Half-Price Homicide

Dead-End Job Mystery #9

by Elaine Viets

The national bestselling author presents a high society murder mystery...

At Snapdragon, a high-end designer consignment shop, Helen is at the beck and call of snobby- yet frugal-customers. That alone is a deadly combination, especially with Chrissy, a drool-worthy fashionista who walks in with a purse to sell, and ends up screaming at her husband and another customer.

Helen is used to dealing with snobby women, controlling husbands, and fashionable politicians. But she's about to have to handle a brand new type of unsatisfied customer-a murderer. Chrissy is found dead in Snapdragon's dressing room, with the hand-painted scarf Helen was just holding tied around her neck. And Helen goes from being low on society's totem pole to high on the police's suspect list.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Humor, Animals, Contemporary

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2010

About the author

As a young girl, Elaine Viets was taught the virtues of South St. Louis: the importance of hard work, housecleaning, and paying cash. She managed to forget almost everything she learned, which is why she turned to mystery writing.

Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.

To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.

For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.

For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”

Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.

Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.

Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.

Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.

Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.

Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.

Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

What started out as a good heroine on the lam, a mystery series with a gimmick is winding down with a whimper. Helen Hawthorne has been on the lam because of a bad judgement over her divorce but she's been found out long ago. Her totally sexy mysterious boyfriend has evolved into a faithful fiance at her beck and call. She does resolve her marriage woes, her tax woes, and her life straightens out so she could get paid what she is worth. However, a mystery is set for another book, and the stage is set for her to transition to a new phase and a new gimmick.

In this one she works in a consignment store and a murder happens and she solves it.

The bright spot is her landlady, the colorful old lady Margery. I'm glad the stage is set for more of her. The rest is sort of ho-hum. Helen has become very irritating. Some of her problems are brought on my her own attitude.

The author has another series that is delightful. The first books of this series were too.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first Dead-End Job Mystery that I have read. Part of me wants to start from the beginning so I have an understanding of the character growth (and plot development) but there are far too many books and far too little time. In this installment Helen is working at a high-end consignment shop when a trophy wife meets a crushing end and Helen's prints are found on the murder weapon. Although there are legitimate reasons for that, she already has a strained relationship with the Detective in charge. It doesn't help that she has to return home to handle her mother's affairs and her ex-husband steps back into the picture as does her mother's worthless second husband. There are a lot of threads here that would have been helpful to have more background on, which I would have had I started the series from Book 1. The biggest problem for me was that I didn't like Helen. She is running from a summary judgement giving her ex-husband half her income but she wasn't a sympathetic character. Her fiancée is great but I am not sure what he sees in her. Again, the flaw is not knowing the series. I have another book a little later in, and undoubtedly, that will provide some character growth.

[Melodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this may be the last in this series and it's probably a good thing. I didn't care for Helen in the first book or 2 in this series and I felt that way about her again in this one. Rob's back and there's been a murder made to look like suicide in the consignment shop Helen's working in. Yada, yada, yada........

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a Dead-End Job Mystery series book by Elaine Viets it becomes my new favorite book in that series !! And Half-Price Homicide, the Ninth book in the series, does not disappoint.

If you are a fan of this series you cannot help by LOVE Helen Hawthorne and her unique way of surviving.... I love reading in every book how she caught her husband cheating on her and how she destroyed his SUV while he cowardly hide inside it after being caught, and how the court tried to award him with half of her future earnings so she left St. Louis and ended up in Florida living in a great apartment complex with amazing neighbors and taking dead-end jobs so that she can stay below the radar of the law.

And with every dead-end job she works she always gets in the middle of a murder investigation. But luckily she has her fiance, Phil, who happens to be a private investigator so he can help her.

In Half-Price Homicide Helen is again working in a dead-end job at a high-end second hand designer shop where Helen waits on customers trying to save money buying slightly worn designer clothes and dusts. Except of course things go downhill pretty quick when one of the customers is found dead in a fitting room and there are only a few suspects. While Helen deals with her mother nonresponsive in a nursing home, she also tries to figure out the murder.....to clear her boss's name and, of course, her own.

But not everything is bleak......Helen and Phil have to go back to Helen's hometown to put her mother to rest (which yes is sad and bleak) but while they are there they meet with a few lawyers so that Helen can finally stop running from her ex-husband and her and Phil can finally get married and live happily ever after....or as close at that that Helen can get to !!!

Viets has a GREAT series in the Dead-End Job mystery series and I fall deeper in love with everything about this series.....I know you will also !!!!

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Helen, who has been taking jobs for under-the-table pay, is working in the secondhand store when there is a murder committed in the dressing room. There are several suspects, one of whom is Helen's boss, and when Helen accuses her of helping with the murder, she fires Helen, but later hires her back. Helen also has to deal with the death of her mother and the sleazy, money-grubbing second husband that her mom married. In addition, Helen and her boyfriend Phil must go back to St. Louis to try to clear her name from the fact that she has been illegally hiding from a greedy ex-husband for the last few years. There is a lot going on in this story, but it reads quickly and eventually, things settle down and Helen solves several mysteries.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing some of the resolutions to Helen's troubles in this book. Of course, there are always more popping up. I'm excited to see what is next for Phil and Helen. #readforkimberly

[Donna in Southern Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just perfect for a lazy couple of summer afternoons. Helen is one again working off the books, and once again, there's a murder. At least the police detective is really starting to look at her funny! Where ever she works, someone turns up dead! Oh, well, it's just a fun mystery series. I like the characters.

There's an odd situation that sets her up for future blackmail. Just when she's gotten her legal life back and gets married to Phil. Not a single mention of Clapton in this book though! I guess we'll have at least one more book in this series to wrap it up and make sure everyone lives happily ever after.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Half Price Homicide by Elaine Viets, in her Dead End Jobs series. Helen's mother dies, which presents a whole new ball game. There is of course a murder or two which must be solved as Helen works in an upscale resale ship.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I'm jumping right in the middle of the book, no spoilers just some comments - I was a bit worried as to how the things will roll there, especially with her husband, I was slapping my had pretty hard at some points, but overall - loved it again. Definitely a series for me to catch up with!

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my I finally finished this!! I started it months ago as an audiobook, but I just couldn’t get through it. This whole thing with Rob reappearing to blackmail Helen was too much, and I was getting too angry and nervous at Helen and her behaviour.
So I decided to read this book in physical form, but then waited ages to pick it up again. I just was not in the mood and needed some distance.

When I did start reading again, it was from the start, and as ebook I was enjoying it a lot more. I do really like the spunky vibe Sarah Pesek gives the characters, but I couldn’t bring myself for this one and was happy to make up the voices in my head.

The mystery is fun, and I was surprised that we had all the clues to figure out that the culprit was the important politician woman due to her shoes. I didn’t guess until the last second, and I was glad for the surprise.

I was so shocked when Rob dies??? I was happy he was going out of the way cause he is insufferable and I am sick of him, but I didn’t expect him to die from a head injury given by a child. I was really hoping that when buried, he would stay there and we wouldn’t have to deal with that, but apparently someone saw Helen and her sister hiding the body and blackmailed them. I really hope this plot line just disappears, I want to move on to the Coronado PI agency.

I really like how the dead-end jobs have not disappeared, despite the big change in Helen’s circumstances. Having her still getting bad jobs so she can actively investigate someone is the best, it still keeps the spirit of the series while moving forward. She’s now law abiding and doesn’t have to hide anymore, as that was becoming too tiresome, so I’m sure we’ll get a good breath of fresh air in the next books.

[Sunsettowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen Hawthorne has had to take a string of jobs to stay under the radar of her ex-husband, who was handed half of her income in an unfair divorce decree. Her current job is working at a consignment store that caters to the elite who don't have quite as much money as they would like.

But when a customer is murdered in the store, Helen finds herself once again thrust into the police's spotlight as a prime suspect. She must solve the crime to free herself from suspicion.

I really enjoy this series!

Helen is a great leading character, strong with a sense of humor. The concept is a strong one, with Helen in a different job each book, which really keeps things fresh and interesting. The romance is definitely one to root for, as are the main characters.


I did feel like Viets tried to fit too much into this book. Some of the side plots felt way out of left field, and some of the minor characters verged on caricatures, and I suspect this was because there was just so much going on.

Also, just a heads up that if you haven't read the earlier books in the series, there are some spoilers for earlier plot points in this one.


While this wasn't the best book in the series, it was still a good one, and this is still a cozy mystery series I would absolutely recommend.

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the 'Dead-End Job Mystery' series by Elaine Viets. I started this series when I stumbled across one at random the decided it was one series worth reading. Even though this series is a murder mystery, it's delivered with a huge side of humor.

Helen's latest dead-end job working at Snapdragon’s Second Thoughts—which is where Helen Hawthorne finds herself selling the most chic second-hand clothing in Florida.

In Half-Price Homicide Helen is dealing with her dying mother, and Phil, her private investigator fiance to clear up Helen's past.

While at work a particularly petty customer turns up dead—dangling by a darling Gucci scarf—and Helen's boss Vera is eyed as a suspect.

However, Vera is not the only suspect. Helen, as usual wanting to protect her friends opts to investigate the murder.

Together both Helen and Phil are able to solve the murder, bury Helen's Mother, and clear up Helen's past.

Unfortunately, things also turn deadly while Helen and Phil returns to Helen's. It's up to Helen and her sister to find their way out of this new mess.

If you more deets that make the story a whole. Your just going to have give it a read. I promise you will not be disappointed. Especially with the surprise ending
~Laters Peeps

[L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh goodness, where do I start to list all the things I did not like about this book. To anyone who compared Ms. Viets to the Stephanie Plum series and preferred this, this, .....trying to think of something to describe this waste of time and paper.
The writing was..... well, you know how you feel when you listen to a 15/16 year old talking and you're wondering if there is any occupied space in their head.....its like that. Actually its worse because there is hope for improvement for that person but no hope for these books. They're supposed to be funny and they aren't even that!
Yes I know some will like it, even enjoy it, but all I can say is I'm happy the four books I do have in the series only cost me fifty cents each. They will all be going into my library sale donation box. Although it might be kinder to throw them away and save the next reader their wasted time. I will not be reading the other three books.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Linings?
This book is the ninth in a series that is best read in order. A new reader would not be lost, but would miss some important nuances. The story is fast paced with many things happening at once. Our main character is working at a high-end re-sale clothing shop and someone is murdered right off the bat. The story gets complicated with more deaths and more suspects. It keeps the reader hopping and you just do not want to put it down. I have been binge-reading the entire series and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this book. I am really enjoying the series and plan on continuing my binge-read.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I have read many of the series (not in order) but it is easy to pick up where you left off. Helen is a great character. Besides her usual dead end job with high class princesses to deal with, now her mother falls ill. She is forced to go back home to deal unfortunate events, not to mention her mother's husband, who is a jerk. Now her ex husband has shown up demanding money, but she ends up dealing with him in an interesting turn of events. Of course her dreamy fiancé is there to help her every inch of the way. Great read!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of Half-Priced Homicide. Helen gets herself into the usual trouble with murder and the dislike of Dectective McNally. Helen finds the craziest "dead end" jobs, which I find interesting. This time it is in a store that sells used high fashion clothes and accessories. Her romance with Phil is also moving along nicely since her aborted wedding. What I did not like was the storyline with her ex-husband Rob. I would have liked to see him really face his future of loss rather than how Viets' dealt with him.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One chapter of Helen's life closes and another opens as she and Phil solve another murder and go back to Saint Louis to clean up her legal divorce issues so they can marry. It was, as usual, a great plot and full of small humorous parts...such as the reoccurring pineapple and other ugly knick-knacks. I love the new plot issues introduced in this volume. I'm curious how they will play out. Looking no forward to the next installment...

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another light read in this series. Helen is working in a consignment shop when the wife of a prominent real estate developer is murdered in one of the dressing rooms. The book moves quickly as Helen, her boss Vera, boyfriend/PI Phil all try to solve the case. Other events are part of the book but at times, distract from the overall plot. However, they all tie together in the sense of the series. I will definitely be continuing in the series; I think the ending leads to new plots.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another murder happens while Helen’s on the job. This story takes you from Florida to St. Louis and back.
Things were a little more heavy in this book, then the other stories. Though things are changing for Helen, everything with her mother seemed to put a damper on the story for me.
The story itself is an easy quick read, but again I would classify this as a light read this time.
I’m interested to see what happens next.

[Paula Clouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen, can't you stay out of trouble?

Here we go again...murder and mayhem with Helen in the middle...
By now people should be wary of hiring Helen..murder seems to dog her steps wherever she goes,...Vera and Snapdragons is her next bad job. At least this detective isn't laser focused on her as the suspect...enjoy this convoluted tale..it's a fun read!!
And then there's a new mess in St Louis....but that's another story....

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a fun book with interesting characters and not too much thought needed. This was a great find in my local used bookstore. Though, it was #9 of the series I didn't feel like I missed too much, where the story didn't make sense. I do plan to find the first in the series and start from the beginning.

[Andrea Noren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elaine Viets' books are a hoot! This one has a dead body found in the fitting room of a consignment store for very upscale women's clothes and tchotchkes . Some of the chief giggles involve ornamental pineapples and monkey lamps (both of which the protagonist hates, since she has to dust them). Good fun reading.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess you gotta have the next story line but…

I have enjoyed several of the dead end jobs books and I guess you have to have the next story line but this one contains one of the dumbest moves Helen and her sister could possibly make! I can’t believe they went there! The rest of the book was as enjoyable as ever and I do like a happy ending….

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok but I didn't care for the narrator's character voices, so that dragged down the score. Also, there was a character named Danny that was a real estate developer and almost every time he was mentioned it was as "Danny the developer". It almost seemed as if the author had a word count to meet. LOL

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an interesting series

These characters are so very well presented and endearing that it makes the reader excited to look for the next book to see how well they are all faring. The plots and subplots are so very interesting that each book is hard to put down. Well done Elaine Viets, and thank you for writing them!

[Patricia McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen and Phil tie the knot!

Helen has finally returned to St. Louis to begin straightening out her life. But what about Rob, what about her mother? And what about the deaths of two customers at her current job?

[Rita Callaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running from the Ex

Since I have a few of those Ex's it was extra funny in places. Weird because I also live in Florida but that's the end of our similarity. Great murder mystery which leads you in different clues until things start to fall into place.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising plot twist!

Another hilarious mystery in a high quality series! This varied cast of characters is wildly entertaining, the comedy is witty and fun, and the storytelling is well done.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters are ridiculous. I couldn't get into this book and gave up on page 13. Maybe because this isn't the first book in the series...

[Kathy Bartlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series but I felt like this one "jumped the shark." I'm done.