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A Dead Red #5
A Dead Red Miracle
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN:
B0121GWOVI
Thinking to jump start their careers as private investigators in Wishbone, Arizona, cousins Lalla and Pearlie Bains buy into it with a local P.I.
But their nifty plan starts circling the drain when his unscrupulous business practices end in his untimely death and they discover that he's been siphoning clients from their partnership.
With only a week before the state puts pulls the business license Lalla and Pearlie will have to corral a wall-climbing Apache ninja, pacify their former boss's greedy ex-wives and nail a killer. Sure Lalla and Pearlie are in a really tight spot, but all they need is a miracle or two.
Thinking to jump start their careers as private investigators in Wishbone, Arizona, cousins Lalla and Pearlie Bains buy into it with a local P.I.
But their nifty plan starts circling the drain when his unscrupulous business practices end in his untimely death and they discover that he's been siphoning clients from their partnership.
With only a week before the state puts pulls the business license Lalla and Pearlie will have to corral a wall-climbing Apache ninja, pacify their former boss's greedy ex-wives and nail a killer. Sure Lalla and Pearlie are in a really tight spot, but all they need is a miracle or two.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2015
328 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
R.P. Dahlke
16 books682 followersI write the Dead Red Mystery series,
and a romantic sailing mystery trilogy starting with A Dangerous Harbor and now Hurricane Hole. I LOVE to hear from readers! e-mail me: rp@rpdahlke.com
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http://rpdahlke.com
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and a romantic sailing mystery trilogy starting with A Dangerous Harbor and now Hurricane Hole. I LOVE to hear from readers! e-mail me: rp@rpdahlke.com
Join my private monthly newsletter and get FREE stuff!
http://rpdahlke.com
or e-mail me: rp@rpdahlke.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 21, 2015
I admit it, I ‘ve not read any previous books in this series, but it was insta-love for Lalla a nd Pearlie Bains! The cousins on their way to being P.I.s, getting training and on the job experience. What better way to have an instant clientele list than to buy the agency they are working for, or so they thought, too bad the guy was a snake, a cheat and was fleecing them, but it isn’t proper to speak badly of the dead and their boss most definitely is. On a bright note, the girls have a case! Find the murderer, but the possible suspects are legion and time is running short. What has Ron been up to? Who would murder him and why? Lalla and Pearlie are on the case, stand back, Sherlock and see how it’s done!
A Dead Red Miracle by R. P. Dahlke is one part quirky, one part humorous, one part mysterious and 100% light and entertaining. R. P. Dahlke has created two sly-as-a-fox blonde characters who use their blondeness to their advantage against those who think Blonde jokes are the height of entertainment. Written a little tongue-in-cheek, this tale is fun from start to finish in spite of the matter of the dead guy. What have the girls gotten mixed up in? Who is the killer?
Although I am new to this series, I was comfortable with jumping in with both feet mid-stream, thanks to the brilliant writing style of Ms. Dahlke, or was it the Southern hospitality of Lalla and Pearlie?
I received this copy from R.P. Dahlke in exchange for my honest review.
Series: A Dead Red - Book 5
Publication Date: July 18, 2015
Publisher: Dead Bear Publishing
Genre: Adult Mystery, Humor
Print Length: 210 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A Dead Red Miracle by R. P. Dahlke is one part quirky, one part humorous, one part mysterious and 100% light and entertaining. R. P. Dahlke has created two sly-as-a-fox blonde characters who use their blondeness to their advantage against those who think Blonde jokes are the height of entertainment. Written a little tongue-in-cheek, this tale is fun from start to finish in spite of the matter of the dead guy. What have the girls gotten mixed up in? Who is the killer?
Although I am new to this series, I was comfortable with jumping in with both feet mid-stream, thanks to the brilliant writing style of Ms. Dahlke, or was it the Southern hospitality of Lalla and Pearlie?
I received this copy from R.P. Dahlke in exchange for my honest review.
Series: A Dead Red - Book 5
Publication Date: July 18, 2015
Publisher: Dead Bear Publishing
Genre: Adult Mystery, Humor
Print Length: 210 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 4, 2015
Reading about places with which I am familiar makes for a fun read. Things got fleshed out a bit more here. I am not sure that all of the loose ends got tied up, but the ending was a big surprise. Cozies are good, but the many, many murders in practically uninhabited land is pretty amazing.
September 2, 2015
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series but I think this is my favourite so far. Of course, it could be just because it’s the last one I’ve read so it’s freshest in my mind. I’ve been completely entertained by all the tight spots and scrapes in which the heroine Lalla Bains has found herself.
When first introduced to Lalla in book 1 she had returned to her home town of Modesto, California, to take over her father’s aero-ag business because he had suffered a heart attack. Up to and including book 3 her escapades and exploits revolve around Modesto and flying. Books 4 and 5 see a change of scene to Arizona for Lalla and her family. There’s also a change of occupation. Becoming private investigators is on both her and her cousin Pearlie’s minds.
The storyline in Dead red miracle is more complex than the previous books in the series and there’s more scenic description. I liked both. And as ever the language and dialogue are sharp and witty.
This is a terrific series that I hope Dahlke continues.
When first introduced to Lalla in book 1 she had returned to her home town of Modesto, California, to take over her father’s aero-ag business because he had suffered a heart attack. Up to and including book 3 her escapades and exploits revolve around Modesto and flying. Books 4 and 5 see a change of scene to Arizona for Lalla and her family. There’s also a change of occupation. Becoming private investigators is on both her and her cousin Pearlie’s minds.
The storyline in Dead red miracle is more complex than the previous books in the series and there’s more scenic description. I liked both. And as ever the language and dialogue are sharp and witty.
This is a terrific series that I hope Dahlke continues.
October 1, 2015
Another quick and fun read; the fifth installment in this series, and I liked the continuation of the story in its new (in book four) setting. All of these fun, familiar characters -- especially Lalla and Pearlie, who make such a great team -- are family now. The story was another good mystery, with the usual bit of romance. I'm looking forward to the next installment; such enjoyable diversions these books do make!
July 26, 2015
Dahlke introduces us to a skeleton right away as the fifth book of her witty, creative and engaging mystery series begins. This unfortunate dead guy is, thankfully, only a prop; one of the many gags used by Ron Barbour, Private Investigator, and Lalla and Pearlie Gains’ ticket to their own agency.
The cousins have endured much in the three years since signing on with Barbour, including the investigator’s sexist attitude and less than desirable assignments. They’ve taken part in countless dumpster dives, all night surveillances and tedious fact finding missions while Barbour continues to throw every road block in their path. As infuriating as it is, Lalla and Pearlie adopt a grin and bear it attitude as they get closer to completing the State of Arizona’s three year mandatory intern rule. Less than a month before their ‘sentence’ is complete, Barbour tosses them another hurdle … one that the two women might not be able to bypass. Barbour winds up dead, and, inconveniently, it appears as though he forgot to write the all-important letter of recommendation the girls need to get their P.I. licenses before he kicked the bucket.
Lalla and Pearlie, already suspicious of the former P.I., start seeing even more evidence of his former misdeeds when the agency is broken into, and dead bodies start piling up all around them. It looks as though the three long years spent with Ron Barbour will be for nothing, and that they might have to start over again if they don’t want to give up on their dream of becoming P.I.’s. The Bains cousins are tenacious, and with their goal nearly within grasp, they dig in and decide the only way they might be able to cross the finish line and become state approved investigators is to track down the person who hated Ron enough to kill him.
This book, as in the four before it, is filled with a cast of colorful and well written characters. Dahlke’s writing bounces, like water over stones in a creek bed. It keeps the reader moving along her tightly constructed plot line, and, as always, she delivers a satisfying conclusion. This is another extraordinary addition to Dahlke’s highly entertaining Lalla Bains series.
The cousins have endured much in the three years since signing on with Barbour, including the investigator’s sexist attitude and less than desirable assignments. They’ve taken part in countless dumpster dives, all night surveillances and tedious fact finding missions while Barbour continues to throw every road block in their path. As infuriating as it is, Lalla and Pearlie adopt a grin and bear it attitude as they get closer to completing the State of Arizona’s three year mandatory intern rule. Less than a month before their ‘sentence’ is complete, Barbour tosses them another hurdle … one that the two women might not be able to bypass. Barbour winds up dead, and, inconveniently, it appears as though he forgot to write the all-important letter of recommendation the girls need to get their P.I. licenses before he kicked the bucket.
Lalla and Pearlie, already suspicious of the former P.I., start seeing even more evidence of his former misdeeds when the agency is broken into, and dead bodies start piling up all around them. It looks as though the three long years spent with Ron Barbour will be for nothing, and that they might have to start over again if they don’t want to give up on their dream of becoming P.I.’s. The Bains cousins are tenacious, and with their goal nearly within grasp, they dig in and decide the only way they might be able to cross the finish line and become state approved investigators is to track down the person who hated Ron enough to kill him.
This book, as in the four before it, is filled with a cast of colorful and well written characters. Dahlke’s writing bounces, like water over stones in a creek bed. It keeps the reader moving along her tightly constructed plot line, and, as always, she delivers a satisfying conclusion. This is another extraordinary addition to Dahlke’s highly entertaining Lalla Bains series.
July 21, 2015
"Women Private Investigators Prove Themselves Worthy"
This is a great murder mystery series which I've enjoyed tremendously. It's well written and packed with surprises. Ron Barbour Investigation Agency is where cousins Lalla Bains and Pearlie Bains are working. Soon they will be eligible to get their Private Investigation licenses in the state of Arizona. Their agency mainly provides services to divorce attorneys and insurance companies and there has not been one murder case while they worked there. Both women are over 30 years old, both are blond, and for some reason, it's been difficult for them to be accepted as interns by other investigative agencies. You know, those blond jokes...! Ron's agency is losing customers, and to help keep him working so they can get their licenses, they buy the business at a reasonable price with a signed contract that Ron will stay on during the internship. Once he retires, he can go fishing! Well, Lalla and Pearlie feel Ron is walking away with some clients to make profits for himself. They plan to confront Ron, but they have to find him first. They do find him in his old dilapidated house. Peeking through a window, they see him laying face down on the floor, with flames creeping on the floor toward Ron and the window. A huge explosion blows through the window knocking them down in the gravelly front yard. They are lucky to only have a few scrapes and bruises. Their investigations lead to more murders and chaos, especially when you realize that Lalla is the wife of Chief of Police Caleb Stone. And Caleb is way too familiar with Lalla and the trouble that always surrounds her and Pearlie. This story is fast moving and reveals the difficulties for women investigators. There is also humor, excitement and mysteries. If you like Janet Evanovich's novels, you'll love these whimsical yet stellar mysteries of R.P. Dahlke.
This is a great murder mystery series which I've enjoyed tremendously. It's well written and packed with surprises. Ron Barbour Investigation Agency is where cousins Lalla Bains and Pearlie Bains are working. Soon they will be eligible to get their Private Investigation licenses in the state of Arizona. Their agency mainly provides services to divorce attorneys and insurance companies and there has not been one murder case while they worked there. Both women are over 30 years old, both are blond, and for some reason, it's been difficult for them to be accepted as interns by other investigative agencies. You know, those blond jokes...! Ron's agency is losing customers, and to help keep him working so they can get their licenses, they buy the business at a reasonable price with a signed contract that Ron will stay on during the internship. Once he retires, he can go fishing! Well, Lalla and Pearlie feel Ron is walking away with some clients to make profits for himself. They plan to confront Ron, but they have to find him first. They do find him in his old dilapidated house. Peeking through a window, they see him laying face down on the floor, with flames creeping on the floor toward Ron and the window. A huge explosion blows through the window knocking them down in the gravelly front yard. They are lucky to only have a few scrapes and bruises. Their investigations lead to more murders and chaos, especially when you realize that Lalla is the wife of Chief of Police Caleb Stone. And Caleb is way too familiar with Lalla and the trouble that always surrounds her and Pearlie. This story is fast moving and reveals the difficulties for women investigators. There is also humor, excitement and mysteries. If you like Janet Evanovich's novels, you'll love these whimsical yet stellar mysteries of R.P. Dahlke.
September 15, 2015
I love the characters of Pearlie and Lalla Bains. They are witty, courageous and intelligent. Their dream is to become private investigators in Wishbone Arizona. In order to do so they have to intern with another P.I. so they decide to buy his business while interning. Unfortunately Ron Barbour isn't the most honest partner. They discover that he has been hiding cases from them and sometimes fakes information for his clients for a sum. One of those cases was that of a murdered man many years ago - his son is an adult now and wants to know who murdered him.
Ron ends up dead! There are several suspects and even hints that this may go way back to a murder that occurred many years ago. Then a man disappears, someone attempts to kill Lalla, another man is killed.
The atmosphere is tense, so many leads and no real suspects. I have to say the end surprised me. Of all the people that could have done the crimes, I didn't suspect the one that did.
A Dead Red Miracle is 5th in a series but stands alone easily. I have not read the other 4 and it didn't really matter. There was never a lull in the story! I liked the sense of community and family as well and, as mentioned, Lalla and Pearlie are terrific protagonists.
I received this ebook from the author for review purposes.
Ron ends up dead! There are several suspects and even hints that this may go way back to a murder that occurred many years ago. Then a man disappears, someone attempts to kill Lalla, another man is killed.
The atmosphere is tense, so many leads and no real suspects. I have to say the end surprised me. Of all the people that could have done the crimes, I didn't suspect the one that did.
A Dead Red Miracle is 5th in a series but stands alone easily. I have not read the other 4 and it didn't really matter. There was never a lull in the story! I liked the sense of community and family as well and, as mentioned, Lalla and Pearlie are terrific protagonists.
I received this ebook from the author for review purposes.
July 23, 2015
The Bains cousins strike again.
Lalla and Pearlie Bains have spent nearly three years learning the private detective business from sleazy but knowledgeable P. I. Ron Barbour. They are due to buy out his interest in the agency and take over the business completely when he comes up dead. To save their business and P. I. careers they embark on solving his murder and other unfinished cases.
Other Dead Red characters, Lalla's now husband Caleb, her Dad, and tracker dog Hoover along with many new characters populate the book.
This fifth in the series holds a good mystery and much humor. A good read.
Lalla and Pearlie Bains have spent nearly three years learning the private detective business from sleazy but knowledgeable P. I. Ron Barbour. They are due to buy out his interest in the agency and take over the business completely when he comes up dead. To save their business and P. I. careers they embark on solving his murder and other unfinished cases.
Other Dead Red characters, Lalla's now husband Caleb, her Dad, and tracker dog Hoover along with many new characters populate the book.
This fifth in the series holds a good mystery and much humor. A good read.
September 15, 2015
A Dead Red Miracle is the fifth book in a series. Lalla Bains and her Cousin Pearlie are working at the Ron Barbour investigation agency. They are real close to getting their Arizona P.I licenses. But Ron is losing customers so they agree to buy the business from him at a reasonable price with a signed contract saying Ron will stay on till they get their Arizona P.I License after that he can retire. But he is murdered before he can sign off on their licenses. The business is than robbed. Ron's ex wifes want money/ dead bodies start turning up. So they decide to dig in and find out who hated Ron enough to murder him! You get plenty of action and humor.
May 21, 2020
Huh, worked out better than I thought it would
Lalla and Pearlie have made the leap and bought into a PI business with the hopes of taking over the business once their new partner retires. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned as they soon learn he has been skimming clients, cases, earnings from the business and when they go to confront him, he is murdered. As they delve into the murder, they start to realize that his murder may tie into another case they were hired to look into and the more they find out, the more bodies begin to pile up. As with the previous books, the ladies will eventually solve their cases, but not without some risks to themselves.
Lalla and Pearlie have made the leap and bought into a PI business with the hopes of taking over the business once their new partner retires. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned as they soon learn he has been skimming clients, cases, earnings from the business and when they go to confront him, he is murdered. As they delve into the murder, they start to realize that his murder may tie into another case they were hired to look into and the more they find out, the more bodies begin to pile up. As with the previous books, the ladies will eventually solve their cases, but not without some risks to themselves.
April 7, 2018
This is the fifth book in the Dead Red series and this one is the best one yet. Lalla Bains and her cousin Pearlie are so close to getting their Arizona Private Investigators' licenses when their business starts unraveling. Their partner has been holding out on them. He gets murdered before he can sign off on their licenses. The business is robbed. The ex-wives want money/ And that is just the beginning of their troubles. Enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers that like cozy mysteries.
July 28, 2015
I really enjoyed the new slant to the storyline with the move to Arizona. So much of what I want to comment about would be spoilers so I will just say, "Loved this one, too! Great job once again with the Dead Red series!" Ms Dahlke leads us on a a great chase and still offers new people for us to get to know. There are at least three that I really look forward to seeing in future books. Although the Dead Red Miracle is not a cozy mystery, bits of humor balance out the sadness or heaviness of murder; I think the typical cozy fan would enjoy this series as much as I do.
October 5, 2015
Ms. Dahlke has done it again! She picked Lalla Bains up out of her comfortable job that she knew and gave her a brand new career! And she did it successfully! No small feat for an author! If you love Stephanie Plum and V.I., you'll love Lalla! She and her cohorts are every bit as entertaining!
This book had a really great ending and I laughed out loud at the last page! (Don't be flipping to the last page because you won't understand it unless you read the whole book!) Great job, Ms. Dahlke! I can't wait for the next one!
This book had a really great ending and I laughed out loud at the last page! (Don't be flipping to the last page because you won't understand it unless you read the whole book!) Great job, Ms. Dahlke! I can't wait for the next one!
December 29, 2015
I found this latest entry in the Dead Red series far more complicated that its predecessors and deeper in subject matter. Don't get me wrong--Lalla and Pearlie are at it again, so there's plenty of their comedic interplay as they work toward their goal of becoming PIs. Along with some quirky characters and humor, there's a more mature tone to the book and to the writing. I love Lalla's relationship with Caleb. Multiple murders, family dynamics, and some Native American background make for a solid good read. Highly recommended.
July 21, 2015
The Bains Girls Are Back!
The Bains girls, Lalla & her cousin Pearlie, are P.I.s in training, in fact only a month from getting their own licenses. They are funny, gutsy, & very determined. This time they are trying to solve a cold case & several current murders. I had been waiting anxiously for book 5 of this series to come out & it did not disappoint. Once I downloaded it, I sat & read till the very satisfying conclusion. Great series that keeps getting better!
The Bains girls, Lalla & her cousin Pearlie, are P.I.s in training, in fact only a month from getting their own licenses. They are funny, gutsy, & very determined. This time they are trying to solve a cold case & several current murders. I had been waiting anxiously for book 5 of this series to come out & it did not disappoint. Once I downloaded it, I sat & read till the very satisfying conclusion. Great series that keeps getting better!
October 16, 2015
Waiting on #6
Another good read in the Dead Red series. I have really enjoyed reading about Lalla and Pearlie and the rest of the characters in this series. Yes there are editing errors but I can easily overlook them when I'm enjoying the story. I look forward to the release of #6.
Another good read in the Dead Red series. I have really enjoyed reading about Lalla and Pearlie and the rest of the characters in this series. Yes there are editing errors but I can easily overlook them when I'm enjoying the story. I look forward to the release of #6.
January 25, 2018
Laila and Pearlie Bains
Laila and Pearlie start interning with a local PI so that they can get their own PI licenses. Soon after, The private investigator, Ron Barnes, is murdered. The Bains set out to find who killed their partner. Not as good as the others in the series but okay. I give it 2 1/2 stars.
Laila and Pearlie start interning with a local PI so that they can get their own PI licenses. Soon after, The private investigator, Ron Barnes, is murdered. The Bains set out to find who killed their partner. Not as good as the others in the series but okay. I give it 2 1/2 stars.
October 30, 2015
One of my favorite book series. Loved the book and all the twists and turns, especially the surprise ending. The only downfall is the very poor editing...so many duplicate words and sentences...huge pet peeve of mine since I'm an admin by profession.
October 3, 2015
Solid interesting mystery
Lalla and Pearlie are two feisty cousins who lead the reader on busy trail of murders in Arizona. Gold mines, apaches, and an old unsolved murder are a good story.
Lalla and Pearlie are two feisty cousins who lead the reader on busy trail of murders in Arizona. Gold mines, apaches, and an old unsolved murder are a good story.
October 6, 2015
Love this series.
Sometimes funny, good story. Glad started with the first book, all the characters developed with the each book. From Lalla being crop-dusting to marrying and moving to Arizona. Starting PI business with her cousin Pearlie, can't wait to read her next adventures.
Sometimes funny, good story. Glad started with the first book, all the characters developed with the each book. From Lalla being crop-dusting to marrying and moving to Arizona. Starting PI business with her cousin Pearlie, can't wait to read her next adventures.
March 6, 2020
I think I prefer Lalla as a crop duster more than a PI if this book is any indicator. She seemed to have went from quirky and funny to naive and slightly dumb. I will still give the series a read because I like the stories but hopefully she becomes more herself in future books.
September 10, 2020
Arizona mystery
Fifth in a series, but can stand alone. I haven’t read the others, but enjoyed this fast paced mystery led by two women working toward their private investigator license. Set in Arizona, the landscape plays a pivotal part of the story.
Fifth in a series, but can stand alone. I haven’t read the others, but enjoyed this fast paced mystery led by two women working toward their private investigator license. Set in Arizona, the landscape plays a pivotal part of the story.
September 29, 2015
Mystery and mayhem
Reading this book #5 makes me want to read more of them. The earlier books didn't include cousin Pearly but she wasn't my favorite character anyway.
Reading this book #5 makes me want to read more of them. The earlier books didn't include cousin Pearly but she wasn't my favorite character anyway.
December 29, 2016
I've really grown to like this author and her work. This was another good book with good characters and a good plot. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 7, 2015
Fun
Made sense , characters well drawn, plot came to conclusion yet some openings for other stories presented. We shall see in the next.
It's an easy read
Made sense , characters well drawn, plot came to conclusion yet some openings for other stories presented. We shall see in the next.
It's an easy read
March 20, 2016
Well paint me dumb and stupid but I missed the miracle! Otherwise it was a took who done it. Oh there were lots of dead bodies, a couple leaps of death and Hoover the scent dog.
August 17, 2015
very good series
September 27, 2023
A Dead Red Miracle is a mystery with many twists and turns.
I like Lalla Bains and her offbeat collection of family and friends. They are funny sometimes and usually interesting. And this is without any bizarre assistance from witches, magical cats, and the like. This time, Lalla and Pearlie are doing their best to become legitimate private investigators, so the mystery that jumps up and envelops them this time is not something they accidentally fall into as most of their previous adventures have been.
Lalla Bains and her cousin Pearlie are attempting to become licensed private investigators by apprenticing with another licensed private investigator by the name of Ron Barbour. They have bought out his business, and among the conditions of the sale are that he will mentor them for the required three years and write letters of recommendation to the state of Arizona at the end of that time so that they can obtain their own licenses.
But as the three-year period draws to a close, they have fewer and fewer clients and Ron seems to be spending all his time in a bar. When a potential customer shows up claiming he just talked to Ron and refusing to discuss anything with the two ladies, they decide it is time to hunt down their missing mentor. When he isn’t at the bar, they try to locate him at his house – the first time they have done so.
This does not go well. As they are trying to figure out whether Ron is home, the whole place explodes.
Their first suspect is Sheriff Ian Tom’s nephew, Damian White, who had evidently hired Ron to find out who shot his father years earlier. Lalla and Pearlie are worried about him and the Sheriff. However, it appears that, despite his attitude problems, Damian isn’t responsible for this crime. Nor does he seem to be behind the multiple other attacks on Lalla and Pearlie.
Both the killer and their reason prove to be surprising. But the biggest surprise of all is that after Ron’s two ex-wives find the secret place where he had been hiding the money he was diverting from them (and abscond with almost all of it), they leave behind something Lalla and Pearlie need even more.
I like Lalla Bains and her offbeat collection of family and friends. They are funny sometimes and usually interesting. And this is without any bizarre assistance from witches, magical cats, and the like. This time, Lalla and Pearlie are doing their best to become legitimate private investigators, so the mystery that jumps up and envelops them this time is not something they accidentally fall into as most of their previous adventures have been.
Lalla Bains and her cousin Pearlie are attempting to become licensed private investigators by apprenticing with another licensed private investigator by the name of Ron Barbour. They have bought out his business, and among the conditions of the sale are that he will mentor them for the required three years and write letters of recommendation to the state of Arizona at the end of that time so that they can obtain their own licenses.
But as the three-year period draws to a close, they have fewer and fewer clients and Ron seems to be spending all his time in a bar. When a potential customer shows up claiming he just talked to Ron and refusing to discuss anything with the two ladies, they decide it is time to hunt down their missing mentor. When he isn’t at the bar, they try to locate him at his house – the first time they have done so.
This does not go well. As they are trying to figure out whether Ron is home, the whole place explodes.
Their first suspect is Sheriff Ian Tom’s nephew, Damian White, who had evidently hired Ron to find out who shot his father years earlier. Lalla and Pearlie are worried about him and the Sheriff. However, it appears that, despite his attitude problems, Damian isn’t responsible for this crime. Nor does he seem to be behind the multiple other attacks on Lalla and Pearlie.
Both the killer and their reason prove to be surprising. But the biggest surprise of all is that after Ron’s two ex-wives find the secret place where he had been hiding the money he was diverting from them (and abscond with almost all of it), they leave behind something Lalla and Pearlie need even more.
November 8, 2020
R. P. Dahlke sure didn’t disappoint in this 5th book of a series titled “The Dead Red Mystery series”. Lalla and Pearlie are as funny and as on the ball as ever. Well...I say “on the ball” but they sure let their somewhat semi-retired or lazy new partner pull the wool over their eyes.
As I have said before, R. P. Dahlke makes good characters. Fun ones, laugh out loud ones, one character playing off the other. In fact, this author must have a terrific sense of humor herself. With all of this humor and enough talk of being hungry to make me head for the frig, Dahlke manages to mix in a real mystery. One that’s not easy to solve.
This can easily stand-alone, but it would be rather foolish not to read them all. This series has great reviews. To tell you the truth, I couldn’t find an R. P. Dahlke book that didn’t have great reviews.
As I have said before, R. P. Dahlke makes good characters. Fun ones, laugh out loud ones, one character playing off the other. In fact, this author must have a terrific sense of humor herself. With all of this humor and enough talk of being hungry to make me head for the frig, Dahlke manages to mix in a real mystery. One that’s not easy to solve.
This can easily stand-alone, but it would be rather foolish not to read them all. This series has great reviews. To tell you the truth, I couldn’t find an R. P. Dahlke book that didn’t have great reviews.
October 12, 2020
I had never read a book by this author before and really did not know what to expect. Am I ever glad I took a chance--I laughed out loud at Lalla and her cousin as they tried their best to become licensed PI's! There is also a couple of investigations they have to conclude--after their business partner is found murdered! Will they ever be able to get their PI license? There really are a lot of twists and turns in this one and as I mentioned quite a few laughs along the way. It is a thoroughly enjoyable novel and I will be certain to read more of this series. Since this was book #5 in this series--they obviously can be read as stand alone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews