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Val Fremden Mysteries #2
Two Crazy: Bust a Move
It’s moving day for Val. And, as usual, anything that can go wrong does--beginning with her new boyfriend, Tom. When he shows up at her doorstep with an unwelcome delivery, Val becomes the unwitting center of attention for a whole new world of weirdos.
Ones that could drag her into doing jail time.
Plagued with a hot cop on her tail and a mean one on her trail, Val is forced to turn to old friends and new ones in her attempt to point the finger of blame on somebody else. But when an unexpected witness identifies Val as the guilty party, it may be time to flush the punch bowl.
Who’s the good cop? Who’s the bad? And who’s the dwarf in the Halloween mask?
Will a pair of falsies help Val stumble onto the truth? If not, she’s got to rely on her itchy, oddball beach-bum friends if she’s going to escape the fickle finger of fate.
Love your mysteries with a side of snide? The Val Fremden Midlife Meltdown Mysteries are for you! Get set for a wickedly witty slide down the social ladder with a surprising cast of unexpected misfits!
Ones that could drag her into doing jail time.
Plagued with a hot cop on her tail and a mean one on her trail, Val is forced to turn to old friends and new ones in her attempt to point the finger of blame on somebody else. But when an unexpected witness identifies Val as the guilty party, it may be time to flush the punch bowl.
Who’s the good cop? Who’s the bad? And who’s the dwarf in the Halloween mask?
Will a pair of falsies help Val stumble onto the truth? If not, she’s got to rely on her itchy, oddball beach-bum friends if she’s going to escape the fickle finger of fate.
Love your mysteries with a side of snide? The Val Fremden Midlife Meltdown Mysteries are for you! Get set for a wickedly witty slide down the social ladder with a surprising cast of unexpected misfits!
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
1762 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Lashley
51 books257 followersWhy do I love underdogs? Well, it takes one to know one.
Like the main characters in my novels, I haven’t lead a life of wealth or luxury. In fact, as it stands now, I’m set to inherit a half-eaten jar of Cheez Whiz…if my siblings don’t beat me to it.
During my illustrious career, I’ve been a roller-skating waitress, an actuarial assistant, an advertising copywriter, a real estate agent, a house flipper, an organic farmer, and a traveling vagabond/truth seeker. But no matter where I’ve gone or what I’ve done, I’ve always felt like a weirdo.
I’ve learned a heck of a lot in my life. But getting to know myself has been my greatest journey. Today, I know I’m smart. I’m direct. I’m jaded. I’m hopeful. I’m funny. I’m fierce. I’m a pushover. And I have a laugh that lures strangers over, wanting to join in the fun.
In other words, I’m a jumble of opposing talents and flaws and emotions. And it’s all good.
I enjoy underdogs because we’ve got spunk. And hope. And secrets that drive us to be different from the rest.
So dare to be different. It's the only way to be!
Happy reading!
Like the main characters in my novels, I haven’t lead a life of wealth or luxury. In fact, as it stands now, I’m set to inherit a half-eaten jar of Cheez Whiz…if my siblings don’t beat me to it.
During my illustrious career, I’ve been a roller-skating waitress, an actuarial assistant, an advertising copywriter, a real estate agent, a house flipper, an organic farmer, and a traveling vagabond/truth seeker. But no matter where I’ve gone or what I’ve done, I’ve always felt like a weirdo.
I’ve learned a heck of a lot in my life. But getting to know myself has been my greatest journey. Today, I know I’m smart. I’m direct. I’m jaded. I’m hopeful. I’m funny. I’m fierce. I’m a pushover. And I have a laugh that lures strangers over, wanting to join in the fun.
In other words, I’m a jumble of opposing talents and flaws and emotions. And it’s all good.
I enjoy underdogs because we’ve got spunk. And hope. And secrets that drive us to be different from the rest.
So dare to be different. It's the only way to be!
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 23, 2023
Always funny
I can tell either Ms. Lashley has lived in St Pete, FL, or she researched the heck about the streets and the beaches.
Her stories are always a laugh for me.
Her adventures around Florida solving crimes and mysteries are full of great detail about the town and her friends.
This story involves a finger found in her old disgusting couch.
When she moved into her new place her friends moved it back into her life.
Did I forget to mention the short person who breaks into her home looking for the finger?
H
I can tell either Ms. Lashley has lived in St Pete, FL, or she researched the heck about the streets and the beaches.
Her stories are always a laugh for me.
Her adventures around Florida solving crimes and mysteries are full of great detail about the town and her friends.
This story involves a finger found in her old disgusting couch.
When she moved into her new place her friends moved it back into her life.
Did I forget to mention the short person who breaks into her home looking for the finger?
H
May 20, 2017
My favorite gal is back again!! VAL! I love this spunky, sassy lady! She finally thinks she has it all together and of course crazy, mind-boggling things happen to her all over again! All her crazy pals are back to help her and a few new ones pop up along the way. Once again it's a wild ride full of laughs, friendships, love, crazy situations and self-depreciating humor that is absolutely great. I truly loved this story as much as I did the previous two and couldn't stop reading it once I started. I am always ready to read more Val!! Margaret Lashley has written another fantastic book to share with us.
June 14, 2017
Laugh Out Loud. What else would you expect to do when visiting with Val and Pals. That's Val Fremden -aka- Thelma Gladys Goodridge -aka- Valiant Stranger and her pals Winky, Jorge and Goober. And we mustn't leave out the good looking cop/boyfriend Tom Foreman.
The day after Val's birthday party, she finds a finger in her couch. And we're off...The police want to blame her. A dwarf breaks in and threatens Val looking for the finger and as usual everything goes to hell in a hand basket (as my grandma would say). I highly recommend this series and can't wait for the next chapter.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
The day after Val's birthday party, she finds a finger in her couch. And we're off...The police want to blame her. A dwarf breaks in and threatens Val looking for the finger and as usual everything goes to hell in a hand basket (as my grandma would say). I highly recommend this series and can't wait for the next chapter.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
May 19, 2017
Unexpected twists and turns through out the book. Unexpected ending that was very entertaining.
February 24, 2021
What a goofy, strange story. It had it's humorous moments, but sometimes I felt she tried too hard to make it funny or the characters too weird. I doubt I will read anymore of her stories.
February 17, 2018
Two Crazy is just TOOOO CRAZY! I loved this book as I have come to love the crazy dysfunctional characters who make you laugh out loud especially when they had to work hard to help solve a case to get Val out of trouble. When a finger is found in Val's couch and a very disagreeable detective wants to lock her up and throw away the key for murder, her policeman boyfriend says he has to stay out of the way and can't help. However, there is no body at the moment and disappointed with her boyfriend, Val enlists her homeless pals to help her figure this all out. Val, has very low self-esteem when it comes to her interactions with men, yet she is a strong character when she directs her homeless friends with big hearts, help with her scheme to solve the mystery. With lawsuits, sketchy lawyers, a break-in and her girlfriend seemingly trying to steal her boyfriend who forgets Val's birthday and some very strange characters, Val has to fend for herself. Her former Vegas showgirl neighbor joins the group and it becomes a laugh a minute while wading through the craziness! This series is so much fun to read and figure out you just have to love every minute of it and you just can't put it down!
July 25, 2017
I received a free ARC and voluntarily reviewed it.
Val has moved into her biological parents' house (catch up, now -- read the first 2 books -- Absolute Zero and Glad One), cleaned up, and done some well-needed repairs. After a house-warming party with her Florida friends, she discovers that one of them (Winky) has fixed her broken air conditioner.
Val tried to abandon her old shit-brown sofa when she moved out of her old apartment, but her cop boyfriend, Tom, retrieved it from the street and brought it to her new place. In the process of beating the cushions, she discovered a smelly white handkerchief stuffed down by one arm-rest, containing a human finger still wearing a gold ring with the initials WH. Then, when Val and Tom go out on their regularly scheduled Tuesday night date, they encounter Goober bent over, farting and belching the Star Spangled Banner -- for tips.
And so the fun begins again.
Another fun romp with Val and her Pals.
Val has moved into her biological parents' house (catch up, now -- read the first 2 books -- Absolute Zero and Glad One), cleaned up, and done some well-needed repairs. After a house-warming party with her Florida friends, she discovers that one of them (Winky) has fixed her broken air conditioner.
Val tried to abandon her old shit-brown sofa when she moved out of her old apartment, but her cop boyfriend, Tom, retrieved it from the street and brought it to her new place. In the process of beating the cushions, she discovered a smelly white handkerchief stuffed down by one arm-rest, containing a human finger still wearing a gold ring with the initials WH. Then, when Val and Tom go out on their regularly scheduled Tuesday night date, they encounter Goober bent over, farting and belching the Star Spangled Banner -- for tips.
And so the fun begins again.
Another fun romp with Val and her Pals.
August 9, 2017
I ask you, just WHAT does Val NOT get mixed up in? This poor girl! Just because she found a severed finger in her ratty old couch that her boyfriend brought over to her new home, she has been threatened with being sued, and arrested! How is she suppose to know whose finger it is? She found it and called the police! Then some sawed off short midget breaks into her house demanding the finger back! The girl can't get a break! Then things really go south for Val!!!! What you ask? Read the book to find out. It is a funny read with some swearing, so I suggest it is for mature readers. I received a copy of this book. The review is voluntary.
May 7, 2020
I am loving this series, it's a funny crime story. After finding out the truth about her real parents, Val settles down into her new home. But she finds something horrible down the side of the couch - and isn't someone's loose change or used tissue. It appears to Val that the universe is giving her the finger (a joke that never gets old). Val meets lots of new people - who can she trust? The hero of the previous book, Glad is sort of replaced by her neighbour Laverne who likes wearing gold - brilliant. With the help of her friends new and old, and eventually her policeman boyfriend, Val ends up solving things for herself!
May 17, 2018
Cozy, Crazy Florida Mystery
This is another in the Val Fremden series. As always, the plot is intricate and well done. There are so many good plot twists that no one could possibly guess the final outcome. The story is full of crazy characters, old and new. There is also a lot of humor and silliness. And, it is all so lifelike! I would love to mention specifics, but that would be a spoiler. Let's just say that you will really enjoy this story! I can't wait to read the next one! I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
This is another in the Val Fremden series. As always, the plot is intricate and well done. There are so many good plot twists that no one could possibly guess the final outcome. The story is full of crazy characters, old and new. There is also a lot of humor and silliness. And, it is all so lifelike! I would love to mention specifics, but that would be a spoiler. Let's just say that you will really enjoy this story! I can't wait to read the next one! I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
January 29, 2018
Lashley/two crazy:fickle finger of fate
This is a knock down hilarious series involving the whole gang, val,Tom her policeman boyfriend, Millie Tom's ex ,another policeman chief of police son who hates tom,her wacky gang of friends,laverne,winnie,winky,Jorge ,goober, Darrel who works at the morgue. They gather together to help Val who finds a missing finger in her couch. Don't want to give tmi ,you need to read series 2,you will not be disappointed.
This is a knock down hilarious series involving the whole gang, val,Tom her policeman boyfriend, Millie Tom's ex ,another policeman chief of police son who hates tom,her wacky gang of friends,laverne,winnie,winky,Jorge ,goober, Darrel who works at the morgue. They gather together to help Val who finds a missing finger in her couch. Don't want to give tmi ,you need to read series 2,you will not be disappointed.
February 20, 2018
My new favorite
Margaret Lashley is my newest favorite author and her Val Fremden series is absolutely fantastic! The crazy characters, the hilarious situations that Val gets herself into, and the added bonus that everything is set in Florida...ESPECIALLY St. Petersburg, where I grew up and recognize the places Val talks about...are definitely a hit. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Margaret Lashley is my newest favorite author and her Val Fremden series is absolutely fantastic! The crazy characters, the hilarious situations that Val gets herself into, and the added bonus that everything is set in Florida...ESPECIALLY St. Petersburg, where I grew up and recognize the places Val talks about...are definitely a hit. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
November 17, 2018
Much too short!
So much fun, and so much appalled horror at the shocking things she comes out with, expressing on paper what most people wouldn't dare to say. It reminds me of the lines from that song, "Once is never enough with a guy like you." When you are having this much fun, it flies by leaving you wanting more. From the sublime to the ridiculous. The poor cop certainly has his hands full with this lady. Unforgettable!
So much fun, and so much appalled horror at the shocking things she comes out with, expressing on paper what most people wouldn't dare to say. It reminds me of the lines from that song, "Once is never enough with a guy like you." When you are having this much fun, it flies by leaving you wanting more. From the sublime to the ridiculous. The poor cop certainly has his hands full with this lady. Unforgettable!
February 25, 2019
Crazy, yes - and a rollicking good time
Someone's ringed (detached) finger ended up in Val's discarded-then-recovered sofa and the story takes off. She and her pals try to solve the mystery and keep Val out of jail while life just keeps getting more and more interesting. Warning: smiles, chuckles, tears, giggles, and a few belly laughs are included at no extra charge. Highly recommended.
Someone's ringed (detached) finger ended up in Val's discarded-then-recovered sofa and the story takes off. She and her pals try to solve the mystery and keep Val out of jail while life just keeps getting more and more interesting. Warning: smiles, chuckles, tears, giggles, and a few belly laughs are included at no extra charge. Highly recommended.
Read
February 8, 2023I laughed so hard and so long it made my sullen teen child start laughing too!
Okay, seriously funny!!
Great characters, great plot, and writing so beautifully descriptive it's like you're actually there (without being drawn out and boring).
I honestly can't recommend this enough.
If you like mysteries, strong female leads and really tight writing then you DEFINITELY want to read this series!
Okay, seriously funny!!
Great characters, great plot, and writing so beautifully descriptive it's like you're actually there (without being drawn out and boring).
I honestly can't recommend this enough.
If you like mysteries, strong female leads and really tight writing then you DEFINITELY want to read this series!
June 1, 2023
I find the other series by this auther (Almost a serial killer) entertaining. So after not loving the first one, I decided to give it another chance. Sadly this just didn’t work for me. The plot felt unbelievable and had me bored in som places. The humor felt like it was written by a teenager, with all the fart jokes. Often times it felt forced and over the top. The characters were nothing special and not exactly likable.
I will stay with the almost series and give up on this one.
October 28, 2017
Val is back and her life is just as crazy as it's always been. I laughed so hard while I was reading this, there were tears streaming down my face. The crazy situations that Val finds herself in are unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable. There is action, and love, and some of the funniest characters ever created in this series, and I can't get enough!
September 2, 2018
Just when Val thinks she has her act together, she finds a finger - one with a large gold ring attached! Since a mean cop puts Val at the top of his suspect list, she will have to depend on her usual friends to figure this one out. Can she stay out of jail and alive long enough to solve this case? This is another wonderful, lighthearted romp from Margaret Lashley.
February 4, 2021
Wonderful characters
It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a bunch of wildly wonderful characters to make a great read. I also appreciate the writer doesn’t need to fill the book with foul language. The main protagonist’s drive to have a good life made me like her as much as Stephanie Plum, who she much resembles.
It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a bunch of wildly wonderful characters to make a great read. I also appreciate the writer doesn’t need to fill the book with foul language. The main protagonist’s drive to have a good life made me like her as much as Stephanie Plum, who she much resembles.
June 2, 2021
So good
I've read both books in this series and have fallen in love with this band of misfit friends. They are likable and sometimes incorrigible at the same time. Just goes to show you when they say, "Don't judge a book by its cover", you really shouldn't. Val would never have met her amazing friends if she had. On to book three.
I've read both books in this series and have fallen in love with this band of misfit friends. They are likable and sometimes incorrigible at the same time. Just goes to show you when they say, "Don't judge a book by its cover", you really shouldn't. Val would never have met her amazing friends if she had. On to book three.
May 18, 2024
Two Crazy is another hilarious visit to Val Fremden's world. She has settled into the home she inherited and expected her life to settle down. Not so fast- she finds a finger with a gold ring in her couch and that leads to a mystery to be solved with the help of her wacky group of old friends and some new ones. This was a great addition to the series.
August 20, 2017
Two Crazy
This book lives up to its name. I just love how it started out and the trouble came in and everything else that happened. Then the best part is the outcome of the story. Well worth the time to read it.
This book lives up to its name. I just love how it started out and the trouble came in and everything else that happened. Then the best part is the outcome of the story. Well worth the time to read it.
May 6, 2018
Wacky story with heart
I really enjoyed this story, there are good characters and an engaging plot. There are laughs but not too many smart arse comments. I wish Margaret Lashley's would engage a good sub editor as the spelling mistakes are irritating.
I really enjoyed this story, there are good characters and an engaging plot. There are laughs but not too many smart arse comments. I wish Margaret Lashley's would engage a good sub editor as the spelling mistakes are irritating.
May 27, 2018
3rd time’s a charm
3rd time’s a charm... some people have all the luck.. others would have no luck at all if it wasn’t for bad luck... good friends don’t care about your looks, smell or luck.. and are there for you when things get down and dirty
3rd time’s a charm... some people have all the luck.. others would have no luck at all if it wasn’t for bad luck... good friends don’t care about your looks, smell or luck.. and are there for you when things get down and dirty
November 13, 2018
Not yet formulaic but I discovered another typo not major this time. Glad that Val is still sleuthing and developing her friends and all the different ways they help. Now on to the third. I might get through all nine by the end of my beach vacation. The challenge is on!
November 14, 2018
Very entertaining
Love Val and all of her problems. No matter how hard she tries something always goes haywire. Tom gets in the dog house , our of it and right back in it again all because he wanted to.do something nice for Val.
Love Val and all of her problems. No matter how hard she tries something always goes haywire. Tom gets in the dog house , our of it and right back in it again all because he wanted to.do something nice for Val.
December 16, 2018
Fun in Florida
Val is an interesting character. She seems to have a life full of c rises. Her boyfriend is a handsome police lieutenant. This is a great series, full of humor and crazy characters--Val's friends.
Val is an interesting character. She seems to have a life full of c rises. Her boyfriend is a handsome police lieutenant. This is a great series, full of humor and crazy characters--Val's friends.
September 22, 2019
And the adventure continues!
Two Crazy is a delightful read. It seamlessly follows Val into another adventure with her new friends that will have you laughing until tears flow and you gasp for breath. If you are a fan of Stephanie Plum books, you’ll love Val Fremden.
Two Crazy is a delightful read. It seamlessly follows Val into another adventure with her new friends that will have you laughing until tears flow and you gasp for breath. If you are a fan of Stephanie Plum books, you’ll love Val Fremden.
January 21, 2020
Val Fremden is my favorite new leading character. Life is complicated but Val charges on. Her friends are quirky but loveable. The books have me reading frequently because I can’t wait to see what happens next.
September 12, 2020
Margaret Lashley is becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are witty and so funny. The supporting characters are hysterical and gross at the same time. These books are so much fun to read. I'm never, ever disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews