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Rebecca Schwartz #1-5
Rebecca Schwartz Series: Complete Set
Funny, lively lawyer Rebecca Schwartz is a perennial favorite among cozy readers who can't get enough of smart-mouthed women sleuths. You can't read just one, they're like chocolates!
DEATH TURNS A TRICK
A rollicking tale of murder, romance, and bordellos…
Rebecca Schwartz, nice Jewish lawyer with a few too many fantasies, is happily playing the piano in a whorehouse when she suddenly finds herself assigned to make sure a near-naked state senator escapes a police raid. That dirty job done, a lovely evening turns even more delightful when she’s picked up by the cops and spends the next two hours at the Hall of Justice. Could this day get any worse? Of Course! Guess who arrives home to find a dead hooker on her living room floor? Fans of Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, and Elizabeth Peters will get a kick out of this one.
THE SOURDOUGH WARS
TO YOU, IT’S JUST A FROZEN LUMP OF DOUGH; BUT TO SOME, IT’S LIFE AND DEATH…
Especially to handsome Peter Martinelli, who wants to auction off the fabled sourdough starter from his family’s famous bakery. But who’d buy a frozen hunk of flour and water? Only, it turns out, every bakery in San Francisco, a national food conglomerate, and an upstart ringer with a mysterious backer.
Someone would even kill for it. And does.
A tasty treat of a San Francisco mystery. A crisp, tangy story you’re sure to get a rise out of. You won’t find it a bit crumb-y.
TOURIST TRAP
Fear stalks the streets! reports the San Francisco Chronicle. It also stalks these pages, and so do a lot of laughs.
You just know the Easter sunrise service is going to be a bummer when the San Francisco fog lifts to reveal a body nailed to a landmark cross. Next: mass shellfish poisoning at Pier 39. A very different kind of serial killer is operating here—one who seems to have a grudge against the whole city.
And this is a very different kind of serial killer tale—a funny one. Well, actually, what serial killer’s funny? But lawyer sleuth Rebecca Schwartz is warm and witty, never takes herself too seriously, and on one occasion offers closing testimony with green hair.
DEAD IN THE WATER
THAR SHE FLOATS! Deader than flotsam, right in the thirty-foot kelp tower at the Monterey Aquarium.
She’s the aquarium director herself, beloved by all except Marty Whitehead, lawyer Rebecca Schwartz’s weekend hostess, now cooling her heels in the county clink.
DEATH TURNS A TRICK
A rollicking tale of murder, romance, and bordellos…
Rebecca Schwartz, nice Jewish lawyer with a few too many fantasies, is happily playing the piano in a whorehouse when she suddenly finds herself assigned to make sure a near-naked state senator escapes a police raid. That dirty job done, a lovely evening turns even more delightful when she’s picked up by the cops and spends the next two hours at the Hall of Justice. Could this day get any worse? Of Course! Guess who arrives home to find a dead hooker on her living room floor? Fans of Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, and Elizabeth Peters will get a kick out of this one.
THE SOURDOUGH WARS
TO YOU, IT’S JUST A FROZEN LUMP OF DOUGH; BUT TO SOME, IT’S LIFE AND DEATH…
Especially to handsome Peter Martinelli, who wants to auction off the fabled sourdough starter from his family’s famous bakery. But who’d buy a frozen hunk of flour and water? Only, it turns out, every bakery in San Francisco, a national food conglomerate, and an upstart ringer with a mysterious backer.
Someone would even kill for it. And does.
A tasty treat of a San Francisco mystery. A crisp, tangy story you’re sure to get a rise out of. You won’t find it a bit crumb-y.
TOURIST TRAP
Fear stalks the streets! reports the San Francisco Chronicle. It also stalks these pages, and so do a lot of laughs.
You just know the Easter sunrise service is going to be a bummer when the San Francisco fog lifts to reveal a body nailed to a landmark cross. Next: mass shellfish poisoning at Pier 39. A very different kind of serial killer is operating here—one who seems to have a grudge against the whole city.
And this is a very different kind of serial killer tale—a funny one. Well, actually, what serial killer’s funny? But lawyer sleuth Rebecca Schwartz is warm and witty, never takes herself too seriously, and on one occasion offers closing testimony with green hair.
DEAD IN THE WATER
THAR SHE FLOATS! Deader than flotsam, right in the thirty-foot kelp tower at the Monterey Aquarium.
She’s the aquarium director herself, beloved by all except Marty Whitehead, lawyer Rebecca Schwartz’s weekend hostess, now cooling her heels in the county clink.
1087 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2014
3179 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Julie Smith
263 books404 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 1, 2019
Fantastic series! Loved all five books, full of mystery, mayhem, and murder! Lots of drama, lots of silly family members, cute guys and one adventure after another! Who knew lawyers had such fun or wouldn't lie! Funny all lawyers seem to have no morals, but Rebecca is a good Jewish girl first! With interfering parents, a crazy secretary that just happens to be her sister's boyfriend, and two men in love with her, and a couple of other weird ones that would like to be with her; how could her life be any more complicated! Oh yeah she can't stay out of trouble, one murder after another with her always right in the middle! It's enough to give her mom gray hair and her father a heart attack, at least according to her mother! A fun read! Loved it!
February 4, 2025
Psychic secrets
Rebecca Schwartz, attorney at law, learns that her law partner has a secret life. Her law partner, Chris, has been set up to take the hit for the murder of a very famous news reporter at the Chronicle. A most convoluted mystery that exposes the world of paranormal psychics. The motive for murder is even more dizzy than the plot to use psychic means to solve a murder.
Since Rebecca has found a new love interest in this latest serial killer set, this storyline develops the conflict between her love of her ex boyfriend, Rob, and her new love interest, Julio.
A fast paced read but a trifle easy to solve! Too few characters so that the guilty party stands out like a sore thumb!
Rebecca Schwartz, attorney at law, learns that her law partner has a secret life. Her law partner, Chris, has been set up to take the hit for the murder of a very famous news reporter at the Chronicle. A most convoluted mystery that exposes the world of paranormal psychics. The motive for murder is even more dizzy than the plot to use psychic means to solve a murder.
Since Rebecca has found a new love interest in this latest serial killer set, this storyline develops the conflict between her love of her ex boyfriend, Rob, and her new love interest, Julio.
A fast paced read but a trifle easy to solve! Too few characters so that the guilty party stands out like a sore thumb!
January 4, 2024
Great but left wishing for more.
There is typically an epilogue chapter wrapping up the plot and characters but the final book in this series ultimately ended much more abruptly than the rest and after decades provides no closure with the main characters. I feel like this series had so much more to offer but ended like a cancelled TV show, feeling rushed and thrown together in the last book, which was the hardest to get through. I really loved this series and breezed right though, but the final book was a bit of a flop and gave no closure. Who did Rebecca and Mickey end up with?
There is typically an epilogue chapter wrapping up the plot and characters but the final book in this series ultimately ended much more abruptly than the rest and after decades provides no closure with the main characters. I feel like this series had so much more to offer but ended like a cancelled TV show, feeling rushed and thrown together in the last book, which was the hardest to get through. I really loved this series and breezed right though, but the final book was a bit of a flop and gave no closure. Who did Rebecca and Mickey end up with?
August 10, 2018
Rebecca Schwartz
I liked every minute of every book. This is the second time I've read the series I just bought the whole 5 book series I hope that's not the end of Rebecca Schwartz I want to know who she will end up with Julio or Rob. My vote for Julio, it's a lot more interesting with Rob but I still hope she end up with Julio. At the time I bought this 5 book series I also bought the 9 book series of skip Langdon so that's where I'm headed next keep up the good work Julie I'm really really enjoy reading your books
I liked every minute of every book. This is the second time I've read the series I just bought the whole 5 book series I hope that's not the end of Rebecca Schwartz I want to know who she will end up with Julio or Rob. My vote for Julio, it's a lot more interesting with Rob but I still hope she end up with Julio. At the time I bought this 5 book series I also bought the 9 book series of skip Langdon so that's where I'm headed next keep up the good work Julie I'm really really enjoy reading your books
March 31, 2020
Interesting yet old schoolish
Not what I was expecting but a good read. Rebecca is a lawyer in San Francisco who finds herself defending people she is either dating, or is friends with that are being charged with or a suspect in a murder. With inept handling by the police, meaning they think they have the right suspect, her cases are almost all going to result in convictions unless she finds the real murderers. With help from family and friends, she'll solve those cases but always at a risk to herself.
Not what I was expecting but a good read. Rebecca is a lawyer in San Francisco who finds herself defending people she is either dating, or is friends with that are being charged with or a suspect in a murder. With inept handling by the police, meaning they think they have the right suspect, her cases are almost all going to result in convictions unless she finds the real murderers. With help from family and friends, she'll solve those cases but always at a risk to herself.
October 3, 2021
Wonderful, funny, addictive reading.
I started this 5 book box set and became hooked immediately. I gloriously gorged myself on this witty, tongue in cheek Rebecca Swartz, lady lawyer and against her will, sometimes sleuth. I just fell in love with her, her family and her Jewish self deprecating humour. All this whilst being a feminist, having a relationship that she was not sure about and being a sleuth because the police really, really were rather obtuse in finding the true culprits.
I started this 5 book box set and became hooked immediately. I gloriously gorged myself on this witty, tongue in cheek Rebecca Swartz, lady lawyer and against her will, sometimes sleuth. I just fell in love with her, her family and her Jewish self deprecating humour. All this whilst being a feminist, having a relationship that she was not sure about and being a sleuth because the police really, really were rather obtuse in finding the true culprits.
November 22, 2021
Julie Smith is my favorite author!
Each of These 5 cozy mysteries had a unique theme and new personal realizations for the main character, lovable, intrepid, brave and sometimes foolhardy Rebecca. Her closest friends associates and family members are colorful and warm and Rebecca remains vulnerable and believable not to mention funny and insightful. Loved the variety of themes and all the wonderful unexpected threads that eventually unravel each mystery. I will look for this author again. Highly recommend.
Each of These 5 cozy mysteries had a unique theme and new personal realizations for the main character, lovable, intrepid, brave and sometimes foolhardy Rebecca. Her closest friends associates and family members are colorful and warm and Rebecca remains vulnerable and believable not to mention funny and insightful. Loved the variety of themes and all the wonderful unexpected threads that eventually unravel each mystery. I will look for this author again. Highly recommend.
June 23, 2018
These books grabbed my attention right from the beginning. While the mysteries are complicated they are so well-written the plots are easy to follow. There are lots of amusing times in these legal mysteries, along with romance and suspense. I liked the risks Rebecca took to get answers. I especially liked that she went from a serious, skilled lawyer to fun brothel piano player in Death Turns a Trick. She’s a versatile woman.
I recommend these entertaining legal mysteries.
I recommend these entertaining legal mysteries.
April 3, 2019
Dearly Me.
I have in my adult life not finished only one book that I started to read. This was almost the second one. Rhebefinbing if the first book was so complicated and confusing as almost said to myself no more. But I am VERY GLAD I PERSERVED! The ensuing were wonderful. 8 read each of the five books un one day. They were truly written little mysteries that each had there own little twist and plot. Mystery with heart and soul.
I have in my adult life not finished only one book that I started to read. This was almost the second one. Rhebefinbing if the first book was so complicated and confusing as almost said to myself no more. But I am VERY GLAD I PERSERVED! The ensuing were wonderful. 8 read each of the five books un one day. They were truly written little mysteries that each had there own little twist and plot. Mystery with heart and soul.
August 1, 2019
A great series!
I really liked the very well-developed characters in this series, even Rob, as obnoxious as he often is! Rebecca, as the main character was fun to folk on her crime-solving adventures, which were each quite different from each other. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a clean, cozy mysteries. I’m looking forward to the others by Julie Smith, an author I already knew I liked, from her New Orleans books.
I really liked the very well-developed characters in this series, even Rob, as obnoxious as he often is! Rebecca, as the main character was fun to folk on her crime-solving adventures, which were each quite different from each other. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a clean, cozy mysteries. I’m looking forward to the others by Julie Smith, an author I already knew I liked, from her New Orleans books.
October 3, 2019
All 5 Books Were Masterful Crime Mysteries
I'm giving this four stars instead of five only because I had a hard time keeping track of who all the players were in each of Ms Smith's novels. All were extremely well written, but there were so many people inside each story that I'd have to scroll back to recall who the other players were. How attorney Rebecca Schwartz came up with some of her theories was also a puzzle, but I enjoyed all five stories and recommend reading them.
I'm giving this four stars instead of five only because I had a hard time keeping track of who all the players were in each of Ms Smith's novels. All were extremely well written, but there were so many people inside each story that I'd have to scroll back to recall who the other players were. How attorney Rebecca Schwartz came up with some of her theories was also a puzzle, but I enjoyed all five stories and recommend reading them.
September 25, 2018
Mysteries and Laughs
This book set is unbelievably funny. Great mysteries and great laughs. The characters in each of the books are all very well defined and very interesting. This author has to have a great sense of humor and a fantastic use of vocabulary. I truly enjoyed reading each of these books
This book set is unbelievably funny. Great mysteries and great laughs. The characters in each of the books are all very well defined and very interesting. This author has to have a great sense of humor and a fantastic use of vocabulary. I truly enjoyed reading each of these books
April 30, 2019
What an excellent series! It is superbly written, fast paced, and hard to put down. The author clearly knows the San Francisco area well, and it is practically a character in its own right. The actual characters are relatable and come to life on the page.
The series gets better with each book, and you are left hoping for more.
The series gets better with each book, and you are left hoping for more.
September 23, 2021
This 5 book set was fairly good. There were a few humorous moments, but no nearly as much as I was expecting or hoping for, not as much suspense or tense moments as I'm used to. Personally I would not label these as "Cozy Mysteries" but they were not really action packed or filled with edge- of-your-seat drama either. Hence the 3 star rating.
April 26, 2023
Wonderfully fast paced!
Very descriptive and no long drawn out scenarios. Her protagonist is fun to read about, especially the thoughts in her head. I like how the endings are fast paced and they don't take forever to get to the answer of the mystery. I will definitely look for her other books.I
Very descriptive and no long drawn out scenarios. Her protagonist is fun to read about, especially the thoughts in her head. I like how the endings are fast paced and they don't take forever to get to the answer of the mystery. I will definitely look for her other books.I
November 26, 2023
meh
The first three books were interesting and the type I like to read. Then you dropped ALL the other characters and put Rebecca in an odd place. As if that weren’t enough, you weirded the entire thing. I’m sorry you did that and I hope Rebecca gets things straightened out, but I’m done.
The first three books were interesting and the type I like to read. Then you dropped ALL the other characters and put Rebecca in an odd place. As if that weren’t enough, you weirded the entire thing. I’m sorry you did that and I hope Rebecca gets things straightened out, but I’m done.
October 5, 2017
Great series...loved that they went from hilarity to so serious. I also liked that the series took Rebecca from no boyfriend through two very different ones. Easy read and fast paced...well written.
September 26, 2018
Romance, humor, and suspense!
I enjoyed the complicated relationships of the characters, the twists and turns of the plots, and the humor interlaced among the seriousness. And the not knowing who done it till the end.
I enjoyed the complicated relationships of the characters, the twists and turns of the plots, and the humor interlaced among the seriousness. And the not knowing who done it till the end.
March 23, 2019
This is an anthology of books I read many, many years ago. I chose them then because of their setting. After this series she moved her setting to New Orleans where she created several series. I've read those too but I liked Rebecca Schwartz best.
July 20, 2019
I don't know why these are considered "cozies." They are CD described as "funny." I can't see that either term is accurate. They are entertaining and generally well written, though the author's New Orleans books are much better
December 19, 2019
The stories were great. Enjoyable reading but I, personally don't like the language. A lot of foul language including the"f-bomb" as I call it. If you are not offended by language you will love them. Great stories.
Read
May 29, 2020Julie Smith is a fabulous writer!
All 5 stories in this set were fantastic! Rebecca and her cases are creative and entertaining. There is a great combination of humor and suspense, with unexpected twists to complicate things. This is a series that everyone can enjoy.
All 5 stories in this set were fantastic! Rebecca and her cases are creative and entertaining. There is a great combination of humor and suspense, with unexpected twists to complicate things. This is a series that everyone can enjoy.
August 24, 2020
Really fun
Loved this series. Feisty heroine, entertaining characters and winding plots. Also romance and realistic portrayal of several cities, San Fran and surrounding areas and Atlanta. Fun!
Loved this series. Feisty heroine, entertaining characters and winding plots. Also romance and realistic portrayal of several cities, San Fran and surrounding areas and Atlanta. Fun!
September 8, 2021
An interesting collection of murders and murderers
An interesting collection of murders and murderers that lead lawyer Rebecca on many harrowing adventures and encounter with those who did the deed
An interesting collection of murders and murderers that lead lawyer Rebecca on many harrowing adventures and encounter with those who did the deed
November 26, 2021
Not so funny
Loved the main characters, although none of them grew through the books. The stories were all similar but enjoyable. Will look for any other books just to finish off some loose ends.
Loved the main characters, although none of them grew through the books. The stories were all similar but enjoyable. Will look for any other books just to finish off some loose ends.
February 15, 2022
Good
I have read several of Julie Smith's stories and to be honest these stories are not my favourite ones. At times they were a little boring. The characters were good, but also very irritating.
I have read several of Julie Smith's stories and to be honest these stories are not my favourite ones. At times they were a little boring. The characters were good, but also very irritating.
April 6, 2022
I read most of these for the second time. I don't usually have time to reread a book but I enjoyed these so made time. The stories are all very good and show a good imagination. I feel like a fly on the wall as I go through the books with the characters. They are familiar and well crafted.
February 27, 2023
almost didn’t finish
1 1/2 stars. I don’t know why, but these just dragged. The premise is good, the characters are interesting, the mysteries are mysterious, but it was a slog. I don’t recommend this series.
1 1/2 stars. I don’t know why, but these just dragged. The premise is good, the characters are interesting, the mysteries are mysterious, but it was a slog. I don’t recommend this series.
February 8, 2025
Fun Mysteries
These were fun mysteries to read. They were easy reading and kept my interest. The characters were likeable and I couldn't wait to see what they were up to next. I will definitely look for more Julie Smith books!
These were fun mysteries to read. They were easy reading and kept my interest. The characters were likeable and I couldn't wait to see what they were up to next. I will definitely look for more Julie Smith books!
February 12, 2025
Mostly very good
I enjoyed reading the first four books in this series. The characters and places are well described. The plots moved along well. The fifth book got more into stuff that didn't interest me.
I enjoyed reading the first four books in this series. The characters and places are well described. The plots moved along well. The fifth book got more into stuff that didn't interest me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews