Dying for a Dude

Laurel McKay Mysteries #4

by Cindy Sample

THE WEST JUST GOT WILDER!

When Laurel McKay agrees to perform with the Sassy Saloon Gals during Hangtown's annual Wagon Train parade, her greatest fear is a wardrobe malfunction. Before she can lace up her corset, a 150-year-old skeleton turns up on her grandmother's property. Did Laurel's great-great-grandfather murder his mining partner? Gran insists not and wants Laurel to prove it.

Then the body of a prominent citizen is discovered shortly after Laurel's ex-husband decked him. When her detective boyfriend throws her ex in jail for murder, Laurel, with the help of her zany friends and family, must find the real killer.

Juggling two kids, a new boss, a wilting romance, and two murder investigations would be enough to turn any woman into a chocolate addict. Extra pounds are the least of Laurel's worries as she and her Mustang-driving octogenarian grandmother try to unearth some long-buried secrets before the killer adds their names to Hangtown's bloody history.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Suspense, Humor, Contemporary

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2014

About the author

Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more fun than plodding through paperwork. After one too many mergers,she retired to write her national bestselling and award-winning Laurel McKay Humorous mystery series set in the California Gold Country. Spindrift Cove Mysteries, her newest series, is set in Washington State, featuring Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise director.

Cindy is a seven-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a three-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com

Reviews

[Ellen Kirschman]

An old corpse, a new one, a wacky family, and a lovable, overwhelmed single mom who's trying to juggle a job, her ex-husband (who's also a prime suspect), and her cop boyfriend, at the same time she's trying to solve two murders. All this madness takes place in the small mountain community of Placerville, an historical town populated by some very interesting characters. Who could ask for more?
Dying for a Dude is the fourth in Cindy Sample's series. Read this one and you'll be dying to read them all.

[Glen]

In this fourth entry in the Laurel McKay series, Laurel has a new job, it's Wagon Train Parade season, and her grandmother doesn't want to go into an old age home.

That's a full plate even without murder mysteries to solve.

First, they find a century old dead body at the bottom of an old mine shaft on Gran's property. Then a local politician is hung on flag pole. Laurel's ex-husband is the primary suspect.

Laurel tries to find the real killer, and this causes her trouble at work, at home, and with her boyfriend.

A good cozy. This series should be better known in the field.

[Meg]

This is another great addition to the Laurel McKay Mystery series. Totally enjoyed it.

[Sara]

Fun read for me especially since the action takes place in Placerville with mention of my hometown, as well as Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, & Sacramento. I love reading that the character is eating dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant, Papa Giannis and it is one of my favorites, too. I love the references to the Placerville landmarks such as the hardware store - truly a treasure trove -- the bell tower, Gold Bug Mine. I believe David Girard's winery was mentioned. Yes Placerville, really is nicknamed Hangtown. You truly get the local flavor reading this mystery series.

[R.P. Dahlke]

loved it! Gran is a new favorite. She's whip smart, and mouthy, drives a spiffy new convertible, and her pals at the local library help Lauryn find the clues to an old murder, while Lauryn has to find the clues that will save her ex-hubby from a murder conviction! Good mystery that will make you laugh too. very witty!

[Patricia Gligor]

"Dying for a Dude," the fourth book in the Laurel McKay Mystery series by Cindy Sample, is a real page turner. It combines mystery, history and humor in an intriguing plot as Laurel sets out to solve two murders, one current and one from the 1800s.

[Mary Schildman]

Top class

So impressed with this series. Each book is interesting, clever, informative and a "fun" murder mystery. I knew the "why" but the"who" nearly evaded me. Love these characters. Hope the comedy and romance and of course, the murder continues.

[Rhonda Devalcourt]

Dying for a Dude is fun and hilarious!

I love this series. The writing is so good and the twist of events keeps you on your toes! I look forward to the next installment of Laurel McKay's detecting adventures.

[renee belfore]

Great addition to a fun series

This book combines fun, a little romance, and a twisting mystery with enough history to make a great read. Fun setting too!

[Patricia Foulk]

Best of the series.

[Julie Howard]

I loved this book. This is book four in one of my favourite series and this book doesn't disappoint. The reason I love it so much is the fun quirky characters, especially the elderly but feisty Grandma. Laurel is a great main character, very like able and could even be the girl next door. The book is well balanced with humour, family life drama and of course two investigations to solve. The mysteries were interesting and with so much going on it was very entertaining as the mystery is unravelled. A great book that I would recommend.
When Laurel gets a phone call from her Grandmother saying her mother is missing, Laurel never expected to find her at the bottom of a mine shaft or for her to have company down there, in the form a skeleton. When a bullet is found and a connection to her Great-great grandfather, her Grandmother asks her to clear his name. At the same time her ex husband gets into a fight with his boss when the boss wants to save money by cutting corners on a restoration job. The man is running for mayor despite his less than popular reputation. So when he is found dead Laurel's current boyfriend has no choice but arrest him. With the father of her children on the book for murder Laurel is determined to clear both his and her grant grandfathers name. All before the highlight of the year for the small town, Hangtown's annual Wagon Train parade takes place. He best friend still expects her to preform in the parade and her boss at the bank want her to win him the best decorated business award. Here children want there father home, her mother wants the murder in the mine solved so she can list Laurel grandmother's house and Laurel just wants some quite time with her boyfriend......if she still has a boyfriend.
I liked the narrator. She is very expressive with her emotions, especially when the characters were up set but her English accent made me laugh.

[moxieBK]

Dying for a Dude #4 — Cindy Sample (62 chapters) Oct. 27-28, 2018

Fourth in the book series.

Laurel’s ex-husband, Hank, returns to renovate a historic hotel. His boss ends up dead. However, many people witnessed a drunk Hank saying fowl things about him and all signs pint to him as the murder. Laurel steps in to solve the mystery.

Hank returns to town and ends up finding a dead body. Inconsistencies make him the prime target, but Laurel knows he’s innocent. Tom becomes a little jealous of the attention Hank is receiving, until she solves the case and sets things to right.

A little more humor in this story then previous stories make up for long bits that could have been edited out since they really don’t move the story or contribute to it.

Some grammar errors; don’t let that dissuade you from reading this nice cozy.

Three stars.

[Midwest Geek]

If you're in the mood for a cozy mystery with some kooky characters, you could do worse than this. I listened to the audiobook, very enjoyably narrated by Alyx Morgan. It is relatively short, only 8h 24m long. The action takes place in and around Placerville, California, AKA Hangtown, about 45 miles ENE of Sacramento, not far from the Eldorado National Forest. For more about the contents, I recommend the review by Glen. According to the review by Sara, many of the placenames actually exist, such as Papa Giannis Italian Restaurant, Gold Bug Mine, etc.

[Michelle Beese]

Another fun book to read by Cindy Sample, especially since I live in the area. I love being able to recognize the places and events Cindy brings to her story. Heroine Laurel McKay makes me giggle on nearly every page. I can so relate to her challenge with chocolate (although my challenge is more towards Fritos!). Eager for the next book, Dying for a Diamond!

[Jennifer Duff]

Dying for more

Sample never disappoints and "Dying for a Dude" is one of her funniest installments in this series. The book features two mysteries, a 150-year old murder in the backyard of Laurel's feisty grandmother, as well as a more contemporary murder that implicates Laurel's ex-husband, Hank. Looking forward to Book 5!

[Suzanne Schmidt]

Awesome mystery

This is the second book in this series that I've read and I will read more. This book is very well written. Excellent mystery! I couldn't solve the murder myself. I love that! The characters are realistic and I can envision them as I read! If you like a good mystery, you'll truly enjoy this series!

[Teresa Marzec]

Lol!!

This really makes you laugh! Laurel, Tom and Hank! What a trio! In any divorce, the spouses will always be connected if there are children from the marriage! But I'm not sure I'd go to the lengths Laurel did! Can t wait for book five to see how Laurels Dude is going to be around her! Lol!! Great book!

[Karin]

Not gold in that mine shaft but bones!!! AND now it has go be treated as a historical site??? The senior snoopers are on the job!!! AND galloping horses and motorcycles??? I enjoyed the ride; I mean story and recommend the book.

[Lisa Shapiro]

This one took me forever to get through. I like to read cozy mysteries before I go to sleep and I think I read this just a few pages at a time. I enjoyed the first three books in this series but this book really bored me. I'm going to give this series a break and maybe try again later.

[Helen]

This is another amusing mystery by this author. I really dislike the main character's ex, Hank! I hope he plays a smaller part in future stories. Otherwise, good references to this part of California!

[Anna Kaaiakamanu]

Oh now this was a fun cozy mystery. Laurel must help her ex-husband who is arrested for murder. Her current on-again-off-again-boyfriend is a detective on the case. The tension in this story was really good! I loved this cozy mystery and Laurel in general, as she is just a fun person.

[Edie]

I really enjoyed this book as I've enjoyed the earlier books in the series. I plan to read the next book ASAP.

[Jill]

Light, humorous, and just a bit of romance at the end. Plus a good mystery, to boot.

[Denise]

Dude

Sometimes an authors 1st book is the best of the series. Not with Cindy Sample. This is the 4th in the series & the best one so far.

[Chris Blackton]

Light hearted entertaining read. Did not figure out the murderer till the end. Too many annoying typos!

[Mary j. childers]

Gold Coins

Finding two bodies in a mindshaft started a search to clear a relative of murder. Then everything when haywire and there were two more bodies to check on.

[Carol K.]

What a good book! They are celebrating Wagon Train Days and I wish I could go, too!

[Dottie]

Cozy mystery fans will not want to miss this captivating addition to author Cindy Sample's LAUREL MCKAY series! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

Single mom Laurel has her hands full with her job, raising two children and trying to find time to spend with her sweetie, detective Tom. But then a 150 year-old skeleton is found on her grandmother’s property, smearing the family name, and the body of a prominent citizen is found hanging in the town center, with her ex-husband as the prime suspect. With Laurel’s help, her grandmother is determined to prove that their ancestors were not involved in the murder. Working in the local bank, Laurel does a bit of amateur sleuthing on the side when necessary, against her boyfriend’s wishes. She is still wondering how she got roped into performing with the Sassy Saloon Girls for Hangtown’s annual Wagon Train parade, especially since her snug fitting outfit may gain her more attention than she wants, and if her wardrobe malfunctions like she fears.

Just as she sets out to prove that her great-great-grandfather was not the killer that some imagine him to be, another body is found hanging next to a dummy in the town center. But this time the prime suspect is Laurel’s ex-husband, Hank. When Tom arrests Hank for the murder, Laurel must find evidence that the father of her children did not do it. With the aid of her grandmother and daughter, an aspiring detective, Laurel now has two murders to investigate. Will the women find out whodunit before they are next on the killer’s list? Will Hank’s reappearance in Laurel’s life and her defense of him ruin things with Tom?

A fast-paced read, DYING FOR A DUDE, the fourth book in national bestselling author Cindy Sample’s LAUREL MCKAY series is a humorous, action-packed cozy mystery that will immediately draw you in and keep you guessing right up to the very satisfying ending. I enjoy reading about Laurel, a sassy, single mom of two and her escapades, with a bit of chocolate thrown in to help her get through it. In this story, she is caught between her ex-husband, who is the prime suspect in a murder, and her boyfriend, who arrests him. Previously, her husband left her for a younger woman, but now he seems to realize what he lost and is doing everything he can to get her back. But Laurel is past that. She does not mind having him for a friend since he is the father of her children, but that is where she draws the line. When Laurel begins investigating, it seems that nearly everyone in town could be a suspect. But before the investigation is through, a hilarious, wild west-like romp through town may leave more than one casualty.

Filled with murder, intrigue, a plethora of suspects, humor, mystery and romance, this novel will keep readers captivated. Laurel McKay is an endearing character that readers can easily relate to and the secondary characters add even more charm to the story as the clues build up. Treat yourself to a copy and find out for yourself. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Although this book is the fourth in the series, it can be read as a standalone. But for even more entertainment and additional insight into the series, I recommend reading all of the books in this delightful series in the following order: DYING FOR A DATE, DYING FOR A DANCE, DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI and the newly released DYING FOR A DUDE. The first three books can also be purchased as a boxed set.

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

[Cathy Egan]

This series is very enjoyable. The main character, Laurel, always seems to find herself investigating a murder that someone close to her (if not herself) is accused of committing. Cindy Sample writes with an easy to read, fast paced style, which I personally enjoy. There is a lot of humor, which makes the heroine very likable. I recommend this series to anyone who likes a quick, fun read. Definitely worth your time!!

[Jacqueline Seewald]

Cindy Sample’s latest Laurel McKay mystery is a very enjoyable cozy. The author provides just the right amount of humor. The gold country setting of California with its local history is an interesting, well-presented part of the story. In May, Laurel’s mother falls into an abandoned mineshaft on Gran’s property. After pulling her mother out, the rescuers discover a skeleton that Laurel refers to as “Mr. Bones.” It seems that a man named George Henry Clarkson disappeared in 1864 and a coin found near the remains was minted in that year. Furthermore, Laurel’s great grandfather appears to be a prime suspect. Laurel is determined to find George’s real killer and clear her ancestor’s name. But that isn’t the only suspicious local death. Laurel’s ex-husband, Hank, comes under suspicion for killing his boss, Darius Spencer. Laurel does her own investigating even though her boyfriend is Detective Tom Hunter, head of homicide for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s office. Laurel is also a bank officer who has to decorate the bank for Wagon Wheel week in Placerville. She notes that there are more suspects than decorations—apparently Darius was unpopular with many local residents. There are lots of witty original scenes in this book such as Laurel scaring away a mountain lion by belting out her rendition of “I Will Survive.” There is also a unique chase scene toward the end of the novel that is not to be missed. Colorful characters abound. Gran is reminiscent of Stephanie Plum’s grandmother and just as feisty. Of course, there are serious moments as well. When Laurel announces that she intends to find Spencer’s real killer, someone attacks her and knocks her unconscious. Altogether, this is an exciting, enjoyable, well-written mystery and a pleasure for readers.