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On Josie's latest assignment, her former teacher-now working in a lingerie shop-is in need of some serious support when a customer is found murdered. Unfortunately, the teacher's alibi is flimsier than the camisoles she sells, so Josie will need to bust out her sleuthing skills to expose the real killer...

293 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2010

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About the author

Elaine Viets

82 books572 followers
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

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5 stars
246 (32%)
4 stars
269 (35%)
3 stars
199 (26%)
2 stars
33 (4%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
138 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2018
Having been a mystery shopper and visited St. Louis, I really enjoy this series. Quick, fun reads.
Profile Image for Nancy H.
3,179 reviews
April 24, 2019
Another in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series, this story features Josie and her friend Alyce as they find a former nemesis murdered in the bathroom near the store where they have just mystery shopped. Josie is definitely a suspect, so she has to find the real murderer and clear her name as well as that of a woman who was a nice teacher and did something nice for her when she was in high school - but whom the victim hated.
Profile Image for Amy.
Author 2 books162 followers
March 21, 2011
When I lived in St Louis years ago, I knew Elaine Viets. I must confess that she probably wouldn't know me if she fell over me, though. but yes, I did know her. HEr writing career boomed at the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and then, probably 8 or 9 years after I left, she branched into television, then moved and became nationally syndicated (writing a column again), then fell off my radar.

I've seen books of a chick-lity flavored mystery with the author Elaine Viets, but didn't know for sure it was the Elaine I knew until this book came up for discussion at meetup. As it was "my" Elaine, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

We whirled -- one of us finished the dance, the other only skim-read the end after the first 100 pages.

I wanted to get the feel of St Louis, where I lived for so many years, for despite what people often think about a midwestern city, it was a great place, full of wonderful neighborhoods and lots of interesting things to explore (not to mention some fabulous restaurants.) I still miss Soulard, to this day, despite the fact I have a fabulous Farmer's Market here in Charleston. Soulard rocks. But apart from name dropping and some thinly veiled name changes, I never really felt St Louis, or even little Maplewood. (I was a U City gal, myself, but loved Maplewood and Webster Groves.)

One really great bit in the book though was a snooty wealthy woman talking about the "night squirrels" her gardener told her were getting into the garage and eating the dogfood. You know the ones -- the night squirrels with the long, hairless tails...

Will pass this along soon or wild release.
Profile Image for Doris.
Author 33 books8 followers
August 15, 2019
I love Ms. Viets's Dead End job series and I enjoyed the few books I'd read in this mystery shopper series. That said, this latest shopper mystery was not "uplifting" at all. I get (and enjoy) the premise that amateur sleuths get tangled up in murders by accident or nosiness, etc., but I felt Josie was way out of bounds in this outing. She interfered, withheld, made ridiculously dumb decisions that put herself and her family and friends at risk. I applauded when, at one point, the police officer reamed her out. The story had many repetitive moments and much repetitive dialogue that felt like stalling because it was too soon to conclude and the plot had nowhere to go. I have a few more in this series on my shelf and will try another and will certainly continue with the other series.
Profile Image for Melodie.
1,278 reviews85 followers
November 1, 2010
This is the best in this series, so far, IMHO. Josie is out to prove her old high school gym teacher didn't murder the meanest girl Josie knew in school.
Profile Image for Annette.
1,768 reviews11 followers
March 19, 2021
Josie is one tough customer. Literally and figuratively.

She is a Secret Shopper. And she is very lucky when her boss assigns her to go to a luxurious lingerie store, have a fitting and buy a bra and panties. She is even allowed to take her best friend, Alyce, along.

When she arrives at the store, the first surprise is seeing her former high school gym teacher. Laura is the manager of the store and very happy to see Josie. Then the second surprise is not so great. Frankie was a terrible person in high school. Apparently, becoming an adult has not made her a better person. In the store, she insults Josie, Laura, a customer who is picking up an order for his wife and the two sales women. There seems to be no limit to the hatefulness which comes out of her mouth.

So, it is not a great surprise when Frankie is found murdered. It is also not a surprise when the number of people who wanted her dead could fill a hall.

Josie lives in an apartment downstairs from her mother, Jane. She also lives with her daughter, Amelia. Josie is dating a “perfect” man, Ted. He is a veterinarian, her daughter loves him and her mother loves him. Josie is not certain how she feels.

This is an entertaining story. The reader is a part of the investigation. Each clue and idea is presented for everyone to see. I admit, I had narrowed down my idea of the true villain before the end of the book. But, the journey to confirmation was an entertaining one.

I liked the book and I have enjoyed every book I have read by Ms Viets. She is an author who creates complete characters who are entertaining as well as interesting. This book shows Josie and the people around her as human beings with flaws, humor and realistic characteristics.

I liked the fact that each of the suspects were presented as people. No one was perfect, but no one was an obviously terrible human being – except the victim. The more I learned about her, the more I realized that killing her would have been a temptation for anyone who met her.

If I found a flaw it was the one that pops up in many amateur sleuth stories – Josie put herself in situations which could prove extremely dangerous.

I liked the story. I enjoyed the different secret shopping gigs. Actually, the most frightening part of the entire book is when Josie goes to an unknown bargain salon for a hair cut. But, that is probably just me.

If a reader is looking for a well done mystery, I suggest you look at this story. Ms Viets has provided a heroine who draws the reader into her life. We share mystery, danger, adventure and most of all laughter. Those are all the ingredients for a fun read.



Profile Image for Missi Martin (Stockwell).
1,174 reviews36 followers
June 23, 2022

If you have read any of the books in the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series by Elaine Viets you know that main character Josie will do anything for her family and friends. And in An Uplifting Murder that friendship started back when Josie was in school.

In An Uplifting Murder, the sixth book in this series, Josie and her best friend Alyce are mystery shopping at a high end lingerie store, Desiree Lingerie at the Plaza Venetia Mall. They are there to have a certain clerk wait on them....however Josie gets way more than she bargained for when the manager of the store is her old gym teacher and another shock is that one of her school bullies is there shopping as well. Unfortunately when Josie and Alyce stop into the ladies room in the mall after shopping they find Frankie, the bully, dead in the handicapped stall !!

No one deserves to be murdered but Josie cannot help but think that Frankie got what was coming for her. But that feeling is short lived when Laura, her old teacher, is arrested for the murder. Josie knows that Laura did not kill Frankie but the police feel that they have their killer and the case is closed. So Josie decides to look into Frankie's murder but her list of suspects is quite long. Things get worse when there are threats made to Josie's car .....

Readers cannot help but fall in love with the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series....the characters are lovable and could remind you of someone in your real life. The job that Josie has is never the same and always fun for readers to tag along to. Her relationships and friendships are ones for readers to strive for. Once you start reading one of the books in this series, you will be hooked and a fan for life. Every time you open the next book you will feel like you are visiting family or a dear friend.

I highly recommend reading the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series and letting Viets take you away.....

Profile Image for Amy.
1,950 reviews11 followers
March 10, 2019
I really enjoyed the Josie Marcus mystery shopper Siri is quite a bit. The only thing that I’ve had to do is skip book 5 because it deals with females and designer dogs… I can’t read stuff like that it freaks me out. Anyway regarding this book, I really enjoyed getting to know Ted the veterinarian. I think I like him. The mystery itself was very well done although I have to admit that I was pretty sure I knew who did it almost right away. I will admit that I wasn’t sure about the vandalism stuff however. But as usual there was a lot of good dialogue and plot and character development. Generally I just enjoyed listening to these books and look forward to the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
956 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2018
I have never read such a terrible book, besides it seeming as though the author wrote this while multitasking several activities as the conversations between the characters did not flow at all but the author could not resist in every chapter to remark on an character’s weight it was the most bizarre thing. Then halfway through the book she started putting in random facts that it seemed as though she took the headline from the newspaper. I could not recommend this book to a single person. Just an awful book.
Profile Image for Teryl.
119 reviews
May 8, 2021
Great cozy mystery! The conflict/murder occurs early in the book making it a true page turner. I liked the skillful way the author scattered clues and foreshadowing pointing toward the real culprit(s), without being obvious. I also enjoyed learning about mystery shopping and what a professional might be asked to do. This was the first book I've read in the series. Even though it refers to past details, I didn't feel confused or that I missed out on pertinent information that was likely covered in previous books. This is easily a stand alone mystery.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,174 reviews
August 30, 2021
During a mystery-shopping assignment at an upscale lingerie store, Josie Marcus unexpectedly encounters two previous acquaintances from high school: Laura, her beloved gym teacher, and Frankie, the quintessential "mean girl," who made Josie's life miserable.

Before the day is over, Frankie has been strangled in one of the women's restrooms in the mall, and Laura has been arrested for her murder. Josie sets out to prove Laura's innocence, and hopefully to free her before the birth of her grandchild. But, as usual, nothing is as easy as Josie expects ...
685 reviews7 followers
March 18, 2021
Josie and the Bathroom Murder!

Josie runs into an old friend that was her physical ed teacher when she was in high school. Within a few hours the teacher, Laura is arrested for the murder of a nasty ex student in a bathroom in a snooty mall. Josie knows that Laura couldn't have killed the tormenting student and sets out to prove her innocence. Along the way she has to !And a permanent decision about her boyfriend. Lots of twists and turns.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,201 reviews7 followers
April 23, 2021
This is the 6th in the series. Josie is still the main character. She goes on another mystery shopping trip with her friend Alyce. She runs into a girl from high school she hated and her ol favorite teacher who now is the manager of the store she is shopping. When the old friend is charged with the murder of the girl she hated. She knows her old teacher didn't do it but no one believes her. She sets out to find out who did it but can she figure it out ?
9 reviews
January 3, 2022
St Louis stories

A story line has a lot of problems there's no way she could make a living as a mystery shopper in St Louis she is also getting food stamps welfare and Medicaid, since she's too lazy to get a real job, main character has no backbone, her mother's a nut job, I do like the way it brings some St Louis businesses to life. Anyone West to 270 on Manchester are well off
373 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2019
I just didn’t enjoy this mystery. It seemed unlikely that anyone would be motivated to risk their life (or their) child’s to solve a murder against a gym teacher they hadn’t seen in years, the resolution of which was predictable.
42 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2021
This series just keeps getting better and better!

Never a simple cosy thriller. Great characterisation and thoroughly entertaining! Drama and comedy combined!

Recommended reading this book! 4 stars!
829 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2021
Exciting

Great mystery solved by a mystery shopper! Fast paced, twisted and surprising story with a bit of romance thrown in. Very hard to put down until I finally reached the final page.
894 reviews
February 13, 2022
Another good entry in the Josie Marcus mystery shopper series. Maybe Josie should go into law enforcement instead of being a mystery shopper. She seems to solve the case before they do. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Ruth Caves.
477 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2022
Bad choices

You do what you have to in order to keep your family safe. Very difficult to do when death and destruction follow in your wake. But sometimes there is a glimmer of happiness that keeps you going. Usually that glimmer is family
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,423 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2022
I just love this series!! Each book has a unique storyline and character development that is just awesome. I would not want to meet some of the people that she deals with and I would not want her neighbor. But I love Ted and Amelia’s cat. And Alyce rocks!!
75 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2024
An easy, relaxing read

An interesting array of characters combine to make this murder mystery enchanting and intriguing to the end. I recommend it for those who like mysteries without a lot of gore.
126 reviews3 followers
July 10, 2025
Kind of Feels Like a Trip Home

A mystery shopper who lives in Maplewood and drives around St. Louis County keeps reminding me of familiar places and past experiences…a heavy dose of pleasant nostalgia. It is also a great mystery…good on two fronts!
692 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2018
Another good mystery by a favorite author. Only a few left in this series to read.
Profile Image for Rachel Burke.
643 reviews7 followers
May 10, 2020
One of the better books in the series. Light, fluffy, not too “oh look, there’s the solution!” Josie’s personal life goes a touch haywire in an irritating fashion, but it gets better.
Profile Image for Aparna J.
439 reviews5 followers
Read
March 19, 2021
Wow

It's an amazing thriller with awesome twists until the climax to keep the readers thoroughly engrossed. I enjoyed it. The climax was absolutely unexpected and too good.
Profile Image for Maria Grace.
Author 97 books324 followers
Read
February 25, 2022
Fun and light, though the heroine kept doing really reckless things that occasionally made me want to shake her. An enjoyable read overall, though.
277 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2022
A fun mystery in the life of personal shopper. Read it for the fun. You get to quickly know the characters.
Profile Image for Kari Wainwright.
Author 7 books1 follower
December 9, 2010
Josie Marcus, mystery shopper, becomes involved in a murder investigation when she discovers the body of a mean-spirited woman from her high-school days and a favorite teacher from that time is arrested for murder. I enjoyed reading about Josie as she follows her suspicions and copes with her daughter, mother, best friend and the fellow in her life. I don’t mind reading about loners, but dealing with a well-rounded, sometimes dysfunctional member of society is fun, too. Her cohorts give texture to the story. Plus, I liked the way Viets used family dynamics to deepen the story.

But I have a BIAS alert. I really fell in love when Stuart Little, a Shih Tzu, entered the story. It may have been because my own Shih Tzu, Oscar Wilde, was keeping my lap warm as I read. Still, I think I would have enjoyed the book even without the dog. Funny how little things an author includes make a difference, though.

The only flaw for me, and it’s a small one, was the behavior of the man, Cody, when he dealt with the women in the lingerie store. He seemed more distressed than I thought a man would be. But maybe I’m wrong, not being a man who finds himself in a frilly world of femininity. Any male readers care to comment on that?

Overall, a fun cozy, even though the wintry setting was anything but cozy. Brrrr. I recommend the book for the humor, the characters and the writing.




Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews