "Last Writes." While it was nothing groundbreaking, it was a quick, fun little read. When I saw this new book at my local library, I was intrigued. Watching beauty pageants (Miss Mississippi and Miss America every year) is one of my guilty pleasures, so what the heck. I read the book in a day and it was about what I expected: mindless fluff that's ultimately not my thing. I guess I am not meant for cozies. What hurt my reading experience were the main character's endless diatribes about losing weight then stuffing her face, what she wanted to say to her cat and what she really said, what others said to her and what she thinks they really meant...it just got way too repetitive and distracting. Otherwise it wasn't a bad mystery. But I doubt I will pick up another Jaine Austen book again.
November 9, 2015
I read a study which said that reading at least 6 minutes in bed, before going to sleep, cuts down stress by 68%, but only if the book is very enjoyable to you. Well, this book definitely fits the bill for me, as do any of the Jaine Austen mysteries! Jaine is a slightly plus-size, lovable and successful PI wannabe whose daytime job is to write adds, brochures and sometimes jingles for plumbing companies ("In a rush to flush?"). She has a penchant for any pleasurable, bad for you foods and is owned by a prima donna of a kitty named Prozac, and that's just for starters. Only if for those who are or want to be in a silly and happy good mood.
June 30, 2022
So funny!
I love these books, they are so funny. Jaine cracks me up with the situations she finds herself in and she’s so real and relatable. The mystery was interesting and I of course didn’t guess the culprit. Jaine’s love life is still a mess but I’ve seen her date worse and I liked how she stood up for herself. Her parents are of course a riot.
I love these books, they are so funny. Jaine cracks me up with the situations she finds herself in and she’s so real and relatable. The mystery was interesting and I of course didn’t guess the culprit. Jaine’s love life is still a mess but I’ve seen her date worse and I liked how she stood up for herself. Her parents are of course a riot.
July 17, 2015
Jaine and her cat Prozac are back! New mystery, new mayhem and new laughs! A good light read with our favorite characters!
July 24, 2016
Another delightful and rib-tickling addition to the Jaine Austen cozy mystery series. Can't wait for the next one!
January 6, 2024
If Drop Dead Gorgeous and Miss Congeniality had a baby, it would be this book. It was a cute and fun but a very predictable plot line.
July 26, 2015
My friend has been trying to get me to read Laura Lavene’s book for months now. But something always came up in my TBR before I could get to one. Well, now I have read one, this book, and I am a fan! I have a lot of catching up to do!
I fell in love with author Lavene’s writing style during the prologue of death by tiara. First off, she is hysterical! I knew if the mystery in this story was half as well written as the comedy, it would be a fantastic read…and it was!
I spent hours immersed in mystery, a teen beauty pageant, and laughing until I cried. I’m so happy I wasn’t drinking my soda when I read protagonist, Jaine, make a plug for book 14 of this series, KILLING CUPID, or I would have done a spit take that would have done any sitcom actor proud. As for the mystery, is was well plotted and had me second guessing myself. To me, the ending of this book was truly unexpected. I just didn’t see the answer to this whodunit coming.
I could find no fault in this book whatsoever. All I found was gifted writing that flowed across the pages so fluidly, I never wanted the story to end.
DEATH BY TIARA may have been my first book in the Jaine Austen Mystery series, but it will not be my last!
I fell in love with author Lavene’s writing style during the prologue of death by tiara. First off, she is hysterical! I knew if the mystery in this story was half as well written as the comedy, it would be a fantastic read…and it was!
I spent hours immersed in mystery, a teen beauty pageant, and laughing until I cried. I’m so happy I wasn’t drinking my soda when I read protagonist, Jaine, make a plug for book 14 of this series, KILLING CUPID, or I would have done a spit take that would have done any sitcom actor proud. As for the mystery, is was well plotted and had me second guessing myself. To me, the ending of this book was truly unexpected. I just didn’t see the answer to this whodunit coming.
I could find no fault in this book whatsoever. All I found was gifted writing that flowed across the pages so fluidly, I never wanted the story to end.
DEATH BY TIARA may have been my first book in the Jaine Austen Mystery series, but it will not be my last!
April 24, 2018
Great title, cute cover. Start to read - didn't I already pass on this book? Sigh.
Songwriter as solver of mysteries? Fun concept.
Beauty-and-weight-obsessed mom, bored kid, and two pageant moms trash talking each other before I'm actually interested in the story? Pass.
Songwriter as solver of mysteries? Fun concept.
Beauty-and-weight-obsessed mom, bored kid, and two pageant moms trash talking each other before I'm actually interested in the story? Pass.
May 20, 2016
Always enjoyable. I love this series and the recurring characters. Very fun and an easy read. This newest book did not disappoint.
September 11, 2015
So... book 13 in the series and basically the same as the last 12. All the characters are the same and the only differences are who gets murdered and possibly minor setting changes.
June 5, 2024
Funny.
July 31, 2015
A great tiara is the best way to handle a bad hair day - Anonymous
DEATH BY TIARA is Book 13 in the Jaine Austen series. For those new to the series, let's recap:
Laura Levine created Count Chocula and Frankeberry cereals for General Mills. She also contributed to scripts for The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She's proven to deliver humor.
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer living in a middle class duplex on the edge of Beverly Hills. Like her creator, she writes advertising jingles for distinguished clients including a plumber, roofer, and mattress king. Jaine dabbles in sleuthing when her writing gigs lead to murder. She finds solace in long baths, McDonald's drive through, and her prima donna cat, Prozac. Jaine shares the duplex with Lance, a flamboyant shoe salesman who always has a plan for Jaine.
If her life couldn't get any zanier, she receives emails from her retired parents who relocated to Tampa, Florida, to be closer to the Home Shopping Network. Their emails demonstrate that the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.
Any Jaine Austen book is pure escapism. I opened DEATH BY TIARA at the start of a three hour train ride. I laughed the entire trip, sometimes drawing curious looks from my fellow passengers. Levine pokes fun at pop culture as Jaine bumbles through the beauty pageant and murder investigation. The mystery is weaker than previous books but the humor hits the spot.
DEATH BY TIARA, like the previous novels, is told from Jaine's first person point of view. This enables Jaine to share her intimate thoughts with readers:
(A female detective interviews Jaine at home)
Then, like a shot, Prozac leaped off the bed and into Brunhilde's lap
Brunhilde's face turned an interesting shade of purple.
"Get this little monster off me!"
Okay, so what she really said was, "What a cute cat."
(By the way, Jaine nicknamed the detective Brunhilde).
DEATH BY TIARA follows the predictable path of false leads and mayhem. Yet Levine ups the ante with a secondary story line in which Jaine takes stock in herself.
Must read for cat lovers and comedy fans.
I received an ARC from another reviewer who also enjoyed the book. I also happen to love cats, hail from Tampa, and sympathize with Jane's love of (and Lance's disdain for) elastic waist pants.
DEATH BY TIARA is Book 13 in the Jaine Austen series. For those new to the series, let's recap:
Laura Levine created Count Chocula and Frankeberry cereals for General Mills. She also contributed to scripts for The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She's proven to deliver humor.
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer living in a middle class duplex on the edge of Beverly Hills. Like her creator, she writes advertising jingles for distinguished clients including a plumber, roofer, and mattress king. Jaine dabbles in sleuthing when her writing gigs lead to murder. She finds solace in long baths, McDonald's drive through, and her prima donna cat, Prozac. Jaine shares the duplex with Lance, a flamboyant shoe salesman who always has a plan for Jaine.
If her life couldn't get any zanier, she receives emails from her retired parents who relocated to Tampa, Florida, to be closer to the Home Shopping Network. Their emails demonstrate that the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.
Any Jaine Austen book is pure escapism. I opened DEATH BY TIARA at the start of a three hour train ride. I laughed the entire trip, sometimes drawing curious looks from my fellow passengers. Levine pokes fun at pop culture as Jaine bumbles through the beauty pageant and murder investigation. The mystery is weaker than previous books but the humor hits the spot.
DEATH BY TIARA, like the previous novels, is told from Jaine's first person point of view. This enables Jaine to share her intimate thoughts with readers:
(A female detective interviews Jaine at home)
Then, like a shot, Prozac leaped off the bed and into Brunhilde's lap
Brunhilde's face turned an interesting shade of purple.
"Get this little monster off me!"
Okay, so what she really said was, "What a cute cat."
(By the way, Jaine nicknamed the detective Brunhilde).
DEATH BY TIARA follows the predictable path of false leads and mayhem. Yet Levine ups the ante with a secondary story line in which Jaine takes stock in herself.
Must read for cat lovers and comedy fans.
I received an ARC from another reviewer who also enjoyed the book. I also happen to love cats, hail from Tampa, and sympathize with Jane's love of (and Lance's disdain for) elastic waist pants.
July 16, 2015
4 - 4.5 stars...This was a very funny, quick, easy cozy mystery read despite some poor copy-editing/proofreading...so glad my GRs friend, Kim J, wanted to read--both of our 1st Buddy Reads. Lance was funny as usual but Jaine's parents turned it up a notch & were hysterical. The pageant stuff was funny as well as all the Jaine's new bf-Scott's horror of a family! And last but not least Prozac...well Prozac was in rare form (and loved Jaine's work-around at the end). Plus I guessed the killer without even trying--just mentioned to Kim J that this is what it feels like to me...and it is what it was, although at that point I didn't know the motive.
Jaine is hired to write some lyrics for a pageant girl by her typical, over-the-top stage/pageant mom. All kinds of antics & drama happening, then a murder during the pageant weekend & pageant-zilla mom was accused & hired Jaine to figure it out. At same time, Jaine is getting to know new bf's family who turn out to be snotty nightmares. And all kinds of funny, crazy antics ensue during investigation & family situations as well as her parents in Florida, which Jaine learns about with regular email updates from her parents separately.
A good, funny read for anyone & a must for cozy or Jaine Austen fans.
Jaine is hired to write some lyrics for a pageant girl by her typical, over-the-top stage/pageant mom. All kinds of antics & drama happening, then a murder during the pageant weekend & pageant-zilla mom was accused & hired Jaine to figure it out. At same time, Jaine is getting to know new bf's family who turn out to be snotty nightmares. And all kinds of funny, crazy antics ensue during investigation & family situations as well as her parents in Florida, which Jaine learns about with regular email updates from her parents separately.
A good, funny read for anyone & a must for cozy or Jaine Austen fans.
June 6, 2016
This cosy by Laura Levine made me laugh. Death by Tiara is the 13th installments of the Jaine Austen series by Ms. Levine whose style of writing is light and humorous. With a cat named Prozac, what other style of writing should the reader expect except a funny one as well as clever. The following is an example of the author's writing style. Having bought her cat a Kitty Condo with which Prozac, the cat, wants nothing, Jaine refers to the Kitty Condo as " a perfect candidate for Miss Haversham's rec room". Pretty clever writing by the author is exhibited here. There are a few places where I actually laughed out loud. If one is looking for something to help them laugh, one might look here. 31/2 stars.
March 17, 2017
Yet another good one in the series, this time set in the world of local teen beauty pageants. A good twist to the mystery, with a good number of quirky/questionable characters as part of the action. I can't say I was very happy with the romance part of it. I wish the author had cut Jaine some slack and finally given her some deserved happiness instead of letting things play out as they did. I really thought the guy had potential but author showed him up as weak after all that went on. Jaine's parents and flamboyant neighbor provided the expected comic relief, along with spoiled cat Prozac. One more book to go in the TBR; am hopeful the series continues.
October 19, 2019
Between the stereotypical pageant girls and their overbearing mothers and Jaine's life of heavyhanded and near constant and excessive calamity, I found this book annoying and tedious. What really annoyed me were the snarky comments that other characters supposedly said only to have Jaine say the character didn't really say that, but she knew what the character was thinking.
All things considered, a pretty shallow and annoying read.
All things considered, a pretty shallow and annoying read.
September 26, 2015
Normally I love this series because they are light reads and funny. This one was lukewarm for me. Maybe because Jaine didn't grow a spine and stand up for herself until almost the last page. Female characters who let people walk all over them don't work for me. The emails from her parents didn't feel right in this story either. Maybe Jaine and I have just grown apart.
June 1, 2016
A great series that is always a lot of fun to read. Death by Tiara had me laughing out loud. I love the characters and the wacky situations Jaine gets into. If you like funny cozy mysteries you will love this book/series.
November 13, 2017
Unpleasant characters, uneven plot, obnoxious "inner voice". I listened to the whole audiobook, trying to find something positive in the mess. (I hate to give up on a new series before at least finishing one book.)
No more Jaine Austen for me!
No more Jaine Austen for me!
September 6, 2015
I like this author, but I am getting tired of Janes constant bad luck, can the character ever get a break?
July 22, 2015
lunchtime reading material
Read
September 5, 2015Venturing a bit too close to slapstick.
January 11, 2017
Funny, funny! Found myself laughing out loud. Want Jaine Austen as a friend. A fun murder mystery with a very relatable main character
November 28, 2018
This series gets better and better
May 29, 2022
I just love this series. Funny and delightful cozy mysteries!
January 15, 2023
Laura Levine's mysteries are such a fun read. I giggle all the way through at Jaine Austen, Lance, and Prozac's adventures. This one takes place at a teen beauty pageant. What could go wrong?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews