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A Writer for Hire Mystery #2
Writing a Wrong
Writer for Hire Veronica Blackstone's latest client is found dead and police suspect a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn't convinced in this intriguingly plotted mystery.
As a writer for hire, Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others. That includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.
Debonair, charismatic, handsome, Tony seems like the last person who'd need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does . . . only, Tony owes her money and won't tell her anything about the woman she's writing the love letters for. That's not how Veronica normally works.
When Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn't convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?
As a writer for hire, Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others. That includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.
Debonair, charismatic, handsome, Tony seems like the last person who'd need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does . . . only, Tony owes her money and won't tell her anything about the woman she's writing the love letters for. That's not how Veronica normally works.
When Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn't convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2020
18 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Betty Hechtman
33 books720 followersI grew up on the south side of Chicago and in a very busy weekend, got married, graduated college and moved to Los Angeles.
Although my degree is in Fine Arts, all I ever wanted to be was a writer and I've been doing it in one form or another for as long as I can remember. My shining moments in elementary and high school always involved stories or poetry I'd written. I wrote news stories and a weekly column in my college newspaper. My first job out of college was working on the newsletter of a finance company. I worked for a public relations firm and wrote press releases and biographies. Later I wrote proposals for video projects and television shows that went through various stages of development.
I tried writing screenplays and wrote three. I sold one and another was a winner in a Writers' Digest contest.
I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom and did all kinds of volunteering at my son's schools including editing and writing several newsletters.
I wrote essays and small pieces that ran in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News and Woman's Day among others. My short romantic and mystery fiction appeared in Woman's World, and Futures magazine.
From time I was a thirteen-year-old babysitter cooking for the kids I babysat, I dreamed of writing a book about babysitting. It took a little longer than I'd expected, but BLUE SCHWARTZ AND NEFERTITI'S NECKLACE was published in 2006.
My affair with crochet began in Las Vegas. I had always had a fascination with crochet, particularly granny squares, but thought there was some magic involved with making them that was beyond me. And then everything changed that day in Vegas when I saw the kids' kit in FAO Schwartz. If the instructions were easy enough for kids, I thought they might work for me.
My first granny square was missing a corner, but when I tried again, all four corners were there. I was in awe of my own accomplishment. I had found the magic. I went granny square crazy until pretty soon I didn't need directions anymore. Then I learned there were more squares than just basic grannies and I made squares with sunflowers in the middle and other patterns. I moved beyond squares and made flowers, hearts, bookmarks and more.
I was in love with crochet and began to make scarves, purses, afghans, and shawls. I started carrying my hooks everywhere. A plane trip became a pile of granny square wash cloths, or part of a shawl. A vacation in Hawaii turned into a tote bag.
And now I get to write about it...
** Sourced from authors website
Series:
* A Crochet Mystery
* Yarn Retreat
Although my degree is in Fine Arts, all I ever wanted to be was a writer and I've been doing it in one form or another for as long as I can remember. My shining moments in elementary and high school always involved stories or poetry I'd written. I wrote news stories and a weekly column in my college newspaper. My first job out of college was working on the newsletter of a finance company. I worked for a public relations firm and wrote press releases and biographies. Later I wrote proposals for video projects and television shows that went through various stages of development.
I tried writing screenplays and wrote three. I sold one and another was a winner in a Writers' Digest contest.
I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom and did all kinds of volunteering at my son's schools including editing and writing several newsletters.
I wrote essays and small pieces that ran in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News and Woman's Day among others. My short romantic and mystery fiction appeared in Woman's World, and Futures magazine.
From time I was a thirteen-year-old babysitter cooking for the kids I babysat, I dreamed of writing a book about babysitting. It took a little longer than I'd expected, but BLUE SCHWARTZ AND NEFERTITI'S NECKLACE was published in 2006.
My affair with crochet began in Las Vegas. I had always had a fascination with crochet, particularly granny squares, but thought there was some magic involved with making them that was beyond me. And then everything changed that day in Vegas when I saw the kids' kit in FAO Schwartz. If the instructions were easy enough for kids, I thought they might work for me.
My first granny square was missing a corner, but when I tried again, all four corners were there. I was in awe of my own accomplishment. I had found the magic. I went granny square crazy until pretty soon I didn't need directions anymore. Then I learned there were more squares than just basic grannies and I made squares with sunflowers in the middle and other patterns. I moved beyond squares and made flowers, hearts, bookmarks and more.
I was in love with crochet and began to make scarves, purses, afghans, and shawls. I started carrying my hooks everywhere. A plane trip became a pile of granny square wash cloths, or part of a shawl. A vacation in Hawaii turned into a tote bag.
And now I get to write about it...
** Sourced from authors website
Series:
* A Crochet Mystery
* Yarn Retreat
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 1, 2021
4.5 STARS
Veronica Blackstone is a writer ... not only of a book, but also writes letters for others, advertising, anything that requires words. A writer for hire.
She also writes romantic letters for a member of her writing class. He says he needs help in the romance department, so she writes the letters, he copies them and sends or hands to his girlfriend .. so he says. He won't share the girl's name or any other personal info. Veronica is not sure what to think of him.
When Tony is found dead, it is assumed it was a robbery gone bad. Veronica thinks there is much more to it than that. He was using an assumed name.. why lie? Who were the letters for .. and could they hold the key to his death?
Veronica, being who she is, will not rest until she learns the truth.
It's a well-crafted story with a solid plot. There's not a lot of suspense, but the mystery is engaging. What really kept my eyes to the page were Veronica's interactions with the people in her neighborhood, neighbors, the working people, those who are starting businesses or trying to improve their businesses. The descriptions that Veronica uses in her field of work are marvelous. There is much humor, as well as a touch of romance. This is send in the series and works well as a stand alone. I would recommend reading in order .. this is a great series to follow.
Many thanks to the author / Canongate Books / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this cozy mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Veronica Blackstone is a writer ... not only of a book, but also writes letters for others, advertising, anything that requires words. A writer for hire.
She also writes romantic letters for a member of her writing class. He says he needs help in the romance department, so she writes the letters, he copies them and sends or hands to his girlfriend .. so he says. He won't share the girl's name or any other personal info. Veronica is not sure what to think of him.
When Tony is found dead, it is assumed it was a robbery gone bad. Veronica thinks there is much more to it than that. He was using an assumed name.. why lie? Who were the letters for .. and could they hold the key to his death?
Veronica, being who she is, will not rest until she learns the truth.
It's a well-crafted story with a solid plot. There's not a lot of suspense, but the mystery is engaging. What really kept my eyes to the page were Veronica's interactions with the people in her neighborhood, neighbors, the working people, those who are starting businesses or trying to improve their businesses. The descriptions that Veronica uses in her field of work are marvelous. There is much humor, as well as a touch of romance. This is send in the series and works well as a stand alone. I would recommend reading in order .. this is a great series to follow.
Many thanks to the author / Canongate Books / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this cozy mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 16, 2022
Veronica has such an interesting life and career. I'm a little jealous of the way people keep pushing food in front of her to try. The mystery was well-written and kept me guessing but Veronica herself is a little too rigid and boring. Also, the constant harping about cliches is annoying. The friendship with Ben feels forced and unbelievable. Otherwise, this was a good distraction for a few hours.
December 18, 2021
Fun, but in need of a good beta reader. A lot of the author contradicting herself.
The story is a bit of a cautionary tale about con men. Interestingly, I was reading this book at the same time I was hearing about an acquaintance being involved with a shady guy who could possibly be lying about who he was. Fortunately, no money has exchanged hands. I think...
Anyway, not a terrible way to spend time reading, especially when I've just read a somewhat intense book prior.
The story is a bit of a cautionary tale about con men. Interestingly, I was reading this book at the same time I was hearing about an acquaintance being involved with a shady guy who could possibly be lying about who he was. Fortunately, no money has exchanged hands. I think...
Anyway, not a terrible way to spend time reading, especially when I've just read a somewhat intense book prior.
March 1, 2023
The editor should be fired. Within 6 sentences the main character is served her first cup of coffee twice. There’s so much repetition about how she dresses and who she is I felt deja vu every 10 pages. Every time she went out it was grey except for one day when it rained. I’m surprised by how many books this author has published as her writing style is what I’d expect from a middle schooler. Everything felt forced and it tied up neatly in the last few pages.
September 4, 2021
This is the second release in the charming new "Murder For Hire" mystery series by popular cozy author .Betty Hechtman. I enjoyed the first book and found it refreshing and fun to read about a writer that solves mysteries. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
Our protagnist is Veronica who uses her skills as a writer to write letters for other people. She writes advertising for local businesses and love letters . Her most recent clint is a bit shady and when he is murdered Veronica finds out he was not who he claimed to be. She is curious by nature and beings to investigate who he really was and what motives others may have had to kill him. The letters he wanted her to write may hold the clues.
Veronica is a very likable protagnist. I like her talent as a writer and how she decides to write for others. The sleuth was interesting to conclusion and the supporting charcters are al likable. A very enjoyable second in series.
Our protagnist is Veronica who uses her skills as a writer to write letters for other people. She writes advertising for local businesses and love letters . Her most recent clint is a bit shady and when he is murdered Veronica finds out he was not who he claimed to be. She is curious by nature and beings to investigate who he really was and what motives others may have had to kill him. The letters he wanted her to write may hold the clues.
Veronica is a very likable protagnist. I like her talent as a writer and how she decides to write for others. The sleuth was interesting to conclusion and the supporting charcters are al likable. A very enjoyable second in series.
September 3, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up
Veronica is a writer-for-hire, writing everything from promotional copy to apartment listings to love letters and anything in between. When one of her clients is found murdered, she wonders if the letters she wrote for him were a factor -- and if his killer will connect the dots and come looking for her.
This is the second book in a new series by Betty Hechtman, and I liked it more than the first book. Set in Chicago just as fall is thinking about turning into winter, the descriptions of walking in the cold were so vivid I shuddered several times, despite our current heat wave here :) I like Veronica, except for her *constant harping about not using cliches -- that got so old so quickly, it cost the book a half star in my final rating. I had a couple of suspects on my mental list, but the identity of the killer took me totally by surprise.
In the author's notes at the end of the book, it almost sounded like this book is the end of the series -- if you can call two books a series? I hope it's not, because I really would like to read more about Veronica and her friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Veronica is a writer-for-hire, writing everything from promotional copy to apartment listings to love letters and anything in between. When one of her clients is found murdered, she wonders if the letters she wrote for him were a factor -- and if his killer will connect the dots and come looking for her.
This is the second book in a new series by Betty Hechtman, and I liked it more than the first book. Set in Chicago just as fall is thinking about turning into winter, the descriptions of walking in the cold were so vivid I shuddered several times, despite our current heat wave here :) I like Veronica, except for her *constant harping about not using cliches -- that got so old so quickly, it cost the book a half star in my final rating. I had a couple of suspects on my mental list, but the identity of the killer took me totally by surprise.
In the author's notes at the end of the book, it almost sounded like this book is the end of the series -- if you can call two books a series? I hope it's not, because I really would like to read more about Veronica and her friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 2, 2021
One of Veronica’s - writer for hire - clients is killed. When a detective visits to interview her, she learns the man used an assumed name. Curious to know why he had her write love letters, and to whom, why he didn’t pay his bills and why he was killed, Veronica investigates.
In the mean time, Veronica has asked Ben, brother of her downstairs neighbour and a member of her writing group, to be her plus one to a party. They go out a few times to watch how couples behave, as input for figuring out how to behave as each other’s plus one. Apparently, while both of them have been married, they haven’t got a clue. o^O.
As a narrator Veronica is a bore. She wants to avoid clichés, but perhaps she should also consider not repeating the same information every time an opportunity to share comes up. Fair enough, I had at one point sort of forgotten what kind of deals she had set up with her various clients, but then, the dullness of the narrative had made me set aside the book for five days. I’m sure there is an optimum somewhere.
Also annoying: repeatedly it is mentioned the girlfriend found the body of the client and that this is thought of as suspicious. It isn’t. He was killed in her apartment. It would have been suspicious if she had not been to one to find him. “She was out of town for a week when her place was burgled and her boyfriend was killed? How convenient.” (Besides, it’s never the girlfriend - in cozies because it would be too obvious, in reality because women rarely kill their boyfriends.)
Anyway, I struggled through the story. Veronica’s snooping is mild. She learns most while working for her clients.
Two stars, because I don’t agree with Veronica’s assessment of how clever she was at figuring out who’d dunit.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
In the mean time, Veronica has asked Ben, brother of her downstairs neighbour and a member of her writing group, to be her plus one to a party. They go out a few times to watch how couples behave, as input for figuring out how to behave as each other’s plus one. Apparently, while both of them have been married, they haven’t got a clue. o^O.
As a narrator Veronica is a bore. She wants to avoid clichés, but perhaps she should also consider not repeating the same information every time an opportunity to share comes up. Fair enough, I had at one point sort of forgotten what kind of deals she had set up with her various clients, but then, the dullness of the narrative had made me set aside the book for five days. I’m sure there is an optimum somewhere.
Also annoying: repeatedly it is mentioned the girlfriend found the body of the client and that this is thought of as suspicious. It isn’t. He was killed in her apartment. It would have been suspicious if she had not been to one to find him. “She was out of town for a week when her place was burgled and her boyfriend was killed? How convenient.” (Besides, it’s never the girlfriend - in cozies because it would be too obvious, in reality because women rarely kill their boyfriends.)
Anyway, I struggled through the story. Veronica’s snooping is mild. She learns most while working for her clients.
Two stars, because I don’t agree with Veronica’s assessment of how clever she was at figuring out who’d dunit.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
May 6, 2023
I'm about halfway through this book, and I don't think I'm going to finish it. The main character is a 32-year-old woman, long since divorced from a brief marriage, living alone in the apartment (now a condo) that she grew up in, with a well-behaved cat. The condo is paid for so she is able to survive on what she makes as a free-lance writer for hire. She mostly seems to write advertising copy for local businesses in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. She also has a writing workshop in her dining room that she runs every Tuesday evening, and one of the five attendees is a cop whose sister lives downstairs and who is a potential romantic partner. She is afraid of becoming too set in her ways, and of putting on weight. Ho hum.
The writing is sloppy and repetitive. Supposedly this professional writer prides herself in not using clichés, but twice so far she has struggled to come up with another way of saying "sticks out like a sore thumb." Twice in the book and I'm only halfway through. She is also repeatedly described as realizing that she is not cut out to be a hard-headed businesswoman, which at least is true, she isn't. She comes across as feckless and not very bright.
As for the mystery, which is that one of her clients gets killed, so far, although it has nothing whatever to do with her, she seems to do her best to get embroiled in it and suspected by the cop in charge (not her potential romantic partner, at least). Most of the time in the book so far has been either about her interactions with potential new clients, or her interactions with the potentially romantic cop. The mystery hardly makes a dent in those two topics. I don't know what's going to happen in the story, and I don't care, which I should do by halfway in. This book appears to be written for those who like romance novels with a little something else thrown in. That is not me. Fortunately, I did not buy this, I only borrowed it from the library. I was sucked in by the fountain pen nib on the cover.
The writing is sloppy and repetitive. Supposedly this professional writer prides herself in not using clichés, but twice so far she has struggled to come up with another way of saying "sticks out like a sore thumb." Twice in the book and I'm only halfway through. She is also repeatedly described as realizing that she is not cut out to be a hard-headed businesswoman, which at least is true, she isn't. She comes across as feckless and not very bright.
As for the mystery, which is that one of her clients gets killed, so far, although it has nothing whatever to do with her, she seems to do her best to get embroiled in it and suspected by the cop in charge (not her potential romantic partner, at least). Most of the time in the book so far has been either about her interactions with potential new clients, or her interactions with the potentially romantic cop. The mystery hardly makes a dent in those two topics. I don't know what's going to happen in the story, and I don't care, which I should do by halfway in. This book appears to be written for those who like romance novels with a little something else thrown in. That is not me. Fortunately, I did not buy this, I only borrowed it from the library. I was sucked in by the fountain pen nib on the cover.
August 10, 2025
Twice, before even page 100, there were 2 goofs an editor should have spotted: getting served the same cup of coffee on p47 and p49, and telling her friend the same anecdote on p89 and p94.
Repetitive, esp the sad Chicago weather and local points of interest. OK, she loves her Hyde Park neighborhood, I get it.
I liked the idea of her occupation but it's improbable in several ways: Spotty income stream (luckily? her parents died and left her the condo) and the abundance of work without leaving the neighborhood.
Her friends clearly never heard "Loose lips sink ships." They all zealously overshare and the MC puts it all together.
Finally, the quasi-boyfriend. They need each other as plus-ones for parties; ok, practical. But they go out to dinners to observe behaviors of romantic couples so they will appear as a couple at these parties. Man, if that isn't the lamest excuse to either eat dinner or fake flirt...
Now that I've written this, I have to reduce the rating to 1. I picked this book off the library shelf (large print) because of the clever "writer for hire" premise (I wish I had that job) and because the book was in pristine condition. Our county library is overstocked with large print titles, but that's another story.
Repetitive, esp the sad Chicago weather and local points of interest. OK, she loves her Hyde Park neighborhood, I get it.
I liked the idea of her occupation but it's improbable in several ways: Spotty income stream (luckily? her parents died and left her the condo) and the abundance of work without leaving the neighborhood.
Her friends clearly never heard "Loose lips sink ships." They all zealously overshare and the MC puts it all together.
Finally, the quasi-boyfriend. They need each other as plus-ones for parties; ok, practical. But they go out to dinners to observe behaviors of romantic couples so they will appear as a couple at these parties. Man, if that isn't the lamest excuse to either eat dinner or fake flirt...
Now that I've written this, I have to reduce the rating to 1. I picked this book off the library shelf (large print) because of the clever "writer for hire" premise (I wish I had that job) and because the book was in pristine condition. Our county library is overstocked with large print titles, but that's another story.
September 2, 2021
Veronica is a ghost writer -- and also a novelist. She writes ad copy, menu descriptions, and love letters for others for pay and works on her second detective novel on her own. She also conducts a writing workshop. When a client of hers is found killed, she has to admit to herself that she was charmed by him into letting him use her office and get behind on his bill. As the story unfolds, we find she wasn't the only one. He sounds like a sociopath -- lying, keeping multiple girlfriends, conning people out of money, even trying a bit of extortion.
There are a fair amount of characters but they are nicely described so easy to keep track of. She and Ben, one of her writing workshop attendees, are dancing around a romantic relationship but their pasts keep making them hesitate.
Veronica is a bit odd, her thought processes and language a little awkward. But she's trying to be reflective about her life and future. The Chicago neighborhood and her building neighbors are well drawn and entertaining. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There are a fair amount of characters but they are nicely described so easy to keep track of. She and Ben, one of her writing workshop attendees, are dancing around a romantic relationship but their pasts keep making them hesitate.
Veronica is a bit odd, her thought processes and language a little awkward. But she's trying to be reflective about her life and future. The Chicago neighborhood and her building neighbors are well drawn and entertaining. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2021
Writing a Wrong
by Betty Hechtman
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
Canongate Books, Severn House
Mystery & Thrillers
I am reviewing a copy of Writing a Wrong through Canongate Books/Severn House and Netgalley:
Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others as a writer for fire. Which includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.
Tony seems like the last person who’d need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does, he’s debonair, charismatic as well as handsome. But Tony owes her money, and refuses to tell her anything about the woman she’s writing the love letters for. That’s not how Veronica normally works.
After Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn’t convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?
If you are looking for a good suspenseful read, I recommend Writing a Wrong.
I give Writing a Wrong five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Betty Hechtman
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
Canongate Books, Severn House
Mystery & Thrillers
I am reviewing a copy of Writing a Wrong through Canongate Books/Severn House and Netgalley:
Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others as a writer for fire. Which includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.
Tony seems like the last person who’d need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does, he’s debonair, charismatic as well as handsome. But Tony owes her money, and refuses to tell her anything about the woman she’s writing the love letters for. That’s not how Veronica normally works.
After Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn’t convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?
If you are looking for a good suspenseful read, I recommend Writing a Wrong.
I give Writing a Wrong five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
September 10, 2021
I like the freelance writer as a main character--I feel a kinship with her! I love when she gets caught up in the history of ice cream and is shortly reading about ice harvesting and more. I also really like the idea that working on the case is helping her work on her second mystery novel. One of the few reasons for investigating in a cozy mystery that I can really get behind!
This would be a four-star review except for one thing--the ridiculous idea that Veronica and Ben have to find other couples to observe and emulate in order to be each other's plus ones convincingly. Even if it's a thinly veiled way to flirt (which I'm not sure it's intended to be), those whole scenes are so awkward and silly that they take the book down to a 3.5 for me.
Still, I like the way the story switches from one of Veronica's clients to another, rapid-fire. I feel like it's a somewhat realistic view of the freelance. And the mystery is well-plotted! Without the emulating other couples thing, this would be 4 stars for me.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This would be a four-star review except for one thing--the ridiculous idea that Veronica and Ben have to find other couples to observe and emulate in order to be each other's plus ones convincingly. Even if it's a thinly veiled way to flirt (which I'm not sure it's intended to be), those whole scenes are so awkward and silly that they take the book down to a 3.5 for me.
Still, I like the way the story switches from one of Veronica's clients to another, rapid-fire. I feel like it's a somewhat realistic view of the freelance. And the mystery is well-plotted! Without the emulating other couples thing, this would be 4 stars for me.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this, and would like to give it a four star rating, but the book gets a little bogged down in the heroine Veronica's insecurities, and the clues drop like bricks as she struggles to figure out what happened to one of her writing clients. She wrote love letters for the man, as part of her general writing chores while she waits out her writer's block. But he lied to her--about his name, about his home, about his motivations. And she was just about to drop him as a client on the advice of her cop friend Ben. But she's busy with four new gigs for local businesses in the quaint Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago (clang, clang). And she's disturbed by the potential changes in her "just friends" relationship with Ben. Still, if she can do some snooping in her spare time, she will.
June 20, 2025
Veronica is busy holding her writing group and doing her own writing for her customers. She will pen whatever her clients need – love letter, menu descriptions, or ads for stores. She gave special consideration to one of her clients, and before she could collect on the money he owed to her, he was murdered. Of course, she gets drawn into the investigation, with dire consequences. Her friendship with Ben, a policeman, is undergoing some changes. This is an interesting cozy. It may not be a gripping mystery, but it is certainly entertaining. The characters are likable and well developed. The premise of a writer for hire for small jobs is a clever one, and takes Veronica to all kinds of venues.
August 17, 2021
Veronica is a novelist with writers block who makes a living writing smaller things for others. In this case it's love letters for Tony. He's not making it easy for her because he won't tell her anything about the intended recipient. But that doesn't matter when he's found murdered and it's revealed that Tony isn't his true name0- it's Ted. Veronica of course doesn't agree with the official position that he was killed in a robbery gone wrong and investigates- and she discovers there's a lot more to Tony/Ted's story. It's a nicely paced cozy with a good protagonist. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.
September 18, 2021
Betty Hechtman writes excellent cozy mysteries and this one didn't disappoint. It's the second in a series and it's even better than the first one that i loved.
I like Veronica, she's a clever and interesting woman who's working as freelance copy writer and teaching to a group of aspiring writers. I love her human side as much as i love her detecting.
The story is well plotted, enjoyable and highly entertaining. The solid mystery kept me guessing and it's full of twists.
I can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I like Veronica, she's a clever and interesting woman who's working as freelance copy writer and teaching to a group of aspiring writers. I love her human side as much as i love her detecting.
The story is well plotted, enjoyable and highly entertaining. The solid mystery kept me guessing and it's full of twists.
I can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 14, 2022
I checked out this book on a whim. It seemed like a light-hearted mystery and for the most part that's what it was. I think there's a book before this one in the series and maybe I should read it, but am not sure if I want to. I found the character to be a little hard to deal with and her work life. I think my issue with this book was the writing seemed choppy to me. She seemed to go about her life in a non-linear fashion or maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention to what was happening in the story and so it came off as being non sequitur.
November 8, 2021
A gorgeous Romeo who had been using Veronica's freelance writing talents turns up dead, so she decides it's up to her to investigate the murder.
Author Betty Hechtman really could benefit from a better editor. In one scene, she had Veronica's coffee arriving twice. There were other similar missteps in the book. Overall, though, Hechtman's "Writing a Wrong" sticks with her tried-and-true formula found in her Crochet Mystery and Yarn Retreat series.
Author Betty Hechtman really could benefit from a better editor. In one scene, she had Veronica's coffee arriving twice. There were other similar missteps in the book. Overall, though, Hechtman's "Writing a Wrong" sticks with her tried-and-true formula found in her Crochet Mystery and Yarn Retreat series.
March 29, 2022
A pleasant, old fashioned read. The crime barely registers, the characters are all so alike you have no sense of who is who and in the end I had to read back a little to understand who the perpetrator actually was, especially as the motive for the crime was completely underwhelming.
I am aware this does not seem like a good review but I did enjoy the book, I finished it and felt strangely comforted by it - but I have no doubt that I will have forgotten it in a week
I am aware this does not seem like a good review but I did enjoy the book, I finished it and felt strangely comforted by it - but I have no doubt that I will have forgotten it in a week
February 15, 2024
I am stunned at the number of spelling and grammatical mistakes in Betty Hechtman's books! It's as though she doesn't have a proofreader, an editor, nor went over the copy herself a million times, as authors do. It's exasperating, as well as exhausting, to have to read sentences over and over again just to make them make sense due to a lack of punctuation, or improper punctuation. The amount of useless details in her material is increasing as well. Future readers, consider yourself warned.
June 20, 2022
They just keep getting better!
I really enjoyed this second installment of the series. The premise of the book, is very believable and the characters interact and have such interesting lives. There isn't any of the ditzy, helpless female leads here. Just fun, smart folks that you would enjoy and like as friends and neighbors. A definite must read.
I really enjoyed this second installment of the series. The premise of the book, is very believable and the characters interact and have such interesting lives. There isn't any of the ditzy, helpless female leads here. Just fun, smart folks that you would enjoy and like as friends and neighbors. A definite must read.
June 13, 2021
An enjoyable series that is an easy fun read. The characters are interesting. The story moves along nicely. Am interested in her next adventure. Thanks #netgalley and #CanongateBooks and #SevernHouse for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2021
A very cozy cozy. A little too much fluff for my taste
October 24, 2022
Another winner. A great mystery with real characters becoming more fleshed out with this second book. Can’t wait to read book 3!
December 6, 2022
Vivid descriptions of Chicago and Hyde Park, likable but flawed characters and a challenging mystery with plenty of twists. From page one to the conclusion it was a captivating story.
March 17, 2023
Ben and Veronica's dynamic made this book especially worthwhile. 😊
March 25, 2023
I am really enjoying this series. I love the other series she does, as well
June 27, 2025
Great story line, yet anticlimactic at the same time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2021
Second book in the series, first time I've read one it. I never felt lost however. I did like the characters and the setting. I also like the MC's job, it was a little different than most. The mystery kept me guessing through most of the book. However, I didn't have any idea of why.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2022
Quick engaging read. So many descriptions of food and coffee. Enough to keep you wanting to snack as you read. It's in first person and there are some awkward sentences as well as one mistake I caught about someone's familial relation. Overall, a good book to read and cozy up with a hot cocoa.
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