Crazy, Stupid, Dead

Working Stiffs Mystery #7

by Wendy Delaney

Death was by drowning . . . but in her bathtub?

The crazy way Naomi died was all everyone talked about at her funeral.

Weeks later, the question remains: How could that nice old lady get herself into lethally hot water by mixing drugs and alcohol?

By all appearances, there’s nothing to indicate foul play.

But human lie detector Charmaine Digby knows that appearances can be deceiving.

When Char starts sleuthing, the strange truth surrounding Naomi’s puzzling death begins to emerge, but can she crack the case before the killer gets away with murder?

If you enjoy small town life, quirky characters of all ages, and a splash of romance, you’ll love Crazy, Stupid, Dead. Grab this fun cozy today and start reading!

Crazy, Stupid, Dead is book 7 in the award-winning Working Stiffs Mystery series.
While the books can be read out of order, starting with book 1 is recommended as some story threads run from book to book.

The Working Stiffs Mystery series:
Trudy, Madly, Deeply (#1)
Sex, Lies, and Snickerdoodles (#2)
There's Something About Marty (#3)
You Can’t Go Gnome Again (#4)
Dogs, Lies, and Alibis (#5)
No Wedding For Old Men (#6)
Crazy, Stupid, Dead (#7)

Genres: Cozy Mystery

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2019

About the author

Wendy Delaney writes fun-filled cozy mysteries and is the award-winning author of the Working Stiffs Mystery series. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America, she's a Food Network addict and pastry chef wannabe. When she's not killing off story people she can be found on her treadmill, working off the calories from her latest culinary adventure. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Wendy lives in the Texas Hill Country with the love of her life and is a proud grandma.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turning

Another fun, page turning installment in A Working Stiff Mysteries! Char stumbles across a suspicious death and starts investigating. Along the way she’s dealing with her past and her relationship with her Mother. Love Char, Steve, Marietta, and the whole Duke’s gang! This one will keep you guessing right till the end!

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best development yet

I've been disappointed in the character development throughout this series, but I'm glad to see Char moving away from obsessing about her weight to actually pay attention to some of the finer points of life. Using her psychology, the author gives me a much better understanding and appreciation for Char, and in would like to see the same for Steve moving forward.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun cozy mystery from Wendy Delaney. I always enjoy reading the Working Stiffs mysteries, with their great characters and interesting stories. She left a little question at the end of this book, and I look forward to reading her next one to see how it gets resolved.

[NANETTE T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed all seven books

Read them all couldn't put them down. Good suspense, romance, friendship and family relationships. Including love of animals, especially dogs.

[Cindy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything about this series, the characters, Charmaine "investigations" and her crazy life. Can not wait for the next book to come out!!

[Michelle Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each storyline gets better

You can’t help rooting for Charmaine and her sweetest beau! The Whodunit and Mother of all drama will keep you eager to see what's next!

[Patricia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters that constantly grow and change. The mysteries are amazing and clever. A very fun book/series to read.

[Lauretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Wendy Delaney's Working Stiffs series and always look forward to the next book in the series. In this latest book, life seems to be settling down for Charmaine and her family, as much as life is ever settled with Marietta as her mother. As she tackles the routine tasks of her job as Deputy Assistant Coroner, Charmaine is pulled in to what seems to be an accidental drowning. The victim is an elderly friend of her grandmother who apparently took medication, drank too much wine, and drowned in her own bathtub. It appears to be an open and shut case, but there are small details that just don't add up for Charmaine, and she quietly asks questions until she uncovers an unlikely killer who just wanted to help her family. On the friends front, Char's friends are having a baby, and even though her relationship with Steve seems more stable than ever, Charmaine is sad to think she may never experience motherhood. However, all's well that ends well, and with a stronger commitment to each other than ever before, Steve and Char open the door to becoming a family some day.

[Christie Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Baby

Char is on a new mission - find the real story behind what happened to a lovely old woman who drowned in her bathtub; she doesn't buy the official cause of death - that she mixed pills and wine. Of course, there are lots of "suspects", and lots of distractions, too. Her mother buys her a car, her best friend is having a baby at any minute, and her boyfriend wants her to drop the whole thing. In the end, of course, she figures it out, the murderer is arrested, and Rox has her baby. And Char gets her happy ending!

[Heather Chargualaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is happening now. Charmaine got through her mom's wedding. Steve said the 3 words she didn't know she wanted to hear and her best friend is due to have a baby any day now.
Char is trying to stay out of trouble, she is asked by a neighbor of an accidental death to prove its murder. Char just wants to stay out of trouble and not cause trouble with work, Steve and family.
Gotta read this installment as this Cozy series just keeps you reading. Love it!

[Vicki Huskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most suspenseful volume yet! I love this whole series, this is the best one yet! Wendy Delaney has found an ingenious way to tell the story with Char managing her actress mother, detective boyfriend and cafe owner crotchety great-uncle while sifting through rumors, gossip and gut instinct that this accidental death is anything but!

[Donna Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Stupid Dead is the 7th book in the Walking Stiffs Mystery series. I love these books! The storyline is entertaining while trying to figure out who did it before the end of the book! Reading a new adventure about Char and the gang is like meeting up with friends that you haven't seen in a while.

[Allicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mysterious death, Mother driving her crazy, BFF having baby anytime now and worrying that her boyfriend doesn't want kids. Just another day in Char's crazy life!! This book was worth the wait.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This series is just great fun. Eagerly anticipated this seventh installment and happily devoured it in one sitting! Love Char, Steve, Duke, and the rest of the wonderful characters!

[Lisa Norvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read

This is an excellent addition to the world of Charmaine Digby. These books are best read in order. Because the endings, while very satisfying, are also wonderful beginnings.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaney Does it Again

I think this is one of the best Working Stiffs Mysteries Ms Delaney has written to date. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to find out what happens next time.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in the series yet!! And the ending is wonderful!
Highly recommend! 🙂

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a surprise. The book was so interesting
it kept me reading all night. It also left a few questions unanswered. I am looking forward to the next story.

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series but this book I felt didn't capture me as the previous ones did.