Just Murdered

Dead-End Job Mystery #4

by Elaine Viets

Helen Hawthorne's new job at a bridal salon becomes downright funereal when a bride-to-be's mother is murdered. Now, Helen must find the killer before this turns into another dead-end position for her-literally.

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

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

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

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title cliched its fifth star only barely. I knew, however that Just Murdered would break my run of ill rated books. There was no great twist in the murderer's identity, but the author still made it work.

I loved this entry in the series. The ups and downs of Elaine Viets's heroine, Helen Hawthorne are a joy to read. The Dead-End Job mysteries is one of those book series that languish in semi anonymity. Each time you wonder how Helen is going to lose her present job.

Losing the current job was like pulling teeth. I hope that the 15th and last book herein gives some closure to us poor fans. I really think that the heroine should have stayed put. But that would not do for the author. She became victim of her own formula.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen acts like a preteen in regards to her relationship with Phil, just dumb. Yes he was wrong, but considering her issues, I also get his point. The murder mystery itself wasn’t bad, but the relationship drama was just overplayed.

[Sherri F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish we could do to 1/2 stars...I probably would give this a 3.5. Helen, as a bridal clerk/attendant, went to the wedding of a mousy but manipulative bride and her over-the-top demanding mother (Kiki), who ends up dead in her dress in a closet at the church on the wedding day. There is a whole list of potential killers with legit reasons for wanting Kiki dead, including the bride. However, the cops investigate Helen who is on the run so this time looking into a murder is even more important to her. It definitely kept you guessing and laughing (at times) but other times frustrated b/c the author had Helen doing, well actually not doing some commonsense things that most of us would do, and that frustrates me. Overall, I still like the series and this was a pretty good one.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

just murdered is an interesting story abut a brides mother who gets murdered. helen works in a bridal shop and is on the run from her ex husband. the courts gave him half her earnings so she works dead end jobs to make ends meet. she must solve this crime before she gets arrested for this murder. its a fun to read story.. as helen tries to clear her name and her bosses name for the murder. their is any number of suspects.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was trying to read fluff to distract me from things in my life. This was not the book to choose. The mystery was put together fairly well but the writing was uneven at best. Helen kept detecting the same facts about the newspaper ad and the possible suspects. She kept making the same mistakes in her love life. And the time line was both too short and too long, often in the same chapter. I did not like Helen as a person. The details about the bridal shop customers was amusing but irrelevant to the plot. I will not be looking to read any other books in this series.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished also on Oct. 11, 2011 and September 3, 2016.

Great cozy mystery showing the behind the scene of bridal shops. Love the characters!

Rereading books is like watching one’s favorite shows over and over again. 😀

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted romantic mystery.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen changes jobs and now is working in a bridal shop. Her vivid imagination helps her in her journey to discover the truth. The characters are quirky and intriquing, well worth reading more of.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good; probably the best in the series yet.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't lose with this series.

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

The Dead-End Job Mystery series by Elaine Viets is one of my favorites !!! Just Murdered is the fourth book in this series and I could not put it down !!! (which can also be said about the previous three books)

Once you begin reading books in a series, you feel like you are visiting a friend when you get to others in that series. Not only are you comfortable with the main character(s) and the setting but you feel like a part of it all !! And the Dead-End Job Mystery series has the best storylines !!! Each book introduces you to a new job that Helen begins working at to stay under the radar from her ex-husband and these jobs are a HOOT !!! First its a high-end clothing shop, then a bookstore, followed by a telemarketing job and now in Just Murdered a bridal gown salon.

Not only are the jobs interesting and fun but once Helen clocks out for the day she returns to her apartment at the Coronado Tropic Apartments to hang out by the pool with her landlady and friends. As you read these books, you will feel like a part of the group and a resident of the Coronado also.

And let's not forget ...... murder. There, of course, has to be a dead body in the mix and Helen has to be right there in the thick of it all. But again as you get to know Helen you would expect nothing less of her.

Yes I am talking like everything about the Dead-End Job Mystery series is real and that Helen is a real person..... Well I challenge you to read one of these books and tell me that you aren't drawn to Helen and feel like everything you are reading feels real. You will get so engrossed in the story, you will not want to put in down and when you do finish one of the books, you will do whatever it takes to get your hands on the next one.......

I cannot wait to continue following Helen and crew and walk along side Helen in whatever dead-end job she takes next.......

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book before I planned. Honestly the plan was to have a break from the usual thrillers I prefer and the first three books in the series was a perfect break. Then I would catch up on some others I had borrowed and read more of this series when I was ready for another break.

Why did I jump in so soon? Well, I loaded it to be ready to listen when the day came that I wanted to read it and in doing so I listened to the first two paragraphs and wanted more. And I wanted it right now! So I gave in and enjoyed reading about Helen’s new job working as a salesperson in a wedding dress store. I finished the first two chapters with a big smile and knew this one was going to be fun to read just as the others had been.

As I laid it aside today I noticed that the first review on GoodReads was not too long so I decided to read it. Holy heck! These books are a series of COZY MYSTERIES! Did you see those words? COZY MYSTERIES!! Here I am, a thriller, horror, apocalyptic and dystopian fan reading cozy mysteries! I have always admitted that I read for entertainment and these entertain me thoroughly. I will continue to proudly read what I like.

A brief review of this book is that Helen is now selling wedding gowns and meeting highfalutin people (I had to look up that word so I could spell it and I’m thrilled with the word.) who spend as much as they can to outshine all other weddings. Feelings have no place for these weddings. It’s all about impressing people. And as usual there are murders and Helen once again turns out to be a great sleuth.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the Dead End Job Mystery series. I haven't given it as high a rating as the other three because although the setting is great as are the characters, I found Helen to behave quite stupidly at times. I have a boyfriend who's a PI but no, I'm too independent to ask him for help even when things are looking really black for me.

Also, the setting- in a bridal shop reminded me of the first book a little too much.

Plus, I'm really struggling now with the reason why she has to take the dead end jobs - my willing suspension of disbelief about the reason for her being on the run is being worn away with every book, especially since I've read comments about how alimony works in other reviewers' comments.

I listened to this as an audio book and it was enjoyable and I'm now listening to the next one but I don't think this is the best one.

[Rachel N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen Hawthorne is working a series on minimum wage jobs this time it's a bridal salon. I'm not quite sure why she feels she has to do these jobs, eventually I'll have to read the first book to find out why. Kiki, the obnoxious mother of one bride, is found dead at her daughters wedding strangled by her daughters wedding dress. Helen fought with Kiki and her prints are on the dress so she becomes a prime suspect and must investigate to find the real killer. None of the suspects were likeable and I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I knew why Helen didn't want anyone to discover her identity.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so enjoyable. Elaine has created a cast of characters that makes you want to keep turning pages and then find the next book in this collection. I love the landlady. She reminds me somewhat of some elderly ladies I have met in this life. We are still following hen as she gets a new dead end job and of course she find a body. I guessed wrong on the killer every time a new one appeared. I love it when the writer keeps me guessing. Highly recommend this series.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Mystery or Marriage and Theater
This book is the fourth in a series. The reader will enjoy it more if they are read in order. These are fun mysteries that I have been binge-reading. They have a bit more sex than the average cozy. It is all third person, implied, and closed door. Beyond that, the characters are great and have great personalities. The plot has lots of twists and turns and the reader will be just as lost as the main character. There is lots of humor as well.

[Casey Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the same. And that isn't a bad thing. If you like series mysteries like I do, you come back because you enjoy the formula and/or the characters. I find I like both in this series. I am warming up to the characters more and more with each book and I like the mysteries. These are easy reads.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how Helen dealt with the brides and their mothers while keeping her cool ... some of them were horrible. Money does not equal manners. If you've read any other book in this series, you'll know she is in the midst of things and the detectives are keeping their eye on her. I guessed wrong when it came to the killer but didn't mind because the reveal was quite entertaining!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book.
It transported me away from a world of worries into a realm of engaging ( no pun intended) characters.
The plot was not not the strongest, but entertaining.
Since I have wintered in Fort Lauderdale it was fun to say "Oh, I've t0 that restaurant."
I am now reading series with book #1.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a cozy mystery

This whole book revolves around sex and much of it immoral or illegal. Floridians are described in very poor light. The killer was easy to determine. The characters were really all generally bad, minor criminals, or plain dysfunctional people. Left me feeling sad for the world and sadder still if Florida folks are accurately depicted in this book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is quintessential Florida - crazy characters, crazy situations, and hot weather. The characters in "Just Murdered" were very entertaining - Kiki (the rich mom), and Desiree (the homely bride-to-be), made for a unique pair. I was honestly surprised by the ending to this novel.

[Karen Holman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has an interesting cast of characters, setting in southern Florida, and an ending that leads to m0re tales. The language in this series is very crude and the words to the point. copy right 2005

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen is back in a new dead end job at a bridal shop, where she runs into the rich mother, who withholds payment as in I forgot the check. When the mother is found dead after the wedding, Helen is a major suspect. Helen never thought working with brides would be so stressfull.

[Jan Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen is working in an upscale bridal shop. The mother of the bride, Kiki, gets murdered. Who did it? The police think Helen did. Everyone has a motive. Phil's almost ex-wife shows up in the story. Just a little unreal for me.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen finally gets a job that pays good, or at least enough to get by on. She is actually good at selling wedding gowns. Things seem to be going good until she finds a dead mother of the bride at the wedding. Helen has her prints all over it..

[Vicky Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Hawthorne's new job at a bridal salon becomes downright funereal when a bride-to-be's mother is murdered. Now, Helen must find the killer before this turns into another dead-end position for her-literally.

This series grows on you.

[Catsalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

Justifiable homicide, no doubt. Light, easy reading, if a little dull at times. Helen is a bit too juvenile for my liking. There were amusing moments but not enough for me to follow the series, although I do have a couple more on my shelves that I'll get to one day, maybe.

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

Dead end jobs are murder!

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

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not my normal style of reading, however I was completing a challenge and it met the requirements.

It was a quick, easy to read, cute little mystery. Lots of holes, but was whimsical and kept me engaged.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just fun, with a great mystery.