Dead Men Don't Chew Gum

Martin and Owen #1

by Nina Cordoba

NEVER take the short cut...

Rika Martín wasn’t in Bolo, Texas, five minutes before she was run off the road, tripped over a dead body, then arrested for murder. And she’s not so sure about Nick, the lawyer who’s been assigned to her, even when he’s shirtless, wearing a cowboy hat, and holding an extra-long hose. (Okay, maybe then.)

All Nick Owen can think about is getting out of Bolo, a hometown he never should have returned to. Until he goes to pick up his best friend Gabe—the local judge—for a round of golf and is forced to represent a murder suspect. Gabe, of all people, knows Nick has sworn off murder trials after what happened last time. Unfortunately, he also knows Nick is a damn good trial lawyer. Even worse, this “Paprika Anise Martín”—if you can believe that—seems more determined to solve the murder case than to defend herself against it in court.

With claims of devil worshipers in the area and at least one shooter determined to take Rika out, can Nick and Rika resolve this case before the murderer gets rid of her for good?

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Amazon, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks, Contemporary, Humor

354 pages, ebook

First published March 30, 2016

About the author

Since my parents left their Texas/Louisiana homes to find adventure in California, that's where I was born. We eventually moved to Texas, but as a native Californian, I still qualify to use words like "vibe" and "aura" without ridicule.

I'm known for my sense of humor and my annoying habit of turning everything into a song. As a child, I dreamed that someday, I'd be in a place and start singing and everyone around me would burst into song spontaneously with me. In my 40's, I found a soul mate who is a natural musician. He and my musically talented step-son make my dreams come true by jumping in and singing, humming or duh-duh-duhing along with anything from classical to rock. My teenage daughter eggs us on, participates, or simply jumps in to correct mis-sung lyrics, depending on her mood.

We are a very quirky family and it's probably a good thing we don't have camera's on us 24-hours a day, although I sometimes wish I had recordings of the creative, bizarre, or brilliant conversations we have...or at least we think they're brilliant at the time.

My husband is one of the smartest people I've ever met. Of course, he comes from a family of Chinese geniuses, but he also has a romantic, passionate heart and is sort of a Latino wannabe. His progress in learning Spanish has far outstripped my progress in learning Chinese.

I'm super proud of my daughter for having all kinds of friends from all over the world, and understanding that different cultures are wonderful and interesting, not something to be judged as inferior to our own. Blonde and blue-eyed, she gets a bit annoyed sometimes if her friends don't recognize her as a "Latina"--she's 1/4.

I've taught English to adult students from all over the world. Their stories have been an inspiration to me. I started teaching ESL just before my mother died. I cried constantly for a year and the only time I could forget her tragic death was when I was teaching my classes.

Then one night, after a lifetime of writing journalistic and marketing materials, I started writing a novel, then I wrote another and another.

Reviews

[Sharon Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun mystery and a great title! I don’t know how to describe the writing style of Ms. Cordoba, but I will try. Such humor and witty dialog (and thoughts by the characters) made this such a fun and intriguing read. Non-stop action and many suspects add to the mystery and the fun. Paprika (yes, Paprika, aka Rika) Martin has lost her job, her boyfriend and her home and decides to visit friends in Texas. Her car is on “its last legs” and she gets lost following the directions that her friend provided. With absolutely nothing open in the town of Bolo, she stops along the road to relieve herself and trips over a body. With unfair small-town justice, Rika is arrested for murder and meets Nick Owen, her attorney. Nick does not want to be her attorney, but is assigned to do so by the town judge. The interaction (and emotions) between the two main characters as well as the actions of the town “characters” add to the enjoyment of this book. I have just started the second book in this series and know this one is going to be just as good. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

[Lisa Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was just fun!! Searched randomly for ‘funny mysteries’ and this series popped up. Nina Córdoba places her accidental heroine in small town Texas with her childhood baggage, an unhealthy carb dependency (who can’t relate, honestly!) and an unfortunate run in with a dead body.
Rika, short for Paprika, then finds herself side by side with sexy Nick Owen, attorney & super guy! Helpful, dependable & maybe jus maybe accessible for Rika…despite defending her for the murder of said dead body.
Wildness ensures introducing a Steel Magnolias-like cast of characters, with focus on the ‘character’ & not so much the traumas.
Good, solid, entertaining fun for those who enjoy a good Stephanie Plum mystery or others like it. Are there problematic themes like Rika’s fixation on body image & her need for validation in that timeless ‘she doesn’t know she’s beautiful unless he tells her’ trope; but Cordoba seems to use these themes in full awareness of their issues but also in awareness of the reality most of us live in.
Rika proves an unlikely hero in her own story & her relationship with Nick can only evolve from here.

[Maddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF: The premise was fun and I liked the author’s writing style and her humor, it definitely wasn’t boring, but there were too many issues I had with it to continue. Firstly, Rika’s relationship with her weight and food seemed much like that of an eating disorder and I wished there had been a trigger warning list prior to reading. As a fat girl myself I will not lie, Rika’s beliefs on her weight equating to worth was not unrealistic but it was disheartening. In my opinion in this day and age we should be working towards believing weight does not equal a person’s value and one’s worth. I wasn’t going to continue the rest of the book with this. Rika and Nick’s thirsting over one another was very unnecessary, repetitive to the point where while reading I was like “I get it, you find each other hot. Now shut up.” Also Dwight seemed neurodivergent coded and the generalization of he’s just weird and odd was again quite annoying. The premise was there it’s just not enough to keep going. Seemed a bit like an old 2000s movie that never made it past idea stage.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEAD MEN DON'T CHEW GUM is the first in the Martin and Owen mystery series. While each does stand on its own, it is better to read them in the order of release.

This was the first book I have read from Nina Cordoba and I must say she has found a fan! It is a wonderful cozy mystery with a promising romance and plenty of humor.

I loved this story and I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: DEAD MEN DON'T CHEW GUM
Series: Martin & Owen Mystery #1
Category /Genre: Comedy, Romantic, Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to mature situation
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Nina Cordoba (as a gifted copy)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Nina Cordoba mystery that I have read and I am delighted to have discovered a new author that I thoroughly enjoy.
Paprika Anise Martin (wow, what a name!) thought her life was pretty good until it all went wrong and once it did, the slippery slope did not end there. She loses her job, her boyfriend, her way and ends up with a dead body in a one-horse town in Texas, as well as ending up as a suspect in the murder of the aforesaid body. She is the perfect scapegoat and the prosecuting lawyer spun an amazing story of her being a seductive murderess, who was the centre of a drug ring and she finds that no-one was prepared to contest the convenient story so it is up to Rika to solve the murder.
Excellent mystery, brilliant storyline, totally enjoyed and looking forward to her next one.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a book be funny, romantic and full of mystery? Well, this book had it all. Murder mysteries, innocent girl driving along a deserted highway, and crooked politicians.

Rika Martin leave New York to visit family in Texas after losing it all. Somehow she's now involved in a murder mystery where she's the alleged murderer. Nick Owens doesn't know why he's staying in his small Texas hometown. He's done with women and this town. That is until he sees a woman who needs his help in solving a crime.

Funny, laugh out loud moments and a great story to hold your interest. I love every book this author writes and waiting (not so patiently) for the next book in this new series.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series by Nina and it was a fun cozy mystery. Rika (short for Paprika) is passing through Bolo, TX after losing her job and her boyfriend. She comes across a dead body and ends up involved in a murder investigation. Her lawyer is Nick who just got his 3rd divorce and wants to leave Bolo. He is a nice guy and he and Rika have chemistry. There are some shady characters in town and Rika and Nick have to find the murderer before Rika goes to jail. This was a good cozy mystery. There is some swearing and sexual innuendos & lust but it is light hearted and fun. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Michelle Lucarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Chew Gum is a wonderfully entertaining book. This is the first book from Nina Cordoba that I have read and I wasn't sure what to expect. It captivated me--I couldn't put it down. It is so easy to relate to the main character, Rika, who has so many things go wrong for her at the same time. Most of us only have one or two things go wrong at the same time, but not Rika! I strongly recommend Dead Men Don't Chew Gum to anyone who wants to read a very enjoyable book. Dead Men Don't Chew Gum got me back into reading--I haven't actually sat down just to read a book in years and I did for this one. I can't wait to read the next one-Dead Men Don't Eat Quiche.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read although I did get tired of Rika’s Constant worries about her weight. I realize that when one is fat growing up and then loses weight it takes time to adjust your body image to what you actually see in the mirror instead of the memory you have in your head but still...it got tiresome. In spite of this annoyance, I loved the book and the writing style. Rika was a strong female character stuck in a terrible situation and made the best of it. Nick was more than just a small town attorney but he came through in the end. There was more going in Bolo, Texas, than you can imagine and with only one stop light. The ending was a big surprise because I sure didn’t see it coming. You knew Nick would get Rika off or you figured he would, since there is a Book 2, but it was Rika’s sleuthing that saved the day in the end. A fun read without lots of evil. Can’t wait to read Book 2.

[Lynda Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story; felt like a true "Texan" tale

As a home grown Texan, I love stories based in my home state. Often though, I'm disappointed by prose that reflects how people think Texans talk and act. Ms. Cordoba has woven her words into a fun, fast moving Mexican blanket that I kept wanting to burrowing under and stay for "just a few more pages." I felt as if I could see, hear, and sometimes even smell the scenes she was describing. Her vivid character descriptions felt so honest, and her sharp wit kept me laughing throughout. I can hardly wait to read the next episode of "Nick & Rika," and highly recommend the series to any fans of romantic mysteries and Texas based tales.

[Nati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and very entertaining as always, Nina keep you reading until the end of the story. Rita after losing her job, boyfriend and apartment the very same is now lost in Bolo, Texas, wrongly acused of murder. Nick, born and raised in Bolo, Texas, has sworn never to defend anyone else in a murder trial, is pushed to, not only defend Rika, but keep her at his house and take care of her. Can they succeed in their mission with the police in Bolo trying to pin the murder in Rika. You will laugh out loud reading about Rika and Nick adventures.

[Antonette Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! This is one of those books (finds) that you happen upon, not knowing anything about the series, or author. It is great because you do not have any preconceived expectations. Dead Men Don't Chew Gum has two main characters - of course, girl and boy. The girl, Rika is every girl's (or woman's) girl. Doesn't see herself as other's see her, and keeps a mental dialogue going in her mind - honestly, how many other's do that! Meets a boy (or man) under extreme circumstances and boom, they start working as a team (even they don't realize it).

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn’t grab my interest right away, and that could have been my frame of mind at the time, but when I did get into the story I was hooked. Small town life is like none other, and I love it! There was a definite twist that I did not see coming. You gotta love Rika! She made quite a transformation of herself and the best part is she didn’t change in the personality department. So many self-doubts about herself – who can relate? And then there’s Nick. Who would have thought there would be an almost perfect lawyer type person?

[JoAnn Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry, this was awful. At first the story sounded interesting and perhaps even funny but no I was wrong. It melted into a ridiculous romance that never really happened at least in this book. Apparently there is a sequel. I skimmed through so many chapters trying to get to the end and won’t make that mistake again. The story itself could have been fairly good but the romantic tension you are supposed to feel between the main characters just ruined whatever chance it had.

[Sharon Kayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all of the books in this series. The two main characters are realistic while having amusing insecurities that are both over-the-top and amazingly relatable. They find themselves in the wildest circumstances (usually through their own fault!) but manage to get out of scrapes. The romance that buds in the first book continues to build as the series evolves, finally coming to a satisfying conclusion in the penultimate book. Highly recommend!

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine Cordoba writes great cozy mysteries. This book kept me in the dark as to the real culprit until the end. Then, it all made sense! The splash of romance was very nice. The book had some humorous parts which were very entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

[Lyn Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book from page one. What a dope that cop was. Rika saw right through him. This is a book for all ages and will be immensely enjoyed by everyone. Can’t wait to finish the next one Dead Men Don’t Eat Quiche. Same characters and same brilliant writing. New fan of Nina Córdoba. Love the books from cover to cover.

[Trisha Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Chew Gum

If you're strong enough to take the occasional four letter word and the rare sex toy being described, READ THIS BOOK. This is my favorite who done it/romantic comedy I read in 2017! If you aren't strong enough for these things, read it anyway, it's worth it. You'll thank me. I just hope there's a Book 2 out there somewhere. I love these characters!

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

No a bad little mystery

It was an interesting concept. Reka gets lost and stumbled over a dead body after relieving herself along a country road. She calls 911 and is arrested for her efforts by bumbling local law enforcement. I felt that the sexual innuendo and occasional bad language did nothing for the story.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rika literally stumbles over a dead body in the dessert within minutes after it was dumped. She calls the police to report the find only to be arrested and put on trial for murder. Her pro bono lawyer is a handsome hunk and a lifesaver too boot. But that is not the whole of this wild extravaganza...

[Benniii · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and fun, and the small town spirit with all its flaws and charm grabbed me in. Though some elements did not sit right with me. Rika’s issues with her weight was not a great reading experience. TW on her disordered thinking around food and weight.

I’m not sure what I think of the ending, if I’m happy it happened that way or not. The book was light and funny, though.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
Definitely am going to read the next one.
I think most of the human emotions made sence, so there could have been more surprises about the mystery factor of that.
I wasn't surprised at all regarding the "bad guy/guys".
No matter, I still really enjoyed it!

[Nichole Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected fun

I'm glad I gave this book a few chapters, because once I started buying into the fun, the book was great. I just got the next book to see what's next for Rika and Nick.

[Miranda Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny but no sizzle

The author must be planning to develop a slow burn pace Between the two main characters because passion peaked at a kiss. The supporting characters are funny though.

[Amy Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this book genre described as funny, romantic mystery I was intrigued! And it did deliver. The mystery kept me interested the whole time and it had one of my fav elements of a book (especially a romance) told from Nick’s perspective and Rika. Rika has many funny moments and the story of a potential romance coupled with the mystery really worked for this book.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast, witty and easy. The author lets this be a light read and an easy mystery as they don’t focus on it with the intensity of a serious murder mystery but accidentally makes it about a main character’s insecurity and wants.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tremendous comedic adventure that I didn't want to end. What an enjoyable book!

[Sandy Lipinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paprika pulled along side the road for a call of nature that turned out to be a 911 call after stumbling over a dead body.She gets arrested for the murder and a hot rich lawyer defends her.

[Wendy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little cozy. Love Rika with all her insecurities she is still a fierce little fighter! Can not wait to read more of her adventures. Surprised with the reveal of the true villain. Awesome!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rikka’s life has not been easy lately. She leaves everything behind, has a car accident. There starts more problems. A delightful book by a superb author.