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Piper Harris #1
Coming in Hot
Starting a new life in Florida means year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and balmy breezes. For most people, anyway.
But not for thirtysomething Piper and her grandmother, former members of a motorcycle gang in Oregon.
For them, it means entering the witness protection program and moving to Bitter End in the Sunshine State. Yes, to Bitter End. It doesn’t get much more ironic than this.
But hey, it’s better than rotting in jail for getting busted with tax evasion and money laundering, and infinitely better than getting killed by said gang for testifying against them.
Needless to say, they both have difficulties adjusting to life in Florida. Moving into a retirement community and dealing with all those quirky characters? Wearing flip-flops instead of biker boots? Where do you even hide your gun if you’re wearing those godawful muumuu dresses? Not to mention, they’re supposed to keep everything on the right side of the law now? Ugh!
Oh, and there’s that dead body in their neighbor’s front yard. Instead of laying low, Piper and her Gran somehow get sucked into that murder mystery.
When they realize they’re in too deep and their cover is almost blown, they have no other choice but to find the killer before it’s too late.
Unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and of course, a hot PI guy await for you in this fast and funny romp!
COMING IN HOT is perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Jana DeLeon, Gemma Halliday, Liliana Hart, and JB Lynn.
But not for thirtysomething Piper and her grandmother, former members of a motorcycle gang in Oregon.
For them, it means entering the witness protection program and moving to Bitter End in the Sunshine State. Yes, to Bitter End. It doesn’t get much more ironic than this.
But hey, it’s better than rotting in jail for getting busted with tax evasion and money laundering, and infinitely better than getting killed by said gang for testifying against them.
Needless to say, they both have difficulties adjusting to life in Florida. Moving into a retirement community and dealing with all those quirky characters? Wearing flip-flops instead of biker boots? Where do you even hide your gun if you’re wearing those godawful muumuu dresses? Not to mention, they’re supposed to keep everything on the right side of the law now? Ugh!
Oh, and there’s that dead body in their neighbor’s front yard. Instead of laying low, Piper and her Gran somehow get sucked into that murder mystery.
When they realize they’re in too deep and their cover is almost blown, they have no other choice but to find the killer before it’s too late.
Unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and of course, a hot PI guy await for you in this fast and funny romp!
COMING IN HOT is perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Jana DeLeon, Gemma Halliday, Liliana Hart, and JB Lynn.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2023
5478 people are currently reading
3064 people want to read
About the author
Deany Ray
42 books183 followershttps://www.facebook.com/deanyraybooks/
Deany Ray has always wanted to be a writer so she decided to take the plunge and dive into it.
She loves writing cozy mysteries, as this is what she likes to read the most.
Her favorite activities are traveling, going to the movie theatre, meeting up with friends and having cooking sessions with her awesome mom.
Deany Ray has always wanted to be a writer so she decided to take the plunge and dive into it.
She loves writing cozy mysteries, as this is what she likes to read the most.
Her favorite activities are traveling, going to the movie theatre, meeting up with friends and having cooking sessions with her awesome mom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
March 8, 2023
Piper's Gran absolutely cracked me up! She's such a hoot and really awesome character. There were definitely some LOL moments like the description said. The setting being a retirement village for a couple of witness protection ladies seemed like a perfect front, but only Gran and Piper could manage to bring more attention to themselves by investigating a murder, lol.
The main murder was solved but I can tell there's gonna be a continuing thread or maybe a couple. It was cool how each chapter revealed a little more info on Piper and Gran like before their forced move and how they even ended up in witness protection. I'm sure the next book's gonna be just as much fun, can't wait to borrow it on KU.
The main murder was solved but I can tell there's gonna be a continuing thread or maybe a couple. It was cool how each chapter revealed a little more info on Piper and Gran like before their forced move and how they even ended up in witness protection. I'm sure the next book's gonna be just as much fun, can't wait to borrow it on KU.
March 25, 2024
This was a good concept for a crime series where the sleuth isn't a goody two-shoes, but has her own criminal background, and at the start it was moving along well, but then it started to get rather repetitive on harking back to Piper and gran's background. I also wasn't a fan of the author inserting her opinions on domestic violence being the victim's fault - it was absolutely nothing to do with the story or any background, it just seemed like she wanted a distasteful rant. I won't be following up on the series.
March 19, 2023
Take two ex motorcycle gang members from the west coast , put them in witness protection and drop them in a retirement community in Florida and see what happens.
Piper and her Gran, Dorothy, experience real culture shock when they arrive in Bitter End. They need to keep a low profile and try to fit in but a murder in the neighbor's yard puts that in jeopardy.
This new series appears to have quirky characters, an interesting story and lots of humor. Looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest and freely offered review
Piper and her Gran, Dorothy, experience real culture shock when they arrive in Bitter End. They need to keep a low profile and try to fit in but a murder in the neighbor's yard puts that in jeopardy.
This new series appears to have quirky characters, an interesting story and lots of humor. Looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest and freely offered review
November 16, 2023
I'm stuck between a 3 & 4. Cute read with some funny bits, not enough of a read to draw me to the next in series
July 18, 2024
Piper and her Gran end up in witness protection after Gran gives testimony on their biker gang to keep herself out of prison.
After 13 months of hiding in motels they are set up in Florida at a retirement village with some quirky inhabitants.
Well hiding out in witness protection is not that easy for Piper and her Gran. Having been raised in biker gang they don't know how to act like "normal" people and it is funny to watch them try to fit in. They dress wrong, hate Florida heat, find a dead body and mysterious goings on in the retirement community - and that is all in the 4 days. They are not surprised or shocked by dead body, breaking and entering so those around them are starting to look at them oddly. If the rest only knew the past they are hiding.
Cute and light read with lots of potential hinted for future books.
After 13 months of hiding in motels they are set up in Florida at a retirement village with some quirky inhabitants.
Well hiding out in witness protection is not that easy for Piper and her Gran. Having been raised in biker gang they don't know how to act like "normal" people and it is funny to watch them try to fit in. They dress wrong, hate Florida heat, find a dead body and mysterious goings on in the retirement community - and that is all in the 4 days. They are not surprised or shocked by dead body, breaking and entering so those around them are starting to look at them oddly. If the rest only knew the past they are hiding.
Cute and light read with lots of potential hinted for future books.
September 20, 2024
One should not compare a book to the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich. The hype behind this book lead to nothing but disappointment especially in the first half of the book. If I hadn’t have been reading it for a prompt, I would have DNF’d it. I truly believe that my main problem with this book is the humor came no where near the series it was compared to. If I hadn’t known anything about the book, I’m almost sure I would have rated it higher because my enjoyment level would have been higher. This book is a cheap imitation of the Plum series. I have no doubt where the author got the inspiration for this series.
July 8, 2024
What a fun little book! Being old enough to be retired, but not in bad enough health to need assisted living, nor desperate enough to live in Florida, this was a fun read for me. The next book is already cued up in my Kindle and I’m off to another adventure with Piper and Dorothy. I’m curious to find if Piper becomes a hairdresser or a bartender at the Bitter End.
I debated giving it a 5 star rating, but there were some grammar errors that bothered me.
I debated giving it a 5 star rating, but there were some grammar errors that bothered me.
January 27, 2025
Okay this book was mediocre but it also had some nice fun moments. What made it mediocre was the constant repetitive explanations of the same things. It was like, okay, we get that already.
The setting was fun and the characters were goofy and well drawn for the most part. I’m probably going to continue reading this series despite my low rating.
The setting was fun and the characters were goofy and well drawn for the most part. I’m probably going to continue reading this series despite my low rating.
April 1, 2025
I first saw this book on a FB add. Having just finished the second book in the Thursday Murder Club series (loved it) I was intrigued by the premise and that the author, Deany Ray, is writing in English which is not her first language. Made me think about Joseph Conrad. Sadly she isn’t Joseph Conrad an this isn’t The Heart of Darkness.
I believe a good editor could have reduced this novel by a third and made it a better read. I think, particularly when writing a series, you want characters you care about, ones you would like to know. There was only one character that I would care to know and it wasn’t the lead. For me, the last third of this novel was a bit painful to read.
As you might surmise, I won’t be reading any more in this series.
I believe a good editor could have reduced this novel by a third and made it a better read. I think, particularly when writing a series, you want characters you care about, ones you would like to know. There was only one character that I would care to know and it wasn’t the lead. For me, the last third of this novel was a bit painful to read.
As you might surmise, I won’t be reading any more in this series.
July 13, 2024
Hmmm.. you know I would have loved to continue reading this series to see how Piper and Ryker's relationship develops but it's just to slow for me.. please don't get me wrong the grannies characters in this book and their moments of shenanigans had me really laughing out loud, but the plot and the twists were like watching paint dry.... I just can't do it! I don't care what the rating are, dang on it I just can't read anymore of this... oh well 🤷🏾♀️
Overall Rating:
3.50 ☆ ~ Okay Read( just to slow 🐌)
Overall Rating:
3.50 ☆ ~ Okay Read( just to slow 🐌)
Read
May 27, 2024fun to read
April 10, 2025
me when I smuggle garden gnomes in my ass
🤑🤑🤑
🤑🤑🤑
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
A definite pass
There was so much i didn't like about this book and these characters it's hard to know where to begin. Possibly with the frequent poor sentence structure that left me with the need to constantly rewrite
sentences in my head.
Or we could talk about using criminals as the main characters, basically our "heroes". And not criminals that regret their crimes and past and are trying to reform, make a new start. No these people love their past, make fun of and look down on " normal" people, and were pretty much just forced into this situation because they got caught.
Additionally, I find Piper and Dorothy incredibly unlikable. All they do is whine and complain. They're very rude, and look down on anyone different from them.
I'll finish off with this, maybe what set me off more than anything... At one part, during a party, Piper tells another women her rehearsed story about why she came to Florida, the cheating boyfriend story. The women commiserates about "men". Then Piper lookgoes off on an internal dialogue basically saying that women who are mistreated or abused by men, it's their own faults!!!! Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! I can't, I just can't even! I read that dialogue and i was done! The author lost me then and there.
So, yeah these books are definitely not for me!
There was so much i didn't like about this book and these characters it's hard to know where to begin. Possibly with the frequent poor sentence structure that left me with the need to constantly rewrite
sentences in my head.
Or we could talk about using criminals as the main characters, basically our "heroes". And not criminals that regret their crimes and past and are trying to reform, make a new start. No these people love their past, make fun of and look down on " normal" people, and were pretty much just forced into this situation because they got caught.
Additionally, I find Piper and Dorothy incredibly unlikable. All they do is whine and complain. They're very rude, and look down on anyone different from them.
I'll finish off with this, maybe what set me off more than anything... At one part, during a party, Piper tells another women her rehearsed story about why she came to Florida, the cheating boyfriend story. The women commiserates about "men". Then Piper lookgoes off on an internal dialogue basically saying that women who are mistreated or abused by men, it's their own faults!!!! Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! I can't, I just can't even! I read that dialogue and i was done! The author lost me then and there.
So, yeah these books are definitely not for me!
January 1, 2025
Sort of lighthearted and entertaining in the vein of the Stephanie Plum books. However, I didn't find this quite as much fun as those books and not as much of a twisty plot. This is the first book in a series and I have only read this one...so you might enjoy reading the series. Perhaps I'll get around to more of the stories in the coming year.
November 5, 2023
Interesting, imaginative story line, with fun characters. I'll likely read more of this writer's work.
June 18, 2024
4.25. First book I read by this author. Very funny, love the characters. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
June 19, 2024
Such a fun, easy read! I can’t wait to read the rest!
October 31, 2024
If you like Janet Evanovich, you'll like this series.
August 31, 2025
If you enjoy cozy mysteries then this is perfect. Cute, fast mystery
September 8, 2025
I actually liked it! It to cozy, not to mystery, it hit just that right spot in between with the humor, snark, humor, and geriatric adventures.
May 9, 2024
Funny and cute.
December 29, 2024
Fun light hearted read. Funny at times and kinda sweet at other times. I enjoyed this easy fun read
May 20, 2024
I wish I could give this series higher reviews because so many of the other reviews are super positive. The pros: the supporting cast is brilliant and the mystery is fun (if not a little obvious). The cons: Piper and her grandmother can both be a little unlikeable at times. Piper considerably less so, but she occasionally gives off strong “not-like-other-girls” vibes, which can be frustrating.
3.8 ✨
3.8 ✨
April 29, 2024
Not my cup of tea
Although I wanted to like this, and knew it was supposed to be amusing and entertaining, I couldn’t get into it and gave up very early on. The writing seemed a little juvenile to me; the characters were completely predictable, and the storyline…and how it would progress…was very apparent. Thankfully I only used a few of my Amazon digital credits on it!
Although I wanted to like this, and knew it was supposed to be amusing and entertaining, I couldn’t get into it and gave up very early on. The writing seemed a little juvenile to me; the characters were completely predictable, and the storyline…and how it would progress…was very apparent. Thankfully I only used a few of my Amazon digital credits on it!
May 15, 2024
Stupid. A total waste of time. Gave up with the dance off.
September 26, 2024
Never have I been so bored reading a book.
January 28, 2023
Two women in the Witness Protection Program end up in Bitter End, Florida. Insert joke here, right? But no, it's "true" and you just have to read this book to find out how fabulously fantastic Piper and Dorothy's story really is! Ever since I caught a hint of the series I have been anticipating it's arrival. Now that it's here (and I read it) I am anxious for the next volume!
Having a mystery series set in a retirement community may sound like a yawn to some people, but it's pure genius. Great characters who have an unusual background hardly seem the type to fit in to Bitter End Independent Living. Their next door neighbor is everything they aren't, yet by the end of the story the author has created a strong bond not only with the neighbor, but several other residents as well. Piper (early 30's) and Dorothy (70ish) transcend normal conventions of friendship. Suffering through a "kill me now" attitude, Piper dyes a resident's hair, unintentionally turning it purple, catches a murderer, and solves a decade old crime. Dorothy fits in a little easier because of her age, but still becomes a master poker teacher, catches a beau, and comes in guns blazing when her granddaughter is in trouble.
Grab a copy and read this funny book with so much packed between the first and last word! Lighthearted but filled with loyalty, new friendships, and a future that shines a little brighter than it probably should...WITSEC, you know!
Having a mystery series set in a retirement community may sound like a yawn to some people, but it's pure genius. Great characters who have an unusual background hardly seem the type to fit in to Bitter End Independent Living. Their next door neighbor is everything they aren't, yet by the end of the story the author has created a strong bond not only with the neighbor, but several other residents as well. Piper (early 30's) and Dorothy (70ish) transcend normal conventions of friendship. Suffering through a "kill me now" attitude, Piper dyes a resident's hair, unintentionally turning it purple, catches a murderer, and solves a decade old crime. Dorothy fits in a little easier because of her age, but still becomes a master poker teacher, catches a beau, and comes in guns blazing when her granddaughter is in trouble.
Grab a copy and read this funny book with so much packed between the first and last word! Lighthearted but filled with loyalty, new friendships, and a future that shines a little brighter than it probably should...WITSEC, you know!
October 9, 2024
Starting a new life in Florida means year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and balmy breezes. For most people, anyway.
But not for thirtysomething Piper and her grandmother, former members of a motorcycle gang in Oregon.
For them, it means entering the witness protection program and moving to Bitter End in the Sunshine State. Yes, to Bitter End. It doesn’t get much more ironic than this.
But hey, it’s better than rotting in jail for getting busted with tax evasion and money laundering, and infinitely better than getting killed by said gang for testifying against them.
Needless to say, they both have difficulties adjusting to life in Florida. Moving into a retirement community and dealing with all those quirky characters? Wearing flip-flops instead of biker boots? Where do you even hide your gun if you’re wearing those godawful muumuu dresses? Not to mention, they’re supposed to keep everything on the right side of the law now? Ugh!
Oh, and there’s that dead body in their neighbor’s front yard. Instead of laying low, Piper and her Gran somehow get sucked into that murder mystery.
When they realize they’re in too deep and their cover is almost blown, they have no other choice but to find the killer before it’s too late.
Unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and of course, a hot PI guy await for you in this fast and funny romp!
But not for thirtysomething Piper and her grandmother, former members of a motorcycle gang in Oregon.
For them, it means entering the witness protection program and moving to Bitter End in the Sunshine State. Yes, to Bitter End. It doesn’t get much more ironic than this.
But hey, it’s better than rotting in jail for getting busted with tax evasion and money laundering, and infinitely better than getting killed by said gang for testifying against them.
Needless to say, they both have difficulties adjusting to life in Florida. Moving into a retirement community and dealing with all those quirky characters? Wearing flip-flops instead of biker boots? Where do you even hide your gun if you’re wearing those godawful muumuu dresses? Not to mention, they’re supposed to keep everything on the right side of the law now? Ugh!
Oh, and there’s that dead body in their neighbor’s front yard. Instead of laying low, Piper and her Gran somehow get sucked into that murder mystery.
When they realize they’re in too deep and their cover is almost blown, they have no other choice but to find the killer before it’s too late.
Unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and of course, a hot PI guy await for you in this fast and funny romp!
September 13, 2024
Piper and her grandmother Dorothy (alias') are relocated in the Witness Protection Program to protect them from the motorcycle gang that they belonged to and with whom they were criminally active with. They were granted identity protection and relocation. Piper makes the move with her grandmother to a community for elderly. Right off the bat, murder happens right next door in the neighbor Edie's yard. Try as she might to avoid being drawn into the drama, Piper becomes involved in helping Edie to try to solve the mystery of who murdered her sometimes lover in her front yard.
How can Piper and her Gram get involved with this situation without putting their new lives at risk of being revealed? Who was this man who was murdered, why was he killed, and who done the dead? To complicate matters, Edie's grandson, who owns and operatehes a security company, gets involved. Things get complicated, but you need to read this to find out who done it, and how was the case solved, and was Piper and Gram's identity exposed in the process.
The plot is thin and a little unrealistic at times, but the characters are relateavle and likeable and the story moves along smoothly. A fun read.
How can Piper and her Gram get involved with this situation without putting their new lives at risk of being revealed? Who was this man who was murdered, why was he killed, and who done the dead? To complicate matters, Edie's grandson, who owns and operatehes a security company, gets involved. Things get complicated, but you need to read this to find out who done it, and how was the case solved, and was Piper and Gram's identity exposed in the process.
The plot is thin and a little unrealistic at times, but the characters are relateavle and likeable and the story moves along smoothly. A fun read.
March 28, 2024
Cute Florida Clean Mystery
This book is the first in a series that is set in a Florida retirement community. Our two heroes are in the Witness Protection Program and are having trouble adjusting to the law-abiding life. The mystery is pretty cute with some interesting points. They have marketed this book as a 'cozy mystery', so that depends on your definition of cozy. It is clean, sort of. There are a couple of swear words, a few kisses, talk about how someone is in bed, some violence, and no gore. There are none of the 'cozy mystery' gimmicks about pairing wine with food, extreme concentration on food, crazy discussions about fashion, pets, hobbies, or any number of things that pad the word count in 'cozy' mysteries. I am reading two other mystery series that take place in Florida. One of them is the same 'fish out of water' scenario of a young person living in a senior community. The other series shares in that the characters know how to fight (physically) and win. So while this series is not unique, it is fun and I am going to read the next book and see how it goes.
This book is the first in a series that is set in a Florida retirement community. Our two heroes are in the Witness Protection Program and are having trouble adjusting to the law-abiding life. The mystery is pretty cute with some interesting points. They have marketed this book as a 'cozy mystery', so that depends on your definition of cozy. It is clean, sort of. There are a couple of swear words, a few kisses, talk about how someone is in bed, some violence, and no gore. There are none of the 'cozy mystery' gimmicks about pairing wine with food, extreme concentration on food, crazy discussions about fashion, pets, hobbies, or any number of things that pad the word count in 'cozy' mysteries. I am reading two other mystery series that take place in Florida. One of them is the same 'fish out of water' scenario of a young person living in a senior community. The other series shares in that the characters know how to fight (physically) and win. So while this series is not unique, it is fun and I am going to read the next book and see how it goes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews