The Beautician's Notebook

by Anne Clinard Barnhill, Gene D. Robinson (Editor)

WHEN WILLA JO TEMPLE IS FOUND STABBED THROUGH THE HEART ON THE FLOOR OF HER BEAUTY SHOP, THE GOOD FOLK OF SUMMERSET, NC ARE SENT INTO A TIZZY. It’s up to her ex-husband, Sheriff Tal Hicks, to investigate. Evidence points to four possible Willa Jo’s business partner; a town socialite; a preacher’s wife; and Willa Jo’s live-in lover. Willa Jo kept a notebook containing all the secrets she’s learned while doing hair. Rumor has it Willa Jo is going to write a book, exposing everything. But now, Willa Jo is dead and the incriminating notebook is missing, leaving the sheriff with very little to go on. As he interrogates the suspects, he finds himself attracted to newcomer, Clarissa Myers. He delves into her past only to discover she has deeper ties to Summerset than anyone imagined. Before the sheriff can complete his interrogations, however, another suspect, Avenelle Young, confesses. The sheriff is skeptical about Avenelle Young’s guilt because she refuses to discuss what happened with Willa Jo. Her statement is a terse declaration of guilt, with neither motive nor method explained. The sheriff has no choice but to incarcerate Mrs. Young. During the investigations, as the secrets of Summerset are slowly revealed, each family touched by Willa Jo’s death must come to terms with the new information being unearthed. The repercussions are far-reaching, and forgiveness hard to come by. However, at the heart of the book is the possibility of reconciliation among the town folk as they learn the real ‘truth’ about one another. “Anne Clinard Barnhill's first book came from her heart. Her second two historical novels were masterfully researched and her most recent book, The Beautician's Notebook, is just a lot of fun. The story centers around the tragic and suspicious death of the popular local beautician at The Sassy Lady, Willa Jo Temple. Willa Jo is so popular, as a matter of fact, that she has a string of husbands and boyfriends and, for the price of a haircut, she'll entertain clients with tidbits of her outlandish behavior. As Willa Jo shares her scandalous life, others reveal bits and pieces of their own past indiscretions. As Willa Jo says, ‘You'd be amazed at what people will tell you while they're getting a pedicure.’ What only a few people know is that Willa Jo is taking notes and some say she plans to write a tell-all book one day. Upon her death, the notebook goes missing and when it's found, suddenly there are quite a number of suspects. This is a great ‘who-done-it’ that will keep you reading until the very last page.”—Brenda Bevan Remmes, author of The Quaker Cafe and Home to Cedar Branch. “What a treat! Anne Clinard Barnhill has penned a mystery with heart and soul. Her characters are so likeable — even lovable — that I hated to think of any of them guilty of a heinous crime . . . despite their many motives. An intriguing and heartwarming novel.”—Diane Chamberlain, NYT bestselling author of The Silent Sister. “More red herrings than in a fishmonger’s wheelbarrow.”—Molly Weston, Mystery Writers of America Raven Award Winner.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2017

About the author

Anne Cli­nard Barn­hill has been writ­ing or dream­ing of writ­ing for most of her life. For the past twenty years, she has pub­lished arti­cles, book and the­ater reviews, poetry, and short sto­ries. Her first book, AT HOME IN THE LAND OF OZ, recalls what it was like grow­ing up with an autis­tic sis­ter. Her work has won var­i­ous awards and grants. Barn­hill holds an M.F.A. in Cre­ative Writ­ing from the Uni­ver­sity of North Car­olina at Wilm­ing­ton. Besides writ­ing, Barn­hill also enjoys teach­ing, con­duct­ing writ­ing work­shops, and facil­i­tat­ing sem­i­nars to enhance cre­ativ­ity. She loves spend­ing time with her three grown sons and their fam­i­lies. For fun, she and her hus­band of thirty years, Frank, take long walks and play bridge. In rare moments, they dance.

Reviews

[Amy Bruno]

Available for #Review: THE BEAUTICIAN'S NOTEBOOK by Anne Barnhill

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“What a treat! Anne Clinard Barnhill has penned a mystery with heart and soul. Her characters are so likeable — even lovable — that I hated to think of any of them guilty of a heinous crime . . . despite their many motives. An intriguing and heartwarming novel.”—Diane Chamberlain, NYT bestselling author of The Silent Sister.

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[Sicillia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beautician's Notebook is a beautiful, fun book. It is a story about the love between mothers and daughter, fathers and sons, loss, and forgiveness. When Willa Jo is found dead in her beautician's shop, the investigation begins. Willa had a notebook that holds secrets of the lives told to her by her clients. That notebook is missing. Did one of these clients kill Willa Jo, or was her death a tragic accident?
Willa Jo may be gone, but her presence is felt throughout the book. It is as if she is standing in the room with these wonderful women, and men, guiding them to find their true selves. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with each of them.

[Cindi Reardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Story

Just loved this story.....it's 2:00a.m. and I could not sleep till I finished it. Each character remarkable and true. I want to be friends with them. Thank you Anne.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Beautician's Notebook is quite different from the other books I usually read. To be honest, the language in the beginning made me not want to continue on. (Which is a personal preference for me and many others probably would not be too bothered by it.) It was a little excessive at first but it did tone down a bit. I am so glad I kept on reading. I would have missed out on a great story! I was intrigued by what secrets were going to be revealed next in Willa Jo's notebook. It was fascinating to find out what twist was going to pop up next. I did not expect how it all came out in the end. Not at all predictable. Other than the language and a sex scene I did not care for (again, a personal preference for me), I liked the book and would give it 3 1/2 stars.

I received the book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Isley Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely got engrossed in this book! Mrs. Barnhill was my high school English teacher so it was an extra special bonus to read her book! I already sent her a note that she must write a sequel so we know more about the new lives of the characters! Mrs. Barnhill, you get an A+!!!

[Lelia Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody collects secrets quite like a beautician and Willa Jo might have been planning to spill those secrets so, when she's found dead, there are plenty of reasons and suspects if, in fact, she was murdered. This is not going to be an easy one for Sheriff Tal Hicks, investigating the death of the ex-wife he never stopped loving, but the real story is how the townsfolk come to terms with those secrets and with life and death in a small town.

Tal's investigation is important, of course, and there are a lot of red herrings here but I really got much more pleasure out of getting to know all these weird, wonderful, sometimes goofy characters. Summerset is a lovely little town, made more so by its citizens; there are inevitable reminders of Steel Magnolias (without the deep drama) and they're not out of place but The Beautician's Notebook stands on its own quite nicely. It's the perfect book to wind up the summer.

[Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa Jo Temple is found dead on the floor of her beauty shop and it's up to her ex-husband, Sheriff Tal Hicks, to investigate. The discovery of Willa Jo's notebook throws suspicion on most of the folks in the small North Carolina seaside town where she lived. The characters are interesting and likable and the plot moves fast. It's a treat.

[Erin Cashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! The plot had plenty of twists, and the characters were wonderful! I loved the entire community of Summerset. If you’re looking for a charming, heartwarming story with characters you grow to love, this is the book for you!

[Richard D Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

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I love this book as I love Holden Beach. A story of strong independent women and set on a most beautiful beach. I enjoyed every minute of their story. The only bad part was that I'm finished.

[lerene brantley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read....

Relationships and their complications...
Setting of Holden Beach NC used for the story. Easy to read and one you don’t want to put down. So glad to have heard about this book!

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting murder mystery set in HOLDEN BEACH NORTH CAROLINA. (Which happens to be where I live!) it’s called Temple Beach in the book, but we all recognize it. 😉
Fun reading about places in my own backyard.
Willa Jo Temple was murdered in her beauty salon. Her first husband is the sheriff investigating it. Lots of clues, red herrings and family drama.

[Anne Cashion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not love this book but it was good for light reading through the holidays. You can totally guess what is going to happen next... :)

[Pamela Bellina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely “beach” read

Beautifully written. Loved all of the characters in the story and living here, where the book takes place, made it special!

[Barbara Eidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good summer read

Very entertaining. Take to the beach or mountains. Find a comfy spot, a glass of favorite beverage, relax and enjoy.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Desperately needed an editor.. I found too many errors to count. And overall just found the story disappointing

[Kathleen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tal Hicks, the sheriff of a small town in North Carolina, still carries a torch for his ex-wife, Willa Jo Temple, but finds himself investigating her death when her body is found on the floor of her beauty shop. During the investigation, he becomes aware of a notebook that Willa Jo kept, which contains secret information on many of the town's residents. Gradually, as the secrets in Willa Jo's notebook are revealed, her former customers and friends are forced to deal with the no-longer secret stories inside it. This is a warm novel with warm, likeable, and believable characters. The author describes the small town and the surrounding countryside in vivid, lifelike detail. Highly recommended.

Kathleen Jones, author of Love Is the Punch Line

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much! Willa Jo is the owner of THE best hair salon in the small town of Summerset, NC. Everyone in the community loves her. While getting themselves beautiful, ladies tend to tell their hairstylists almost everything! Maybe even a few gentlemen do too? ? Willa Jo keeps a notebook to remember some of the funniest, craziest and possibly the most important things people tell her. One day she just might write a tell all book! Is someone willing to resort to murder to stop her from telling their secrets?
No spoilers here! You're going to have to read the book to find out!
This is a great book about relationships between friends and families.