What do you think?
Rate this book
Bad Hair Day #17
Styled for Murder
Hairstylist Marla Vail flushes out a killer when murder disrupts her mother’s home renovation plans in this stylish cozy mystery.
When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there’s a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn’t part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company’s staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?
Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla’s stepfather, Reed, who’s keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won’t come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she’s showered with suspicions, but nobody’s willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again.
To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder?
Recipes Included!
When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there’s a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn’t part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company’s staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?
Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla’s stepfather, Reed, who’s keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won’t come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she’s showered with suspicions, but nobody’s willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again.
To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder?
Recipes Included!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
14 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Nancy J. Cohen
40 books667 followersNancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and the RONE Award, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook, have won the FAPA President’s Book Award, the Royal Palm Literary Award, and IAN Book of the Year. Nancy’s imaginative romances have proven popular with fans as well. These books have won the HOLT Medallion and Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World. Visit her at NancyJCohen.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 15, 2021
Styled for Murder is the 17th Bad Hair Day Mystery. I have not read them all, but will eventually go back and read them all. Each mystery is self-contained, but the storyline involving Marla's life and family evolves along the way. In Styled for Murder, Marla's mother and step-father are having renovations done. When the foreman on the job is found dead in their new shower with one of Reed's ties around his neck, he becomes the main suspect. Marla's mom asks her to help by asking questions and doing what she does best by getting people to open up to her. As the story continues, more bodies turn up and Reed looks more and more guilty. Can Marla find the real killer?
I enjoy this series for several reasons. I love seeing Marla in her element. She is a business owner, a new mother, a step-mother, a relatively new wife, a daughter and sister, and each of these roles takes up part of her day to day life. Throw in her sleuthing, and I get tired just reading about it all. Marla is married to Dalton, a police detective who appreciates her talent to suss out information that people may not share with the police. Sometimes I wonder why people share so much, but she is very good at making people feel comfortable. This is an interesting mystery that has a few different components to it. I learned about renovation scams, garlic festivals, copper thefts, and propane and carbon monoxide poisoning. Marla's family always provide another thread to the stories and this one has her brother and his family dealing with some issues. I will say that the mystery itself had several suspects and I changed my mind a few times about who I thought the culprit was, but I did figure out who it was before the reveal. This did not reduce my enjoyment of the story one bit. Although it seems like there is a lot going on, Nancy J. Cohen does a wonderful job of bringing all these plotlines together for a satisfactory ending. This was another entertaining and enjoyable story that I recommend to those who enjoy a well plotted and written cozy mystery.
I enjoy this series for several reasons. I love seeing Marla in her element. She is a business owner, a new mother, a step-mother, a relatively new wife, a daughter and sister, and each of these roles takes up part of her day to day life. Throw in her sleuthing, and I get tired just reading about it all. Marla is married to Dalton, a police detective who appreciates her talent to suss out information that people may not share with the police. Sometimes I wonder why people share so much, but she is very good at making people feel comfortable. This is an interesting mystery that has a few different components to it. I learned about renovation scams, garlic festivals, copper thefts, and propane and carbon monoxide poisoning. Marla's family always provide another thread to the stories and this one has her brother and his family dealing with some issues. I will say that the mystery itself had several suspects and I changed my mind a few times about who I thought the culprit was, but I did figure out who it was before the reveal. This did not reduce my enjoyment of the story one bit. Although it seems like there is a lot going on, Nancy J. Cohen does a wonderful job of bringing all these plotlines together for a satisfactory ending. This was another entertaining and enjoyable story that I recommend to those who enjoy a well plotted and written cozy mystery.
November 23, 2021
STYLED FOR MURDER is the seventeenth book in The Bad Hair Day Mystery series by Nancy J. Cohen. One of the best things about this entire series is the way the characters have developed and grown over the years AND how kind they are. While I haven’t had the opportunity to catch up on every single book, the author writes concisely and offers enough information so that a new reader never feels lost. Yet the pace moves quickly and the story doesn’t bog down at all with backstory details. Each book is a self-contained mystery with a resolution, so you don’t necessarily have to start from the very beginning. Although if you love character development and growth as much as I do, starting at the beginning is highly recommended. It takes talent to juggle the balance of backstory and action and Ms. Cohen seems to do so effortlessly.
The protagonist, Marla Vail, is a new mother of a ten-month-old, and owner of the Cut ‘N Dye Salon and Day Spa. She’s a kind-hearted soul and I enjoyed seeing her interact with friends, family, and customers alike. Knowing that this book would contain a murder mystery and possible danger to the protagonist, I was more than curious how being a mother, Marla could justify getting involved. The author more than satisfies the reasoning and even brings the issues of Marla putting herself in danger to the forefront of her investigation. I applaud the acknowledgement that there’s more at stake than when a protagonist is a single, young woman, which adds an emotional depth to the storytelling. The murder and investigation were well-plotted, with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings to keep me guessing. And despite knowing that as a cozy mystery justice would prevail, Ms. Cohen writes an intriguing story to keep the reader speculating, entertained, and turning pages with a hint at new changes coming for Marla and her family!
Even though Marla is a hair stylist, she still enjoys serving delicious food to her family and her friends at the salon. Lots of yummy mentions of food are sprinkled throughout and Ms. Cohen has thoughtfully included several recipes at the back of the book that Marla serves for family brunch.
The protagonist, Marla Vail, is a new mother of a ten-month-old, and owner of the Cut ‘N Dye Salon and Day Spa. She’s a kind-hearted soul and I enjoyed seeing her interact with friends, family, and customers alike. Knowing that this book would contain a murder mystery and possible danger to the protagonist, I was more than curious how being a mother, Marla could justify getting involved. The author more than satisfies the reasoning and even brings the issues of Marla putting herself in danger to the forefront of her investigation. I applaud the acknowledgement that there’s more at stake than when a protagonist is a single, young woman, which adds an emotional depth to the storytelling. The murder and investigation were well-plotted, with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings to keep me guessing. And despite knowing that as a cozy mystery justice would prevail, Ms. Cohen writes an intriguing story to keep the reader speculating, entertained, and turning pages with a hint at new changes coming for Marla and her family!
Even though Marla is a hair stylist, she still enjoys serving delicious food to her family and her friends at the salon. Lots of yummy mentions of food are sprinkled throughout and Ms. Cohen has thoughtfully included several recipes at the back of the book that Marla serves for family brunch.
November 12, 2021
Marla has sworn of snooping since the birth of her son but when someone ends up dead in her mother's home she has to help. She finds it a challenge just to find the time but when she starts finding out some interesting facts it is full steam ahead.
I am a longtime reader of The Bad Hair Mysteries and am happy the series is still going strong after 17 books. The characters are relatable and the details and descriptions help bring the story to life. Thanks to Orange Grove Press and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
I am a longtime reader of The Bad Hair Mysteries and am happy the series is still going strong after 17 books. The characters are relatable and the details and descriptions help bring the story to life. Thanks to Orange Grove Press and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 30, 2021
Marla's morning was going well until an unexpected call from her mother has her rushing over to her home. It appears that her mother has found a body in her bathroom and is quite upset with the surprising event. Her mom and stepdad are renovating the bathroom and the dead man happens to be the project manager. Her mom expects Marla to figure out how the man ended up dead in their home. Marla reluctantly agrees to do what she can but worries that with all that is going on in her life if she'll actually be able to help. When Marla begins to dig into the dead mans life she learns that he had a list full of enemies. It comes to light that he wasn't very good at his job; suppliers weren't paid on time if at all, customers weren't happy with the length jobs took or the final product, and the company he worked for got tired of complaints. Marla soon realizes that her stepdad Reed is the main suspect and that he has a past with the man. Reed is keeping things from the family and Marla intends to find out what he hasn't told them. Follow along as Marla sorts through all the clues to figure out just who killed the man and why. Can she keep her stepdad from being arrested for murder or is he not who the family thins he is? This was an enjoyable read that showed a true progression of the main character. I look forward to seeing where the author takes her to next.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 27, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Home renovations are murder in this latest installment of the Bad Hair Day Mystery Series. Marla Vail’s mother has a hair-raising experience when she finds a dead contractor in her remodeled shower. It turns out the man had built quite a reputation for himself, a bad one. The police have added Marla’s stepfather to the long list that may want to remove the unscrupulous individual from the earth – perm-antly. Sadly, the murder is out of Marla’s detective husband Dalton’s jurisdiction but that is not going to stop her from showering her sleuthing talents on the case, mainly because her mother won’t let her but also her stepdad Reed is hiding something. He may not have killed the man but maybe he knows who did.
Marla and Dalton are settling into their lives with the addition of a new baby to their family but both have full-time jobs and Ms. Cohen has portrayed their lives so realistically. Brianna is old enough to be of help but a baby takes over your life. Then grandma calls and throws a monkey wrench into their lives with a dead body. I knew Marla would have a hard time saying no to another murder investigation, even with her best intentions to stop getting involved but this one hits family and there is no way to say no to family. I really liked this as it really makes sense for Marla to get involved. I really had sympathy for her as she truly was burning the candle at both ends throughout the story. It is hard to find balance with a new baby in the house without the addition of a dead body.
Ms. Cohen finds a nice balance herself in Styled for Murder. She blends the daily life of her characters with a challenging mystery to solve. I did like that there was a plethora of suspects and the way Marla worked her way through them. She wasn’t able to figure things out though before more deaths occurred. Those deaths depleted her suspect list but WOW! that final twist was absolutely killer. The guilty party was a total surprise. I know I probably missed an important clue somewhere but I love when a book ends with a shocking twist.
I have read this series from the start. Marla has evolved so wonderfully over the course of those books. She was a great stepmom to Brianna after marrying Dalton but I am so happy that they now have this little bundle of joy. She made some adjustments to her sleuthing with her son Ryder in mind. Dalton also made changes. I am excited to see how this continues in future stories especially after the final chapter in this book.
Styled for Murder is filled with complex characters, has a great family feel, and a captivating mystery. Don’t let the depth of this series hold you back. This book can be read all on its own but to really get to know Marla I encourage you to read the entire series.
Home renovations are murder in this latest installment of the Bad Hair Day Mystery Series. Marla Vail’s mother has a hair-raising experience when she finds a dead contractor in her remodeled shower. It turns out the man had built quite a reputation for himself, a bad one. The police have added Marla’s stepfather to the long list that may want to remove the unscrupulous individual from the earth – perm-antly. Sadly, the murder is out of Marla’s detective husband Dalton’s jurisdiction but that is not going to stop her from showering her sleuthing talents on the case, mainly because her mother won’t let her but also her stepdad Reed is hiding something. He may not have killed the man but maybe he knows who did.
Marla and Dalton are settling into their lives with the addition of a new baby to their family but both have full-time jobs and Ms. Cohen has portrayed their lives so realistically. Brianna is old enough to be of help but a baby takes over your life. Then grandma calls and throws a monkey wrench into their lives with a dead body. I knew Marla would have a hard time saying no to another murder investigation, even with her best intentions to stop getting involved but this one hits family and there is no way to say no to family. I really liked this as it really makes sense for Marla to get involved. I really had sympathy for her as she truly was burning the candle at both ends throughout the story. It is hard to find balance with a new baby in the house without the addition of a dead body.
Ms. Cohen finds a nice balance herself in Styled for Murder. She blends the daily life of her characters with a challenging mystery to solve. I did like that there was a plethora of suspects and the way Marla worked her way through them. She wasn’t able to figure things out though before more deaths occurred. Those deaths depleted her suspect list but WOW! that final twist was absolutely killer. The guilty party was a total surprise. I know I probably missed an important clue somewhere but I love when a book ends with a shocking twist.
I have read this series from the start. Marla has evolved so wonderfully over the course of those books. She was a great stepmom to Brianna after marrying Dalton but I am so happy that they now have this little bundle of joy. She made some adjustments to her sleuthing with her son Ryder in mind. Dalton also made changes. I am excited to see how this continues in future stories especially after the final chapter in this book.
Styled for Murder is filled with complex characters, has a great family feel, and a captivating mystery. Don’t let the depth of this series hold you back. This book can be read all on its own but to really get to know Marla I encourage you to read the entire series.
November 16, 2021
Styled for Murder Earns 5/5 Shower Faucets…Engaging and Clever Fun!
Interruptions come in all forms, but “There’s a dead guy in our shower. You have to come right now,” plea from her mother, unfortunately, is not one Marla Vail is unaccustomed. She’s been entangled in many a suspicious death, spurred on by those close to her being hounded by the police, and finding herself in more than a few perilous predicaments. Life as a hairstylist in Florida is more than perms, cuts, and dye jobs; it’s also been murder. The frantic call from her mother can’t be ignored, and she learns the victim, who her mother hired for a remodel, has a disreputable reputation verified by co-workers, suppliers, and customers. Even her step-father had some issues with the victim he’s suspiciously reluctant to share. Twists. Turns. Couldn’t put it down excitement!
Nancy J. Cohen’s writing style is expertly descriptive with clever banter and well-developed characters, and adding the ups and downs of being a daughter, sister, wife, step-mother and new mother, business entrepreneur, pet owner, and good friend to the mix, each story is clever and entertaining. This seventeenth story in her Bad Hair Day Mystery series is no exception with its “out of jurisdiction” issues, additional mishaps and murder, and her step-father having undeniable means, motive, and opportunity making it difficult to navigate the investigation and the local detectives. The drama also includes side trips into a local garlic festival, scams and thefts, various family dynamics, and surprising personal changes primed to be explored in the next book. You’ll wonder what bonuses would be included in a series about a hairstylist and homicides…recipes, of course, always recipes. Nancy includes three easy-to-follow recipes from her Family Brunch Menu: Zucchini, Eggs and Cheese (recipe), Smoked Salmon, Bagels and Cream Cheese, Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (recipe), Sliced Tomatoes and Onions, and Peach Cobbler (recipe). Delicious! Don’t miss any of it!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Interruptions come in all forms, but “There’s a dead guy in our shower. You have to come right now,” plea from her mother, unfortunately, is not one Marla Vail is unaccustomed. She’s been entangled in many a suspicious death, spurred on by those close to her being hounded by the police, and finding herself in more than a few perilous predicaments. Life as a hairstylist in Florida is more than perms, cuts, and dye jobs; it’s also been murder. The frantic call from her mother can’t be ignored, and she learns the victim, who her mother hired for a remodel, has a disreputable reputation verified by co-workers, suppliers, and customers. Even her step-father had some issues with the victim he’s suspiciously reluctant to share. Twists. Turns. Couldn’t put it down excitement!
Nancy J. Cohen’s writing style is expertly descriptive with clever banter and well-developed characters, and adding the ups and downs of being a daughter, sister, wife, step-mother and new mother, business entrepreneur, pet owner, and good friend to the mix, each story is clever and entertaining. This seventeenth story in her Bad Hair Day Mystery series is no exception with its “out of jurisdiction” issues, additional mishaps and murder, and her step-father having undeniable means, motive, and opportunity making it difficult to navigate the investigation and the local detectives. The drama also includes side trips into a local garlic festival, scams and thefts, various family dynamics, and surprising personal changes primed to be explored in the next book. You’ll wonder what bonuses would be included in a series about a hairstylist and homicides…recipes, of course, always recipes. Nancy includes three easy-to-follow recipes from her Family Brunch Menu: Zucchini, Eggs and Cheese (recipe), Smoked Salmon, Bagels and Cream Cheese, Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (recipe), Sliced Tomatoes and Onions, and Peach Cobbler (recipe). Delicious! Don’t miss any of it!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
November 3, 2021
Marla Vail is shocked to receive a call from her mother. During some renovations in her home, a man is found dead. The police have their eyes on one person as the culprit and it’s Marla’s step-father, Reed. The victim is the man in charge of their home renovations, which haven’t been going smoothly at all. The police are sure Reed got fed up with all the delays and killed the man in a fit of rage. Marla and her mother are just as sure that Reed is innocent and Marla will prove it.
Although Marla’s husband is a detective, this murder is out of his jurisdiction. They don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but they also don’t want to see Reed go to jail for something he did not do. As they conduct their own investigation, they discover that the dead man had plenty of enemies. Any one of them could have done the deed. They just need the evidence to prove it.
This is the 17th book in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries and they keep getting better. It’s a fast-paced mystery that I found totally captivating. There were so many culprits to choose from. I picked two and neither one was the guilty party. LOL I didn’t put it altogether until near the end when Marla figured it out.
I’ve read this series from early on, so it’s a total joy to watch Marla go from a single woman to a wife and now a mother. I feel as if she’s an old friend. There aren’t any cliffhangers and the mystery is solved within this book, but it’s still so much fun to start this series from book #1.
A fun, light-hearted mystery set in Florida is a fun escape from reality. I enjoyed every minute of it.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Although Marla’s husband is a detective, this murder is out of his jurisdiction. They don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but they also don’t want to see Reed go to jail for something he did not do. As they conduct their own investigation, they discover that the dead man had plenty of enemies. Any one of them could have done the deed. They just need the evidence to prove it.
This is the 17th book in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries and they keep getting better. It’s a fast-paced mystery that I found totally captivating. There were so many culprits to choose from. I picked two and neither one was the guilty party. LOL I didn’t put it altogether until near the end when Marla figured it out.
I’ve read this series from early on, so it’s a total joy to watch Marla go from a single woman to a wife and now a mother. I feel as if she’s an old friend. There aren’t any cliffhangers and the mystery is solved within this book, but it’s still so much fun to start this series from book #1.
A fun, light-hearted mystery set in Florida is a fun escape from reality. I enjoyed every minute of it.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 20, 2021
“There’s a dead guy in our shower. You have to come right now.” And that is how Maria’s day begins.
Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen is a fun cozy mystery with plenty of suspects to put my puzzle solving skills to use. I love the cover and the play on words as I try to solve the mystery. Even though there is a dead guy, I find myself smiling as I read along.
Maria Vail owns the Cut N Dye Salon and has a wonderful husband, an adorable ten month old, Ryder Harrington Vail, a teenage daughter, Lucky, a Golden Retriever and Spooks, a poodle. That makes for a pretty Full House.
Her husband, Dalton, is a homicide detective and she loves to dabble in sleuthing herself, so we know where this is going…even though she gave it up when she had children. Sure…
It doesn’t surprise me when she opens an envelope and reads… stop asking questions or her family could be hurt.
Maria will find out many things and it confirms the saying, you can run but you can’t hide. Your past will follow you wherever you go. And secrets…they rarely stay buried.
Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen was a fun romp through the pitfalls of home renovation. Of course, most of us will never find a dead body in our bathroom, delays, shoddy work, and difficult people is the norm. I had a lot of smiles and chuckles as I investigated the death and there were plenty of culprits that could fit the bill.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen.
See more at fundinmental
Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen is a fun cozy mystery with plenty of suspects to put my puzzle solving skills to use. I love the cover and the play on words as I try to solve the mystery. Even though there is a dead guy, I find myself smiling as I read along.
Maria Vail owns the Cut N Dye Salon and has a wonderful husband, an adorable ten month old, Ryder Harrington Vail, a teenage daughter, Lucky, a Golden Retriever and Spooks, a poodle. That makes for a pretty Full House.
Her husband, Dalton, is a homicide detective and she loves to dabble in sleuthing herself, so we know where this is going…even though she gave it up when she had children. Sure…
It doesn’t surprise me when she opens an envelope and reads… stop asking questions or her family could be hurt.
Maria will find out many things and it confirms the saying, you can run but you can’t hide. Your past will follow you wherever you go. And secrets…they rarely stay buried.
Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen was a fun romp through the pitfalls of home renovation. Of course, most of us will never find a dead body in our bathroom, delays, shoddy work, and difficult people is the norm. I had a lot of smiles and chuckles as I investigated the death and there were plenty of culprits that could fit the bill.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Styled For Murder by Nancy J Cohen.
See more at fundinmental
December 6, 2021
A dead body is found in Marla's Mother's new bathroom; her stepfather, Reed, is a suspect.
It's now down to Marla to find out who the real murderer is and to put her family back together.
This is actually the 17th novel in the series; which I hadn't realised. However, this did not affect my reading it. Although some of the previous novels were mentioned it was not enough to put me off or make me feel like I was missing something if anything, it made me want to read the rest of the series.
This shows the talent of this writer.
Although I had guessed who the villain was quire early on, the plotline was still complicated and engaging to the reader.
Cohen also gives us a really strong independent female heroine; not only is this character a part-time sleuth, but she is also a mother to a 10-month-old little boy, step-mum to a teenager, a wife to a detective and runs her own hair business. Personally, I thought it was great to have such a strong main character and I loved that she showed us 'you can have it all.
It's now down to Marla to find out who the real murderer is and to put her family back together.
This is actually the 17th novel in the series; which I hadn't realised. However, this did not affect my reading it. Although some of the previous novels were mentioned it was not enough to put me off or make me feel like I was missing something if anything, it made me want to read the rest of the series.
This shows the talent of this writer.
Although I had guessed who the villain was quire early on, the plotline was still complicated and engaging to the reader.
Cohen also gives us a really strong independent female heroine; not only is this character a part-time sleuth, but she is also a mother to a 10-month-old little boy, step-mum to a teenager, a wife to a detective and runs her own hair business. Personally, I thought it was great to have such a strong main character and I loved that she showed us 'you can have it all.
November 16, 2021
Styled for Murder
Nancy J. Cohen
Here we go again! Marla is off to solve another mystery. This one too close to home. In Styled for Murder, Book 17 of The Bad Hair Day Mysteries, a murder takes place in Marla’s mother’s home. Many things point to Marla’s step-father knowing more than he admits. Marla has to use all her detective powers while keeping her mother calm.
In the way only Nancy Cohen can, I was swept along with Marla as she works her usual magic and makes things happen. Ms. Cohen writes in a style that makes me want to turn the page to see what happens next while at the same time wanting to savor the story and not finish it too quickly.
While each of Ms. Cohen’s mysteries can stand alone, if you haven’t read any of them, please start at the beginning with Book 1 and work your way through. This way you will be able to follow the characters as they develop and form relationships. You will be happy you did!
2021
Nancy J. Cohen
Here we go again! Marla is off to solve another mystery. This one too close to home. In Styled for Murder, Book 17 of The Bad Hair Day Mysteries, a murder takes place in Marla’s mother’s home. Many things point to Marla’s step-father knowing more than he admits. Marla has to use all her detective powers while keeping her mother calm.
In the way only Nancy Cohen can, I was swept along with Marla as she works her usual magic and makes things happen. Ms. Cohen writes in a style that makes me want to turn the page to see what happens next while at the same time wanting to savor the story and not finish it too quickly.
While each of Ms. Cohen’s mysteries can stand alone, if you haven’t read any of them, please start at the beginning with Book 1 and work your way through. This way you will be able to follow the characters as they develop and form relationships. You will be happy you did!
2021
September 29, 2021
Hair salon owner and stylist Marla Vail’s mother and step-dad have the worst luck. Their bathroom remodel came with a dead guy and a necktie in the partially finished shower. An actress, a scholarship pageant, and a festival provide more twists and turns than an updo, keeping sleuth Marla Vail on her toes.
With great cameo appearances from characters I’ve grown to love, Styled for Murder is a wonderful addition to Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mystery Series.
With great cameo appearances from characters I’ve grown to love, Styled for Murder is a wonderful addition to Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mystery Series.
November 16, 2021
In Styled For Murder, the reader finds Marla is now an exhausted new mother who has sworn off investigating - until her own mother calls with a dead man in the shower of their remodel. How can she say no to Mom. This well written mystery has all the charm of the first sixteen, as well as many twists, red herrings and misdirects. I never figured it out even though I was intrigued from the first page and read straight through. I could not put it down.
November 17, 2021
I really love this series! Lots of twits and turns and a fun story line. Marla gets pulled into a murder investigation, she promised her self to step back from them since her son was born, but for family reasons she needed to check things out. I don't want to give too much away. This is a must read!
September 19, 2021
Marla and Dalton are settling down to new parenthood, when Marla's mother finds a body in her being-remodeled bathroom. Marla had thrown her amateur sleuth days were over with the arrival of Ryder, but her mother's distress makes her get involved once more. Add a pageant, an unscrupulous business, a graduation, and a soap star, and you have a nice mystery. And this one has recipes!
November 23, 2021
Long time reader of this series, and it was fun catching up with Marla and her family.
As Marla deals with being a new mom, running her successful business and being a wife, she finds herself intrigued by a murder investigation involving her mother and step father.
Readers will enjoy this latest installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
As Marla deals with being a new mom, running her successful business and being a wife, she finds herself intrigued by a murder investigation involving her mother and step father.
Readers will enjoy this latest installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
December 20, 2021
It’s always a treat when there’s a new Nancy J. Cohen mystery available to read. I’ve been a fan of Marla the hairstylist, Cohen’s irrepressibly lovable heroine, since she first appeared seventeen books ago in Permed to Death. Unlike some other long-running cozy mystery series, Cohen’s plot lines never get stale and Marla just gets better and better as a character. In her latest case, Marla gets a frantic call from her mother, Anita, who much to her horror has just discovered a dead man in her shower. It seems that Anita and her husband had been having renovations done on their home and the dead man was the project manager for the renovations. He was known as a shady character who had swindled half the people in town, including employees, customers, and suppliers. Marla and her detective husband have recently become new parents, but the ever resourceful and indomitable Marla manages to balance her multiple roles of amateur detective, daughter, wife, businesswoman, and mother with her usual aplomb and solves the case. Cohen has a wonderfully breezy writing style and a gift for creating charmingly quirky characters.
December 15, 2021
Marla is an upbeat character. As she balances her busy life with solving crime, readers can relate to her balancing act and find themselves immersed in the mystery and trying to solve it alongside her.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 14, 2021
I really enjoyed the originality of this book. It's the first one that I have ever read about a hair stylist and a cop's wife to boot, to solve murder cases. This is my first Nancy J Cohen book that I have read as well. She has been on my list to read for quite some time and I am thrilled that I finally got the chance to do so.
I thought Marla was a very interesting character and I could relate to her on a lot of things. I felt her exhaustion and her determination to solve this case for her Mom and Stepdad's sake. That being said, I did feel that in some cases Marla was a bit too pushy with some of the people that she interviewed. Kind of like a 'bull in a china shop' technique. I know that works for a lot of people but I feel that in some cases a little more honey and less vinegar would also give the desired affect.
In all fairness, since is the first book that I have read of the series, I wasn't sure if she is always this way or if it's more in line with her being flat out exhausted and having more of a shortened temper due to lack of sleep and a never ending list of things to do on top of all of this. So, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Overall, I thought it was a very enjoyable book and I was truly happy to see that everything ended up in a happy ending. I love that in my books. Yes, a lot of people say that isn't very realistic, well, that's what I want in my books. Period.
I really enjoyed this book and I thank Netgalley, Nancy J Cohen, and publishers for the ability to read this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.
I thought Marla was a very interesting character and I could relate to her on a lot of things. I felt her exhaustion and her determination to solve this case for her Mom and Stepdad's sake. That being said, I did feel that in some cases Marla was a bit too pushy with some of the people that she interviewed. Kind of like a 'bull in a china shop' technique. I know that works for a lot of people but I feel that in some cases a little more honey and less vinegar would also give the desired affect.
In all fairness, since is the first book that I have read of the series, I wasn't sure if she is always this way or if it's more in line with her being flat out exhausted and having more of a shortened temper due to lack of sleep and a never ending list of things to do on top of all of this. So, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Overall, I thought it was a very enjoyable book and I was truly happy to see that everything ended up in a happy ending. I love that in my books. Yes, a lot of people say that isn't very realistic, well, that's what I want in my books. Period.
I really enjoyed this book and I thank Netgalley, Nancy J Cohen, and publishers for the ability to read this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.
November 26, 2021
Styled for Murder is Nancy J. Cohen's seventeenth tale to feature Marla Vail who runs a hair salon, the Cut 'N Dye Salon and Day Spa. Marla and police detective hubby, Dalton have recently had a baby but Marla is still working most weekdays. Marla's mother and step-father, Reed who is a former literature professor are having home renovations done, but when the job foreman is found dead in the new shower with one of Reed's ties around his neck, Reed becomes the main suspect.
The blend of mystery to family life in Styled for Murder is just right, the pace is spot on and the characters are very appealing. The dialogue is interesting and the humour and suspense trade-off at appropriate times. The murder part of the story was very neatly wrapped up though the family storyline continues. Feel free to jump right into Styled for Murder but I bet you will want to go back and read the rest, as I intend to!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orange Grove Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The blend of mystery to family life in Styled for Murder is just right, the pace is spot on and the characters are very appealing. The dialogue is interesting and the humour and suspense trade-off at appropriate times. The murder part of the story was very neatly wrapped up though the family storyline continues. Feel free to jump right into Styled for Murder but I bet you will want to go back and read the rest, as I intend to!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orange Grove Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 26, 2021
What do a bath remodel, florida garlic festival, a daytime TV diva and a gang of copper thieves have in common? Well, murder, of course, with Marla smack in the middle of it all. With more suspects than you could shake a stick at, more dead bodies piling up, and Marla's family being involved, the killer needs to be found, and soon. A wonderful and twisty cozy - always a treat from Nancy Cohen
December 4, 2021
A fun series that gets better and better! The characters have evolved and you feel like old friends with them. The mystery is a solid cozy and highly enjoyable. Lots of red herrings. Keep'em coming! Thanks #netgalley and #OrangeGrovePress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
November 17, 2021
I don’t think “Mazel Tov!” is actually the opposite of “Oy vey” – as Marla’s mother Anita is fond of saying – but whatever the opposite is, that’s what I felt after reading Styled for Murder, the seventeenth book in author Nancy J. Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mystery series. At the end of Easter Hair Hunt, book #16, I wasn’t quite sure if we would see Marla again or not. She was expecting a baby and many plot points were very nicely wrapped up and all characters were accounted for. So I have to admit that I was a little afraid Marla would ride off into the Mommy Sunset.
But Marla is back! Yes, life has changed and she has had to change with it, but we’ve still got the essential Marla that we’ve all grown to know and love. As a fan of the series from the beginning I have enjoyed seeing Marla grow with each book, adapting to and savoring changes in her professional and personal lives. She has always been an efficient, capable businesswoman, and then a loving wife and partner to Dalton and loving stepmother to his daughter Brianna. And while she is now a devoted mother to their son Ryder, motherhood has not changed her fundamentally - she's still pragmatic, detailed, organized, loyal, determined, and stubborn. No flighty, mushy Marla :)
As Styled for Murder opens Marla’s response to her mother Anita’s cry for help after finding a dead tile guy in the bathroom they are renovating is rather low-key, but that’s normal for her; panicking is not her style. And from some of her inner thoughts we deduce that Marla is a bit peeved at Anita and her (somewhat) new husband Reed for moving a town or so away. Not out of reach but not just around the corner when Marla could really use some help and advice with Ryder. We enjoy a little humor at Marla’s expense: motherhood is pretty overwhelming at times, juggling family, friends, and the job. And now she has to fit in some sleuthing. She “retired” from investigating when Ryder was born, but this is her mother we’re talking about and she is not about to rest while Anita and Reed may be in danger.
Styled for Murder has a wonderful, complex, fast-moving plot with many, many connections – kind of a 6-degrees of separation – and hints and secrets and clues and surprises and twists that you won’t see coming but make perfect sense when you do. The large cast of characters have complicated backstories that make their current behavior and motives consistent and understandable. Dalton and Marla are an old married couple now, but she still loves to eyeball that handsome husband of hers. Ryder is adorable. Brianna is a joy as always. Anita, as always, can be irritating and Reed and his secrecy fits right in. But they are a loving family and they will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe and happy. Marla is still pragmatic and ordered and somehow gets people to open up and talk to her even though what she asks is often very personal and intrusive.
Styled for Murder is a thoughtful, well-written book that was impossible to put down. Once again I enjoyed the perfectly detailed descriptions of clothes, hair and accessories – and people – and was delighted to learn something about edible gold (!??!) and copper robberies. There is also a little hint at the end about things to come so I cannot wait for the next book in this always delightful series. Thanks to author Nancy J. Cohen for providing an advance copy for my reading pleasure and honest review. Read it! Read the entire series! All opinions are my own.
But Marla is back! Yes, life has changed and she has had to change with it, but we’ve still got the essential Marla that we’ve all grown to know and love. As a fan of the series from the beginning I have enjoyed seeing Marla grow with each book, adapting to and savoring changes in her professional and personal lives. She has always been an efficient, capable businesswoman, and then a loving wife and partner to Dalton and loving stepmother to his daughter Brianna. And while she is now a devoted mother to their son Ryder, motherhood has not changed her fundamentally - she's still pragmatic, detailed, organized, loyal, determined, and stubborn. No flighty, mushy Marla :)
As Styled for Murder opens Marla’s response to her mother Anita’s cry for help after finding a dead tile guy in the bathroom they are renovating is rather low-key, but that’s normal for her; panicking is not her style. And from some of her inner thoughts we deduce that Marla is a bit peeved at Anita and her (somewhat) new husband Reed for moving a town or so away. Not out of reach but not just around the corner when Marla could really use some help and advice with Ryder. We enjoy a little humor at Marla’s expense: motherhood is pretty overwhelming at times, juggling family, friends, and the job. And now she has to fit in some sleuthing. She “retired” from investigating when Ryder was born, but this is her mother we’re talking about and she is not about to rest while Anita and Reed may be in danger.
Styled for Murder has a wonderful, complex, fast-moving plot with many, many connections – kind of a 6-degrees of separation – and hints and secrets and clues and surprises and twists that you won’t see coming but make perfect sense when you do. The large cast of characters have complicated backstories that make their current behavior and motives consistent and understandable. Dalton and Marla are an old married couple now, but she still loves to eyeball that handsome husband of hers. Ryder is adorable. Brianna is a joy as always. Anita, as always, can be irritating and Reed and his secrecy fits right in. But they are a loving family and they will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe and happy. Marla is still pragmatic and ordered and somehow gets people to open up and talk to her even though what she asks is often very personal and intrusive.
Styled for Murder is a thoughtful, well-written book that was impossible to put down. Once again I enjoyed the perfectly detailed descriptions of clothes, hair and accessories – and people – and was delighted to learn something about edible gold (!??!) and copper robberies. There is also a little hint at the end about things to come so I cannot wait for the next book in this always delightful series. Thanks to author Nancy J. Cohen for providing an advance copy for my reading pleasure and honest review. Read it! Read the entire series! All opinions are my own.
January 12, 2022
I've read several of the books in this series and enjoyed them. Marla's change in circumstances from earlier stories, now a mother, with responsibilities pulling her in different directions adds a new element to the series. Exhausted from dealing with the new baby, she at first feels aggravation when her mother calls demanding she come over, over right now. That aggravation turns into worry when she discovers why. A body has been discovered in the shower of a bathroom remodel being done at their home.
Having to deal with a young child and getting him to day care is a new wrinkle in Marla's day but she arrives ready to deal with, well, whatever. She initially doesn't even know whether it's a natural death or something more chilling. Needless to say, when she discovers the body was found with one of her step-father's ties wrapped around its neck, however, there is little doubt. It's clear who the chief suspect will be.
I found myself a bit irritated at Marla for essentially managing to clash with the investigating officer almost immediately. Classic conflict in cozy mysteries and since Marla is a police wife herself, I just found this irritating. I gave her a pass, however, given that her exhaustion and lack of sleep had been revealed.I won't detail the plot as I'm sure others will do a far better job than I could. Let's just say secrets long hidden are revealed, suspects and bodies multiple, and Marla remains exhausted but presses on in her search for truth, even rushing in when warned not to. Typical cozy heroine, huh?
Marla's need to somehow maintain the precarious balance between her life as a wife and mother, friend, daughter, and amateur sleuth seems to leave her unbalanced at times. She's also a bit surprised to realize she misses the rush of being involved in helping solve a mystery/murder. These demands, combined with her need to know, do lead her into a precarious situation at the end. I found her sudden thought that she couldn't just give up without a fight and leave her son without a mother endearing. Even afterward there are more surprises in Marla's future. Just like life, she sees pluses and minuses in this unexpected event. How does it turn out? I guess we'll have to wait on the next book in the series to find out.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #OrangeGrovePress for the ARC.
Having to deal with a young child and getting him to day care is a new wrinkle in Marla's day but she arrives ready to deal with, well, whatever. She initially doesn't even know whether it's a natural death or something more chilling. Needless to say, when she discovers the body was found with one of her step-father's ties wrapped around its neck, however, there is little doubt. It's clear who the chief suspect will be.
I found myself a bit irritated at Marla for essentially managing to clash with the investigating officer almost immediately. Classic conflict in cozy mysteries and since Marla is a police wife herself, I just found this irritating. I gave her a pass, however, given that her exhaustion and lack of sleep had been revealed.I won't detail the plot as I'm sure others will do a far better job than I could. Let's just say secrets long hidden are revealed, suspects and bodies multiple, and Marla remains exhausted but presses on in her search for truth, even rushing in when warned not to. Typical cozy heroine, huh?
Marla's need to somehow maintain the precarious balance between her life as a wife and mother, friend, daughter, and amateur sleuth seems to leave her unbalanced at times. She's also a bit surprised to realize she misses the rush of being involved in helping solve a mystery/murder. These demands, combined with her need to know, do lead her into a precarious situation at the end. I found her sudden thought that she couldn't just give up without a fight and leave her son without a mother endearing. Even afterward there are more surprises in Marla's future. Just like life, she sees pluses and minuses in this unexpected event. How does it turn out? I guess we'll have to wait on the next book in the series to find out.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #OrangeGrovePress for the ARC.
January 28, 2022
Even though I haven't read all of the books in the Bad Hair Day Mystery series by Nancy J. Cohen I am a huge fan and couldn't wait to dive into her latest.....Styled for Murder is the seventeenth book in this series.
In Styled for Murder main character Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are trying to get use to their lives as new parents to their son Ryder. Dalton has a daughter, Brianna, from his first marriage but it's been a while since he had to change diapers and all. They are both also busy with their jobs. Beside being a new mom Marla owns a hair salon and day spa and dabbles in solving murders. And when a dead body is found in the bathroom her mom and husband Reed are having remodeled, Marla has to jump in and look into his murder.
While Marla looks into the death of the project manager, she uncovers a lot of people who aren't going to miss him. Unfortunately the list of suspects is a long one and the detective on the case has his sights on Marla's step father, Reed. Even though Marla is trying to help him, Reed is keeping to himself and not talking to anyone. And Dalton is not able to get much information as the case is not in his jurisdiction.
Readers will love any and all of the books in this series. You can start at the first book and work your way through or grab any book and you will catch on pretty quick and fall in love with everything this series has to offer. You will love the relationships throughout the books, the jobs that everyone has and you will want to hang out with Marla everywhere she goes !!!
In Styled for Murder main character Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are trying to get use to their lives as new parents to their son Ryder. Dalton has a daughter, Brianna, from his first marriage but it's been a while since he had to change diapers and all. They are both also busy with their jobs. Beside being a new mom Marla owns a hair salon and day spa and dabbles in solving murders. And when a dead body is found in the bathroom her mom and husband Reed are having remodeled, Marla has to jump in and look into his murder.
While Marla looks into the death of the project manager, she uncovers a lot of people who aren't going to miss him. Unfortunately the list of suspects is a long one and the detective on the case has his sights on Marla's step father, Reed. Even though Marla is trying to help him, Reed is keeping to himself and not talking to anyone. And Dalton is not able to get much information as the case is not in his jurisdiction.
Readers will love any and all of the books in this series. You can start at the first book and work your way through or grab any book and you will catch on pretty quick and fall in love with everything this series has to offer. You will love the relationships throughout the books, the jobs that everyone has and you will want to hang out with Marla everywhere she goes !!!
February 8, 2022
Enjoyable Read
I’m so glad for Nancy writing another one. I enjoyed reading and as always wanted to see “who dunnit”.
Would recommend.
I’m so glad for Nancy writing another one. I enjoyed reading and as always wanted to see “who dunnit”.
Would recommend.
May 18, 2022
This was a nice read....A bit of a "light weight"
August 17, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Styled For Murder by Nancy J. Cohen is full of twists, deceit, and secrets. I loved it!
Will Marla figure out who killed Jack before the killer gets rid of her too?
Marla Vail
Marla is our sleuth, a hairdresser, and a new mom. She would rather be handling her salon than tracking down a killer, but when her mother asks her to use your sleuthing superpower, she must. Marla does an excellent job of keeping everything else going while investigating. She isn't interrupting Ryder's schedule, and she makes all of her salon appointments.
I love Marla. She has this knack for getting to the truth. Part of it is bravery, as she isn't afraid to ask hard questions. I also love how she makes time for her family, not just the ones she lives with but also her mom and brother. This woman is seriously remarkable.
The Mystery
So, Marla is digging around, helping find out who killed Jack, the project manager on her mom's bathroom remodel. As far as the police detective is concerned, Marla's new stepdad is the prime suspect. That whole scenario doesn't sit right with Marla, so now she is on the case. She is out there asking questions and getting to know everyone Jack knew. She is gusty, that is for sure.
Five Stars
OMG! I loved the story. The characters are fabulously realistic, the setting is gorgeous, and the mystery is fantastic. I loved all the red herrings, the twists and turns as secrets were revealed. My rating for Styled For Murder by Nancy J. Cohen is five stars. This book is the first of Nancy J. Cohen's that I have read, but I hope to read more. I highly recommend Styled For Murder.
Other Books in Series
Will Marla figure out who killed Jack before the killer gets rid of her too?
Marla Vail
Marla is our sleuth, a hairdresser, and a new mom. She would rather be handling her salon than tracking down a killer, but when her mother asks her to use your sleuthing superpower, she must. Marla does an excellent job of keeping everything else going while investigating. She isn't interrupting Ryder's schedule, and she makes all of her salon appointments.
I love Marla. She has this knack for getting to the truth. Part of it is bravery, as she isn't afraid to ask hard questions. I also love how she makes time for her family, not just the ones she lives with but also her mom and brother. This woman is seriously remarkable.
The Mystery
So, Marla is digging around, helping find out who killed Jack, the project manager on her mom's bathroom remodel. As far as the police detective is concerned, Marla's new stepdad is the prime suspect. That whole scenario doesn't sit right with Marla, so now she is on the case. She is out there asking questions and getting to know everyone Jack knew. She is gusty, that is for sure.Five Stars
OMG! I loved the story. The characters are fabulously realistic, the setting is gorgeous, and the mystery is fantastic. I loved all the red herrings, the twists and turns as secrets were revealed. My rating for Styled For Murder by Nancy J. Cohen is five stars. This book is the first of Nancy J. Cohen's that I have read, but I hope to read more. I highly recommend Styled For Murder.
Other Books in Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Styled For Murder by Nancy J. Cohen.
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
February 3, 2023
Another great Marla story!
In this story Marla has her new baby boy and they named him Ryder, which I think is adorable!
There is a lot going on for Marla in this story, including (DRUM ROLL)...a murder. This isn't just any murder, this one takes place in her mom and stepdad's new house. There was a lot of backstory to this victim and I did have my suspicions of this person, but wasn't entirely sure (that should have tipped me off right there, haha). Although, the suspicion is cast on Reed, her new stepfather; Marla obviously knows he's innocent, but he doesn't make it very easy to prove.
Marla is also dealing with a lack of sleep (I can totally empathize - my son didn't sleep through the night till he was 4), juggling motherhood and a career, dealing with her brother and sister-in-law's marriage woes, plus trying to prepare for Brianna to head to Boston after graduation. If that's not enough, her salon has been invited to do hair for the upcoming Garlic Festival (I looked it up, it's a real thing) - of course more chaos ensues at the festival.
I'm excited to see if Nicole is actually pregnant (there were hints, but no confirmation) and I'm hoping Tally is a bigger character again soon. I really like her and Marla's friendship and would like to see them spend more time together now that they are both mothers.
One thing that bothered me in this story was Dalton's attitude throughout. At first, you just assume that he's tired and worried about Marla, but at the end (*SPOILER*) he announces that he is retiring from police work, in front of Marla's family, without talking to Marla about it first. He's normally so open with Marla; I hope nothing is going on with him other than that. He is probably also sad about Brianna leaving for Boston too, but I am eager to see how his attitude is in the next book.
Nancy J. Cohen
In this story Marla has her new baby boy and they named him Ryder, which I think is adorable!
There is a lot going on for Marla in this story, including (DRUM ROLL)...a murder. This isn't just any murder, this one takes place in her mom and stepdad's new house. There was a lot of backstory to this victim and I did have my suspicions of this person, but wasn't entirely sure (that should have tipped me off right there, haha). Although, the suspicion is cast on Reed, her new stepfather; Marla obviously knows he's innocent, but he doesn't make it very easy to prove.
Marla is also dealing with a lack of sleep (I can totally empathize - my son didn't sleep through the night till he was 4), juggling motherhood and a career, dealing with her brother and sister-in-law's marriage woes, plus trying to prepare for Brianna to head to Boston after graduation. If that's not enough, her salon has been invited to do hair for the upcoming Garlic Festival (I looked it up, it's a real thing) - of course more chaos ensues at the festival.
I'm excited to see if Nicole is actually pregnant (there were hints, but no confirmation) and I'm hoping Tally is a bigger character again soon. I really like her and Marla's friendship and would like to see them spend more time together now that they are both mothers.
One thing that bothered me in this story was Dalton's attitude throughout. At first, you just assume that he's tired and worried about Marla, but at the end (*SPOILER*) he announces that he is retiring from police work, in front of Marla's family, without talking to Marla about it first. He's normally so open with Marla; I hope nothing is going on with him other than that. He is probably also sad about Brianna leaving for Boston too, but I am eager to see how his attitude is in the next book.
Nancy J. Cohen
December 23, 2021
I’ve had this book for a while but I purposely held off reading it till right before Christmas as a present to myself. Marla Vail and everyone in her orbit have been favorites of mine for years and I knew I could count on Ms. Cohen to give me another fun, charming story to help me de-stress before the holidays and I’m happy to report that I was right 🙂
Marla’s police detective husband, Dalton, gave up long ago trying to get her to stay out of murder investigations for any number of reasons:
1. She’s a tad headstrong.
2. She’s a clever amateur sleuth, often a few steps ahead of the official investigators.
3. She has a way about her that makes people spill the beans.
4. She has solved a lot of murders in her day.
In this particular case, Dalton has no jurisdiction but things are literally too close to home since the body was found in her mother’s bathroom during a renovation and, eventually, the clues start pointing at Marla’s stepfather, Reed, even though the victim had alienated quite a few potential suspects. Reed does little to help himself and, meanwhile, there are other family issues going on and her hair salon to run, demanding Marla’s attention, not to mention her baby. Having that baby raises the stakes immensely but Marla simply can’t abandon her mother, even though her stepfather is keeping secrets that may ruin their marriage.
Excellent plotting with a plethora of red herrings and characters that held my attention kept me reading into the night until, once again, Ms. Cohen brought it all to a satisfying conclusion, ending with a few recipes I want to try while I wait not so patiently for Marla’s next adventure.
Marla’s police detective husband, Dalton, gave up long ago trying to get her to stay out of murder investigations for any number of reasons:
1. She’s a tad headstrong.
2. She’s a clever amateur sleuth, often a few steps ahead of the official investigators.
3. She has a way about her that makes people spill the beans.
4. She has solved a lot of murders in her day.
In this particular case, Dalton has no jurisdiction but things are literally too close to home since the body was found in her mother’s bathroom during a renovation and, eventually, the clues start pointing at Marla’s stepfather, Reed, even though the victim had alienated quite a few potential suspects. Reed does little to help himself and, meanwhile, there are other family issues going on and her hair salon to run, demanding Marla’s attention, not to mention her baby. Having that baby raises the stakes immensely but Marla simply can’t abandon her mother, even though her stepfather is keeping secrets that may ruin their marriage.
Excellent plotting with a plethora of red herrings and characters that held my attention kept me reading into the night until, once again, Ms. Cohen brought it all to a satisfying conclusion, ending with a few recipes I want to try while I wait not so patiently for Marla’s next adventure.
September 26, 2021
This is the seventeenth in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries. I have enjoyed each one of these. While reading this book, I was unsure if this is the last of the series. I hope not.
The Vails have a new bundle of joy in their household. This is Marla’s first child but she has assisted Dalton with his daughter. Marla is trying to juggle the responsibilities of motherhood and working when a body is found in the bathroom of her mother and stepfather’s remodel job. Reed is not forthcoming on how he knows the dead worker. This makes it harder on Marla & Dalton, her husband, to determine who killed the foreman.
I enjoyed the sense of family and the mystery. Ms. Cohen does a wonderful job trying to balance everything out. The mystery was full of redirection and plot twists. It is a standalone story and an easy read. I highly recommend this series and this book for those liking mysteries with a strong female lead and a supporting cast of characters.
I thought I reviewed this but could not find it. Sorry if this is a repeat review of a wonderful book.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
The Vails have a new bundle of joy in their household. This is Marla’s first child but she has assisted Dalton with his daughter. Marla is trying to juggle the responsibilities of motherhood and working when a body is found in the bathroom of her mother and stepfather’s remodel job. Reed is not forthcoming on how he knows the dead worker. This makes it harder on Marla & Dalton, her husband, to determine who killed the foreman.
I enjoyed the sense of family and the mystery. Ms. Cohen does a wonderful job trying to balance everything out. The mystery was full of redirection and plot twists. It is a standalone story and an easy read. I highly recommend this series and this book for those liking mysteries with a strong female lead and a supporting cast of characters.
I thought I reviewed this but could not find it. Sorry if this is a repeat review of a wonderful book.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews