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Happy Hoofers Mystery #5
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides
“Hilarity and camaraderie.” — RT Book Reviews
Murder takes center stage . . .
It’s a Christmas miracle for the Happy Hoofers—Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. They’ve scored a gig at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes, complete with sexy Santa suits and microphones on their shoes. But when a dazzling diva of a dancer is found dead under the stage, there’s quite a lineup of suspects. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing—and the discovery of a multi-talented, multi-colored cat—the toe-tapping troupe has to sort out the intrigue before another victim kicks the bucket . . .
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES
Praise for the Happy Hoofers Mysteries
“McHugh delivers murder and mayhem.” —Jerilyn Dufresne
“Hilarity and hijinks.” —Nancy Coco
“Cozy adventure for mystery buffs.” — Library Journal
Murder takes center stage . . .
It’s a Christmas miracle for the Happy Hoofers—Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. They’ve scored a gig at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes, complete with sexy Santa suits and microphones on their shoes. But when a dazzling diva of a dancer is found dead under the stage, there’s quite a lineup of suspects. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing—and the discovery of a multi-talented, multi-colored cat—the toe-tapping troupe has to sort out the intrigue before another victim kicks the bucket . . .
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES
Praise for the Happy Hoofers Mysteries
“McHugh delivers murder and mayhem.” —Jerilyn Dufresne
“Hilarity and hijinks.” —Nancy Coco
“Cozy adventure for mystery buffs.” — Library Journal
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 27, 2016
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138 people want to read
About the author
Mary McHugh
41 books39 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 2, 2019
I have read four books in this series and liked this one the least. In this outing with the Happy Hoofers, Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini are joining the Rockettes in New York City for their annual Christmas performance. Set to dance to Santa Claus is Coming to Town in 40 lb big-bellied Santa outfits, the ladies are ready to start daily rehearsals with the famous Rockettes. As usual, there is a murder shortly after the book starts, this time, the head Rockette Glenna Parsons is found dead under the stage, mangled by machinery. The show must go on, and with a new Rockette established as being in charge, the Hoofers try to prepare for their upcoming performance.
This book was extremely predictable. It was told from the point of view of Mary Louise, aka Weezie, the cook in the group. The ensuing "adventure" where more murders occur and Mary Louise is in danger just unfolded in a rather ho hum way. So, why did I finish this book. I enjoyed the travelogue part of the story. I learned about things to see in New York City that I did not know about. I also liked the recipes that were shared. I did not like the way Mary Louise was dealing with her relationships with her husband George and her "boyfriend" Mike. The way she talked about George to Mike seemed unfair as George was not aware of her relationship. This story was a very quick read, a few hours sitting in the sun in Florida. I am assuming that this is the last book in this series as it was published back in 2016. I did enjoy the first books in this series more than this one and have one prior to this that I will read to get the full picture of the stories of these five, fun and fit women.
This book was extremely predictable. It was told from the point of view of Mary Louise, aka Weezie, the cook in the group. The ensuing "adventure" where more murders occur and Mary Louise is in danger just unfolded in a rather ho hum way. So, why did I finish this book. I enjoyed the travelogue part of the story. I learned about things to see in New York City that I did not know about. I also liked the recipes that were shared. I did not like the way Mary Louise was dealing with her relationships with her husband George and her "boyfriend" Mike. The way she talked about George to Mike seemed unfair as George was not aware of her relationship. This story was a very quick read, a few hours sitting in the sun in Florida. I am assuming that this is the last book in this series as it was published back in 2016. I did enjoy the first books in this series more than this one and have one prior to this that I will read to get the full picture of the stories of these five, fun and fit women.
August 13, 2016
I really enjoy this series and each book being narrated by a different hoofer makes it more interesting.
In High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides, Mary Louise, affectionately known as "Weezie," is telling the story. The hoofers are excited to be dancing in New York City with the very talented Rockettes! It is an honor for them to be participating in the very popular Christmas show and even though they know it will be hard work, they are determined to join the holiday fun.
Mary Louise knows her husband doesn't really understand her love of dancing and after some rather abrupt conversations, Weezie and her husband come to an agreement. What makes this even more difficult is that Weezie is still in love with Mike, the doctor she met at one of her dance jobs.
Spending time with Mike is a plus for her and the excitement with dancing with the Rockettes has everyone in a festive mood.
Unfortunately there are a series of deaths happening and someone is eager to bump off the Rockettes, one by one.
Before long, Mary Louise finds herself in danger and hopes she can dance her way out of becoming the next victim.
Filled with laughs and and delicious recipes, this book will have you longing for the holidays.
In High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides, Mary Louise, affectionately known as "Weezie," is telling the story. The hoofers are excited to be dancing in New York City with the very talented Rockettes! It is an honor for them to be participating in the very popular Christmas show and even though they know it will be hard work, they are determined to join the holiday fun.
Mary Louise knows her husband doesn't really understand her love of dancing and after some rather abrupt conversations, Weezie and her husband come to an agreement. What makes this even more difficult is that Weezie is still in love with Mike, the doctor she met at one of her dance jobs.
Spending time with Mike is a plus for her and the excitement with dancing with the Rockettes has everyone in a festive mood.
Unfortunately there are a series of deaths happening and someone is eager to bump off the Rockettes, one by one.
Before long, Mary Louise finds herself in danger and hopes she can dance her way out of becoming the next victim.
Filled with laughs and and delicious recipes, this book will have you longing for the holidays.
December 16, 2024
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These ladies are a fun loving group doing what they love to do - dance. They have been asked to do a Christmas skit with the famous Rockettes but things are not going as planned when there's a murderer in their midst. A cute holiday mystery with a lovely cast that is entertaining and lighthearted. Who knows what they'll be up to next? We'll just have to wait and see.
These ladies are a fun loving group doing what they love to do - dance. They have been asked to do a Christmas skit with the famous Rockettes but things are not going as planned when there's a murderer in their midst. A cute holiday mystery with a lovely cast that is entertaining and lighthearted. Who knows what they'll be up to next? We'll just have to wait and see.
July 22, 2021
Not very impressed with this story. It's told through main character Mary Louise aka Wheezie (an idiot of a woman!). First off the description is a bit off but that is par the course these days. The happy Hoofers, a group of 5 ladies in their middle 50's or so (who must be rich to live the lives they do) are asked to perform a dance number with the Rockettes of New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The "sexy Santa suits" are not sexy at all and have a 40 pound ball for a belly and full beards to cover their faces. The dazzling diva of a dancer who is found dead is not a diva and seemed fairly nice for the few pages we see her compared to the rest of the Rockettes we meet and the new leader, Marlowe, who all the others say is great but is a real bitch, they were better off with the nice one who they are all bitching about after she has died. One Rockette even bad mouths the dead one for in her words telling her she'd lay her off if she got pregnant, which she is and almost losses the baby at rehearsal and has already lost one (at 3 months). (Well no shit I'd lay you off or at least bench you until you delivered! Dancing 4 or 5 shows a day, not to mention hours of rehearsal wearing a 40 pound ball on my stomach with high steps and kicks in heels will cause damage to any pregnant woman!)
The seasonal sightseeing of the ladies is stuff they already visit and love and is presented here as if this were a travel book about the best places to visit in New York, it's all advertising. Plus everything they eat is described, what it is and how good it was, and so forth. What also bugged me about that aspect of the story is Mary Louise asked for the recipe for pretty much everything she ate. Now I have only visited New York and didn't go to too many fancy restaurants but they don't go handing out their recipes if they even cook everything, half the time most of the food is already made or mixed or whatever and just put in an oven. One part that confused me is that one of the hoofers decides on a whim to go to the Statue of Liberty. That's all well and good but she talks about going into the crown, and that is the problem. You can only do so with an advance reservation by phone or online (I have been) but she and she lover and her son just magically pop in? More advertisement and false stuff at that.
At the beginning to the story Mary Louise is having some marital problems with her husband, George, of 30 years. Their children are grown and gone (which she reminds us constantly and also what they are doing now that they are gone, numerous times with the same sentences!) and she has taken up dancing. She has met a man named Mike who she has begun an affair with while having this tough time. She complains that her husband isn't around or doesn't talk to her or if he does he doesn't listen. I understand the not listening so much but she never tries to stop him and just lets him go on whenever he talks about his day so that is kinda annoying of her to complain when she can do something about it but doesn't. The complaint about him not being around is unfounded as well. He works as a lawyer but seems to be home at a decent hour for her to serve him a perfect dinner every evening, but she is the one gone all the time. She explains and it's pointed out every few pages all the other countries she had been to recently to dance with her group and never thinking about him waiting at home for her while she is gone weeks at a time. Which is how she met Mike who is perfect, and kind and listens to her like her husband used to do and he is pressing her to divorce her husband to be with her. He is an OBGYN who delivers babies and is on beck and call 24/7 but she isn't worried about that and how often he'll have to leave her at a moment's notice or be gone for long periods of time. (The very thing she is accusing her husband of doing...) She is undecided because her upbringing tells her to work on marriage when it gets tough and not just throw in the towel....didn't they also teach/say not to cheat on your husband in those old values? She has no problem with that part.
Anyway...the lead Rockette is dead (it's very obvious who did it, no mystery there) and one Rockette is down for the count and Mary is running around the city with Mike everyday. The injured Rockette says she must talk to Mary about who killed the first Rockette and they make a lunch date. But when Mary gets there the injured Rockette is now dead. You guessed it, it was murder! Dun, dun, dun! The police would like to question Mary but she calls her lawyer husband who just happens to be in the area for help. She says she'll do everything to help the police but then withholds information and only replies what her husband says is okay to answer. It's stuff that the police should know by now or will within hours but still, why withhold this info? She and her husband go to lunch where she decides she does love her husband dearly and isn't so unhappy. She goes back to the theater and gossips about the murder before deciding she is going to see Mike (not even an hour after deciding she loves George!) They go out and she is confused again about should she stay with George or be with Mike. She gets back to the theater and guess what...another dead Rockette, the next one to be training them. (Between the murders, constant lunch breaks and sightseeing these ladies never get any practice in). As she is leaving the scene she gets pulled aside by yet another Rockette who wants to talk to her about the other murdered Rockettes. She says she must talk to Mary and tell her everything because she is afraid that she is going to be murdered next. If she knows this or fears this why the hell would she tell Mary and not the police?!?!
So Mary and the confessing Rockette go for coffee and the Rockette tells her everything! That the new lead Rockette Marlowe didn't like the first leader and so decided to kill her to get her job. Marlowe told her and the new other dead Rockettes that she would get the old leader fired and they all set up the murder. Now Marlowe is killing off every Rockette who was in on the murder. Again more bad-mouthing of the old leader for the reasons for each of the Rockettes picked to help in the murder. One for the no baby policy which I think is totally reasonable, one because she had a side job she was more interested in and it was cutting into dance practice, and the last because she was black and the leader didn't like black people, yet we have no evidence of this except this Rockette's word. Now that the confession is over she says that she isn't going to the police she is fleeing to Canada. Mary tells her she should go to the police and George can help her get a lawyer but the Rockette declines. Mary says she'll go to the police with the information.....tomorrow because it's 5:30 and she needs to go home and cook for George!?!?! What does she think that the police are gone from their jobs for the day? That she'll wait till business hours to call and tell them the identity of a murderer who has killed 3 people in 2 days! The Rockette thanks her for giving her time to get away and Mary goes home, gossiping all to her friends on the trip back and then discussing the upcoming wedding of 2 of the Hoofers. None of her friends or the driver tells her to call the police this minute or go to the police, no it can wait till tomorrow! Her husband the lawyer agrees and says call the police in the morning too! WTF is wrong with these people!
Morning and Mary finally calls the police but the detective is busy at the moment. Mary doesn't tell the officer who she is talking to the information or leave a message for the detective or wait to call back, instead she'll just find him sometime during the day as he'll have to be out investigating the murders. When they get to the theater the detective is there but so is the Rockette who was going to Canada. She hasn't told the detective anything and wants to talk to Mary. So Mary leaves her friends to talk and the Rockette leads her outside at gunpoint to Marlowe and another Rockette helping her. They take Mary away telling her that the confessing Rockette is again in league with Marlowe and that they are going to kill her. They take her to a cruise boat but the confessing Rockette now thinks that Marlowe will kill both her and Mary so they escape by pushing Marlowe and her helper into the water at the pier. Mary and Rockette catch a cab back to the theater and FINALLY tell the detective everything. The detective takes the Rockette away and puts out the alert for Marlowe and her helper who have gotten away from the cops at the pier. To feel better the Hoofers are all going out for a sunset cruise on a boat of one of the Hoofer's fiance. They all call their partners to join them and in 30 minutes they are at the boat waiting (wasn't it just morning a few paragraphs ago?) The fiance jokes about falling into the water and has to be reminded about Mary's ordeal (which she told him about not 30 minutes ago!) soon all the partners arrive. They must have been sitting around doing nothing all day just waiting for this boat ride to be there so fast. (Do any of these people have jobs besides George?) So off they go describing the sights as if for a travel brochure as the sun sets when it was only morning just a hour or so ago...
The next day they go back to the theater for more dancing lessons and after an hour decide it's time for lunch. Everyone leaves except Mary who is waiting for Mike. While she waits she is taken hostage by Marlowe who is hiding in the bathroom with a gun. They leave the theater and Marlowe tells her they are going to Cuba but Mary see's Mike's car and stops him by throwing a shoe at it. They all get into an altercation and the police come. Even though the police are on the lookout for Marlowe this cop is clueless and has to call in before arresting Marlowe. Without being questioned Mary and Mike go off for coffee and Mary tells Mike she is staying with George but still wants to be friends. Mike is the perfect man about this and declares his love saying he's okay with friendship and waiting until she will someday be free or if George is upset about what they have been doing he'll be happy to marry her if she leaves him over it. Mary decides she needs to pray a bit in thanks for not dying 2 days in a row (typo in the book says 2 times in one day which is a tip off to...) When she is in the church Marlowe's helper from the day before sits next to her and points a gun at her taking her hostage (Really!?!? and how the hell are they getting all these guns anyway?) She says she is mad at Mary for almost killing her (she can't swim but managed to get out of the water just fine?) Mary manages to knock the gun away and it goes off when it hits the floor (totally unbelievable!) and Marlowe's helper runs away. The priest comes out from the back and tells off Mary rudely and refuses to call the police. He gives her the gun from the floor and tells her to get out of his church! She calls her friends to pick her up and when they do they tell her to give the gun to the police...tomorrow...like they work 9-5 or something or wouldn't be interesting in Mary being threatened by a murder suspect they are looking for? Nope, everything can wait till tomorrow, Mary will go home and be fine. It's not like the woman knows where she lives and will find her (total spoiler BTW).
Once home she begins to cook dinner for George and when he gets home she tells him about Mike (he isn't happy to hear this) and about her day with Marlowe and her helper. George convinces her to call the detective (at last something similar to reality) and she does. The detective says he'll have someone come by to watch over them. Not long after someone is at the back door and Mary thinks it's the police (at the back door? riiiight!) She answers and it's Marlowe's helper with yet another gun (where are they getting guns so easy and for free?) She wants Mary as a hostage again but she'd like some food first because she took all day running around looking for Mary, oh and she found where Mary lives by using google...(not sure how and side note it is creepy how much information about a person is on google!!!!!!) So Mary who was just about to pull dinner off the stove offers it to her and then promptly throws a pot of boiling water and noodles in her face. George gets the gun as the helper goes to the sink for cold water and the police come waltzing in just then. They are here to protect Mary and George and be on the lookout for the helper but are confused by George with the gun and want to arrest him and have to call in to get clarification as to what is going on and who to really arrest (are all the cops idiots?) The helper is arrested and taken away to the precinct for questioning but not to the hospital because she's fine even with a pot of boiling water to the face. And yet again Mary and George are not questioned...at all...about anything.
The last 3 chapters go like this. 2 pages about how they dance in the show and are good comic relief, 7 pages of the Hoofer's and loved ones having dinner and about Mary's perfect Martha Stewart set up and her great grandmother's china. The last chapter is a list of all the best things to do in New York, cheap things to do in New York, and what not to do in New York before the Hoofers decide they are going to do a job in London and everyone rearranges plans they made months ago and their partners (who must also be rich) rearrange their schedules to go as if they don't have important jobs.
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES says the description and inside of the book. First there are no tips, those are just some fun wit (not really) or silliness that involves food. As for the recipes they were almost all seafood based and would cost a pretty penny to make half of them. So unless you have a lot of cash for groceries and are Martha Stewart in the kitchen cooking for a party half of these are of no use to you.
I know that these women are in their 50's and possibly closer to 60 but they have an annoying habit of saying "oh! other character's name" every time they talk! Who does that? Not even my grandmother or great-grandmother does that. Maybe every great once in a while but not every time they address someone. And everyone keeps kissing one of the hoofer's finance even when the angle is impossible he gets a kiss just for whatever reason any time they see him.
So to sum up this whole MYSTERY (not!) story a string of murders happen that the main character does not see, is basically told about and half of the people involved decide they want to tell her about it instead of the cops and finally one does and then the main murderer decides to kill her and makes several attempts that are just too ridiculous to believe before finally being arrested.
The seasonal sightseeing of the ladies is stuff they already visit and love and is presented here as if this were a travel book about the best places to visit in New York, it's all advertising. Plus everything they eat is described, what it is and how good it was, and so forth. What also bugged me about that aspect of the story is Mary Louise asked for the recipe for pretty much everything she ate. Now I have only visited New York and didn't go to too many fancy restaurants but they don't go handing out their recipes if they even cook everything, half the time most of the food is already made or mixed or whatever and just put in an oven. One part that confused me is that one of the hoofers decides on a whim to go to the Statue of Liberty. That's all well and good but she talks about going into the crown, and that is the problem. You can only do so with an advance reservation by phone or online (I have been) but she and she lover and her son just magically pop in? More advertisement and false stuff at that.
At the beginning to the story Mary Louise is having some marital problems with her husband, George, of 30 years. Their children are grown and gone (which she reminds us constantly and also what they are doing now that they are gone, numerous times with the same sentences!) and she has taken up dancing. She has met a man named Mike who she has begun an affair with while having this tough time. She complains that her husband isn't around or doesn't talk to her or if he does he doesn't listen. I understand the not listening so much but she never tries to stop him and just lets him go on whenever he talks about his day so that is kinda annoying of her to complain when she can do something about it but doesn't. The complaint about him not being around is unfounded as well. He works as a lawyer but seems to be home at a decent hour for her to serve him a perfect dinner every evening, but she is the one gone all the time. She explains and it's pointed out every few pages all the other countries she had been to recently to dance with her group and never thinking about him waiting at home for her while she is gone weeks at a time. Which is how she met Mike who is perfect, and kind and listens to her like her husband used to do and he is pressing her to divorce her husband to be with her. He is an OBGYN who delivers babies and is on beck and call 24/7 but she isn't worried about that and how often he'll have to leave her at a moment's notice or be gone for long periods of time. (The very thing she is accusing her husband of doing...) She is undecided because her upbringing tells her to work on marriage when it gets tough and not just throw in the towel....didn't they also teach/say not to cheat on your husband in those old values? She has no problem with that part.
Anyway...the lead Rockette is dead (it's very obvious who did it, no mystery there) and one Rockette is down for the count and Mary is running around the city with Mike everyday. The injured Rockette says she must talk to Mary about who killed the first Rockette and they make a lunch date. But when Mary gets there the injured Rockette is now dead. You guessed it, it was murder! Dun, dun, dun! The police would like to question Mary but she calls her lawyer husband who just happens to be in the area for help. She says she'll do everything to help the police but then withholds information and only replies what her husband says is okay to answer. It's stuff that the police should know by now or will within hours but still, why withhold this info? She and her husband go to lunch where she decides she does love her husband dearly and isn't so unhappy. She goes back to the theater and gossips about the murder before deciding she is going to see Mike (not even an hour after deciding she loves George!) They go out and she is confused again about should she stay with George or be with Mike. She gets back to the theater and guess what...another dead Rockette, the next one to be training them. (Between the murders, constant lunch breaks and sightseeing these ladies never get any practice in). As she is leaving the scene she gets pulled aside by yet another Rockette who wants to talk to her about the other murdered Rockettes. She says she must talk to Mary and tell her everything because she is afraid that she is going to be murdered next. If she knows this or fears this why the hell would she tell Mary and not the police?!?!
So Mary and the confessing Rockette go for coffee and the Rockette tells her everything! That the new lead Rockette Marlowe didn't like the first leader and so decided to kill her to get her job. Marlowe told her and the new other dead Rockettes that she would get the old leader fired and they all set up the murder. Now Marlowe is killing off every Rockette who was in on the murder. Again more bad-mouthing of the old leader for the reasons for each of the Rockettes picked to help in the murder. One for the no baby policy which I think is totally reasonable, one because she had a side job she was more interested in and it was cutting into dance practice, and the last because she was black and the leader didn't like black people, yet we have no evidence of this except this Rockette's word. Now that the confession is over she says that she isn't going to the police she is fleeing to Canada. Mary tells her she should go to the police and George can help her get a lawyer but the Rockette declines. Mary says she'll go to the police with the information.....tomorrow because it's 5:30 and she needs to go home and cook for George!?!?! What does she think that the police are gone from their jobs for the day? That she'll wait till business hours to call and tell them the identity of a murderer who has killed 3 people in 2 days! The Rockette thanks her for giving her time to get away and Mary goes home, gossiping all to her friends on the trip back and then discussing the upcoming wedding of 2 of the Hoofers. None of her friends or the driver tells her to call the police this minute or go to the police, no it can wait till tomorrow! Her husband the lawyer agrees and says call the police in the morning too! WTF is wrong with these people!
Morning and Mary finally calls the police but the detective is busy at the moment. Mary doesn't tell the officer who she is talking to the information or leave a message for the detective or wait to call back, instead she'll just find him sometime during the day as he'll have to be out investigating the murders. When they get to the theater the detective is there but so is the Rockette who was going to Canada. She hasn't told the detective anything and wants to talk to Mary. So Mary leaves her friends to talk and the Rockette leads her outside at gunpoint to Marlowe and another Rockette helping her. They take Mary away telling her that the confessing Rockette is again in league with Marlowe and that they are going to kill her. They take her to a cruise boat but the confessing Rockette now thinks that Marlowe will kill both her and Mary so they escape by pushing Marlowe and her helper into the water at the pier. Mary and Rockette catch a cab back to the theater and FINALLY tell the detective everything. The detective takes the Rockette away and puts out the alert for Marlowe and her helper who have gotten away from the cops at the pier. To feel better the Hoofers are all going out for a sunset cruise on a boat of one of the Hoofer's fiance. They all call their partners to join them and in 30 minutes they are at the boat waiting (wasn't it just morning a few paragraphs ago?) The fiance jokes about falling into the water and has to be reminded about Mary's ordeal (which she told him about not 30 minutes ago!) soon all the partners arrive. They must have been sitting around doing nothing all day just waiting for this boat ride to be there so fast. (Do any of these people have jobs besides George?) So off they go describing the sights as if for a travel brochure as the sun sets when it was only morning just a hour or so ago...
The next day they go back to the theater for more dancing lessons and after an hour decide it's time for lunch. Everyone leaves except Mary who is waiting for Mike. While she waits she is taken hostage by Marlowe who is hiding in the bathroom with a gun. They leave the theater and Marlowe tells her they are going to Cuba but Mary see's Mike's car and stops him by throwing a shoe at it. They all get into an altercation and the police come. Even though the police are on the lookout for Marlowe this cop is clueless and has to call in before arresting Marlowe. Without being questioned Mary and Mike go off for coffee and Mary tells Mike she is staying with George but still wants to be friends. Mike is the perfect man about this and declares his love saying he's okay with friendship and waiting until she will someday be free or if George is upset about what they have been doing he'll be happy to marry her if she leaves him over it. Mary decides she needs to pray a bit in thanks for not dying 2 days in a row (typo in the book says 2 times in one day which is a tip off to...) When she is in the church Marlowe's helper from the day before sits next to her and points a gun at her taking her hostage (Really!?!? and how the hell are they getting all these guns anyway?) She says she is mad at Mary for almost killing her (she can't swim but managed to get out of the water just fine?) Mary manages to knock the gun away and it goes off when it hits the floor (totally unbelievable!) and Marlowe's helper runs away. The priest comes out from the back and tells off Mary rudely and refuses to call the police. He gives her the gun from the floor and tells her to get out of his church! She calls her friends to pick her up and when they do they tell her to give the gun to the police...tomorrow...like they work 9-5 or something or wouldn't be interesting in Mary being threatened by a murder suspect they are looking for? Nope, everything can wait till tomorrow, Mary will go home and be fine. It's not like the woman knows where she lives and will find her (total spoiler BTW).
Once home she begins to cook dinner for George and when he gets home she tells him about Mike (he isn't happy to hear this) and about her day with Marlowe and her helper. George convinces her to call the detective (at last something similar to reality) and she does. The detective says he'll have someone come by to watch over them. Not long after someone is at the back door and Mary thinks it's the police (at the back door? riiiight!) She answers and it's Marlowe's helper with yet another gun (where are they getting guns so easy and for free?) She wants Mary as a hostage again but she'd like some food first because she took all day running around looking for Mary, oh and she found where Mary lives by using google...(not sure how and side note it is creepy how much information about a person is on google!!!!!!) So Mary who was just about to pull dinner off the stove offers it to her and then promptly throws a pot of boiling water and noodles in her face. George gets the gun as the helper goes to the sink for cold water and the police come waltzing in just then. They are here to protect Mary and George and be on the lookout for the helper but are confused by George with the gun and want to arrest him and have to call in to get clarification as to what is going on and who to really arrest (are all the cops idiots?) The helper is arrested and taken away to the precinct for questioning but not to the hospital because she's fine even with a pot of boiling water to the face. And yet again Mary and George are not questioned...at all...about anything.
The last 3 chapters go like this. 2 pages about how they dance in the show and are good comic relief, 7 pages of the Hoofer's and loved ones having dinner and about Mary's perfect Martha Stewart set up and her great grandmother's china. The last chapter is a list of all the best things to do in New York, cheap things to do in New York, and what not to do in New York before the Hoofers decide they are going to do a job in London and everyone rearranges plans they made months ago and their partners (who must also be rich) rearrange their schedules to go as if they don't have important jobs.
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES says the description and inside of the book. First there are no tips, those are just some fun wit (not really) or silliness that involves food. As for the recipes they were almost all seafood based and would cost a pretty penny to make half of them. So unless you have a lot of cash for groceries and are Martha Stewart in the kitchen cooking for a party half of these are of no use to you.
I know that these women are in their 50's and possibly closer to 60 but they have an annoying habit of saying "oh! other character's name" every time they talk! Who does that? Not even my grandmother or great-grandmother does that. Maybe every great once in a while but not every time they address someone. And everyone keeps kissing one of the hoofer's finance even when the angle is impossible he gets a kiss just for whatever reason any time they see him.
So to sum up this whole MYSTERY (not!) story a string of murders happen that the main character does not see, is basically told about and half of the people involved decide they want to tell her about it instead of the cops and finally one does and then the main murderer decides to kill her and makes several attempts that are just too ridiculous to believe before finally being arrested.
March 27, 2018
The Happy Hoover are at it again... this time for a Christmas event that always ends in murder, at least with these girls in tow. I love these books. Gini is probably my favorite, but I love each of them for their unique personality and the level they bring to each book.
September 13, 2016
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides is the fifth book in Mary McHugh’s A Happy Hoofers Mystery series. I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I don't think you need to really. They do mention a lot of things that happened in previous books, but each book is a separate story. I guess the rotate narrators and this one is narrated by Mary Louise who is a housewife and of course part of the Happy Hoofers.
The Happy Hoofers, a group of 5 dancers in their early 50s, are hired by the Rockettes to dance with them in their Radio Coty Music Hall Christmas performance. When the head Rockette, Glenna is found dead, her body mangled by machinery under the stage, the girls find themselves embroiled in another murder mystery.
I don't think this book was a mystery. It was more like a murder happened and the Happy Hoofers happened to be there and then Mary Louise happened to be told who the murderer was. There was no sleuthing or clues. The murderer was completely obvious and even the twist was obvious from before the murder even happened. Mostly the story centered on her deciding if she loved her husband or the man she was seeing on the side more. First the made her husband a complete jerk, then the did a 180 and made him a sweetheart. Still she was totally stepping out on him. And if she said, "Oh George" or "Oh Mike" or "Oh Peter" any more than she already did, it would have been in every paragraph. I pictured her as Mrs. Brady. The story also went into way to much detail about where everyone went for lunch, and what they had, and what the recipe was, and what the place looked like. Then she took us for a tour of New York. Describing everything. At the end they even spent a chapter talking about free things people. Isiting New York could do. Was this published by the New York PR firm? Even the climax of the story was bad. It started and stopped and started and stopped and started and stopped. And then it was over.
The only reason I am giving this book two stars instead of one, is because I liked the idea behind it. That just because these gales were in their 50s didn't mean they were not still active, desirable adults. I would never recommend this book to anyone unless they were planning a trip to New York.
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides is the fifth book in Mary McHugh’s A Happy Hoofers Mystery series. I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I don't think you need to really. They do mention a lot of things that happened in previous books, but each book is a separate story. I guess the rotate narrators and this one is narrated by Mary Louise who is a housewife and of course part of the Happy Hoofers.
The Happy Hoofers, a group of 5 dancers in their early 50s, are hired by the Rockettes to dance with them in their Radio Coty Music Hall Christmas performance. When the head Rockette, Glenna is found dead, her body mangled by machinery under the stage, the girls find themselves embroiled in another murder mystery.
I don't think this book was a mystery. It was more like a murder happened and the Happy Hoofers happened to be there and then Mary Louise happened to be told who the murderer was. There was no sleuthing or clues. The murderer was completely obvious and even the twist was obvious from before the murder even happened. Mostly the story centered on her deciding if she loved her husband or the man she was seeing on the side more. First the made her husband a complete jerk, then the did a 180 and made him a sweetheart. Still she was totally stepping out on him. And if she said, "Oh George" or "Oh Mike" or "Oh Peter" any more than she already did, it would have been in every paragraph. I pictured her as Mrs. Brady. The story also went into way to much detail about where everyone went for lunch, and what they had, and what the recipe was, and what the place looked like. Then she took us for a tour of New York. Describing everything. At the end they even spent a chapter talking about free things people. Isiting New York could do. Was this published by the New York PR firm? Even the climax of the story was bad. It started and stopped and started and stopped and started and stopped. And then it was over.
The only reason I am giving this book two stars instead of one, is because I liked the idea behind it. That just because these gales were in their 50s didn't mean they were not still active, desirable adults. I would never recommend this book to anyone unless they were planning a trip to New York.
August 23, 2016
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides is the fifth book in Mary McHugh’s A Happy Hoofers Mystery series. This is the second book I’ve read written by this author and I enjoyed her writing style. The storyline is well plotted, the characters well developed, and there is a nice blend of humor, drama, and mystery. The author provided sufficient character background that this book can be read as a standalone. The characters are quirky and colorful. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery.
The Happy Hoofers is a group of women who travel the world performing their dance routines. The group consists of Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. In this installment, The Happy Hoofers are joining the Rockettes in their annual Christmas performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. They will be dancing to Santa Claus is Coming to Town in high heels and Santa outfits that weigh 40 pounds, so they know they are going to have to work hard to be ready. Sadly, their contact person and head Rockette, Glenna Parsons, is found dead under the stage, her body mangled by machinery on the first day of rehearsal. Before the killer can be arrested, several other Rockettes are murdered and Mary Louise finds herself in danger.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
The Happy Hoofers is a group of women who travel the world performing their dance routines. The group consists of Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. In this installment, The Happy Hoofers are joining the Rockettes in their annual Christmas performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. They will be dancing to Santa Claus is Coming to Town in high heels and Santa outfits that weigh 40 pounds, so they know they are going to have to work hard to be ready. Sadly, their contact person and head Rockette, Glenna Parsons, is found dead under the stage, her body mangled by machinery on the first day of rehearsal. Before the killer can be arrested, several other Rockettes are murdered and Mary Louise finds herself in danger.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
December 15, 2016
The Happy Hoofers is a group of 5 friends in their fifties who dance wherever they can find jobs around the world. Apparently they run into a few murders in between dances. In New York, the Happy Hoofers have been hired to dance with the Rockettes for Christmas. On the first day of practice, the head Rockette is found dead under the stage. In between rehearsals, Happy Hoofer Mary Louise learns information about the murder and that confidence leads to another murder and further troubles for Mary Louise.
This cozy mystery is a little light on the mystery as a romantic triangle has developed between Mary Louise, her husband George, and a doctor who seems to meet her emotional needs more than George does. On the plus side, the author gives us scrumptious recipes at the end of each chapter and wonderful descriptions of the food and landmarks of New York.
I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads.
This cozy mystery is a little light on the mystery as a romantic triangle has developed between Mary Louise, her husband George, and a doctor who seems to meet her emotional needs more than George does. On the plus side, the author gives us scrumptious recipes at the end of each chapter and wonderful descriptions of the food and landmarks of New York.
I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads.
October 13, 2016
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
This is a great winter book. I can just imagine being snuggled into a blanket next to a fire, sipping a nice hot cup of coffee while snow is gently falling outside (or, since I'm a northerner, watching blizzard conditions). It's light, it's cozy, it's predictable. Pretty much, it's just that perfect mix for a cold winter's day. I do feel that it leaned a little more towards “light romantic mystery” than a straight cozy mystery, but the main characters felt so real that it didn't matter. It felt weird to me that the entire mystery was fully explained by about 2/3rds of the way in, leading to a few too many climactic scenes. Although it did get amusing when Mary Louise realizes how ridiculous it was getting. A major plus for me was the fact that this can be read as a standalone, and it also doesn't leave any unresolved plotlines.
This is a great winter book. I can just imagine being snuggled into a blanket next to a fire, sipping a nice hot cup of coffee while snow is gently falling outside (or, since I'm a northerner, watching blizzard conditions). It's light, it's cozy, it's predictable. Pretty much, it's just that perfect mix for a cold winter's day. I do feel that it leaned a little more towards “light romantic mystery” than a straight cozy mystery, but the main characters felt so real that it didn't matter. It felt weird to me that the entire mystery was fully explained by about 2/3rds of the way in, leading to a few too many climactic scenes. Although it did get amusing when Mary Louise realizes how ridiculous it was getting. A major plus for me was the fact that this can be read as a standalone, and it also doesn't leave any unresolved plotlines.
June 6, 2022
Well Mary Louise FINALLY came to her ding dang senses and came clean to her husband. 😒 That has bothered me something fierce through the whole series. 😡 She was kissing this guy and telling him she loved him but HELLO you are MARRIED! Okay so that rant is over. 😉
The Hoofers are dancing 💃 with the Rockettes and wouldn't you know it someone starts killing them off! I pretty much had the killer figured out from the start but geeze Louise they were vicious. 😣 It kinda seemed like Mary Louise was never not going to be kidnapped 😴 and it got kinda boring, (sorry) and I was actually happy when it was over. Glad I gave the series a try even if there was parts I didn't care for. 🙂
The Hoofers are dancing 💃 with the Rockettes and wouldn't you know it someone starts killing them off! I pretty much had the killer figured out from the start but geeze Louise they were vicious. 😣 It kinda seemed like Mary Louise was never not going to be kidnapped 😴 and it got kinda boring, (sorry) and I was actually happy when it was over. Glad I gave the series a try even if there was parts I didn't care for. 🙂
November 22, 2023
2.25 stars
I didn’t hate this book. But it wasn’t for me. I ended up skimming the entire thing in one evening because that’s all the attention it required to get the gist (kind of like a hallmark movie). But the skimming started with the first fat phobic statement (there were only a handful in total but that’s still a handful too many imo). Then the skimming continued with all the tedious side info. But the real kicker was the semi-affair throughout that drove me crazy. Admittedly, far phobia and adultery are triggers for me, so there’s that.
The murder mystery was a bit outlandish but could have been fun if done better. But again. This just didn’t work for me.
I didn’t hate this book. But it wasn’t for me. I ended up skimming the entire thing in one evening because that’s all the attention it required to get the gist (kind of like a hallmark movie). But the skimming started with the first fat phobic statement (there were only a handful in total but that’s still a handful too many imo). Then the skimming continued with all the tedious side info. But the real kicker was the semi-affair throughout that drove me crazy. Admittedly, far phobia and adultery are triggers for me, so there’s that.
The murder mystery was a bit outlandish but could have been fun if done better. But again. This just didn’t work for me.
January 14, 2022
I thought it was a fun, holiday read! I saw it on display at the library during the Christmas Season and we had just seen the Rockettes Christmas Show in NY, so I was intrigued. Read the book in 3 days including the first 2 chapters of the first book in the series at the end of this book, "Chorus Lines, Caviar and Corpses!"
December 30, 2017
Love, loved it. Engaging characters , great plot with plenty of twists. The story flowed easy and quickly with that conversational style I love. Didn't waste space on descriptives but just enough to give us a glimpse of the surroundings. It was a fun and cozy read. Highly recommend.
November 7, 2017
Love Love this cute series.
July 1, 2018
A real page turner with lots of twists and turns and lots of mystery and action to the very end of the book.
January 1, 2019
I couldn't get into the characters or believe the storyline this time. I've read another book in the series and enjoyed it, but I didn't like the narrator of this one.
April 18, 2021
Didn't think the Rockettes were so evil!!!!
December 13, 2021
Cute enough to finish but I don’t think I’ll check out the rest of the series. A bit old-fashioned for me.
January 22, 2017
Title: High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides - Happy Hoofers Mystery 5
Author: Mary McHugh
Published: 9-27-2016
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women's Fiction; Cozy Mystery; Women Sleuths
ISBN: 13: 9781496703767
ASIN: B01A4ANW4G
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I received a copy High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher's Description:
Murder takes center stage . . .
It's a Christmas miracle for the Happy Hoofers—Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. They've scored a gig at New York City's Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes, complete with sexy Santa suits and microphones on their shoes. But when a dazzling diva of a dancer is found dead under the stage, there's quite a lineup of suspects. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing—and the discovery of a multi-talented, multi-colored cat—the toe-tapping troupe has to sort out the intrigue before another victim kicks the bucket . . .
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES
Books in the Happy Hoofers Mysteries
1-Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses (November 2014)
2-Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities (February 2015)
3-Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets (August 2015)
4-Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends (April 2016)
5-High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides (September 2016)
My Review:
The Ladies are back in time for the holiday season. The are all competent, self assured women who have danced there way around the world. The ladies are invited to dance with the infamous New York City Rockettes. When the director is murdered the ladies go in where angels fear to tread, backstage, and start asking questions. Then the ones that talk begin to die. When Mary Louise begins to look like the killer's next target the Hoofers know they have to fiind the kiler before the final curtain call for Mary Louise falls. The story is told through Mary Louise's POV.
Five competent women pool their talents and share a love of dance and friendship. These are ladies I want to know and have been able to do so through the Happy Hoofer series. The plot was not as intense as usual, but it was interesting. I love seeing how Mary McHughes goes through the process of leading me arounf throwing out a few clues to see if I can spot them. Changing the point of view in each book gives us insight into the character's thought process. Although friends each lady has their own quirks and like all friends sometimes they become upset with one another. The ladies have become real as the have grown over the books. I look forward to seeing where they will go next and hope to book passage to go with them.
I gave "High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides" a 4.25 out of 5 star ratings.
Amazon link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Mary McHugh
Published: 9-27-2016
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women's Fiction; Cozy Mystery; Women Sleuths
ISBN: 13: 9781496703767
ASIN: B01A4ANW4G
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I received a copy High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher's Description:
Murder takes center stage . . .
It's a Christmas miracle for the Happy Hoofers—Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. They've scored a gig at New York City's Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes, complete with sexy Santa suits and microphones on their shoes. But when a dazzling diva of a dancer is found dead under the stage, there's quite a lineup of suspects. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing—and the discovery of a multi-talented, multi-colored cat—the toe-tapping troupe has to sort out the intrigue before another victim kicks the bucket . . .
INCLUDES COOKING TIPS AND TASTY RECIPES
Books in the Happy Hoofers Mysteries
1-Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses (November 2014)
2-Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities (February 2015)
3-Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets (August 2015)
4-Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends (April 2016)
5-High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides (September 2016)
My Review:
The Ladies are back in time for the holiday season. The are all competent, self assured women who have danced there way around the world. The ladies are invited to dance with the infamous New York City Rockettes. When the director is murdered the ladies go in where angels fear to tread, backstage, and start asking questions. Then the ones that talk begin to die. When Mary Louise begins to look like the killer's next target the Hoofers know they have to fiind the kiler before the final curtain call for Mary Louise falls. The story is told through Mary Louise's POV.
Five competent women pool their talents and share a love of dance and friendship. These are ladies I want to know and have been able to do so through the Happy Hoofer series. The plot was not as intense as usual, but it was interesting. I love seeing how Mary McHughes goes through the process of leading me arounf throwing out a few clues to see if I can spot them. Changing the point of view in each book gives us insight into the character's thought process. Although friends each lady has their own quirks and like all friends sometimes they become upset with one another. The ladies have become real as the have grown over the books. I look forward to seeing where they will go next and hope to book passage to go with them.
I gave "High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides" a 4.25 out of 5 star ratings.
Amazon link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
November 3, 2022
I read one book from this author before reading this one. I enjoyed the other one about their adventure on a cruise in Russia. This one thought was not as enjoyable. Actually frustrating is what it was at times. I could not stand one of the main characters, some of the actions of there Hoofers, just weird. The whole triage of Wizzi, Mike and George was ridiculous.
Bad story, unlikable characters, badly written.
Bad story, unlikable characters, badly written.
March 1, 2017
Mary Louise, the happy housewife in a troupe of five tap-dancers, tells the story here, complete with notable places to visit in New York, many recipes, and her travails with two men, one of whom is her long-time husband. The Happy Hoofers have been asked to dance at Radio City Music Hall, doing a small novelty act with the Rockettes, when their fellow dancers start to succumb to accidental deaths. Of course, neither Mary Louise nor her friends believe that for a minute. I wish I could like this series better than I do.
October 5, 2016
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides by Mary McHugh is the fifth book in The Happy Hoofer Mystery series. The Happy Hoofers have been invited to do a special routine with the Rockettes for their Christmas show. It will mean a lot of hard work for the Happy Hoofers. The Happy Hoofers consists of Mary Louise, Gini, Janice, Tina, and Pat. They are in their 50s and have danced in various places around the world (Russia, France and Spain for example). Mary Louise is glad for the diversion. Mary Louise has been married to George for 30 years, but she has been unhappy lately. Mary Louise met Dr. Mike Parnell on the Happy Hoofers adventure in Spain. He is the opposite of George and makes her happy. Mary Louise will have to make a decision. In the meantime, the group is off to New York for their first meeting with the Rockettes. They are greeted by Glenna Parsons. Glenna introduces them to the rest of the Rockettes. The Happy Hoofers will be doing a short routine with the Rockettes in Santa Claus outfits (that weigh 40 pounds). After meeting the rest of the performers, the group heads out to enjoy the afternoon in New York. There afternoon is cut short when they get a call to return to Radio City Music Hall. Glenna was found dead (and in does not look like an accidental death). Who wanted Glenna dead and why? The Happy Hoofers start their training the next day, but the manage to get in a little investigating and sightseeing at the same time. Unfortunately, Glenna was just the first victim. Can the Happy Hoofers solve the murders before there are no more Rockettes left to perform? Join Mary Louise, Gini, Janice, Tina, and Pat in New York for High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides!
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides is an easy to read novel. It can be a stand-alone book. Mary McHugh rehashes what happened in the first four books of the Happy Hoofers Mystery series. The mystery is not prominent in the book. It plays out in the background, and it is simple to figure out. The way the crime plays out near the end is actually very similar to what happened in another book in this series. The book reads more like a romance novel as Mary Louise figures out what she wants to do with her life (stay with George or divorce him). We also get updates on the other characters and what is happening in their lives. There are recipes and Mary Louise’s cooking tips included in the book. We are also taken to see several of the sights in New York. I give High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides 3 out of 5 stars. I just found the novel to be predictable. I wanted more mystery and less romance (which dominated this novel).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides is an easy to read novel. It can be a stand-alone book. Mary McHugh rehashes what happened in the first four books of the Happy Hoofers Mystery series. The mystery is not prominent in the book. It plays out in the background, and it is simple to figure out. The way the crime plays out near the end is actually very similar to what happened in another book in this series. The book reads more like a romance novel as Mary Louise figures out what she wants to do with her life (stay with George or divorce him). We also get updates on the other characters and what is happening in their lives. There are recipes and Mary Louise’s cooking tips included in the book. We are also taken to see several of the sights in New York. I give High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides 3 out of 5 stars. I just found the novel to be predictable. I wanted more mystery and less romance (which dominated this novel).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
December 12, 2016
Narrated by one of the “Hoofers”, this is a story told by Mary Louise (Weezie), as the ladies Tina, Janice, Pat, Gini, and Weezie have the chance to dance with THE Rockettes in New York City. So much fun here as these are a local group and live for dance, even if their other friends, husbands and family don’t understand it. Such is Weezie’s situation: her husband is one of those who doesn’t “get it”, but he’s going along with (not thrilled) with her next dancing gig. What’s got her even more excited is Mike, the doctor she met and still holds feelings for, and perhaps they can carve out time in New York, in between rehearsals and sucking up al the holiday cheer.
To be honest, this book reads like a road trip with some costumes for a group of ladies, all 50-something, who are just having as much fun off the stage as on. That is, in no way, a knock to the series: it was clever, perhaps predictable, but completely engaging as the narrator herself often sees her role as making us enjoy this girl’s trip away from household mundanity as possible.
Best chosen for those who aren’t all tied to the mystery in here, but happy to go along through endless shopping treks, meals, find some bargains in the city and watch as Weezie tries to sort out her life and affections between her husband and her love, Mike. Not having familiarity with earlier titles in this series, I don’t know if the revelation of the killer so quickly is the norm, or an aberration with all of the jolly-making here. Plenty of laughs, descriptions of New York in festive mode and a solid connection between the Hoofers themselves made this a fun, light read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
To be honest, this book reads like a road trip with some costumes for a group of ladies, all 50-something, who are just having as much fun off the stage as on. That is, in no way, a knock to the series: it was clever, perhaps predictable, but completely engaging as the narrator herself often sees her role as making us enjoy this girl’s trip away from household mundanity as possible.
Best chosen for those who aren’t all tied to the mystery in here, but happy to go along through endless shopping treks, meals, find some bargains in the city and watch as Weezie tries to sort out her life and affections between her husband and her love, Mike. Not having familiarity with earlier titles in this series, I don’t know if the revelation of the killer so quickly is the norm, or an aberration with all of the jolly-making here. Plenty of laughs, descriptions of New York in festive mode and a solid connection between the Hoofers themselves made this a fun, light read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
August 15, 2016
In this 5th book in the Happy Hoofers Mystery series, the girls are joining the Rockettes in New York City for their annual Christmas performance. Set to dance to Santa Claus is Coming to Town in 40 lb big-bellied Santa outfits, the troupe is ready to start daily rehearsals with the famous Rockettes. As usual, a murder puts a bit of a damper on their holiday spirits. Head Rockette Glenna Parsons is found dead under the stage, mangled by machinery. The show must go on, but the Happy Hoofers know the murderer must be found before another dancer falls prey.
This book was an enjoyable, light read. I loved reading about what the Rockettes training is like, and all about the holiday decorations and preparations for their Christmas performance. As usual, the story was a nice blend of humor and light mystery. This book is told from the point of view of Mary Louise (called Weezy by her friends), and she delights in asking restaurants for their recipes. In real life, I think most would say no....but, in this case, they said yes....and the yummy recipes appear at the end of each chapter! :)
I enjoyed the characters for the most part, although Weezy's inability to make a final decision regarding her marriage was a bit frustrating. It was not any fault of the writing or the plot....just my wishing I could somehow jump in there and tell her to make up her mind already! ha! :) She did finally make up her mind...but no spoilers! Read the book to discover her choice -- George or Mike.
This was definitely a fun, quick afternoon read. The recipes are for really yummy dishes like lobster salad, crabcakes, trout and bacon, and pastry shells with caviar.
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides releases September 27th!
Mary McHugh has written several other books including How Not to Become A Little Old Lady. Visit her website at www.marymchugh.org.
This book was an enjoyable, light read. I loved reading about what the Rockettes training is like, and all about the holiday decorations and preparations for their Christmas performance. As usual, the story was a nice blend of humor and light mystery. This book is told from the point of view of Mary Louise (called Weezy by her friends), and she delights in asking restaurants for their recipes. In real life, I think most would say no....but, in this case, they said yes....and the yummy recipes appear at the end of each chapter! :)
I enjoyed the characters for the most part, although Weezy's inability to make a final decision regarding her marriage was a bit frustrating. It was not any fault of the writing or the plot....just my wishing I could somehow jump in there and tell her to make up her mind already! ha! :) She did finally make up her mind...but no spoilers! Read the book to discover her choice -- George or Mike.
This was definitely a fun, quick afternoon read. The recipes are for really yummy dishes like lobster salad, crabcakes, trout and bacon, and pastry shells with caviar.
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate and Homicides releases September 27th!
Mary McHugh has written several other books including How Not to Become A Little Old Lady. Visit her website at www.marymchugh.org.
October 31, 2016
Princess Fuzzypants here:
There are a lot things I like about the Happy Hoofers and this book in particular. The ladies do have a string of corpses following. In their dance step. They do not go out of their way to court danger so the reader isn't rolling her eyes thinking how dumb. I like that. When a heroine is too careless and stupid, it ruins the story.
This time the ladies have been hired to join the Rockettes Christmas show as comic relief. As good as they are, they are still middle aged women who are not as highly skilled. It is anything but funny when the body count starts to add up. Right in the middle of it is Weezie, who becomes Mother Confessor to the girls who know too much and feel guilty. Of course, this puts her squarely in the crosshairs of the real murderer.
Not only must she try to stay alive but she has a momentous decision to make about her marriage and the rest of her life. Boy, if it is not one thing, it is the other..
The motive behind the killings is a bit weak but it still manages to give the reader a few exciting moments. What sets this series apart is the fact that it is a travelogue for the location of the story and a recipe book for a whole bunch of scrumptious dishes. Tied into each story is some romantic entanglements for all the ladies, proving there is life and love after 40.
If you are looking for a few hours of mindless entertainment, this could be fun. It's an easy read, ideal for vacations.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.
There are a lot things I like about the Happy Hoofers and this book in particular. The ladies do have a string of corpses following. In their dance step. They do not go out of their way to court danger so the reader isn't rolling her eyes thinking how dumb. I like that. When a heroine is too careless and stupid, it ruins the story.
This time the ladies have been hired to join the Rockettes Christmas show as comic relief. As good as they are, they are still middle aged women who are not as highly skilled. It is anything but funny when the body count starts to add up. Right in the middle of it is Weezie, who becomes Mother Confessor to the girls who know too much and feel guilty. Of course, this puts her squarely in the crosshairs of the real murderer.
Not only must she try to stay alive but she has a momentous decision to make about her marriage and the rest of her life. Boy, if it is not one thing, it is the other..
The motive behind the killings is a bit weak but it still manages to give the reader a few exciting moments. What sets this series apart is the fact that it is a travelogue for the location of the story and a recipe book for a whole bunch of scrumptious dishes. Tied into each story is some romantic entanglements for all the ladies, proving there is life and love after 40.
If you are looking for a few hours of mindless entertainment, this could be fun. It's an easy read, ideal for vacations.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.
September 27, 2016
This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Happy Hoofers Mystery series written by Mary McHugh. This book can be read as a standalone, but once you read this one you will want to go back and read the other books. It’s a Christmas miracle for the Happy Hoofers, Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini. They’ve scored a gig at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes, complete with sexy Santa suits and microphones on their shoes. But when a dazzling diva of a dancer is found dead under the stage, there’s quite a lineup of suspects. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing they decide to put their sleuthing skill to work to find out what really happened. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
October 12, 2016
This is the 5th book in the Happy Hoofers cozy mysteries series and the first one I've read. From what I can gather each other focuses on a specific member of the team, this one focuses on Mary Louise, her husband George and Mike, a gentleman she met previously, who she's become very, very close to.
That's the backstory of this as the mystery part starts when the Happy Hoofers are asked to dance with The Rockettes over the Christmas period, their first day there is marred with tragedy however as the leader of the Rockettes, Glenna, is found dead as they come back from their lunch. We then follow Mary Louise as she tries to work out what happened when they hear troubling news from some of the other Rockettes.
The characters are well developed, its a funny and fast paced story mainly set in New York and full of recipes and places to visit in the city.
I will be keeping my eye out for the rest of the books in this series as I want to learn more about these ladies and see what other trouble they get themselves into!!
*Huge thanks to Mary McHugh, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest revies*
That's the backstory of this as the mystery part starts when the Happy Hoofers are asked to dance with The Rockettes over the Christmas period, their first day there is marred with tragedy however as the leader of the Rockettes, Glenna, is found dead as they come back from their lunch. We then follow Mary Louise as she tries to work out what happened when they hear troubling news from some of the other Rockettes.
The characters are well developed, its a funny and fast paced story mainly set in New York and full of recipes and places to visit in the city.
I will be keeping my eye out for the rest of the books in this series as I want to learn more about these ladies and see what other trouble they get themselves into!!
*Huge thanks to Mary McHugh, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest revies*
November 3, 2016
The dancers, or the Happy Hoofers, are middle aged women who dance as a group. They get a chance to go to NYC to dance with the Rockettes for Christmas. But the Rockette dancers start being murdered. The main character, Mary Louise, gets involved and there are like 3 or 4 attempts on her life. I lost count. All the attempts were ridiculously unrealistic and downright silly.
I can't even say how much I didn't like the main character of this book. She's been married for years to George, a lawyer. Their children are grown and she's bored. Dancing is apparently the only thing that makes her feel alive and George doesn't like it. He wants her home cooking his dinner every night. Meanwhile, while she's in NYC, she's seeing a doctor named Mike, who is apparently the most understanding man on the planet, romantic and sweet. She's torn whether to leave George or stay. I, frankly, didn't care and I hate when a main character, and most of the book, revolves around a romantic triangle like this. It makes the main character come across as weak and indecisive.
So, an unrealistic mystery, poor writing, and a romantic triangle makes me give this one star.
I can't even say how much I didn't like the main character of this book. She's been married for years to George, a lawyer. Their children are grown and she's bored. Dancing is apparently the only thing that makes her feel alive and George doesn't like it. He wants her home cooking his dinner every night. Meanwhile, while she's in NYC, she's seeing a doctor named Mike, who is apparently the most understanding man on the planet, romantic and sweet. She's torn whether to leave George or stay. I, frankly, didn't care and I hate when a main character, and most of the book, revolves around a romantic triangle like this. It makes the main character come across as weak and indecisive.
So, an unrealistic mystery, poor writing, and a romantic triangle makes me give this one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2016
It’s Christmas and the Happy Hoofers, Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini, have scored a gig at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall with the legendary Rockettes. When a dancer is found dead under the stage, the lineup of suspects is longer than a row of chorus girls. In between rehearsals and seasonal sightseeing, the toe-tapping troupe has to sort out the conspiracy before another victim has fallen.
I absolutely loved this mystery and have found a new author to read. The main sleuth is Mary Louise who seems to go from one predicament to another. She tried to help one Rockette only to be thrown in the middle of a bunch of murderers. The author expertly orchestrated the capture of the criminals. It was a unique change in the way endings are usually presented. I also felt that Mary Louise’s marital troubles were solved in a respectful way. An Advanced Reading Copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this mystery and have found a new author to read. The main sleuth is Mary Louise who seems to go from one predicament to another. She tried to help one Rockette only to be thrown in the middle of a bunch of murderers. The author expertly orchestrated the capture of the criminals. It was a unique change in the way endings are usually presented. I also felt that Mary Louise’s marital troubles were solved in a respectful way. An Advanced Reading Copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2016
High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides involve a group of dancers in their early 50s called the Happy Hoofers. This group of dancers gets invited to Radio City Music Hall to perform with the Rockettes as a part of the Christmas program. Once they arrive, Glenna, the lead Rockette is found dead underneath the stage. The Happy Hoofers find themselves trying to solve another murder mystery.
I had difficulty getting through this book and I normally love cozy murder mysteries. This, in my opinion, wasn't one. You know very quickly who the murderer was. Furthermore, why in the world would the writer of a cozy murder mystery decide to put an adultery in the book? Bad taste!
The book was another one that was filled with useless information, including recipes, free things to do in NYC, etc.
* I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I had difficulty getting through this book and I normally love cozy murder mysteries. This, in my opinion, wasn't one. You know very quickly who the murderer was. Furthermore, why in the world would the writer of a cozy murder mystery decide to put an adultery in the book? Bad taste!
The book was another one that was filled with useless information, including recipes, free things to do in NYC, etc.
* I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
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