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Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper #1
Dying in Style
Suburban single mom, Josie Marcus, loves being a secret shopper. But when she’s framed for the murder of a famous handbag designer, Josie discovers that secret sleuth might be a better fit…Josie’s excited about her latest mystery shopping the stores of St. Louis’s premier handbag designer, Danessa Celedine. A stunning socialite who frequently makes headlines with her hot Russian lover, Serge, Danessa sells exquisite purses to the rich and famous for a small fortune. Unfortunately, the Celedine shops aren’t nearly as dazzling as their clientele and Josie’s negative report could kill a lucrative deal to sell the handbag empire. Danessa swears it will also cost Josie her career.Businesses often live and die by Josie’s reviews, but when Danessa and Serge are found murdered, she’s suddenly linked to an actual homicide…as the chief suspect! Now, Josie will need all her secret shopper subterfuge to investigate the crimes, clear her name, and stop the killer from claiming another fashion victim.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2005
116 people are currently reading
1556 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 175 reviews
February 27, 2022
Josie works as a mystery shopper in the St. Louis area as her job. She was sent to a 3 store chain of high end stores that sell most handbags. She ended up giving all of them bad ratings for many reasons. The next day she gets called into the office and blasted by the owner saying she lied and is out to get her when Josie has never met her. Plus her boss told her that her report was confidential and no one would ever know who wrote it. (Liar)
Josie goes back to the last store which was the worse and she was told that the woman who waited on her didn't work there and they had no idea who she was. She enters the store and there is no one there so she goes into the back room and finds the owner dead. Naturally the cops think she killed her. Now Josie and her friend Alyce have to investigate themselves to prove she is innocent and that that woman who waited on her does exist.
I will continue with this series. I used to do mystery shopping for spare money and I picked the shops I wanted to do. They don't pay very much. I don't see how she can pay rent, put gas in her car, etc. I guess that's why they call it fiction.
Josie goes back to the last store which was the worse and she was told that the woman who waited on her didn't work there and they had no idea who she was. She enters the store and there is no one there so she goes into the back room and finds the owner dead. Naturally the cops think she killed her. Now Josie and her friend Alyce have to investigate themselves to prove she is innocent and that that woman who waited on her does exist.
I will continue with this series. I used to do mystery shopping for spare money and I picked the shops I wanted to do. They don't pay very much. I don't see how she can pay rent, put gas in her car, etc. I guess that's why they call it fiction.
October 20, 2011
What shopaholic doesn't want to read about a mystery shopper? Well, I almost abandoned this book half way through. I found most of the characters annoying and two-dimensional. However, Elaine Viets seems to have got more into her stride towards the end of the book, particularly where Josie and her mother's relationship was concerned, although Josie continues to make stupid decisions.
What drove me to distraction, however, was the appalling editing of the book. I lost count of the inconsistencies and contradictions in the story. In Chapter 9, Josie promises her daughter that she'll make the school book sale tomorrow. By Chapter 13, the book sale is that night, even though the chapter covers events occurring the same day as in Chapter 9. In Chapter 10, Josie's friend Alyce voices her suspicion that a neighbour had an affair with one of the murder victims. When another neighbour confirms the affair in Chapter 20, the news comes as such a surprise to Alyce that she spills her drink.
If the characterisation and editing improve, I'll stick with the series. If not, there are plenty of other cosy mysteries out there and, if I want to read more about the world of the mystery shopper, there's always Kate Harrison's Secret Shopper series.
What drove me to distraction, however, was the appalling editing of the book. I lost count of the inconsistencies and contradictions in the story. In Chapter 9, Josie promises her daughter that she'll make the school book sale tomorrow. By Chapter 13, the book sale is that night, even though the chapter covers events occurring the same day as in Chapter 9. In Chapter 10, Josie's friend Alyce voices her suspicion that a neighbour had an affair with one of the murder victims. When another neighbour confirms the affair in Chapter 20, the news comes as such a surprise to Alyce that she spills her drink.
If the characterisation and editing improve, I'll stick with the series. If not, there are plenty of other cosy mysteries out there and, if I want to read more about the world of the mystery shopper, there's always Kate Harrison's Secret Shopper series.
March 5, 2024
The main character is a mystery shopper which was interesting and new to me. The book is engaging and suspenseful. The mystery is good. I will read also the next book in the serie later.
April 12, 2021
Dying in Style is the first book in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper Mystery series by Elaine Viets and it sets the stage nicely for the series. Main character Josie Marcus is a single mom to her 9 year-old daughter Amelia but she has a lot of help from her mother, Jane. The three live is a duplex with Jane living above Josie and Amelia. Josie's job as a mystery shopper allows her to work around her schedule mostly so that she can be there for her daughter. Josie feels that she does a great job being fair to the places and the people that she is looking into until one job threatens everything !!
Josie is given the assignment to shop at three of the Danessa shops in three different malls. This is a high end accessory store featuring very expensive purses made by a high profile member of society, Danessa Celedine. Danessa is known for her purses as well as her donations to charities all over the St. Louis area. She is also in the spotlight a lot because of her relationship with a Russian God by the name of Serge. After Josie visits the three stores, she finds that none of them hold up to the high standard that they should and Danessa is in the middle of a deal to sell them for $50 million. She warns her boss Harry before she sends in the reports that they are not good but he encourages her to send them as is. The next day Josie is called into the office and confronted by Danessa herself. Danessa claims that the reports are incorrect and wants them changed but Josie won't do it which leads to a heated argument with threats made.
Before Josie can get another assignment Danessa and Serge are found dead....Serge at the house they shared and Danessa at one of the stores that Josie visited. When her fingerprints are found at the store, the detectives in charge of the case do not believe her story. Josie, with the help of her best friend, Alyce, decides she needs to find out who killed the power couple before her daughter loses her mom to jail.
I am a huge fan of Elaine Viets and I LOVED her Dead-End Job Mystery series and after reading this first book in this series, I am sure that I will be thoroughly engrossed in it. Viets know how to put words to paper attracting readers and you cannot help but fall for the characters and want to see them get out of the messes they get into.
Josie is given the assignment to shop at three of the Danessa shops in three different malls. This is a high end accessory store featuring very expensive purses made by a high profile member of society, Danessa Celedine. Danessa is known for her purses as well as her donations to charities all over the St. Louis area. She is also in the spotlight a lot because of her relationship with a Russian God by the name of Serge. After Josie visits the three stores, she finds that none of them hold up to the high standard that they should and Danessa is in the middle of a deal to sell them for $50 million. She warns her boss Harry before she sends in the reports that they are not good but he encourages her to send them as is. The next day Josie is called into the office and confronted by Danessa herself. Danessa claims that the reports are incorrect and wants them changed but Josie won't do it which leads to a heated argument with threats made.
Before Josie can get another assignment Danessa and Serge are found dead....Serge at the house they shared and Danessa at one of the stores that Josie visited. When her fingerprints are found at the store, the detectives in charge of the case do not believe her story. Josie, with the help of her best friend, Alyce, decides she needs to find out who killed the power couple before her daughter loses her mom to jail.
I am a huge fan of Elaine Viets and I LOVED her Dead-End Job Mystery series and after reading this first book in this series, I am sure that I will be thoroughly engrossed in it. Viets know how to put words to paper attracting readers and you cannot help but fall for the characters and want to see them get out of the messes they get into.
January 20, 2022
This was the first time I have read and Elaine Viets book. I should be ashamed of myself because I live in St. Louis where is is from. I am captivated by Josie and her ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time! The ups and downs of what happened and the twist at the end was very unexpected.
Well worth the read.
Well worth the read.
October 20, 2015
This series just gets gooder and gooder!!!
April 24, 2019
Entertaining first book in this series. Josie has a fun job as a mystery shopper, but now, she'll have to add amateur sleuthing to her resume. The mystery shopper concept is fun and appealing.
October 18, 2022
i love the idea of mystery shopping. it seems like it could be fun
December 8, 2022
A great series that is fun to read.
June 5, 2014
At first the premise of this book seemed to be really great. What's not to love about shopping? Unfortunately, I found this particular character particularly unlikeable, mostly due to the fact that she makes TSTL decisions. She seriously had NO common sense which doesn't make for a desirable crime-solver for me. This book read basically like a VERY BAD Janet Evanonvich novel... it has a very similar style to it, but poorly executed.
1/2 way through I was ready to put it in the DNF file but I ended up waiting for an appt while it was in my bag. The book does pick up for its somewhat predictable (and slapstick) ending.
I'm not sure whether or not I'll continue on with this series. I do have the first book to Viet's Dead-End Job series so I'll be trying that one out first before closing the door.
1/2 way through I was ready to put it in the DNF file but I ended up waiting for an appt while it was in my bag. The book does pick up for its somewhat predictable (and slapstick) ending.
I'm not sure whether or not I'll continue on with this series. I do have the first book to Viet's Dead-End Job series so I'll be trying that one out first before closing the door.
March 3, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
June 25, 2015
This was a fun read. Josie is a single mom who supports herself and her daughter working as a mystery shopper. She wears various costumes depending on what type of establishment she is reviewing. The descriptions of her outfits and experiences are pretty humourous. When she reviews an upscale accessory boutique that is possibly being bought out by a conglomerate, she gives it a horrible review. When the owner berates her and her boss puts her on leave, she is angry. The owner of the boutique turns up dead and guess who is suspected. Add in the life events of her mom and daughter and you have an enjoyable mix.
March 16, 2019
Originally published in 2005.
Excitement and danger as mystery shopper Josie Marcus, single mom, tackles a high end shop owner after her undercover identity is blown when her assignment report isn't kept a secret by her boss Harry. A report that points out glaring customer service problems as the chain is set to go up for public shares. Look out Josie! And people think it's all about the glamour.
For 2018-9 this isn't the latest in technology but based on the era it is an excellent book and potentially great series. I love Elaine Viets Dead End Jobs series, the original ones were so great I still read them again for a reminiscence of previous jobs I've had.
Excitement and danger as mystery shopper Josie Marcus, single mom, tackles a high end shop owner after her undercover identity is blown when her assignment report isn't kept a secret by her boss Harry. A report that points out glaring customer service problems as the chain is set to go up for public shares. Look out Josie! And people think it's all about the glamour.
For 2018-9 this isn't the latest in technology but based on the era it is an excellent book and potentially great series. I love Elaine Viets Dead End Jobs series, the original ones were so great I still read them again for a reminiscence of previous jobs I've had.
April 8, 2021
When Josie Marcus, Maplewood mystery shopper, is hired to shop the Danessa stores she is more worried about how her mother will feel than anything else. Danessa is supposed to be selling her business to a corporation and they are having the stores mystery shopped to make sure their are no problems before they acquire the stores. When Josie shops the stores and files a bad shopper report, she is threatened by Danessa. Then Danessa and her partner, Serge are killed and Josie is questioned by the police and they think she killed Danessa. How Josie discovers who killed Serge and Danessa makes for a wonderful, really entertaining story.
October 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! Josie was a fun character and it was cool to read about mystery shopping. I love Amelia and Jane was sweet, their living situation is nice and leaves Josie open to do investigation. Throughout the book I couldn't put my finger on the killer but no matter what I might have come up with I'd never have guessed the outcome. Very good ending! I'm excited about continuing the series!
October 14, 2021
Rating 3.5 stars
Josie was a fun character to read including mom and her best friend Alyce. I wasn't sure what was happening when she went fake shopping but damn did her troubles add up throughout the day. When her and Alyce decided to do some investigating on their own that's when lots of things started to get messy but also very interesting. I wonder what mess she will get into next.
Josie was a fun character to read including mom and her best friend Alyce. I wasn't sure what was happening when she went fake shopping but damn did her troubles add up throughout the day. When her and Alyce decided to do some investigating on their own that's when lots of things started to get messy but also very interesting. I wonder what mess she will get into next.
February 23, 2019
Not a fan of this trend of single women with HORRIBLE mothers who think that their lives are nothing without a man. Is there really as much emotional blackmail out in the world as there is in cozy mysteries? Because my gods and little fishes, if my family and friends tried to force me into something I didn't want, I would refuse. Be a grown up Josie.
August 14, 2017
Such and fun AND funny read! Josie and Alyce are my favorite best friend duo. Looking forward to digging and discovering more with this series. Highly recommend this series to my cozy mystery friends.
December 22, 2019
I hate shopping, but I love these books. Josie is funny, raunchy, and detail oriented. She actually solves mysteries instead of just being there at the right place and time. The "outside of the mystery" plot is realistic and entertaining. I highly recommend them for solve good light reading.
October 24, 2021
Entertaining
High-fashion purses, mystery and murder complicate the life of a mystery shopper, a single mom who is doing her best. This interesting mystery involves several suspects and motives.
High-fashion purses, mystery and murder complicate the life of a mystery shopper, a single mom who is doing her best. This interesting mystery involves several suspects and motives.
Read
October 27, 2021Very good.
The only complaint I have for this book is the language. Fortunately, it was only used a few times and not through the book. Otherwise, this book was outside the box from most cozy mysteries, and that may it rather unique. I would recommend!
The only complaint I have for this book is the language. Fortunately, it was only used a few times and not through the book. Otherwise, this book was outside the box from most cozy mysteries, and that may it rather unique. I would recommend!
November 1, 2021
Terrifyingly Silly
Who knew murder could be funny (in a sad, yet understandable way). Crazy loveable main characters. Semi-evil bad characters who get what they deserve. A zany plot with a death & near-death ending. Must read to understand how that works.
Who knew murder could be funny (in a sad, yet understandable way). Crazy loveable main characters. Semi-evil bad characters who get what they deserve. A zany plot with a death & near-death ending. Must read to understand how that works.
May 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read others in the series. #readforkimberly
May 27, 2017
This took I while to get into but I ended up liking it and will read the next in the series
September 5, 2017
Loved it! It was fun and entertaining, and kept me on the edge of my seat right until the very end.
February 28, 2018
well written. ..held my attention. ..will read more of these books!
March 13, 2019
so glad i discovered Elaine Viets. I just wish her books were available from library in kindle format instead of just pdf
June 14, 2019
Well written mystery with a touch of romance. Believable characters. Something going on throughout the story to keep your interest and turning pages.
June 16, 2020
A mystery shopper does battle with her boss, the client and her Mom and daughter. A lot to deal with plus investigate several deaths.
Good plot, fun characters.
Good plot, fun characters.
October 14, 2021
I read thorough the police coming to the house and doing a search without a warrant. NEVER let them in without the warrant.
Skipped to the last 2 chapters.
Ugh. Not even.
Skipped to the last 2 chapters.
Ugh. Not even.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews