Handbags & Hooligans

Presley Thurman #3

by Laina Turner

Presley went to Vegas to watch her friend Anna get married and the event turned into solving the mystery of her brothers girlfriend disappearance. But Ashley wasn’t exactly the schoolteacher she appeared to be. Who was she and was she kidnapped?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

Audiobook

First published August 29, 2011

About the author

Laina Turner writes clean small town romance and cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Her sweet romance novels feature mature, relatable characters finding love in charming small town settings. Her cozy mystery series stars quirky, lovable sleuths and their unforgettable pets.

A college professor by day and storyteller by night, Laina has been publishing feel-good fiction since 2009. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three dogs, and one cat who believes she is in charge.

If you love sweet romance, cozy mysteries, or just books that make you smile, follow Laina to be the first to know about new releases and deals.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 star read.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy
I just recently read Necklaces and Nooses and enjoyed a quick and fast-paced mystery. I was so ready to dive into another Presley Thurman mystery, and especially one that takes place in Vegas! Once again the action starts right away and really doesn’t let up throughout. There’s a teacher/stripper who has disappeared, illegal gaming, and a hot-or-not romance to entertain us throughout the pages. Just like with the previous book in this series, I thought this ended quite abruptly for how much build up we have, but still an enjoyable mystery read.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our fun-loving girl Presley Thurman is back and this time like Stephanie Plum , mysteries and trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes and this time it has followed her to Las Vegas - the city of Sin and Nightlife. Presley's best friend Anna has decided to elope and so Presley and her guy-pal are off to watch and witness the nuptials but of course there has to be an amazing bachelorette party and lots of fun . However, wherever Presley goes, the fun turns into mayhem and mystery. While in Vegas , they met up with Presley's brother and his new girlfriend Ashley and the vibe Presley is getting is that this might be the "one". The girls invite Ashley to their bachelorette party but she doesn't show and eventually turns out she is missing and her place has been ransacked. Checking out her place, it doesn't nessecarily scream school teacher but more stripper . As Presley delves deeper into Ashley's life - things aren't exactly adding up and it seems that the trouble is about to get way over her head. Enter Cooper - though him and Presley have been on the outs - he is still there for her and reminds me more of Joe than Ranger. Can Presley and Cooper find out the truth about Ashley and what will the impact be when the truth comes rolling out ?

For a fun-loving romantic comedy mystery and while you are waiting for the next Janet Evanovich book to arrive - why not check out Book #3 Handbags and Hooligans by Laina Turner today.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nasty Jeff not only finally popped the question to her bestie Anna, he agreed, and the parents agreed, that a Vegas wedding, with extras paid for the whole wedding party, would be cheaper, easier, and get things moving and over with.

So Presley is ready to jet off to Vegas with gay pal Jared and gal pal Anna - and a bonus is getting to finally meet the woman brother Jesse thinks might be THE ONE. For a guy who rarely dates anyone for long and who has never been into monogamy, Jesse seems to be really head over heels - and very committed - a totally unusual thing for him. And a grade school teacher? also way out of typical.

Naturally the trip proves to be all kinds of out of the ordinary. It is Las Vegas after all. Turns out brother Jesse is working for Simon, old army buddy of Cooper, PI plus sometimes beau of Presley. Jesse also seems to have some issues with gambling.

Friends of friends are able to help brother Jesse out of trouble, mostly, but his girlfriend is now missing.

So who is Ashley? Seems the school teacher has a strip club job to help pay down student loans.

Does Jesse have more unpleasant surprises in store - or maybe better ones? Can Presley and the gang get to Ashley before the baddies do - whoever the bad guys really are?

Jeff might go too far for redemption this time. Good for bestie Anna if she has finally decided to move on, and if she sticks to it.

Can Presley and Cooper make a go of it? How and where?

Never a boring read - awesome KU fun.

I received an advance copy of this book from Booksprout. I had previously read other books in this series on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited - and I find them great fun! Butt kicking adventure with humor, style, and occasional klutziness!

[Evelyn Grabas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read this book, it only solidifies my opinion that there are so many stories written that are good stories, but are ruined by the main characters portrayed. This is the second Presley Thurman book I have read. I did not particularly like that one due to the Presley character, but I felt I would give it another chance. Well, my mind is unchanged and Laura Turner will be added to my non grata authors.
Ms. Turner's heroine is an idiotic, annoying, brainless personage who flits all over the place without rhyme, reason or conscious thought. She is unable to give herself over to her feelings for Cooper due to her lack of maturity. She faulted Sweetie because he didn't give up his job for love of his girlfriend, but when Cooper asks her to go with him on a six month trial basis, all she thinks about is giving up her lackluster job, her apartment and her friends. Well, she finally agreed to do it, but, fortunately, I am not staying around to find out how that scenario turns out.
All in all, Ms. Turner has good storylines in her head, if only she would work a little more on her characters, she might write a good book.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before she can really start her new job as a Mary Kay consultant, Presley leaves town for Las Vegas. Her friend Anne has been involved in wedding planning, and she and her fiance decide to ditch all the plans and just run off to Vegas instead. Presley's younger brother lives in Vegas. Unfortunately, his girlfriend has gone missing, and it appears the brother has secrets as well.

Will they find the missing girlfriend? What secrets have been hidden . . . and by whom? Will the wedding still go off without a hitch? Does a new career await Presley in Las Vegas?

This book wasn't quite as humorous at the last one, but it was fun to get a little more insight into Presley's family. I like how the author has been setting up each book of the series with a prologue that describes a key scene that is relevant to the central mystery of the book.

If you have enjoyed the previous books in this series, you will enjoy Presley's next adventure.

I received a free copy of this book, but this did not affect my review.

[Sherri Geisler Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again we find Presley Thruman in the middle of a mystery when she travels with her best friends to Vegas for a wedding. Not long after their arrival her brother Jesse (who lives in Vegas) finds his girlfriend is missing. Of course Presley can't help herself and must get involved in the hunt. Ignore the obvious name dropping of high priced fashion brands and the obvious shallowness of the characters as they gush about brands that some of us couldn't afford in our dreams and probably haven't even heard of. And they dwell on a persons looks and such. Also ignore the many typo's, misspelled words, and other errors even the occasional continuity issues and read it anyway as it is at it's heart a good plot and story as have been the others before it. The fact that these same issues continue throughout the series is why I continue to give it less than 5 stars. On to the next for me as I am rather enjoying it in spite of all of those issues!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine is off to Vegas for a wedding, but things get complicated when her brother's girlfriend disappears. Strange things are afoot in Sin City.

This is book three in the series, but it functions perfectly well as a standalone. While it includes characters from previous books, you can easily pick up on the essential relationships needed to enjoy this story.

This is a cozy mystery featuring a somewhat ditsy PI, our heroine, who nonetheless seems to get the job done. Along the way, we are treated to a fun story with lots of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor. I found the plot easy to follow and very engaging as I tried to figure out what crazy thing our heroine was going to do next. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable read.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, but the editing in this series is still lacking. Was Jesse already gone from the apartment or did hr leave just after they got there? Who knows, it was said both ways within the same paragraph. Then, why would a waitress names Pricilla call Presley Pricilla, and why would Presley answer like it’s her name? Just things like that happening and it’s driving me a little crazy. I would have only given a 3 because of the editing, but I enjoyed the story enough to up by one. I can understand mistakes, but it’s like no one is checking any of the three in the series so far...and they all say they were re-edited, so I expect more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Presley heads to Vegas with Anna and Jared for Anna's quick wedding, bumping into Presley's brother Jesse, too, as he lives there. When Jesse's girlfriend goes missing and her apartment is torn up, Jared and Presley pretty much ditch Anna and try and help Jesse find his girlfriend, since he continues going to work.
SPOILER ALERT In the end, Presley decides to take Cooper up on his offer to take her with him on his road trips and give their relationship a six-month trial, wherein she'll try and write her book instead of running the boutique.
I can't seem to keep track of scene changes here: one line, they're sitting around the apartment, chatting, and the next, they're in a club or a bar, with no transition or page break. Jolting each time, for me.

[Annette Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome characters, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, surprises and chaos, misadventures and mayhem. A non wedding, a missing girlfriend, a noisy sister, and Las Vegas, what could go wrong? Eloping to Vegas, celebrating, clubbing, and one surprise after another, leads to drama and danger. Betrayal, mobsters, gambling, and kidnapping, then throw in good guys and evil ones, who can you trust? The groom gets cold feet, the bride gets even, the bridesmaid’s brother’s girlfriend is missing! Can they find her before it’s too late? Or will they join her? Does what happens in Vegas really stays in Vegas?

[Diana Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.c. Turner is a fantastic author

I am mad at myself, for not for reading any of her books before now. Once you start you too won So much time lost! I have enjoyed, the few books I have read already and can't wait to read more. The covers on her books, gives the impression of being all fluff and and nothing serious. Can't a book be all of those and maybe more? This book has a (who don't it) feeling and much more. Just enough for a light hearted feel ,and everything else. It kept me the guessing, until the last page. Onto book four. If you are new at this, then get busy and start reading...now!!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts out to be an adventure in Vegas to watch her best friend get married turns into Presley Thurman trying to hunt down her brother’s missing girlfriend Ashely. She soon discovers the mild-mannered school teacher is not who she appears to be and somehow is involved with drug dealers and illegal gambling.

Hold onto your hats as Presley and her friends are in for a bumpy ride. Expect lots of madcap adventure, mystery, suspense, and some tongue-in-cheek humor.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel as if Presley is trying to give me a heart attack with all of the difficult situations that she's in. With every book in the series thus far, it appears that Presley throws caution to the wind with every decion that she makes. This book brought back characters from the first and second books and introduced new characters. This book is filled with suspense and more action than the previous books. Can't wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page-turner

I read the newly re-written re-edited version. And it was so good! Well written, a real page-turner. Couldn’t put it down. The start felt effortless in a way that drew me in immediately. The mystery, a missing person’s case, was well developed. And the suspenseful ending had a twist I hadn’t expected, which is what I want in a mystery! Presley, the main character, is nosy and persistent, just as a good amateur sleuth should be! The big city setting isn’t typically cozy, but everything else is. I loved everything about this book.

[SpadesQueenTLF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegas or bust baby!

Written in the true fashion of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! This book is a wilder ride the others before it. Then what Vegas trip or vacation isn't meant to be a bit on the crazy side. This one happens to be a wedding trip, but proves to be no less crazy than all the other parties! From ciqdesol shows, to huge buffets to gentleman's clubs and casino's with high roller tables and penny slot machines this book has it all and transports you right into the heart of the main casino strip in Las Vegas. Very enjoyable read see for your and enjoy!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presley is heading to Vegas for a wedding and to see her brother. This is the 3rd book in the series and I'm beginning to think bad things tend to follow Presley wherever she goes. her brothers girlfriend goes missing but are things really the way they seem? The characters are interesting, the story line is good. This series is starting to grow on me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good crime fun

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s full of interesting personalities and jobs. It was a little insight to a new world for me. The plot is quite a good one and it has a romantic ending. There are the occasional spelling mistakes throughout the book which was disappointing, but overall it is good clean fun

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Presley and her friends head to Las Vegas for Anna’s wedding but things become complicated when her brother’s girlfriend goes missing. Laina Turner has created an entertaining and intricate mystery which I enjoyed. I recommend reading the Handbags and Hooligans, as well as the entire Presley Thurman series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Presley Thurman Mystery series. It's an interesting story with with fun characters a little humor. As much as I liked the book, I couldn't give it more stars because the editing was so bad. And sometimes the dialog is hard to follow (who is saying what).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than book 2, and Presley in this book was similar to the one in book 1. Looks like the author went back to her initial characterization.
Though I do understand in a way, Presley's mistrust in Cooper was almost annoying, especially when he was clearly trying to make things work. Finally, she agrees to give it a try, so I'll be reading the next book.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book, despite the bad guys, kidnappings, and guys being pointed at people. The characters are fascinating, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out what happened to Presley's brother's girlfriend and why. The answers are myriad and dangerous and well worth reading about.

[Jennie Ersari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery in Las Vegas

Presley goes to Vegas with her friends for Anna's wedding. Presley's brother Jesse introduces them to his girlfriend who then disappears. Presley and her friends are determined to find her.

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very good book and really enjoyed it. It has a great combination of murder, mystery, suspense and humor

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries. This is another wonderful story with great characters, a fabulous storyline, and a bit of humor. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story. Couldn't put it down. Exciting read. So good I need to get onto the next in the series to see what Presley is getting up to next.................

Go on ....... you won't be disappointed.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Another fun entry in the series, this time taking place in Las Vegas. I enjoyed the different setting with the same characters. The mystery was good and I enjoyed seeing how it all unfolded

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handbags & Hooligans (3)

This is a n awesome reading experience! I absolutely adore this writer! The scenes are very real but somehow better! The characters are truly amazing! The super duper scenarios are amazing! I think these stories are addictive but are super!

[Sandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery is interesting and the plot is well thought out. It is a bit slow for a mystery but I found it interesting enough to continue reading. The characters are well developed.

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given a free copy for a review. Entertaining and enjoyable. Loved the characters and the story.