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Presley Thurman #5
Tiaras & Texans: A Presley Thurman Cozy Mystery Book 6
Presley wins a bet and thinks she finally is going to get a chance to work with Cooper and show her she’s got the potential to be a good security detail for his company. She is miffed when she finds out her first assignment is to protect a bunch of self absorbed beauty queens at a Texas pageant. It soon becomes a more interesting gig than she thought, much to her delight and Cooper’s dismay, when one of the beauty queens turns up dead and the fierce competition leave the door wide open to suspects.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2012
67 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Laina Turner
133 books335 followersLaina Turner writes clean small town romance and cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Her sweet romance novels feature mature, relatable characters finding love in charming small town settings. Her cozy mystery series stars quirky, lovable sleuths and their unforgettable pets.
A college professor by day and storyteller by night, Laina has been publishing feel-good fiction since 2009. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three dogs, and one cat who believes she is in charge.
If you love sweet romance, cozy mysteries, or just books that make you smile, follow Laina to be the first to know about new releases and deals.
Her sweet romance novels feature mature, relatable characters finding love in charming small town settings. Her cozy mystery series stars quirky, lovable sleuths and their unforgettable pets.
A college professor by day and storyteller by night, Laina has been publishing feel-good fiction since 2009. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three dogs, and one cat who believes she is in charge.
If you love sweet romance, cozy mysteries, or just books that make you smile, follow Laina to be the first to know about new releases and deals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 13, 2021
A stunning return to form - this is how a "cosy" should be written. Tightly paced without a superfluous word, this was an entertaining, fast read that has Presley working as her boyfriend's assistant in his security company. I can't wait to read the next instalment!
July 2, 2019
What can go wrong at a beauty pageant?
A Texas beauty pageant is the centre stage for this short who-done-it; a crowd of beautiful but precocious teens, all hoping for their big break. I'd never really thought about all the work that goes on behind the scenes, from hair and make-up, to fake tans and expensive dresses, so this got me thinking and Googling about what it takes to be a winner.
Presley Thurman has finally persuaded her boyfriend to allow her to join him as part of his security team. She was hoping for something more challenging than a teenage beauty pageant, but strange events have been going on behind the scenes and the pageant organisers have decided they need security to protect the girls. Dresses have been stolen, hair dye bottles filled with black dye and then one of the girls is found dead.
Presley makes a good job of her first assignment and is able to mix with the girls and gain their trust. Who is causing this havoc and who can have reason to commit murder?
It's only short, 138 pages, or 3 hrs 30 mins as an audiobook, but it was a fun listen, narrated by Lee Ann Howlett with an appropriate American drawl. Although it is the 6th book in a series, I didn't feel that I'd missed too much background.
The main character is Presley, the others we got to know to lesser degree. I wasn't so convinced by the denouement though, hence the three stars (3.5 on sites that allow half stars).
An interesting insight into the pageant business and a good book for lovers of cosy mysteries.
A Texas beauty pageant is the centre stage for this short who-done-it; a crowd of beautiful but precocious teens, all hoping for their big break. I'd never really thought about all the work that goes on behind the scenes, from hair and make-up, to fake tans and expensive dresses, so this got me thinking and Googling about what it takes to be a winner.
Presley Thurman has finally persuaded her boyfriend to allow her to join him as part of his security team. She was hoping for something more challenging than a teenage beauty pageant, but strange events have been going on behind the scenes and the pageant organisers have decided they need security to protect the girls. Dresses have been stolen, hair dye bottles filled with black dye and then one of the girls is found dead.
Presley makes a good job of her first assignment and is able to mix with the girls and gain their trust. Who is causing this havoc and who can have reason to commit murder?
It's only short, 138 pages, or 3 hrs 30 mins as an audiobook, but it was a fun listen, narrated by Lee Ann Howlett with an appropriate American drawl. Although it is the 6th book in a series, I didn't feel that I'd missed too much background.
The main character is Presley, the others we got to know to lesser degree. I wasn't so convinced by the denouement though, hence the three stars (3.5 on sites that allow half stars).
An interesting insight into the pageant business and a good book for lovers of cosy mysteries.
June 9, 2013
Tiaras & Texans
A Presley Thurman Mystery
By Laina Turner
Narrated By: Lee Ann Howlett
Presley wins a bet against her boyfriend allowing her to finally work for his security company. Though she starts the assignment especially excited knowing she will be good at this job she ends up annoyed when she finds out that the job in question is to protect beauty queens at a Texas pageant. Soon after beginning the job she and Cooper, her boyfriend and now boss, find that this will be more than just protecting the girls against childish pranks now they will have to find out who murdered one of the girls before it happens again.
I absolutely loved Lee Ann Howlett’s narration of this book. First off her characters where each distinct from the low timber of cooper to the high pitched whine of some of the beauty pageant contestants making the story come to life. What really made this an excellent performance though weren’t just the different voices of her characters but also the accents. I am a native Texan and so many times I come across audio books or even on television where an actor or narrator will butcher the accent but Lee Ann Howlett was spot on, I didn’t even cringe once. The story itself is a great cozy mystery, which is a subgenre of crime fiction where the sex and violence are downplayed or even portrayed humorously. (Thanks Wikipedia!) Laina Turner did a wonderful job with the mystery aspect of the book not once did I suspect who had done it until the very end which is great! You can tell this is not the first book in the series but the fun of a cozy mystery is you don’t really have to start at the beginning this book is no exception Laina Turner makes sure you can keep up with the story from the very beginning. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or even a beginner I definitely recommend this book, and be sure to check out the great audio book the narration makes it so much better.
For more reviews please visit:
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
A Presley Thurman Mystery
By Laina Turner
Narrated By: Lee Ann Howlett
Presley wins a bet against her boyfriend allowing her to finally work for his security company. Though she starts the assignment especially excited knowing she will be good at this job she ends up annoyed when she finds out that the job in question is to protect beauty queens at a Texas pageant. Soon after beginning the job she and Cooper, her boyfriend and now boss, find that this will be more than just protecting the girls against childish pranks now they will have to find out who murdered one of the girls before it happens again.
I absolutely loved Lee Ann Howlett’s narration of this book. First off her characters where each distinct from the low timber of cooper to the high pitched whine of some of the beauty pageant contestants making the story come to life. What really made this an excellent performance though weren’t just the different voices of her characters but also the accents. I am a native Texan and so many times I come across audio books or even on television where an actor or narrator will butcher the accent but Lee Ann Howlett was spot on, I didn’t even cringe once. The story itself is a great cozy mystery, which is a subgenre of crime fiction where the sex and violence are downplayed or even portrayed humorously. (Thanks Wikipedia!) Laina Turner did a wonderful job with the mystery aspect of the book not once did I suspect who had done it until the very end which is great! You can tell this is not the first book in the series but the fun of a cozy mystery is you don’t really have to start at the beginning this book is no exception Laina Turner makes sure you can keep up with the story from the very beginning. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or even a beginner I definitely recommend this book, and be sure to check out the great audio book the narration makes it so much better.
For more reviews please visit:
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
March 13, 2019
Hmmmmm
I don’t know why, maybe it was the topic of beauty pageants, but I was a bit bored by this story. I also found some of the sleuthing very lacking, with inconclusive questioning and with the odd spelling mistake it just didn’t do anything for me at all.
Don’t know what the security team were doing in all this. I think this story started out as a good idea but was poorly executed.
I don’t know why, maybe it was the topic of beauty pageants, but I was a bit bored by this story. I also found some of the sleuthing very lacking, with inconclusive questioning and with the odd spelling mistake it just didn’t do anything for me at all.
Don’t know what the security team were doing in all this. I think this story started out as a good idea but was poorly executed.
April 17, 2019
Tiaras and Texans
Presley is not too thrilled that her first assignment with Cooper's security company is at a teenage beauty pageant. Cooper explains that as one of the few females on the team she'll have access to areas that the men can’t or shouldn't go to. They barely arrive at the pageant when one of the contestants is found dead.
Is the girl a victim of foul play? What enemies could a teenage girl have? Do any of the other contestants have it out for her?
This was a fun and different setting for this cozy mystery series. Presley is not the type of girl to appreciate a beauty pageant! She does, of course, appreciate getting tangled up in a mystery. I love the interaction between Presley and Cooper in this book. The first chapter alone, where Presley is not happy about this assignment, was priceless. The author has come a long way making these two characters so distinct and unique. After having read several of this series in a row, it's interesting to see the characters’ evolution through the series as well as how the author just gets better and better at working with them.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a fun protagonist to follow, you might enjoy this installment of the Presley Thurman Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews on https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
Presley is not too thrilled that her first assignment with Cooper's security company is at a teenage beauty pageant. Cooper explains that as one of the few females on the team she'll have access to areas that the men can’t or shouldn't go to. They barely arrive at the pageant when one of the contestants is found dead.
Is the girl a victim of foul play? What enemies could a teenage girl have? Do any of the other contestants have it out for her?
This was a fun and different setting for this cozy mystery series. Presley is not the type of girl to appreciate a beauty pageant! She does, of course, appreciate getting tangled up in a mystery. I love the interaction between Presley and Cooper in this book. The first chapter alone, where Presley is not happy about this assignment, was priceless. The author has come a long way making these two characters so distinct and unique. After having read several of this series in a row, it's interesting to see the characters’ evolution through the series as well as how the author just gets better and better at working with them.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a fun protagonist to follow, you might enjoy this installment of the Presley Thurman Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews on https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
April 26, 2019
Presley Thurman is excited to be helping Cooper at with a security case until she discovers she will be babysitting beauty queens at a pageant. This is not what she was hoping for, but upon arrival, they discover one of the beauty contestants is dead and lots of odd things have been happening at the event. Will Presley be able to find out who killed the beauty queen and why a lot of misfortune has been plaguing the pageant events?
As the series progresses, I find that Presley is in her element and just gets better and better. She is a dynamo amateur sleuth that has a knack for getting herself into a dangerous situation but still solves the case before the professionals. The book is filled with just the right amount of humor, mystery, suspense, and even a bit of romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As the series progresses, I find that Presley is in her element and just gets better and better. She is a dynamo amateur sleuth that has a knack for getting herself into a dangerous situation but still solves the case before the professionals. The book is filled with just the right amount of humor, mystery, suspense, and even a bit of romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2019
Time for a trip to Texas to guard a beauty pageant, but when one of the contestants ends up dead, our heroine is on the job.
This is book six in the series, but it functions perfectly well as a standalone. While it includes characters from previous books, you can easily pick up on the essential relationships needed to enjoy this story.
This is a cozy mystery featuring a somewhat ditsy PI, our heroine, who nonetheless seems to get the job done. Along the way, we are treated to a fun story with lots of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor. I found the plot easy to follow and very engaging as I tried to figure out what crazy thing our heroine was going to do next. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.ew.
This is book six in the series, but it functions perfectly well as a standalone. While it includes characters from previous books, you can easily pick up on the essential relationships needed to enjoy this story.
This is a cozy mystery featuring a somewhat ditsy PI, our heroine, who nonetheless seems to get the job done. Along the way, we are treated to a fun story with lots of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor. I found the plot easy to follow and very engaging as I tried to figure out what crazy thing our heroine was going to do next. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.ew.
April 27, 2019
This is my first book from this author and will probably be the last. The entire story is flat and uninteresting. Presley is just not very smart and Cooper seems to think that is okay. It was okay enough to finish reading but there was no sense of mystery or excitement. She has an interaction with a man named Jeff that really didn’t fit anywhere in the plot. The attempts at sexual tension are poorly written and don’t add anything to the story.
I really don’t enjoy writing negative reviews but this one couldn’t be helped.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I really don’t enjoy writing negative reviews but this one couldn’t be helped.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
May 4, 2019
This time we find Presely traveling to Texas with Cooper, her on again off again boyfriend, and joining in the action with his permission. While she still manages to make some missteps that he disapproves of she is caught up in the action of trying to find who murdered one of the contestants and is pulling pranks on them too. A fun and easy sometimes funny mystery as you expect from this author. Either the editing is getting better or I'm not noticing them as much but they don't in any way slow the story down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 4, 2019
Tiaras and Texans by Laina Turner is a great book. I loved how the author blended mystery, romance and humor. The storyline was original and kept me engaged. I liked the characters, and did not see who the killer was. The imagery is great, and the descriptions of the beauty pageant and contestants was so vivid. Lee Ann Howlett was great bringing the characters to life. She added the right emotions to her voice and I could hear who was speaking. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator. I loved it!
April 18, 2019
Presley is in Dallas, working with Cooper to find out who's behind the mishaps that have been plaguing a teen beauty pageant promoter. Finally a case Cooper won't yell at her for investigating! Laina Turner has unique and clever stories with with fun characters, humor, and plot twists and turns you don't expect As much as I liked the book, I couldn't give it more stars because the editing/proofreading was so bad. And sometimes the dialog is hard to follow (who is saying what).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 25, 2019
This is the first book I've read in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Excited for her first job with a security agency, Presley is disappointed in the assignment. Who wants to provide security for a bunch of beauty pageant contestants? Well, things change quickly when murder strikes! I really liked the mystery and the twists and turns until the culprit is unmasked. The only thing I didn't like is the cliffhanger - I prefer when things are wrapped up. I will definitely read the next in the series.
April 21, 2019
After winning a bet to help Cooper with a case, Presley is disappointed to find out it’s basically a babysitting job for beauty queens. When one of them is found dead, her curiosity is peaked. Tiaras and Texans is an entertaining mystery which I enjoyed. I can recommend your reading the entire Presley Thurman Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2019
When Presley won a Trivial Pursuit bet with Cooper, she had no idea her time with his agency would mean backstage at a pagent.
while she met some lovely ladies, she learned more than she ever wanted to know about that crazy world of self tanners, make-up and malice.
one gal had some lethal vengeance in mind.
Things around Presley are always exciting !
another fun KU read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
while she met some lovely ladies, she learned more than she ever wanted to know about that crazy world of self tanners, make-up and malice.
one gal had some lethal vengeance in mind.
Things around Presley are always exciting !
another fun KU read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2019
Presley is finally getting the job she wants, even if only because Cooper lost a bet. She's finally going to get to work with him but security detail for a beauty pageant? Really? Presley wants something more exciting and with Presley that's exactly what happens when one of the contestants turns up dead. Will Presley find the killer before they strike again?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 28, 2020
Security detail for a beauty pageant .... oh the joys for Presley! However dealing with silly pranks turns into a murder investigation which makes it more interesting for her. The culprit didn’t turn out to be who I thought so that was a nice surprise. I did wonder at one point where Cooper’s extra staff were and what exactly they were doing. It seemed as if they had disappeared off the scene. Not a story breaker though so I’m on to the next in series now. Another enjoyable read.
March 6, 2019
Revenge best served cold
Ms.Turner's delightful writing has Presley and Copper in thick with mystery and murder with a hole new line of complex and wanderfull caracters. What could be more deadly beauty and brains. Here you go time for your next read, you know you want this. 😉 Kat
Ms.Turner's delightful writing has Presley and Copper in thick with mystery and murder with a hole new line of complex and wanderfull caracters. What could be more deadly beauty and brains. Here you go time for your next read, you know you want this. 😉 Kat
April 21, 2019
Again, I enjoyed the story but please, find a decent editor! Hollie is murdered, but she was called Nichol twice, one time after the other. Nichol was the one murdered in the previous book. I gave 4 stars because I enjoyed the story, but the editing...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2019
I would like to start with saying that I adore the titles of the books in the series. This story finally has Presley and Cooper working together. I'm enjoying how their relationship decelops as the series continues.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2020
Tiaras and Texans
Presley may think this is a joke but working a beauty pageant is a lot of hard work as she finds out. And all the shenanigans going on doesn’t make it any easier for her. Ms Turner has created a fun series that I am enjoying reading. A little dose of romance and a big slice of murder makes for an intriguing story.
Presley may think this is a joke but working a beauty pageant is a lot of hard work as she finds out. And all the shenanigans going on doesn’t make it any easier for her. Ms Turner has created a fun series that I am enjoying reading. A little dose of romance and a big slice of murder makes for an intriguing story.
October 14, 2024
So far this series has been several good stories. The main characters are becoming known and the plot is always easily followed. The premise in this story was finding out who was pranking the contestants and why, and why did it escalate to killing one of the girls. The answers were enlightening and rather sad. I do recommend this book.
March 23, 2019
Beauty Pageant murder!
Presley gets her first official job with Cooper's security agency. They go to a beauty pageant in Texas and within 5 minutes of their arrival, a contestant is found dead. Lots of twists and turns in this mystery!
Presley gets her first official job with Cooper's security agency. They go to a beauty pageant in Texas and within 5 minutes of their arrival, a contestant is found dead. Lots of twists and turns in this mystery!
April 23, 2019
Beauty pageants can be murder!....literary!
Sands Security is engaged to babysit the contestants but as they start one is murdered.
Well written story line
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sands Security is engaged to babysit the contestants but as they start one is murdered.
Well written story line
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2019
I found this to be a very good book and really enjoyed it. It has a great combination of murder, mystery, suspense and humor
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2019
Another awesome mystery in the series and they keep getting better and better. This has mystery, twists, wonderful characters, lots of action and humor to boot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 9, 2019
This is a write that has murder, suspense, and humor. It is well written with witty turn. Well developed characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2019
A good listen with interesting characters and you liked how the narrator told the story. So when you get a chance pick up a copy and enjoy.
I received this title in exchange for an unbiased review.
I received this title in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 15, 2020
A cute little story with a lot of Texas flavor. It shows you the other side of being in a beauty pageant which is totally believable except for One thing. Otherwise it is a great way to spend time while your having a mani-pedi. Y'all come back now ya hear.
March 15, 2023
Too much
I felt it started out well. It was the same with each girl, over and over. The names changed but everything else was played out same, with each girl. Too much repetition. I really enjoy reading L. C. Turner books. I've read many and enjoy each one.
I felt it started out well. It was the same with each girl, over and over. The names changed but everything else was played out same, with each girl. Too much repetition. I really enjoy reading L. C. Turner books. I've read many and enjoy each one.
September 3, 2023
Tiaras & Texans (6)
This just another remarkable story written be MS Turner! I really like her stories because they are so much like rear life. She is a great observationest so she picks up on things that seem wrong before anyone else does!!
This just another remarkable story written be MS Turner! I really like her stories because they are so much like rear life. She is a great observationest so she picks up on things that seem wrong before anyone else does!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews