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Dazzling Death: A Cosmetic Crimes Mystery
When faded movie star Teagen Doyle swans into Harbor Bay, trouble follows her. She lures artist Marketta Davis into joining her and proceeds to seduce Marky’s fiancé, Dr. Roddy Park. Disaster ensues when billionaire Brendan Doyle storms into town, determined to reclaim his wife. Murder, lust, and larceny confound Harbor Bay until the intrepid sleuths from Poppet intervene.
Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
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About the author
Arlene Kay
19 books85 followersArlene Kay is a mystery writer with a dark past. In another life, the author of INTRUSION (12-11), and DIE LAUGHING (12-12), was a Senior Executive with one of those alphabet agencies that strikes terror into the hearts of all Americans.
Since moving to Cape Cod, she abandoned government work to craft fiendishly clever mysteries with a touch of mayhem and a splash of romance. Her previous works include five novels in the Grace Quinn/Patrick Fong mystery series.
She recently completed SWANN DIVE (05-14); and MANTRAP (12-14); the first in her new Eja and Deming series featuring two intrepid sleuths who live the good life while vanquishing criminals in the very blue state of Massachusetts.
Since moving to Cape Cod, she abandoned government work to craft fiendishly clever mysteries with a touch of mayhem and a splash of romance. Her previous works include five novels in the Grace Quinn/Patrick Fong mystery series.
She recently completed SWANN DIVE (05-14); and MANTRAP (12-14); the first in her new Eja and Deming series featuring two intrepid sleuths who live the good life while vanquishing criminals in the very blue state of Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 10, 2026
In Dazzling Death, the fourth book in the Cosmetic Crimes Mystery series written by Arlene Kay, main character Marky Davis is just trying to enjoy and life her life. Unfortunately, that is not to be ...
When Teagen Doyle, who was a soap opera star years ago and her husband come to town, everyone goes crazy !! Teagan and Brendan take residence at Madge Stone's estate and Marky dislikes her instantly which should be fine, they do not run in the same circles. But for some reason Teagan is drawn to Marky and especially to Roddy, Marky's fiancé and hires both of them. She hires Marky to paint her portrait and Roddy to be the face of her latest business venture, Teagan's Tinctures. But Teagan has more in mind for Roddy as she goes about seducing him ....
Although Marky's heart is broken, she tries to put Roddy and Teagan out of her mind and focus on her business, Poppet. Sadly, that changes when Teagan dies during a romantic dinner with Roddy !! Marky doesn't approve of what he did but she knows deep down that he is not capable of murder, so she decides to try to prove his innocence.
However, before she can get anywhere with Teagan's murder, something else happens in their little town of Harbor Bay that sends Marky rolling.
Readers will fall in love with this story instantly. You will love the characters and all their sass, the town, the businesses and all the craziness within. Trying to solve Teagan's murder will be difficult so I would just encourage you to sit back and let the story draw you in and ride it through.
When Teagen Doyle, who was a soap opera star years ago and her husband come to town, everyone goes crazy !! Teagan and Brendan take residence at Madge Stone's estate and Marky dislikes her instantly which should be fine, they do not run in the same circles. But for some reason Teagan is drawn to Marky and especially to Roddy, Marky's fiancé and hires both of them. She hires Marky to paint her portrait and Roddy to be the face of her latest business venture, Teagan's Tinctures. But Teagan has more in mind for Roddy as she goes about seducing him ....
Although Marky's heart is broken, she tries to put Roddy and Teagan out of her mind and focus on her business, Poppet. Sadly, that changes when Teagan dies during a romantic dinner with Roddy !! Marky doesn't approve of what he did but she knows deep down that he is not capable of murder, so she decides to try to prove his innocence.
However, before she can get anywhere with Teagan's murder, something else happens in their little town of Harbor Bay that sends Marky rolling.
Readers will fall in love with this story instantly. You will love the characters and all their sass, the town, the businesses and all the craziness within. Trying to solve Teagan's murder will be difficult so I would just encourage you to sit back and let the story draw you in and ride it through.
April 15, 2026
Dazzling Death: A Cosmetic Crimes Mystery by Arlene Kay is a sharp, fast-moving cozy mystery that leans heavily into glamour, ego, and the darker side of celebrity culture. When faded film star Teagen Doyle arrives in Harbor Bay, she immediately disrupts the fragile equilibrium of the town, setting off a chain reaction of romantic betrayal, financial tension, and ultimately murder.
Kay builds the narrative around interpersonal manipulation and shifting loyalties, particularly within the entangled relationships of Teagen, artist Marketta Davis, and Dr. Roddy Park. The arrival of billionaire Brendan Doyle further escalates the emotional volatility, turning private grievances into public chaos. The introduction of the Poppet sleuths adds a structured investigative thread that helps ground the unfolding drama.
The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, with a strong emphasis on motives rooted in desire, status, and revenge. While the plot leans into melodrama, it remains engaging through its focus on character conflict and escalating stakes.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy glamorous cozy mysteries with romantic tension, celebrity intrigue, and community driven investigations.
Kay builds the narrative around interpersonal manipulation and shifting loyalties, particularly within the entangled relationships of Teagen, artist Marketta Davis, and Dr. Roddy Park. The arrival of billionaire Brendan Doyle further escalates the emotional volatility, turning private grievances into public chaos. The introduction of the Poppet sleuths adds a structured investigative thread that helps ground the unfolding drama.
The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, with a strong emphasis on motives rooted in desire, status, and revenge. While the plot leans into melodrama, it remains engaging through its focus on character conflict and escalating stakes.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy glamorous cozy mysteries with romantic tension, celebrity intrigue, and community driven investigations.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews