What do you think?
Rate this book
Val Fremden Mysteries #1
Glad One: Crazy is a Relative Term
After being duped out of her life savings in Germany, Val Fremden retreats home to Florida with more than just her pride in tatters. At 45, she’s broke, divorced, and virtually unemployable. Starting over will be tough enough as it is. But when her only friend suddenly turns up dead, Val begins to seriously wonder if the world is out to get her.
Maybe it is ….
The sugar-white sands of Sunset Beach attract weirdos like mosquitoes to a bug zapper. So when the will of Val’s friend makes the local newspaper, lunatics and con artists stumble from their beach shacks to scuffle for a piece of the leftover pie.
Determined to find her friend’s true heir, Val reluctantly turns to three crackpots for help—a drunk, a redneck, and a snarky beach bum. Working at odds with each other, their bumbling investigation attracts the attention of a hot cop. He quickly gets into the fray and under Val’s skin. Whether it’s in a good way or bad only time will tell. Because sometimes, it’s not until you reach the bottom of the barrel that you find out who your true friends are.
Love your mysteries with a side of snide? The Val Fremden Midlife Mysteries are for you! Get set for a wickedly witty slide down the social ladder with a surprising cast of unexpected misfits!
If you love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or Jana Deleon's Fortune Redding, you'll probably find yourself resonating with Val Fremden, too. She's a lovable, bungling mess who's a bit older, a tad more jaded, and a ton more experienced in big-time failure. Life’s been tough for Val. Still, she always manages to find her way with sardonic humor and an intrepid spirit. A gin and tonic now and then helps, too.
Life’s a beach and then you die. If you’re ready for a good laugh and a great mystery, check out Glad One. Funny Florida mysteries don't get any wackier—or truly heartfelt.
Maybe it is ….
The sugar-white sands of Sunset Beach attract weirdos like mosquitoes to a bug zapper. So when the will of Val’s friend makes the local newspaper, lunatics and con artists stumble from their beach shacks to scuffle for a piece of the leftover pie.
Determined to find her friend’s true heir, Val reluctantly turns to three crackpots for help—a drunk, a redneck, and a snarky beach bum. Working at odds with each other, their bumbling investigation attracts the attention of a hot cop. He quickly gets into the fray and under Val’s skin. Whether it’s in a good way or bad only time will tell. Because sometimes, it’s not until you reach the bottom of the barrel that you find out who your true friends are.
Love your mysteries with a side of snide? The Val Fremden Midlife Mysteries are for you! Get set for a wickedly witty slide down the social ladder with a surprising cast of unexpected misfits!
If you love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or Jana Deleon's Fortune Redding, you'll probably find yourself resonating with Val Fremden, too. She's a lovable, bungling mess who's a bit older, a tad more jaded, and a ton more experienced in big-time failure. Life’s been tough for Val. Still, she always manages to find her way with sardonic humor and an intrepid spirit. A gin and tonic now and then helps, too.
Life’s a beach and then you die. If you’re ready for a good laugh and a great mystery, check out Glad One. Funny Florida mysteries don't get any wackier—or truly heartfelt.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2017
5069 people are currently reading
2743 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Lashley
51 books258 followersWhy do I love underdogs? Well, it takes one to know one.
Like the main characters in my novels, I haven’t lead a life of wealth or luxury. In fact, as it stands now, I’m set to inherit a half-eaten jar of Cheez Whiz…if my siblings don’t beat me to it.
During my illustrious career, I’ve been a roller-skating waitress, an actuarial assistant, an advertising copywriter, a real estate agent, a house flipper, an organic farmer, and a traveling vagabond/truth seeker. But no matter where I’ve gone or what I’ve done, I’ve always felt like a weirdo.
I’ve learned a heck of a lot in my life. But getting to know myself has been my greatest journey. Today, I know I’m smart. I’m direct. I’m jaded. I’m hopeful. I’m funny. I’m fierce. I’m a pushover. And I have a laugh that lures strangers over, wanting to join in the fun.
In other words, I’m a jumble of opposing talents and flaws and emotions. And it’s all good.
I enjoy underdogs because we’ve got spunk. And hope. And secrets that drive us to be different from the rest.
So dare to be different. It's the only way to be!
Happy reading!
Like the main characters in my novels, I haven’t lead a life of wealth or luxury. In fact, as it stands now, I’m set to inherit a half-eaten jar of Cheez Whiz…if my siblings don’t beat me to it.
During my illustrious career, I’ve been a roller-skating waitress, an actuarial assistant, an advertising copywriter, a real estate agent, a house flipper, an organic farmer, and a traveling vagabond/truth seeker. But no matter where I’ve gone or what I’ve done, I’ve always felt like a weirdo.
I’ve learned a heck of a lot in my life. But getting to know myself has been my greatest journey. Today, I know I’m smart. I’m direct. I’m jaded. I’m hopeful. I’m funny. I’m fierce. I’m a pushover. And I have a laugh that lures strangers over, wanting to join in the fun.
In other words, I’m a jumble of opposing talents and flaws and emotions. And it’s all good.
I enjoy underdogs because we’ve got spunk. And hope. And secrets that drive us to be different from the rest.
So dare to be different. It's the only way to be!
Happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
July 28, 2018
I can’t finish this one. I don’t think I’m the target market. I think since it’s the first in the series it is the development of the main character’s background and setting that has turned me off. I find the story sad and depressing not humorous or entertaining.
I’ve finally gotten to the mystery part of the story but getting here was like slogging through molasses. I’ve been to St Pete and almost kept reading for the location descriptions. It’s not enough.
I really liked the character named Glad. She was real and funny. I can’t stand Val. Her musings and ruminating go nowhere. She makes fun of the people she’s with yet as soon as you think she’ll make a plan and move forward -she takes a break to drink or meet up with her friends she calls stooges in her head. I don’t care for her “voice” or the super slow moving plot.
I’ve finally gotten to the mystery part of the story but getting here was like slogging through molasses. I’ve been to St Pete and almost kept reading for the location descriptions. It’s not enough.
I really liked the character named Glad. She was real and funny. I can’t stand Val. Her musings and ruminating go nowhere. She makes fun of the people she’s with yet as soon as you think she’ll make a plan and move forward -she takes a break to drink or meet up with her friends she calls stooges in her head. I don’t care for her “voice” or the super slow moving plot.
August 5, 2018
Beach read
This book had a very high rating on Goodreads so I gave it a try. It was billed as being funny as Stephanie Plum. It wasn’t that funny—well maybe as funny as the newer Stephanie Plum novels which aren’t nearly as funny as the first few. The book was a quick read and doesn’t require too much attention. There aren’t a million characters to keep track of and the story was easy to follow. It was an enjoyable, quick read. It’s a perfect beach book.
This book had a very high rating on Goodreads so I gave it a try. It was billed as being funny as Stephanie Plum. It wasn’t that funny—well maybe as funny as the newer Stephanie Plum novels which aren’t nearly as funny as the first few. The book was a quick read and doesn’t require too much attention. There aren’t a million characters to keep track of and the story was easy to follow. It was an enjoyable, quick read. It’s a perfect beach book.
owned-but-doubtful
October 24, 2021Follows events from Absolute Zero: Misadventures From A Broad - rhe first 9 pages contain two major spoilers.
I'll see if I can get my hands on the first book in series (aka prequel) before my next big clean up. Until then the book goes back to one of my unread shelves.
I'll see if I can get my hands on the first book in series (aka prequel) before my next big clean up. Until then the book goes back to one of my unread shelves.
September 2, 2022
A woman's life hits bottom when she befriends a homeless woman, and uses her as a life coach. Not the best idea I've ever read, but it seems to work here. The homeless woman dies mysteriously, and our protagonist becomes an amateur sleuth along with her new barfly friends, and the ghost of the homeless woman.
Florida strange, but didn't really keep my interest.
Florida strange, but didn't really keep my interest.
July 8, 2018
Southern style, rednecks, down-and-out losers, a lot of sarcasm and surprisingly hope.
Val's midlife return to the US is not exactly welcoming - limited money, no friends, and no career. She meets a woman on the beach - Glad - who offers her friendship and a life message. Only then Glad dies and the mystery unfolds around Glad's life. Val may not have a plot for her next book, but along with her new - rather unusual friends - she is determined to find answers and not let the witch get whatever inheritance may be due Glad's daughter. Tom, the cop (and sanest of the bunch) agrees to help out and what they discover is not expected. So, how many do-overs can one person have in the game of life?
Lashley has created quirky characters, yet the bonds among Glad friends, even with the dramamine, body odor, and beer, are enviable. If you like a story that has every possible twist of human interaction - the good, the bad, the ugly, the humorous - you will enjoy this book and the journey as Val finds Glad's daughter. As much women's fiction as anything else, there is a mystery to solve. And the solution isn't necessarily expected.
This is the first of the Val Fremden Humorous Mysterious Series, I'm looking forward to reading more and it looks like there are 7 in the series...
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Val's midlife return to the US is not exactly welcoming - limited money, no friends, and no career. She meets a woman on the beach - Glad - who offers her friendship and a life message. Only then Glad dies and the mystery unfolds around Glad's life. Val may not have a plot for her next book, but along with her new - rather unusual friends - she is determined to find answers and not let the witch get whatever inheritance may be due Glad's daughter. Tom, the cop (and sanest of the bunch) agrees to help out and what they discover is not expected. So, how many do-overs can one person have in the game of life?
Lashley has created quirky characters, yet the bonds among Glad friends, even with the dramamine, body odor, and beer, are enviable. If you like a story that has every possible twist of human interaction - the good, the bad, the ugly, the humorous - you will enjoy this book and the journey as Val finds Glad's daughter. As much women's fiction as anything else, there is a mystery to solve. And the solution isn't necessarily expected.
This is the first of the Val Fremden Humorous Mysterious Series, I'm looking forward to reading more and it looks like there are 7 in the series...
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
May 12, 2017
This one made me laugh out loud. I could really relate to Val, and her social circle really made me stop and think. I loved the way that the story read like a journal. It sucked me in from the very first page and didn't let go. I'm not going to give any details of this story because I believe everyone should read it for themselves. You will not be disappointed, I promise! I will be following Margaret Lashley as she continues her writing career.
September 11, 2019
Nice Story But Lacked Something for Me
A nice surprise ending and a decent plot were not enough. The characters, including our protagonist, seemed a little superficial and stereotypical. I read the entire story, but never felt really invested in the outcome.
I think Val’s character was confusing. She was smart but did a lot of inexplicable dumb things. I’m hoping this improves in the rest of the series.
It’s better than a lot of books, but was a struggle to keep me engaged.
A nice surprise ending and a decent plot were not enough. The characters, including our protagonist, seemed a little superficial and stereotypical. I read the entire story, but never felt really invested in the outcome.
I think Val’s character was confusing. She was smart but did a lot of inexplicable dumb things. I’m hoping this improves in the rest of the series.
It’s better than a lot of books, but was a struggle to keep me engaged.
June 12, 2017
Having lived in St. Pete for 20 yrs. this book really talked to me. Val has just returned from Germany, recently divorced, she spends her days divided between writing and going to the beach. The people she meets at the beach are a "spacial" kinda crazy.
August 27, 2018
The mystery was decent, I was actually curious to see how it would be resolved. However I was completely uninterested in the main character.
Also a big Revelation at the end got a page instead of more in depth probing of feelings etc. It was weird
Also a big Revelation at the end got a page instead of more in depth probing of feelings etc. It was weird
July 4, 2021
It didn't start out very promising but I ended up really liking it.
July 31, 2024
Fun, light read. Perfect for vacation. I will definitely continue reading this series.
February 17, 2019
Entertaining
Easy and enjoyable read. I had the ending figured out before half done reading but the journey there was entertaining.
Easy and enjoyable read. I had the ending figured out before half done reading but the journey there was entertaining.
February 2, 2021
Interesting protagonist
Val is one step away from being a homeless beach bum. Then she meets a skinny almost-fried beach bum named Glad. The book is full of memorable characters who set Val off on a voyage of discovery.
Val is one step away from being a homeless beach bum. Then she meets a skinny almost-fried beach bum named Glad. The book is full of memorable characters who set Val off on a voyage of discovery.
June 14, 2020
This story was... ok. Nothing bad about it.. I just found it to be a bit boring. I kept putting it down and picking it back up. I was hoping it would get more interesting.. but I guess, it just wasn't my "cup of tea!"
September 16, 2019
Horrible
Unbelievable character who acts unbelievable. Situations happen for no reason; for example the t storm.
She wanted in the Winnebago. The pick the lock your the house and Snoop. Why didn't to hey pick the lock to Winnebago.
After reading 40% I gave up because it was a boring waste of time. I didn't even care l. She lives in booze, never does house cleaning, laundry, cook, look for a job. All she does is hang out with three homeless dirty, perverted old men.
There's no mystery that we care about.
Unbelievable character who acts unbelievable. Situations happen for no reason; for example the t storm.
She wanted in the Winnebago. The pick the lock your the house and Snoop. Why didn't to hey pick the lock to Winnebago.
After reading 40% I gave up because it was a boring waste of time. I didn't even care l. She lives in booze, never does house cleaning, laundry, cook, look for a job. All she does is hang out with three homeless dirty, perverted old men.
There's no mystery that we care about.
January 9, 2019
Due to depression I haven’t read for many months. Reading in my favorite pastime. So my daughter, Robin, got this book on BookBub and suggested I try to read it. It’s taken longer than usual to read it BUT the humor in this story as well as the fact that the heroine is not a beautiful twenty something makes it all the more fun to read.
October 13, 2019
Certainly not "hilarious" as touted in the blurb, the book is written in a light tone which is somewhat amusing in places. There isn't much storyline or suspense, but the characters are fairly well-developed and engaging. IMHO, the book is too long for the plot - there are long boring passages between the interesting parts.
July 14, 2018
Rounded up from 2.5. This book is just passable. The sort of thing you find in a beach house bookshelf and while away a rainy afternoon with when you’ve already finished the book you brought with you.
July 22, 2018
Not for me
I struggled to the end so I could write a legitimate review. The writing is good prose but I didn’t like the characters and morbid desperation that hung over all of them like a cloud. Too much caricature of homeless people serving and humor.
I struggled to the end so I could write a legitimate review. The writing is good prose but I didn’t like the characters and morbid desperation that hung over all of them like a cloud. Too much caricature of homeless people serving and humor.
August 7, 2019
I enjoyed the humor in this book. There were several times I laughed out loud. Beyond that, I didn’t really enjoy the story. It took quite awhile for the mystery to even begin. It wasn’t overly interesting or suspenseful and it just fell a little flat for me.
August 28, 2018
Cute cozy. If you've lived in Florida you'll get the sarcastic lines. In general I found it disappointing. Not to many laughs.
November 16, 2018
Skimmed a lot, just didn't find it funny or the mystery interesting.
December 19, 2018
It was all in all a fun read, but the ending felt haphazardly thrown together and rushed.
January 20, 2019
DNF at 9%. Boring, facile, with the author's opinions jammed down your throat in some kind of illegal literary procedure. Definitely one to pass on.
October 8, 2019
Too jokey, too corny, too stereotyped. I just couldn’t care enough to finish it.
April 16, 2020
I wanted to like this so bad but oh my gawd!!! I stopped on page 65. I just couldn’t get into this book at all! It was so slow to get into & never picked up
May 11, 2022
DNF only made it to 18% .
February 9, 2023
Just not interested. Got as far as 5%.
Amazon synopsis:
too long to bother to include here.
Amazon synopsis:
too long to bother to include here.
February 13, 2018
Not your usual cozy mystery! This is a fantastic series about real people who you can't help but like and want to read more!
After reading the background book Absolute Zero, about our heroine, Val, I was hooked and had to purchase book one. Val returns to St. Petersburg Florida after a very messy divorce from her abuser 3rd husband in Germany. She returns with nothing to her name and sells her car so she can afford an apartment. She does have a literary agent who presses her to write so she can submit a draft. But licking her wounds and feeling sorry for herself with her self-esteem down to nothing she goes to the beach and meets an older woman named Glad. This woman helps Val see who she is and how to handle life's pitfalls and provides Val with a life coach/mentor. Glad has a great sense of life and self she shares with Val who comes to see her as a surrogate mother figure. Margaret Lashly writes her characters with great sarcastic humor that makes you laugh out loud! Through Glad she finds a group of dysfunctional misfit friends who hang around Water Loo's bar and who would do anything for Glad or Tony, the man who cleans the beach. The storyline has so many threads that you just can't put the book down! And to top it all off, you have a surprise ending you never would have guessed! It will make you laugh, cry and cheer! I recommend this series to anyone who wants a good, human storyline with a mystery to solve. I have just purchased book 2, the next in the series and will continue through the whole series, you read one, you just can't help but want to read more!
After reading the background book Absolute Zero, about our heroine, Val, I was hooked and had to purchase book one. Val returns to St. Petersburg Florida after a very messy divorce from her abuser 3rd husband in Germany. She returns with nothing to her name and sells her car so she can afford an apartment. She does have a literary agent who presses her to write so she can submit a draft. But licking her wounds and feeling sorry for herself with her self-esteem down to nothing she goes to the beach and meets an older woman named Glad. This woman helps Val see who she is and how to handle life's pitfalls and provides Val with a life coach/mentor. Glad has a great sense of life and self she shares with Val who comes to see her as a surrogate mother figure. Margaret Lashly writes her characters with great sarcastic humor that makes you laugh out loud! Through Glad she finds a group of dysfunctional misfit friends who hang around Water Loo's bar and who would do anything for Glad or Tony, the man who cleans the beach. The storyline has so many threads that you just can't put the book down! And to top it all off, you have a surprise ending you never would have guessed! It will make you laugh, cry and cheer! I recommend this series to anyone who wants a good, human storyline with a mystery to solve. I have just purchased book 2, the next in the series and will continue through the whole series, you read one, you just can't help but want to read more!
June 30, 2024
I read this book because It was advertised as “funnier than the Stephanie Plum series” and I loved those book.
This one took me awhile to get into. With series books I like to start at the 1st one so I get the full build up of the characters. I started at 1, thinking it was the 1st book in the series and was disappointed to find out after chapter 2 (there is a footnote that there is in fact a book prior to 1 called Absolute Zero)
Initially I had a hard time understanding the characters with their redneck accents. The author writes as the characters speaks with hyphens between syllables and misspellings and all. I had to reread some lines several times before her accident started clicking for me. Like when Tiny was saying earl for oil. ( I might have only caught on to that because Tom started saying oil after Tiny almost like translating)
Ironically I’m from the area this books takes place, in St Pete Fl, so once I caught on to the accents I can totally hear it in my head, and the book flowed better for me. I guess I just never saw it spelled out.
The fact that the book is based in an area I lived and I know the exact roads and restaurants and beaches Val frequented was really endearing to me. I also like the characters are middle age, where most books I read the characters are younger, so that was a nice change of pace.
I will continue with the series and I think I will start to enjoy these more that I have a foundation
This one took me awhile to get into. With series books I like to start at the 1st one so I get the full build up of the characters. I started at 1, thinking it was the 1st book in the series and was disappointed to find out after chapter 2 (there is a footnote that there is in fact a book prior to 1 called Absolute Zero)
Initially I had a hard time understanding the characters with their redneck accents. The author writes as the characters speaks with hyphens between syllables and misspellings and all. I had to reread some lines several times before her accident started clicking for me. Like when Tiny was saying earl for oil. ( I might have only caught on to that because Tom started saying oil after Tiny almost like translating)
Ironically I’m from the area this books takes place, in St Pete Fl, so once I caught on to the accents I can totally hear it in my head, and the book flowed better for me. I guess I just never saw it spelled out.
The fact that the book is based in an area I lived and I know the exact roads and restaurants and beaches Val frequented was really endearing to me. I also like the characters are middle age, where most books I read the characters are younger, so that was a nice change of pace.
I will continue with the series and I think I will start to enjoy these more that I have a foundation
Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews