Handbags and Homicide

Haley Randolph #1

by Dorothy Howell

A designer-bag addict investigates death at a department store in this mystery with “lots of humor and style” from a USA Today-bestselling author (Booklist).   Haley Randolph is always ready to go to any lengths to get the latest Louis Vuitton. Unfortunately for Haley, her life goes from glam to grim when her passion for fashion outlasts her credit cards, and she's forced to work at Holt's--a mid-market department store. Looking for a bit of shopping inspiration, Haley sneaks into the stock room to get a first glimpse of Holt's one-of-a-kind selection of handbag styles. But instead of the newest Vuitton, Haley discovers her boss is the ultimate fashion victim. According to the security tapes, Haley was the only person in the stockroom before, during, and after the murder. With everyone in the store eyeing her like last season's Marc Jacobs, Haley turns to the hunky Ty Cameron, who heads up the store's loss prevention unit, to help her investigate the murder. Now her knowledge of hot trends will take her from the sales floor to the boardroom to the gritty streets of L.A.'s Garment District as she searches for a killer with impeccable fashion taste. . . "A winning debut. . .a cool cliffhanger will leave readers eager for Haley's next adventure." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Fashionistas take Dorothy Howell's delightful Handbags and Homicide dangles shopping to die for and a murder in store in a breezy debut mystery as sure to please as a Notorious handbag." --Carolyn Hart, author of Death Walked In

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit, Fiction, Cozy, Romance, Mystery Thriller

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Dorothy Howell writes for two publishing houses, in two genres, under two names. She writes mysteries as Dorothy Howell historical romance novels under the pseudonym Judith Stacy.

Reviews

[Lisa Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Louis Vuitton organizer about $700.


★★½☆☆ Whoa. And I thought I was materialistic? I couldn't connect with the heroine. She was too materialistic, too self-centered, too inconsiderate, and worst of all too lazy. She doesn't know how to tell a supervisor on the phone - when he puts her off by saying he's on a break - that there is a dead body? Pretty easy to say those two words: "dead body." There are very few good scenes in this one, and they don't come until the second half, when the heroine starts to get a clue as to the trouble in which she's embroiled. However, it ends in a cliffhanger. WTH?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how in Evening Bags and Executions, Haley Randolph's work ethic gave me physical pain?
Well, in Handbags and Homicide it is the same deal...except with finances. Her spending habits had me literally cringing. But then, maybe I'm just not enough of a purse person?
At any rate, despite horrid finances and a total Confessions of a Shopoholic vibe, I still immensely enjoyed this book. She makes terrible life decisions but I like Haley. The mystery was terribly predictable and I don't know why she ever considered herself a serious suspect for the cops, but I liked the vibe of the mystery.
Finally, I loved Ty. I didn't mean to, especially not after starting in book 6 where Haley is newly single. But he has a really sweet personality and I especially found it hilarious how often he tries to ask Haley out and she totally misses the cues. (But still fantasizes about him asking her out.)
I totally get - and maybe even agree - with most of the criticisms of Haley's personality, but something about this series just utterly charms me. Maybe it is the unabashed fashion loving heroine, BFF female relationships, array of personalities, great humor...I don't know! But I'm hooked.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried the Kindle sample of this one. From the description, it sounded like "Confessions of a Shopaholic" with a murder mystery - so I expected the main character, Haley, to initially be irresponsible with her money. But I wasn't expecting a lazy, shallow, disrespectful, mean spirited main character.

Within just the short Kindle sample, she manages to inwardly call a customer the B word just for complaining that the store was a mess (which it was), insult her (again, inwardly) for being "only a 32B" and only pretend to look for an item in the back for her. She followed it all up by reveling in satisfaction when the customer got fed up and stormed off. And she did all this with an air of superiority, though I'm not really sure why since it was her own irresponsiblity which forced her into the job to begin with.

I understand Haley doesn't like the job and therefore may not be very motivated to do it well - but wow, what an immature jerk. I have no interest in reading about someone like that, even if it is just a light chick-lit. Maybe the main character winds up going through a miraculous change and becomes a better person by the end - but from the other reviews, it doesn't sound like that is the case.

In addition, Haley had zero reaction to finding her boss dead. Not even shock, which isn't very believable. Her only comment is a cold "If I liked Richard in the least, I would have felt bad about that [him being dead:]" followed by a self absorbed concern for her own self (what if someone thought she killed him?).

This author has no concept of how to write a likable or even believable character.

[aqeelah ❀༉˖ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! The main character is a witty, materialistic, narcissistic and kind of shallow shopaholic that seriously needs help managing her money, her priorities and her obsession with designer handbags. Naturally I could not relate to her at all.
However, I do not expect to relate to every single book character I encounter. Therefore, I still enjoyed this book, as I found the main character's antics and behaviour quite amusing.

I found the storyline itself a bit slow, up until the last hundred pages where things really starting getting exciting. A lot of the plot was more adult contemporary/women fiction, instead of murder mystery. Maybe that's how a "cosy mystery" is supposed to be? I would think this book fits under the "cosy mystery" category, because it lacked the suspense and urgency an ordinary mystery novel would have.
At first I continued reading the book purely because I found the lead entertaining, and not for the murder mystery plot, but I was surprised to find the latter part of the book had some deep lines that took a serious turn. Some parts of the book were unrealistic. Some parts of the book were simply ridiculous. Most of it had me laughing out loud!

This is a book I enjoyed as a holiday pastime. It was neither horrible, nor spectacular. It is the first book in a series, and while I would love to read the rest of the books after THAT ENDING, I won't go out of my way to look for and buy them.

A fun first read of the year! :)

[Genji Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a stupid novel, what a totally unlikeable, lazy, bad-work-ethic main character. Wow - really disappointed. I got to chapter 3 and when she got upset because her supervisors were going to watch tapes that might include her practically mapping in the stock room when she was supposed to be attempting to assist a customer, got upset that her boss was killed and that might crimp her plans, and she specifically avoided a store customer who needed help - not that the customer had any redeeming qualities herself - I just had to quit. Is the author a 20-something with this same attitude, one of "I am me, therefore you should fall down and worship me, my $700 purse, and my massive piles of debt incurred while buying things such as the aforementioned $700 purse and others like it? If so, no thanks, I get enough of that in my classroom and at the local mall. Angst is overrated and boring. Why read about a protagonist who has no redeeming qualities. Simply, I didn't like the main character, was bored with the plot, and had no idea where to turn, so I quit.

[✴ Cindy ✴ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley is self obsessed, horrible with money, and materialistic, but lovable.

I'll continue reading.

[Thanushya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked up this book from my shelf at home, must have bought it when i was a teenager.
I hated the lead, everything she did was just proving what a spoiled, ignorant, self obsessed brat she was. Couldn't believe anyone would fall for that.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the storyline, it was a captivating read, but found it a bit repetitive and detailed where it wasn't necessary. A few too many characters and I was disappointed with the ending.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heroine was a designer bag groupie but funded her habit on credit. Their was a plot that dragged out that she somehow managed to solve but to me this was a waste of good reading time!

[Jessica Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can see this review at Tales Between the Pages

Handbags and Homicide by Dorothy Howell is a fun read that is perfect for summer. It’s funny, fast-paced, and there are enough designer handbag references to make you drool. I’m not a handbag afficionado. I buy cheap at Target. But the book even had me drooling when I looked up pictures of the handbags in question.

I had a hard time liking Haley at the beginning of the novel. I found her vapid and narcissistic and not too like-able. For a while, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the novel at all. I mean, she finds a dead body and it’s not big deal? Why isn’t it a big deal? Dead body. Pool of blood. BIG DEAL! But, something shifted for me around the time she figured out she was being accused of embezzlement. She had this moment of “How could I have been so stupid?” and vowed to never let it happen again. That moment of self-realization shifted me from “I always finish books, no matter what” to “What’s going to happen next? I HAVE TO KEEP READING!” At that moment, she became real to me.

My advice to you: keep reading. It gets better.

I think Handbags and Homicide by Dorothy Howell is equal parts Confessions of a Shopaholic and Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum novels. I noticed a few similarities in the dynamics between Haley/Ty/Jack and Stephanie/Joe/Ranger. It’s not an exact replica, Hayley and Jack’s flirtation is very similar to the flirtation between Stephanie and Ranger. I think if you’re fans of both series, you’ll enjoy Handbags and Homicide.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read alot of mysteries but had decided that I wouldn't give any 5 stars--5 star ratings are reserved for my all time favorite books. Well after reading a clunker previous to this I just fell in love with this funny mystery. Handbags are quite bountiful in the world of Haley Randolph. She is funny, smart, relatable and sassy. Most mysteries have the typical solve the crime and all the pieces come together at the end. This one had a couple of nifty twists and turns at the end. A complete and utter joy to read! More Haley please!

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some books I'm embarrassed to admit that I read and this is one of them. But I want to get it on my list to remind myself not to read any more in the series. The main character, Haley was completely unlikable; shallow, lazy, dumb and irresponsible with money. I enjoy a well written chic-lit mystery but this was not it. I figured out the two "mysteries" long before she did and I kept saying to her "you were set up because they knew you were stupid!" Near the end when she also figured it out she asked "Why me?" and she went on to say "because I'm stupid." On that we agree.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light, easy read. The start of series about Haley Randolph, who is fanatical about designer purses.

I found the character really annoying, because whenever she is faced with a decision to make, she chooses the worst one. Every time. She reminds me of Becky Bloomwood in Sophie Kinsela's Shopaholic series. However, the plot was fun, and I liked the way it was neatly wrapped up at the end.

I will try the next few in the series and see if Haley grows on me, or if I find her so annoying I have to quit...

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known from the very start that I would never identify with the main character. But I kept reading, hoping she would do something to redeem herself. To me, she reads as shallow, stupid and selfish, and I just couldn't get over that and follow along happily with the story. The plot itself was decent enough, and the twists though a little convoluted worked out. The writing wasn't bad either. It was mainly the protagonist that I just didn't like.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must confess that I could not finish reading this book. I had high hopes, as I love cozy mysteries but this was just horrible from the get-go. It seemed promising, but I just couldn't connect with the main character, and I had to force myself to turn the page. The main character was over-the-top materialistic, shallow, self-centered and lazy. I couldn't connect with her whatsoever. This was my first and last Dorothy Howell mystery.

[beti_czyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literatura lekka z mala odrobinka kryminalu .
Glowna bohaterka,znawczyni markowych torebek i przez to zadluzona na maksa. Pracuje na dwa etaty zeby splacic karty,gdy niespodziewanie z jednej pracy zostaje zwolniona,podejrzana o defraudacje pieniedzy,w drugiej pracy podejrzana o morderstwo?? .Mimo ze ja juz domyslalam sie co i jak ,to i tak z przyjemnoscia czytalam dalej ,bo bylam ciekawa w co sie jeszcze wplacze glowna bohaterka .

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handbags and Homicide is the first book in a series about a fashion conscious retail sleuth. Haley Randolph, a vapid twenty something, is let go from her accounting job at a boutique LA law firm pending an investigation into her credit, leaving her trading her Chanel suit Gucci purse for business casual working nights and weekends at Holt Department Store, known for its family deals and tracking clothing. It seems like a downgrade for Haley. One night when she's forced to work in the Intimates section, she decides to hide from a customer while waiting in the stockroom. she doesn't expect on finding a dead body, until she stumbles over the body of the stores assistant manager, Richard. Haley is then questioned by the police, as well as the stores owner, Ty Cameron. The way she acts is a bad example for all retail employees, but it works well with her. I like this with her character, maybe it will give her some time to grow. The rest of the mystery is actually good for doing a murder in a department store. It limits the suspect with the people at the store, or having to do with the store.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley Randolph, 24, has it all, except for one thing, the money needed to fund her extravagant lifestyle.
She's self-obsessed, a narcissist, fantasist, and collects designer handbags like there is no tomorrow. While she lives in her own bubble she's oddly grounded - very occasionally.
When she's put on leave from her dream job at law firm Pike Warner - where everyone wears designer clothes - all she has to fall back on is her second job at the failing Holt's Department Stores, the last thing she needs is to find a body in the stock room.
But, there it is, a body!
And when it eventually becomes clear that her job at Pike Warner was terminated because she's suspected of embezzling $100,000, it's game on!
It's a discombobulated plot in many ways, but when you factor in Haley it all makes sense.
And, of course there is the CEO of Holt's, Ty Warner, on her radar - but the course of true love never runs smooth.
It's all very silly and a lot of fun.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars because it is genuinely funny.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish this book had been better, ‘cause I love a mystery series. The main character, Haley, is so similar to Rebecca in the Shopaholic novels, that I think Sophie Kinsella would have a bone to pick. However, Haley lacks the redeeming charm and warmth and naïveté that make you cut Rebecca some slack. Haley is self-centered, materialistic, and a terrible employee. More than one man seems to be infatuated with her, but there’s no apparent reason why. I’m not sure what year this was published, but some of the running jokes fell really flat for me and just felt dated - the pretty, fashion-obsessed girl who never works out and seems to subsist primarily on Snickers and Oreos? Letting everyone believe the corpse was found wearing women’s lingerie when that’s not the case? If I want to read a silly, implausible, contemporary mystery, I’ll go back to the “Size 12...” series. At least that protagonist has some redeeming qualities.

[Mooncat · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first 70 pages were a constant question: Do I even finish this airhead of a book or just stop right away?
Then she almost got me back. It got a bit funny for a while and Haley showed some sparks other than greed and self-involvement.
But then came the end. Which was no real end, rather a confused group of thoughts or at best a first draw.
And after reading the summaries and comments on the next books in the series - no thank you, I'm out.

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retail-themed cosy mystery with a strong romance subplot. A frothy, light read as long as you don't mind reading about a shallow, capricious main character.

Haley's a walking disaster, and I loved it! As extreme bad luck is a staple of the cosy genre, this actually works pretty well for the plot - Haley's ability to get herself into trouble feels natural and not contrived. It also helps justify petty conflicts and misunderstandings that would feel artificial if a 'nicer' main character was involved.

[Sherry Grussing · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was hard to read. The lead character was not believable. The way she shot her mouth off at her supervisors and flat out lied would have anyone in real life without a job. The book would lead up to something, totally miss the beat drop, and wind up in a different setting at a different time.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The detective has a brain storm toward the end in order to solve the homicide and the reason she was let go from her good paying job. Otherwise I figured out the murderer and why she was let go about halfway through the book. Her fixation with designer merchandise disgusted me. How can anyone overspend like she does?

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book, as the main character is such a self-centred airhead. I decided to give it a chance, and did enjoy the story, but she was still a bimbo. Don't know if I'll bother with any more of the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the main character isn't the best person, but I was laughing so hard while reading this that I didn't care. I hope the next book is just as funny (and my laughter wasn't because of the good mood I was in while reading it).

[Sya · Rating 4 out of 5]

its cute and funny. can actually relate to Haley. and I thought a girl who always eat healthy at the break room have something to do with the homicide cause she seems weird and Haley dont even know her name until the end. screw Craig. screw Kirk

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story. The main character got on my nerves. Maybe because I worked retail for so long and I take pride in my work. The girl definitely needs to work on her work ethics! Money management might be a good lesson too!

[Katy Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. It was nice to read about a sleuth that wasn’t newly divorced and/or had kids. Sure, she came off a bit selfish, but then again I haven’t read a fashion cantered novel (accessories included) were the protagonist isn’t. Overall, well done!

[Emily Harpel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but it’s really hard when the main character is so unlikeable. I also found some of the descriptors for other characters problematic. I didn’t like the use of “sort of retarded” to describe a co-worked. That word is very hurtful.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright . Her character annoyed me with her personality. I liked the idea of it but I didn’t care much for the characters. Like in what universe are you going to completely shit on the company owner then he’ll be like “wow that’s cool , you had spirit , love that”

Overall , 3/5