What do you think?
Rate this book
Madeline Bean #6
Perfect Sax
Number one Los Angeles Times bestselling author, multiple-award nominee and winner, and peerless purveyor of the most scrumptiously delicious mysteries ever to please a discriminating palate, the incomparable Jerrilyn Farmer returns with another Mad Bean event -- where murder, mayhem, and madcap doings simmer together in a tempting ragout.
The dazzling Jazz Ball for the prestigious Woodburn School of Music promises to be event planner Madeline Bean's greatest triumph to date -- both professionally and personally. All the rich and mighty of L.A. society's fund-raising crowd seem to be seriously enjoying the festivities, not to mention the black-and-white-themed menu Mad and company have whipped up in their kitchen. And there may even be a replacement here for her ex-beau LAPD Detective Chuck Honnett -- who turned out to be not as completely divorced as he'd implied -- although charming trust-fund hunk Dexter Delano Wyatt's past may be a bit too shady for Ms. Bean's good.
Of course, then everything goes straight to hell. Having to contend with a heap of celebrity trash, a ranting vocal coach, his rabid bitch of a girlfriend, and dueling preteen music prodigies is bad enough. But when the furious bidding war for the prize item to be auctioned off—a one-of-a-kind, sterling silver Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone -- almost results in bloodshed, and the perfect sax subsequently vanishes, Madeline can't help but wonder what else could possibly go wrong.
Well ... she could arrive home to discover a dead body in her bedroom. Detective Honnett could start making insistent "take me back" noises. The man Mad is considering as a candidate to fill the void in her sex life could have been involved in a multimillion-dollar art theft and insurance fraud and maybe much worse. And then there's the red-haired stranger who seems to be stalking her.
All in all, the lethal looniness surrounding the theft of a priceless instrument is threatening to drive Mad quite mad. With the jazz cool, the sax "hot," and the martinis smoking, it may drive her quite dead.
The dazzling Jazz Ball for the prestigious Woodburn School of Music promises to be event planner Madeline Bean's greatest triumph to date -- both professionally and personally. All the rich and mighty of L.A. society's fund-raising crowd seem to be seriously enjoying the festivities, not to mention the black-and-white-themed menu Mad and company have whipped up in their kitchen. And there may even be a replacement here for her ex-beau LAPD Detective Chuck Honnett -- who turned out to be not as completely divorced as he'd implied -- although charming trust-fund hunk Dexter Delano Wyatt's past may be a bit too shady for Ms. Bean's good.
Of course, then everything goes straight to hell. Having to contend with a heap of celebrity trash, a ranting vocal coach, his rabid bitch of a girlfriend, and dueling preteen music prodigies is bad enough. But when the furious bidding war for the prize item to be auctioned off—a one-of-a-kind, sterling silver Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone -- almost results in bloodshed, and the perfect sax subsequently vanishes, Madeline can't help but wonder what else could possibly go wrong.
Well ... she could arrive home to discover a dead body in her bedroom. Detective Honnett could start making insistent "take me back" noises. The man Mad is considering as a candidate to fill the void in her sex life could have been involved in a multimillion-dollar art theft and insurance fraud and maybe much worse. And then there's the red-haired stranger who seems to be stalking her.
All in all, the lethal looniness surrounding the theft of a priceless instrument is threatening to drive Mad quite mad. With the jazz cool, the sax "hot," and the martinis smoking, it may drive her quite dead.
355 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Jerrilyn Farmer
11 books46 followersJerrilyn Farmer, the author of the acclaimed, award-winning Madeline Bean novels, is a TV writer who has written for game shows such as Jeopardy! and Supermarket Sweep, and sketch comedy specials for Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz, Timothy Stack, Cheri Oteri, Tim Meadows, and others. Farmer also teaches mystery writing at the UCLA Extension's Writers Program.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 23, 2023
There are a few crimes going on in this book, and whether or not they were committed by the same person or if they are related is not clear until close to the end. The mystery kept twisting and turning every few pages and it was not easy to guess the killer (or the blackmailer, thief, vandals, etc.) I enjoyed it very much, and am surprised I never read this series, as I own most of them. I'm kicking them closer to the top of mt. TBR.
Madeline is catering a fancy fundraiser but gets stranded and by the time she finds a ride home, one of her catering help staff is found dead in her room. Was it a robbery gone wrong, or was someone after Madeline, since the waitress had the same build and hair color? Is the handsome guy who gave her a ride who he says he is? Who stole the saxophone that was the fundraiser star object? And many other riddles.
Madeline is catering a fancy fundraiser but gets stranded and by the time she finds a ride home, one of her catering help staff is found dead in her room. Was it a robbery gone wrong, or was someone after Madeline, since the waitress had the same build and hair color? Is the handsome guy who gave her a ride who he says he is? Who stole the saxophone that was the fundraiser star object? And many other riddles.
January 4, 2018
Although Perfect Sax was my introduction to the Madeline Bean series, it was easy to get into this sixth book in the series and to get to know the main characters. In this installment, Madeline Bean juggles two love interests--LAPD Detective/married man--Chuck Honnett and wealthy Dexter Wyatt. This book is loaded with action--the discovery of a dead waitress, the theft of a priceless saxophone, the shocking murder of a vocal coach, a years old unsolved art theft, possible insurance fraud, and a mysterious stalker. The book moved at a fast pace keeping me turning the pages to find out what happened next. I love the way author, Jerrilyn Farmer wrapped up all the loose ends at the conclusion of the book. I now want to read other books in this series!
January 11, 2023
This is an entertaining mystery involving caterer Madeline Bean, who has problems when she caters a huge charity event. Right before she went to the event, she found a neighbor's personal papers scattered all over her lawn, picked them up but didn't have time to return them. Then at the event, she had one of her part-time employees ask to borrow her car, and when she agreed, later found the person dead in her own house and in her own bedroom. In her own effort to get home, she got in the car with a deranged driver who eventually dumped her out on a deserted street, and when she finally found a ride, also found a new complication in her life. This is an absorbing mystery that is definitely a good read.
March 24, 2019
What a good read! Completely busy and great plot!
April 5, 2019
Meh. Cosy mysteries just aren't for me.
Read
September 17, 20218/28/2005
November 5, 2016
I know I've read this book before.... but I reread it, as I obviously didn't remember too much about it.
Madeline Bean has just finished catering a huge charity in L.A. for a private music school.... One of her employees' car broke down, so she borrows Maddie's car to get home and Maddie hitches a ride w/ one of the event chairs.
During the event, Maddie comes across her neighbor, whose personal papers she found scattered across her yard... she approaches him in order to return them, he & his girlfriend fly into a rage, accusing her of stealing and trying to blackmail him.
The grand auction prize, a Selmer Mark VI in pristine condition being auctioned off, disappears after the auction... The winner (event chair's husband) goes into a rage and chases down his competitor bidder (w/ Madeline in tow).
Maddie convinces the driver to drop her off downtown.... as she is walking home, the driver's brother-in-law shows up to give her a ride home w/ apologies from his sister the event chair... They hit it off and go to eat at the pantry....
When they finally arrive at Maddie's home they find the police, ambulance, crime scene and the employee who borrowed Maddie's car murdered in Maddie's bed....
Romance, the soap of being a rich man's trophy wife, jealousy, murder, food/catering, house renovation, & insurance fraud play for a pretty interesting story....
Not by any means a "cozy", this book held my interest and I'll even read another.....
Madeline Bean has just finished catering a huge charity in L.A. for a private music school.... One of her employees' car broke down, so she borrows Maddie's car to get home and Maddie hitches a ride w/ one of the event chairs.
During the event, Maddie comes across her neighbor, whose personal papers she found scattered across her yard... she approaches him in order to return them, he & his girlfriend fly into a rage, accusing her of stealing and trying to blackmail him.
The grand auction prize, a Selmer Mark VI in pristine condition being auctioned off, disappears after the auction... The winner (event chair's husband) goes into a rage and chases down his competitor bidder (w/ Madeline in tow).
Maddie convinces the driver to drop her off downtown.... as she is walking home, the driver's brother-in-law shows up to give her a ride home w/ apologies from his sister the event chair... They hit it off and go to eat at the pantry....
When they finally arrive at Maddie's home they find the police, ambulance, crime scene and the employee who borrowed Maddie's car murdered in Maddie's bed....
Romance, the soap of being a rich man's trophy wife, jealousy, murder, food/catering, house renovation, & insurance fraud play for a pretty interesting story....
Not by any means a "cozy", this book held my interest and I'll even read another.....
July 30, 2012
I had thought I would not read anymore of Farmer's books, but a friend convinced me to continue with the series. This mystery series is not the graphic gore of James Patterson. The series combines beach fluff with a little mystery. The series is set in Los Angeles, and expounds on that superficial existence. Money and power is God. The clothing emphasis reminds me of Susan Kandel's series with detective Cece Caruso. The series centers on the lavish parties given by Madeline Bean and her partner, Wesley. The actual murder is not the center stage in this series that does not feature graphic autopsies. This is a gentle mystery and full of fun and partying.
March 14, 2014
Madeline and her friends have just wrapped up a fundraiser for a private school. Then over the news comes the announcement that a dead woman was found in Madeline's bed. What was she doing there? Was Madeline the target? A very tightly plotted mystery with a great characters. One of the highlights of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 5, 2011
Fun romp through the social climbing upper crest of LA society through the eyes of a star event planner. Our heroine is 30-something, beautiful, funny and smart. The last is important since people start dying around her and the police need help putting the pieces together.
Read
February 26, 2012Didn't realize this was the 6th in the series so I might finish this one and start from the beginning. I like the characters so far.
Finished the book and it had a good bit of mystery although a little predictable. Might read a few more soon.
Finished the book and it had a good bit of mystery although a little predictable. Might read a few more soon.
March 16, 2014
I'm not usually reading "cozies" but, I thought it was cute. Not a deep mystery with a lot of complicated characters. It was the right book for the right time in my life. I'm glad that we have these type of options available to all of us. That's the great thing about books and reading!!! :-)
March 20, 2008
The book was okay but not my favorite from the author. The characters from the past books are all there but this one revolves around more of the personal life than the mystery involved.
May 5, 2008
I like her writing style.
July 19, 2008
I have really enjoyed this series. Granted the basic plot is the same, but I do love the characters and how well developed they are in the storylines!
August 23, 2009
Mad Bean #6
April 7, 2013
Still love this series!
February 17, 2016
Lovely, great way to end it! On to the next one!
February 11, 2016
Fun read with the mad adventures in the culinary world !
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews