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Midlife Crisis Mystery #1
Anxious in Nevada
I'm Holly Parker, and on my fiftieth birthday I decided that it was about time I stopped adding things to my bucket list and started trying to cross a few items off instead. Visiting all fifty states was at the top of the list. I just had to find a cheap flight to somewhere interesting.
A low-cost, direct flight to Las Vegas was exactly what I needed. I didn't waste my time overthinking it. I just booked the flight and packed my bags. After chatting with the couple in the seats next to mine on the flight, I was happy to arrive in Vegas and just go straight to bed.
My body clock, not yet reset to Vegas time, had me awake and eager to explore very early the next morning. I'd barely finished my breakfast, though, before I stumbled over a dead body.
What are the odds that the victim would turn out to be the man I'd sat next to on my flight? Why is his former fiancée suddenly trying to be my best friend? And how do I convince the local police that I had nothing to do with his murder?
A low-cost, direct flight to Las Vegas was exactly what I needed. I didn't waste my time overthinking it. I just booked the flight and packed my bags. After chatting with the couple in the seats next to mine on the flight, I was happy to arrive in Vegas and just go straight to bed.
My body clock, not yet reset to Vegas time, had me awake and eager to explore very early the next morning. I'd barely finished my breakfast, though, before I stumbled over a dead body.
What are the odds that the victim would turn out to be the man I'd sat next to on my flight? Why is his former fiancée suddenly trying to be my best friend? And how do I convince the local police that I had nothing to do with his murder?
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2022
671 people are currently reading
935 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
230 books264 followersDiana started self-publishing in 2013 and over a decade later she now has over a hundred books available for readers. Writing remains her passion and she has no plans to stop writing in the foreseeable future.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 20, 2025
3 stars - a “Stuff your Kindle” freebie that was really a bit silly & not much of a mystery, but I really did enjoy the look at Las Vegas 🎰💃🏻 through the 50 y.o. single female protagonist's eyes. Plus, it was an easy & quick read that satisfied a couple of challenge prompts for me. Overall, a palate cleanser, I guess...
September 8, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
50-year-old Holly Parker has a long bucket list and she has finally decided to start checking items off of it. At the top of the list was visiting all 50 states so when she found a deal on a flight to Las Vegas along with a deal on a hotel she booked her trip.
On her flight, the man next to her fell asleep but chatting with the woman next to him made the trip go pretty fast. She never thought that a chance meeting would lead to finding a dead body and being involved in a murder investigation. That was definitely not on her bucket list.
____
Holly Parker is a strong independent woman taking control of her life. She is also way too nice. Her new "best friend" Christy is the fiancée of the deceased and looks to Holly to help her deal with the police, her grief, and her fiancée's family. That family is something else. This trip to Nevada was not in any way the vacation she imagined but she just couldn't get away from these people or being questioned by the police.
The mystery was pretty straightforward but the interactions between the characters were hilarious. I felt so bad for Holly getting wrapped up with a family that was so dysfunctional but the author put humor in every place she could. The deceased mother was a terrible woman with her iron thumb on her family. You truly never knew what would happen next with her around.
The setting of Las Vegas was fun. Holly was befriended by an employee of the casino, Peggy, who tried her best to get Holly out to have some fun on her vacation. Holly did have a small daily budget for gambling, she just needed to figure out how to do that. Peggy also took her to see some interesting sites and that led to Peggy getting involved with the bizarre family too.
Anxious in Nevada was a delightfully lighthearted fast read with some crazy characters. I read the book all in one evening and enjoyed it very much. I love the mid-life crisis theme and look forward to reading more books in this series. It seems there are 49 future trips in Holly's future.
50-year-old Holly Parker has a long bucket list and she has finally decided to start checking items off of it. At the top of the list was visiting all 50 states so when she found a deal on a flight to Las Vegas along with a deal on a hotel she booked her trip.
On her flight, the man next to her fell asleep but chatting with the woman next to him made the trip go pretty fast. She never thought that a chance meeting would lead to finding a dead body and being involved in a murder investigation. That was definitely not on her bucket list.
____
Holly Parker is a strong independent woman taking control of her life. She is also way too nice. Her new "best friend" Christy is the fiancée of the deceased and looks to Holly to help her deal with the police, her grief, and her fiancée's family. That family is something else. This trip to Nevada was not in any way the vacation she imagined but she just couldn't get away from these people or being questioned by the police.
The mystery was pretty straightforward but the interactions between the characters were hilarious. I felt so bad for Holly getting wrapped up with a family that was so dysfunctional but the author put humor in every place she could. The deceased mother was a terrible woman with her iron thumb on her family. You truly never knew what would happen next with her around.
The setting of Las Vegas was fun. Holly was befriended by an employee of the casino, Peggy, who tried her best to get Holly out to have some fun on her vacation. Holly did have a small daily budget for gambling, she just needed to figure out how to do that. Peggy also took her to see some interesting sites and that led to Peggy getting involved with the bizarre family too.
Anxious in Nevada was a delightfully lighthearted fast read with some crazy characters. I read the book all in one evening and enjoyed it very much. I love the mid-life crisis theme and look forward to reading more books in this series. It seems there are 49 future trips in Holly's future.
December 30, 2024
Contemporary cozy mystery. Clean read.
As Holly enters her 50s, she decides to start taking all her stored up vacation days and begin traveling to all the locations on her bucket list. Taking advantage of some great deals, she sets out for her first destination, Las Vegas. She heads down into her hotel‘s casino looking for breakfast the morning after she arrives and, of course, she finds a dead body. And she knows who it is.
I like the series but the next ebook is not available at our library. 🫤
As Holly enters her 50s, she decides to start taking all her stored up vacation days and begin traveling to all the locations on her bucket list. Taking advantage of some great deals, she sets out for her first destination, Las Vegas. She heads down into her hotel‘s casino looking for breakfast the morning after she arrives and, of course, she finds a dead body. And she knows who it is.
I like the series but the next ebook is not available at our library. 🫤
March 12, 2025
Murder is no vacation
To be honest, I read this book in spurts, so I don't know how good my review will be. I enjoy reading anything by Diana Xarissa. I'm working through her series set on the Isle of Man and have never been disappointed in any of those books.
I enjoyed this book as well. There is something about her heroines that I can relate to, like Holly. She has come to Las Vegas for overdue vacation, where through a series of unfortunate events, she finds a body outside a casino food court. Instead of enjoying fine dining, shows, and a little harmless gambling, Holly becomes entangled with the brokenhearted fiancée, the ex-mistress, the ex-wife, and the victim's extended family, dominated by Doris, the family matriarch. Who murder Joe? Holly doesn't know. She's not even trying to solve the murder. But will that be enough to prevent her own demise when she finally realizes the truth?
Reading Anxious in Nevada is a pleasant journey through Sin City, where the most grievous sin has been committed.
To be honest, I read this book in spurts, so I don't know how good my review will be. I enjoy reading anything by Diana Xarissa. I'm working through her series set on the Isle of Man and have never been disappointed in any of those books.
I enjoyed this book as well. There is something about her heroines that I can relate to, like Holly. She has come to Las Vegas for overdue vacation, where through a series of unfortunate events, she finds a body outside a casino food court. Instead of enjoying fine dining, shows, and a little harmless gambling, Holly becomes entangled with the brokenhearted fiancée, the ex-mistress, the ex-wife, and the victim's extended family, dominated by Doris, the family matriarch. Who murder Joe? Holly doesn't know. She's not even trying to solve the murder. But will that be enough to prevent her own demise when she finally realizes the truth?
Reading Anxious in Nevada is a pleasant journey through Sin City, where the most grievous sin has been committed.
September 28, 2022
Holly Parker, of Buffalo, NY, has decided to visit Las Vegas to check it off her bucket list. During the plane flight there, she converses with bride-to-be Chrissy while Chrissy's fiance Joe dozes.
After breakfast the next morning, Holly is on the way back to her hotel room when she witnesses a body ejected from a Virtual Reality chair near the food court. No one is more surprised than Holly when the body turns out to be Joe, who was sitting (and sleeping) next to her on the plane from Buffalo the day before.
The next thing Holly knows, she's neck-deep in a murder investigation; Chrissy has decided Holly is her new best friend; and Holly is closer than she wants to be to the thoroughly unpleasant members of Joe's family.
After breakfast the next morning, Holly is on the way back to her hotel room when she witnesses a body ejected from a Virtual Reality chair near the food court. No one is more surprised than Holly when the body turns out to be Joe, who was sitting (and sleeping) next to her on the plane from Buffalo the day before.
The next thing Holly knows, she's neck-deep in a murder investigation; Chrissy has decided Holly is her new best friend; and Holly is closer than she wants to be to the thoroughly unpleasant members of Joe's family.
September 17, 2023
Murder In Los Vegas
The most exciting thing I did in Los Vegas was go to Ethel M's Candy Factory. Holly finds a dead guy. 🤔 This was a very intriguing mystery with a lot of surprises. The characters were all very different from extremely nice people to a little hateful and maybe even a little murderous. Holly did some sleuthing with the help of her new found friends, Peggy and Chrissy, to help the handsome police detective find the murderer. Unfortunately they were in over their heads. Exciting mystery.
The most exciting thing I did in Los Vegas was go to Ethel M's Candy Factory. Holly finds a dead guy. 🤔 This was a very intriguing mystery with a lot of surprises. The characters were all very different from extremely nice people to a little hateful and maybe even a little murderous. Holly did some sleuthing with the help of her new found friends, Peggy and Chrissy, to help the handsome police detective find the murderer. Unfortunately they were in over their heads. Exciting mystery.
September 24, 2023
This book checks almost all the requirement boxes for a good cozy. Because the main character will be traveling in each book to a location on her personal bucket list, there is no too cute pet or a single detective who will develop into a love interest. I found the omission of both of those things rather refreshing.
Engaging from the first pages, character introductions are handled well. There are limited physical descriptions of some secondary characters but what is provided gives the reader a grasp of who’s who eliminating the confusion often caused when multiple potential suspects are introduced. The author also manages to avoid the “too stupid to live” scenario that so many books succumb to.
Being surprised to find a well written self-published book probably says more about my ignorance than the quality of authors. Though I have read a few stinkers, this is not one of them. This was a pleasure and I look forward to getting the next in the series.
Engaging from the first pages, character introductions are handled well. There are limited physical descriptions of some secondary characters but what is provided gives the reader a grasp of who’s who eliminating the confusion often caused when multiple potential suspects are introduced. The author also manages to avoid the “too stupid to live” scenario that so many books succumb to.
Being surprised to find a well written self-published book probably says more about my ignorance than the quality of authors. Though I have read a few stinkers, this is not one of them. This was a pleasure and I look forward to getting the next in the series.
August 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Anxious in Nevada by Diana Xarissa. Holly Parker is fifty years old, has never been married, and has no kids. She's happy working as the vice president at her local bank, but she's having a mid-life crisis. She has a bucket list of many places she wants to see including all fifty states. She decides that she should start using her sick leave days immediately. Her first solo trip is two weeks in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the plane ride over she meets Joe Rhodes and his fiance. Coincidentally, the next morning she sees a man conspicuously sitting alone in a virtual reality experience chair. Turns out that he's dead. It also turns out that it's Joe Rhodes! I enjoyed the characters in this book and the fact that it took place in the glitzy world of Las Vegas. This book is well written and I think future books in the series will be a lot of fun to read.
September 14, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. The main character started off as someone I wanted to like. But there was too much I didn't like. Many of the other characters were stereotypical or didn't seem to fit their roles. The police procedures portrayed distracted from the story because they were so unrealistic. For example, they would tell loved ones immediately that their family had died. They wouldn't just make them sit there and wait to be questioned without knowing why. All of that was just too distracting to enjoy the story. I'm curious to try other books in the series and see if things improve because I really did like the main character and the premise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2022
Fast Paced and Fun
I love that the main character is 50 and enjoying life. She's independent and smart but has no intention of solving the murder. Like so often in real life she finds herself sidetracked from her intended agenda. The major characters are flawed and developed enough so they come alive on the pages. The worst are somewhat two dimensional but in a cozy mystery that is to be expected. But they too are memorable and distinct. Well done Ms. Xarissa!
I love that the main character is 50 and enjoying life. She's independent and smart but has no intention of solving the murder. Like so often in real life she finds herself sidetracked from her intended agenda. The major characters are flawed and developed enough so they come alive on the pages. The worst are somewhat two dimensional but in a cozy mystery that is to be expected. But they too are memorable and distinct. Well done Ms. Xarissa!
April 2, 2023
Holly Parker midlife crisis
Holly Parker is finally starting to start on her bucket list starting with a trip to Las Vegas. On her way to an early breakfast she finds a dead body that just happens to be her seat mate on her flight. Her vacation turns very stressful after that until the murderer is finally uncovefed. This is a cozy and just what I needed right now. Enjoyed it and can recommend.
Holly Parker is finally starting to start on her bucket list starting with a trip to Las Vegas. On her way to an early breakfast she finds a dead body that just happens to be her seat mate on her flight. Her vacation turns very stressful after that until the murderer is finally uncovefed. This is a cozy and just what I needed right now. Enjoyed it and can recommend.
July 4, 2024
I seldom read cozy…but I am glad I chose this one
This book had 2 strikes when I picked it up…Cozy Mystery AND first person…but it was handy. I spent 14 years in Northern Nevada and visited Las Vegas more than once. The author did a fantastic job with the characters and locations. I could visualize all of it. Add to that the fact that I was not able to name the killer before the last chapters and this book ranks up there with many more expensive novels I have read. GREAT JOB!
This book had 2 strikes when I picked it up…Cozy Mystery AND first person…but it was handy. I spent 14 years in Northern Nevada and visited Las Vegas more than once. The author did a fantastic job with the characters and locations. I could visualize all of it. Add to that the fact that I was not able to name the killer before the last chapters and this book ranks up there with many more expensive novels I have read. GREAT JOB!
July 10, 2024
I've read a number of Diana Xarissa's books, and found all of them enjoyable and well-written quick reads, with lively, likeable (or easily despised) characters. All of the characters are sometimes surprising in their behavior and motivations, just as people are in real life; this book was no exception. The setting, Las Vegas, was made vivid, too, especially for one who has never been there. I love a good cozy mystery, so I found the book very enjoyable.
March 2, 2025
First stop on the bucket list: Las Vegas. A dead groom-to-be was the sight on the first day. The fiancé was understandably distraught, especially if the police suspected her of anything. Could the guy’s own family have killed him?
Although the read was actually okay, I felt that the story didn’t dive too well into the mystery. All I kept hearing was constant character dialogue from the uppity family. Like I said, the read was just okay.
Although the read was actually okay, I felt that the story didn’t dive too well into the mystery. All I kept hearing was constant character dialogue from the uppity family. Like I said, the read was just okay.
November 15, 2022
Joe ❤️ Chrissy
The mystery was good to try to figure out. This may end up being a good series but I doubt I will ever find out. I like to read CLEAN stories. Diana writes clean stories with all of Aunt Bessie, Joan and Janet Markham and Fenella Woods. Why stoop to filthy language in this one? Just saying.
The mystery was good to try to figure out. This may end up being a good series but I doubt I will ever find out. I like to read CLEAN stories. Diana writes clean stories with all of Aunt Bessie, Joan and Janet Markham and Fenella Woods. Why stoop to filthy language in this one? Just saying.
February 2, 2023
Wow
Cozy mystery that hooked me from the start. The mystery is intriguing. Characters seem usual then the quirkiness hits and you can't believe what's going on. The plot line hold your interest by the fascination of what will happen next. Great first book can't wait to read the next.
Cozy mystery that hooked me from the start. The mystery is intriguing. Characters seem usual then the quirkiness hits and you can't believe what's going on. The plot line hold your interest by the fascination of what will happen next. Great first book can't wait to read the next.
May 10, 2023
Could not finish this book. Whole pages given to repeated information that adds up to absolutely nothing but wasted time. Why the main character has no back bone when it's obvious she's got nothing to do with the situation but continues to allow herself to be dragged along is just beyond me. Such a terrible debut to what some have said is a great series.
November 11, 2022
So funny 😂 I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book but I loved it! Getting involved in a murder by accident and then having the victim’s fiancée claiming you as her new best friend was hilarious. I laughed from start to finish.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
February 23, 2023
Fun Read
The characters make this story! Holly just wants a nice vacation, but a dead body and his fiancee gets in the way, along with the dead man's brothers, sister-in-laws, and mostly that terrible Doris!
I look forward to Book 2.
The characters make this story! Holly just wants a nice vacation, but a dead body and his fiancee gets in the way, along with the dead man's brothers, sister-in-laws, and mostly that terrible Doris!
I look forward to Book 2.
March 26, 2023
Fun mystery.
In her fifties (finally every sleuth isn’t 20) Holly is ready to start taking those saved up vacation days. She’s off to Las Vegas, making friends on the plane from Buffalo NY. The next morning she finds one of those friends dead.
In her fifties (finally every sleuth isn’t 20) Holly is ready to start taking those saved up vacation days. She’s off to Las Vegas, making friends on the plane from Buffalo NY. The next morning she finds one of those friends dead.
May 20, 2023
Who killed Joe Rhoades and why??? We have been to Vegas many times. But never ran into something like this!!! Holly needs to be more careful, doesn't she??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
October 5, 2023
I usually enjoy Ms Xarissa's books. This is such a plodding story with so much dialogue repetition. How many times can you have a character say "We were going to be married?" Obviously, an infinitesimal number of times.
November 23, 2023
Started great.
This started great, got bogged down in the middle, and ended with a good story. I have enjoyed other works by this author so this may be because it is a new series. I may read others in this series.
This started great, got bogged down in the middle, and ended with a good story. I have enjoyed other works by this author so this may be because it is a new series. I may read others in this series.
February 14, 2024
New Author for me!
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series, "Bewildered in Florida." The characters are very likeable and made me want to find out what happens next.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series, "Bewildered in Florida." The characters are very likeable and made me want to find out what happens next.
July 1, 2024
very cozy mystery!
it was fast paced, non stop action in vegas no less. restaurants, bars, and suspects galore. i love that some of the action was at an elvis wedding chapel. i recommend this book highly.
it was fast paced, non stop action in vegas no less. restaurants, bars, and suspects galore. i love that some of the action was at an elvis wedding chapel. i recommend this book highly.
July 6, 2024
Anxious in Nevada, Book 1
I liked the story, the people some of whom I
would like to know. It always kept you going to the next page. Will be wanting to read another book by her.
I liked the story, the people some of whom I
would like to know. It always kept you going to the next page. Will be wanting to read another book by her.
July 18, 2024
For the majority of the book, Chrystella was a "one note" character. The same conversation lines were used over and over and over. It did not add any character development nor generate any connection to the reader.
July 24, 2024
really good fun
With a murder what could be more fun than ‘interesting ‘ friends/acquaintances set in an over the top city that seems mostly fake.clean in all aspects, a good shortish read.
With a murder what could be more fun than ‘interesting ‘ friends/acquaintances set in an over the top city that seems mostly fake.clean in all aspects, a good shortish read.
August 12, 2024
This book qualifies as a cozy mystery. I usually don’t like cozies because many of them are cutesy. But I really liked this one. I could see myself doing exactly what the main character did and thus getting more and more tangled up with the cops and suspects.
December 1, 2024
Another good series by Diana Xarissa. You know its fiction, though, because no one in the USA working for a bank could roll over this much vacation time. Other than that annoying little fact, the books read well and Holly is someone I can relate to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews