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Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper #2
High Heels are Murder
From the Agatha Award-Winning Author of Dying In Style
Every job has its pluses and minuses. Josie Marcus gets to shoe-shop-but she also must deal with men like Mel Poulaine, who's too interested in handling women's feet. Soon Josie's been hired by Mel's boss to mystery-shop the store, but one step leads to another and Josie finds herself in St. Louis's seedy underbelly. Caught up in a web of crime, Josie hopes against hope that she won't end up murdered in Manolos.
278 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2006
87 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Viets
84 books570 followersAs a young girl, Elaine Viets was taught the virtues of South St. Louis: the importance of hard work, housecleaning, and paying cash. She managed to forget almost everything she learned, which is why she turned to mystery writing.
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 30, 2012
I'm enjoying Elaine Viet's mystery shopper series as much as her dead end job series. I knew there were mystery shoppers but I didn't know there were mystery shopper professionals. I thought they were all just random assignments people could sign up for. I had a friend who did 2 or 3 assignments that she was randomly selected for, kind of like jury duty. In this book, the 2nd in the series, a shoe salesman is found murdered the day he has lost his job because of the mystery shopper's evaluation. This book explores the world of men with foot and shoe fetishes. It boggled my mid western mind, I never knew there were men out there who are seriously turned on by feet and shoes. Oh my, the things I learned.
Read
March 27, 2018Ok it been a while since i have read Elaine viets, soo.. what can recall is the funny moments in the book and talented writer. . I will do a mini review of the details
. I didn't know what a mystery shopper was and issues of the job. I miss Florida climate and cuture and a certain friend who lives there and enjoys cozy mysteries. .
I will have to get back to Elaine viets and cozy mysteries for lighter reading.
. I didn't know what a mystery shopper was and issues of the job. I miss Florida climate and cuture and a certain friend who lives there and enjoys cozy mysteries. .
I will have to get back to Elaine viets and cozy mysteries for lighter reading.
April 26, 2019
The plot moves quickly as the serious parts blended with humor. Seeing Josie's true personality and integrity made this a great story.
Josie enters the world of foot fetishes with the help of her BFF Alyce Bohannon. All this to earn a coveted chairperson appointment for her Mom by doing a favor for her nemesis neighbor Mrs. Mueller.
I am definitely reading the next in this series!
(on my Kobo F)
Josie enters the world of foot fetishes with the help of her BFF Alyce Bohannon. All this to earn a coveted chairperson appointment for her Mom by doing a favor for her nemesis neighbor Mrs. Mueller.
I am definitely reading the next in this series!
(on my Kobo F)
March 9, 2023
Rating 3.5 stars
Josie really knows how to get herself caught in a mess but boy I have to say her daughter is just too funny and sweet, mom was a little less annoying but still bothered me, as for the weird things that those guys were into wasn’t as crazy as to who they were but of course the twist was who the killer was which I’m sure some could have figured it out but the other secret that was also included. Wow you sure can’t trust anyone.
Josie really knows how to get herself caught in a mess but boy I have to say her daughter is just too funny and sweet, mom was a little less annoying but still bothered me, as for the weird things that those guys were into wasn’t as crazy as to who they were but of course the twist was who the killer was which I’m sure some could have figured it out but the other secret that was also included. Wow you sure can’t trust anyone.
June 2, 2012
Amusing. A cleaner, less funny, version of Evanovich, but still amusing.
A little preachy about gambling and I absolutely detest gambling (work enough
gas stations and gambling begins to churn your stomach). But it was fun and light.
A little preachy about gambling and I absolutely detest gambling (work enough
gas stations and gambling begins to churn your stomach). But it was fun and light.
September 27, 2021
An excellent cozy mystery that deals with single parent issues, working hard for a living and friendship. The book also deals with adult themes related to a particular addiction.
AND, if you want to laugh out loud, read her books! :-D
AND, if you want to laugh out loud, read her books! :-D
August 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this clean, cozy mystery. The protagonist, Josie, is definitely one of the good guys. Her neighbor’s grown daughter has always been perfect in the eyes of Josie’s mother until one day...
May 26, 2021
High Heels Are Murder is the second book in the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series by Elaine Viets and boy is it explosive !!! How do authors come up with such crazy ideas ??
Josie Marcus loves her job as a mystery shopper, mainly for the flexibility it allows her so that she can spend time with her daughter. Josie is able to drop her daughter Amelia off at school, go to whatever store she is assigned and then get back to pick up Amelia at school. Josie is able to have dinner with Amelia and help her with homework. Josie's mom, Jane, lives above them and there for them if Josie needs help.
In High Heels Are Murder Josie gets to mystery shop at Soft Shoe and try on expensive high heel shoes. She is assigned to get the top salesman, Mel, to wait on her and see how he treats her. There are complaints that Mel is a little off and more interested in the women's shoes and feet. Unfortunately Josie does catch Mel in the "act" and her report ends up getting the top salesman fired. And things go downhill rapidly when Josie finds out that he was murdered that same night and her neighbor's daughter is on the police's radar.
Josie and her neighbor, Mrs. Mueller, do not get along and it has been like that since Josie was a teenager. And Mrs. Mueller's daughter, Cheryl, can do no wrong and Josie has had to listen to her mother talk about Cheryl like she was a goddess. But everything changes when Mrs. Mueller asks Josie for her help proving her precious daughter is innocent.
So Josie and her best friend, Alyce, decide to follow Cheryl around to see what she is up to. They know that she is hiding something but they cannot figure out what.....and when they do, they have no idea what to do with the information they uncover......
Reader's will learn more than they ever wanted to learn about feet and the things men like about women's feet. The story will be crazy that you will not want to stop until Josie gets to the bottom of things. Viets ability to grab readers attention always amazes me and I cannot get enough of Josie !!!
I highly recommend the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series and know that readers will enjoy it as much, if not more, than I am. I cannot wait to see what Josie gets herself in the middle of next.....
Josie Marcus loves her job as a mystery shopper, mainly for the flexibility it allows her so that she can spend time with her daughter. Josie is able to drop her daughter Amelia off at school, go to whatever store she is assigned and then get back to pick up Amelia at school. Josie is able to have dinner with Amelia and help her with homework. Josie's mom, Jane, lives above them and there for them if Josie needs help.
In High Heels Are Murder Josie gets to mystery shop at Soft Shoe and try on expensive high heel shoes. She is assigned to get the top salesman, Mel, to wait on her and see how he treats her. There are complaints that Mel is a little off and more interested in the women's shoes and feet. Unfortunately Josie does catch Mel in the "act" and her report ends up getting the top salesman fired. And things go downhill rapidly when Josie finds out that he was murdered that same night and her neighbor's daughter is on the police's radar.
Josie and her neighbor, Mrs. Mueller, do not get along and it has been like that since Josie was a teenager. And Mrs. Mueller's daughter, Cheryl, can do no wrong and Josie has had to listen to her mother talk about Cheryl like she was a goddess. But everything changes when Mrs. Mueller asks Josie for her help proving her precious daughter is innocent.
So Josie and her best friend, Alyce, decide to follow Cheryl around to see what she is up to. They know that she is hiding something but they cannot figure out what.....and when they do, they have no idea what to do with the information they uncover......
Reader's will learn more than they ever wanted to learn about feet and the things men like about women's feet. The story will be crazy that you will not want to stop until Josie gets to the bottom of things. Viets ability to grab readers attention always amazes me and I cannot get enough of Josie !!!
I highly recommend the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series and know that readers will enjoy it as much, if not more, than I am. I cannot wait to see what Josie gets herself in the middle of next.....
September 21, 2014
Elaine Viets is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, thanks to her "Dead End Job" series, and now this title in the "Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper" series.
Combining the fun of mystery shopping with the dark side of foot fetishes, Josie has to mystery shop Soft Shoe, where salesman Mel Poulaine is accused of fondling female shoppers' feet. She catches him in flagrante, and files the report that gets him fired - and next thing you know the man's found dead. Thankfully Josie isn't implicated, but her neighbor's perfect daughter, Cheryl, is. Cranky Mrs. Mueller - she of the twitching front curtains, always judging Josie's mystery shopper lifestyle and disguises - hires Josie to exonerate her daughter. Naturally, Josie discovers more than she bargained for while tailing "perfect" Cheryl across St. Louis.
A great little cozy mystery that explores the seedy underbelly of suburbia and what desperate rich housewives will sometimes do to earn a quick buck. Highly recommended.
Combining the fun of mystery shopping with the dark side of foot fetishes, Josie has to mystery shop Soft Shoe, where salesman Mel Poulaine is accused of fondling female shoppers' feet. She catches him in flagrante, and files the report that gets him fired - and next thing you know the man's found dead. Thankfully Josie isn't implicated, but her neighbor's perfect daughter, Cheryl, is. Cranky Mrs. Mueller - she of the twitching front curtains, always judging Josie's mystery shopper lifestyle and disguises - hires Josie to exonerate her daughter. Naturally, Josie discovers more than she bargained for while tailing "perfect" Cheryl across St. Louis.
A great little cozy mystery that explores the seedy underbelly of suburbia and what desperate rich housewives will sometimes do to earn a quick buck. Highly recommended.
June 29, 2012
If you love good cozies, you'll enjoy High Heels Are Murder, the second installment in the Josie Marcus series. Josie Marcus, a single mom, is a mystery shopper to make ends meet. We really do feel for her and her situation, especially with her pesky neighbors from hell. But this one, we witness a possible match--or mismatch--with her boyfriend Josh. I do feel for her some more, when her heart's broken as she discovered how he lied to her. We see how devoted to her mom and how close she cherished her relationship with her best friend Alyce. We see how she loves her daughter Amelia and protects her from harm, as she grows up. She does get into danger, when she learns of a murder and finds out who's done it. She does go over her head and in too deep of trouble, when she discovers who it is with a shocking twist. Lots of drama with twists and turns and shocking revelations.
August 16, 2012
#2 in the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series. Josie is supposed to find out if a shoe salesman has too much interest in his customers' feet. Interesting sidelight - who knew that there was a subset of foot fetishists, "pedal pushers", who get off on watching a woman depress the gas pedal on a car.
Mystery Shopper series - Every job has its pluses and minuses. Josie Marcus gets to shoe-shop-but she also must deal with men like Mel Poulaine, who's too interested in handling women's feet. Soon Josie's been hired by Mel's boss to mystery-shop the store, but one step leads to another and Josie finds herself in St. Louis's seedy underbelly. Caught up in a web of crime, Josie hopes against hope that she won't end up murdered in Manolos.
Mystery Shopper series - Every job has its pluses and minuses. Josie Marcus gets to shoe-shop-but she also must deal with men like Mel Poulaine, who's too interested in handling women's feet. Soon Josie's been hired by Mel's boss to mystery-shop the store, but one step leads to another and Josie finds herself in St. Louis's seedy underbelly. Caught up in a web of crime, Josie hopes against hope that she won't end up murdered in Manolos.
August 14, 2017
Who knew there were so many different ways that shoes could be kinky?
Josie Marcus gets talked into doing a favor for her childhood nemesis, Cheryl, by Josie's mother, who needs CHERYL's mother's patronage to become chairperson of a couple of church committees. Little does Josie know that she will be drawn into a web of gambling, foot-fetishists, a ring of housewife-hookers who don't REALLY have sex, and blackmail by DVD.
Josie Marcus gets talked into doing a favor for her childhood nemesis, Cheryl, by Josie's mother, who needs CHERYL's mother's patronage to become chairperson of a couple of church committees. Little does Josie know that she will be drawn into a web of gambling, foot-fetishists, a ring of housewife-hookers who don't REALLY have sex, and blackmail by DVD.
December 24, 2011
This book, the second in the series, was much better than the first one. I think I liked it that Josie herself wasn't actually accused of murder or a crime, she was investigating one. I like the interaction between Josie and her best friend Alyson, and their attempts at sleuthing. Fun, quick, read.
October 23, 2020
Did you ever want to be a mystery shopper? Sounds good until you have to deal with some of the sleazy salespeople that you need to deal with. Josie's job is checking out a shoe salesman who is definitely on the sleazy side. After he is fired Josie gets entangled in all types of activities and seeing what desperate housewives are up to.
April 5, 2022
High Heels are Murder by Elaine Viets is the second book in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper Mystery series. Josie is a mystery shopper. You would think that would be fun, right? Not so much this time. Creepy shoe salesman ends up dead and Josie has to solve the murder. Cute story keeps your interest through the whole book. Great series! Can’t wait to read the next one.
January 19, 2022
Fun Mystery
This is another cozy mystery based in St. Louis. This is book 2 in a series of a single mom finding crime all around. The story is far fetched about secret foot-fetish men hiring women needing money. Friendship, family and morals fill the pages.
This is another cozy mystery based in St. Louis. This is book 2 in a series of a single mom finding crime all around. The story is far fetched about secret foot-fetish men hiring women needing money. Friendship, family and morals fill the pages.
January 20, 2022
Well worth the read. Josie is wonderfully written and I absolutely love her mother and daughter. There were interesting conversations with them and Elaine has made me want to read more about Josie. Cannot wait to grab the next one!
February 1, 2022
Loving this series
If you're a fan of Evanovich then you'll love this author. Viets' main character Josie Marcus is so relatable. The mystery shopping angle is fresh and humorous. I'm really enjoying this series.
If you're a fan of Evanovich then you'll love this author. Viets' main character Josie Marcus is so relatable. The mystery shopping angle is fresh and humorous. I'm really enjoying this series.
February 5, 2022
Very different
The mystery shopper is shopping shoes this time. Last time, it was purses and other accessories. Some interesting views of a few shallow rich and their lifestyles.
The mystery shopper is shopping shoes this time. Last time, it was purses and other accessories. Some interesting views of a few shallow rich and their lifestyles.
May 1, 2020
This was a fun book to read even if it wasn't heavy on the mystery shopping. Can't wait to see what happens to Josie next. #readforkimberly
February 9, 2020
Loved it could not put it down, read it today on the bus to gamble place in 2 hours. Cant wait to read the rest of the series.
October 24, 2021
This book was such an interesting read.
I love the characters and the funny escapades they find themselves in. The murderer was well hidden until the end.
I love the characters and the funny escapades they find themselves in. The murderer was well hidden until the end.
February 8, 2022
Another good book in the mystery shopper series. You never know what secrets you will uncover in a mystery shopping assignment. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 25, 2025
An interesting "who done it"
The reason that I picked this book to read is that I am also a mystery shopper. But I have never gotten into the situations like the main character in this book has. Murder, lies, deception and more. It's all here. And she solves the crime as well.
The reason that I picked this book to read is that I am also a mystery shopper. But I have never gotten into the situations like the main character in this book has. Murder, lies, deception and more. It's all here. And she solves the crime as well.
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August 22, 2024loved it
May 17, 2024
This was a lot of fun!! I like this author’s humour and these books may not look like it at first, but they are quite witty. And while sometimes I feel a bit too sad for the main characters being always so out of luck and for their sad surroundings with horrible people, I didn’t feel that too much this time.
Josie and Alyce run around talking to many people, making mistakes and break-throughs, so you never end up being bored. The fact that they are bringing to light so much bad stuff about the mean neighbours is so satisfying!
It’s also nice how Josie’s life is present in the story, but never too overwhelming. Amelia appears a bit, but not too much. Jane is quite important here as she is the one pushing Josie to investigate. I really don’t like her much, she put all her failed dreams on her daughter and then blamed her for not living up to that. Well, sorry if you are a screw-up, but that’s so your fault and not Josie’s! I can’t imagine how horrible it would be to have her as a mother.
The romance was also so
The St. Louis described here is such a terrible place! Foot fetishes, rich horrible people cheating, lies, everyone unhappy with their lives, vices. And that honestly is a bit depressing but makes for a fun backdrop, as every person Josie meets has some secret to uncover. And the mystery is not so easy to solve, I had some ideas but it was hard to tell, so I was pleasantly surprised when it all came down.
Josie and Alyce run around talking to many people, making mistakes and break-throughs, so you never end up being bored. The fact that they are bringing to light so much bad stuff about the mean neighbours is so satisfying!
It’s also nice how Josie’s life is present in the story, but never too overwhelming. Amelia appears a bit, but not too much. Jane is quite important here as she is the one pushing Josie to investigate. I really don’t like her much, she put all her failed dreams on her daughter and then blamed her for not living up to that. Well, sorry if you are a screw-up, but that’s so your fault and not Josie’s! I can’t imagine how horrible it would be to have her as a mother.
The romance was also so
The St. Louis described here is such a terrible place! Foot fetishes, rich horrible people cheating, lies, everyone unhappy with their lives, vices. And that honestly is a bit depressing but makes for a fun backdrop, as every person Josie meets has some secret to uncover. And the mystery is not so easy to solve, I had some ideas but it was hard to tell, so I was pleasantly surprised when it all came down.
August 12, 2022
Ein schöner Shopping-Cosy-Krimi
Vom Shoppen in die dunkelsten Ecken von St. Louis
Josies Job hat einige große Vorteile - wie zum Beispiel, dass sie fürs Schuhe kaufen bezahlt wird. Aber auf der anderen Seite gibt es auch Schurken, mit denen man zu tun hat ... wie den Verkäufer Mel Poulaine. Sein Arbeitgeber, der schicke Soft Shoe Store, denkt, dass der Absatz ein bisschen zu sehr an seinem Beruf interessiert ist - nämlich am Umgang mit den nackten Füßen von Frauen. Also heuern sie Josie an, um ihr Geschäft in St. Louis zu überprüfen und herauszufinden, ob Mel entlassen werden sollte. Aber eins führt zum anderen, und Josie findet sich in St. Louis' zwielichtiger Schattenseite wieder. Schon bald wird sie in ein Netz aus Glücksspiel, Erpressung und wirklich verzweifelten Hausfrauen verwickelt. Und sie hofft gegen jede Hoffnung, dass sie nicht in Manolos ermordet wird ...
Das Cover ist wieder wunderschön und gefällt mir sehr. Der Schreibstil ist wieder schön flüssig und ohne Stolperstellen. Ein schöner Shopping-Cosy-Krimi wo Josie wieder ganz in ihrem Element ist. Ich hab sie richtig lieb gewonnen. Auf jeden Fall ein Cosy-Krimi für alle, die das Genre gerne lesen. Ich mich jedenfalls schon auf den 3. Band.
Vom Shoppen in die dunkelsten Ecken von St. Louis
Josies Job hat einige große Vorteile - wie zum Beispiel, dass sie fürs Schuhe kaufen bezahlt wird. Aber auf der anderen Seite gibt es auch Schurken, mit denen man zu tun hat ... wie den Verkäufer Mel Poulaine. Sein Arbeitgeber, der schicke Soft Shoe Store, denkt, dass der Absatz ein bisschen zu sehr an seinem Beruf interessiert ist - nämlich am Umgang mit den nackten Füßen von Frauen. Also heuern sie Josie an, um ihr Geschäft in St. Louis zu überprüfen und herauszufinden, ob Mel entlassen werden sollte. Aber eins führt zum anderen, und Josie findet sich in St. Louis' zwielichtiger Schattenseite wieder. Schon bald wird sie in ein Netz aus Glücksspiel, Erpressung und wirklich verzweifelten Hausfrauen verwickelt. Und sie hofft gegen jede Hoffnung, dass sie nicht in Manolos ermordet wird ...
Das Cover ist wieder wunderschön und gefällt mir sehr. Der Schreibstil ist wieder schön flüssig und ohne Stolperstellen. Ein schöner Shopping-Cosy-Krimi wo Josie wieder ganz in ihrem Element ist. Ich hab sie richtig lieb gewonnen. Auf jeden Fall ein Cosy-Krimi für alle, die das Genre gerne lesen. Ich mich jedenfalls schon auf den 3. Band.
February 9, 2022
This is the second book in the Mystery Shopper Series. Josie Marcus is a mystery shopper which works out perfectly for her because it allows her to pick up her daughter from school and have an adjustable schedule. In this book she is assigned to mystery shop a shoe store where there have been complaints about him. She shops his store and discovers him doing something nasty to her shoes in the backroom and he is fired. That night he dies. Josie's nemesis Cheryl (formerly, Mueller) is discovered to be in Mel's house when he is killed. How Josie discovers the real killer and upsets Cheryl's supposedly perfect life makes for a great read. I really enjoyed this one. Foot fettishes were a new one on me but enjoyed the mystery. The author writes great cozy mysteries and I always end up laughing while reading these books. Really enjoying this series so far.
October 28, 2023
High heels are murder.
Josie Mystery Shopper
ELAINE VIETS
Review by Author Roy Murry
Fetishes go amok after Josie completes a job as a mystery shopper at a women's shoe store. The store salesman who waited on her gets canned after she reports his strange cleaning of her shoes in the storeroom.
Even stranger is the man's murder that evening. How Josie gets involved with investigating the case is another conundrum, considering the person she is helping – her neighbor's daughter, who was arrested for the killing.
The salesman is wealthy, and many of the store's clients are entertaining at his massive house in a gated community. Josie and her long-time friend Alyce, side-kick, discover that bizarre occurrences played out numerous times.
Those weird taped events led to the demise of the salesman. How it happened makes a good read, with even a love story brewing.
Josie Mystery Shopper
ELAINE VIETS
Review by Author Roy Murry
Fetishes go amok after Josie completes a job as a mystery shopper at a women's shoe store. The store salesman who waited on her gets canned after she reports his strange cleaning of her shoes in the storeroom.
Even stranger is the man's murder that evening. How Josie gets involved with investigating the case is another conundrum, considering the person she is helping – her neighbor's daughter, who was arrested for the killing.
The salesman is wealthy, and many of the store's clients are entertaining at his massive house in a gated community. Josie and her long-time friend Alyce, side-kick, discover that bizarre occurrences played out numerous times.
Those weird taped events led to the demise of the salesman. How it happened makes a good read, with even a love story brewing.
March 16, 2012
High Heels are Murder was the first book that I have read by Viets, and I have to say that it was a quick enjoyable read. Josie finds herself mystery shopping in a shoe store that ends with her getting the clerk fired. The next day she finds out that not only was the shoe salesman dead but that the man had been loaded. Thus jumpstarts a mystery that takes Josie on many twists and turns. Viets does a great job with her character development of Josie who by the end of the book doesn't make the same mistake she made when she was younger. Josie's mother, daughter, and best friend are great secondary characters who add to the story. Overall this was a fun read, and if you like humor and shopping with your mystery I would recommend giving this book a try.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews