Sticky Fingers

Roxy Abruzzo #2

by Nancy Martin

Roxy Abruzzo stays one step ahead of trouble----especially now that her cash flow is less than stellar, and she's "doing favors" for her slippery uncle Carmine, one of the last old-time Mob bosses in Pittsburgh.

With her sidekick, Nooch, and her thieving pitbull, Rooney, Roxy hustles the mean streets collecting debts for Uncle Carmine and keeping his customers in line. With her daughter's college tuition to pay, Roxy can almost convince herself that the shady jobs are legal. But when Carmine's consigliere offers Roxy a contract to kidnap someone, that's a line she won�t cross.

Trouble is the kidnapping happens anyway, and when the victim turns up murdered, Roxy�s number one on the police hit parade. To protect herself, she investigates and soon learns the victim had a big secret---or two. Add a rock singer with a penchant for dinosaur bones and throw in a pesky paleontologist, plus an ex-nun with a mustache problem---not to mention a sexy chef with a taste for whatever Roxy dishes up---and you've got a caper full of quirky characters and laugh-out-loud mayhem.

Peppered as usual with Nancy Martin�s sharp one-liners, Sticky Fingers---the second Roxy Abruzzo mystery---is even tastier than the first.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2011

About the author

Winner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.

Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.

Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.

Reviews

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the 2nd book in this series. In some ways it was a lot better. She's toned down the language, the main character isn't jumping into bed with everyone, and her character has grown. I like all the characters in these books although I think I might cry if Flynn isn't in the next one.

If you're a fan of Stephanie Plum, you might like this series even more. It has heart.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story with some twists and turns, I enjoyed it.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a gift and I was glad that I did since I was not that happy with the first in this series and probably would not have picked this up. In the second book, Roxy is much more likeable and the secondary characters are more finely drawn. I find it interesting because it takes place in my home town,Pittsburgh,and I get a kick out of the local references. I can't call it a great book or great literature or even great writing but it makes you laugh and keeps you interested.I did like her Blackbird sisters series and I am glad that I gave this second book of Roxy another chance.The language is little rougher in this series than the Blackbird sisters, if that is improtant to you. The title of the first book has been changed from "The Immaculate Deception" to "Foxy Roxie".

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the first book in this series but I liked this one even more. In the first book, "Foxy Roxy", I wasn't sure if I liked any of the characters; sorta but not quite. In this book, they're not much nicer but I liked them better. In this book, they seemed to like each other better. Anyway, it was funny with lots of interesting characters moving through. It has some resemblence to the Stephanie Plum serier but not enough to feel "read that before". However, the "neighborhood' and the "relatives" have the same feel.

I began reading Nancy Martin with the "Blackbird Sister" series. I'm looking forward to the next Roxy book.

[Lbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I began this book it seemed like a passable clone to the Janet Evanovich series, but as I read further into the book, the characters became more defined, more understandable and by the end they were quirky friends that I hope to meet again.

The mystery was not obvious, and there were twists enough to keep everything interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny story about a woman trying to find why someone was murdered and of course who did it. Very similar in style to the Janet Evanovich books since the main character has lots of men in her life, and trouble is her middle name. Plus, the story takes place in Pittsburgh, so it was great knowing exactly where Roxy was throughout the book.

[Sara Bramble]

A fun read about a single mother in Pittsburgh whose architectural salvage business has slowed down. She entertains job offers from her "retired" uncle Carmine, a neighborhood boss. When he asks her to kidnap an old high school nemesis, she begs off and then discovers her rolled up in a carpet on the waterfront. A lively cast of characters keeps me turning those pages.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roxy Abruzzo is back and involved in another wacky mystery; she juggles the various people in her life like a master but with hilarious results.
The characters are fun and well drawn; the plot is clever and fast-paced.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, come on. It's a fun read!

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift from someone who had read it and thought I would enjoy all the Pittsburgh area references ... since I am originally from there. And I did!

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roxy Abruzzo's architectural salvage business isn't doing so well; not only does she have a cash-flow problem, she is lacking the money that her daughter Sage needs for her tuition.

Roxy's Uncle Carmine, Pittsburgh's mob boss, knows this & sends his attorney, Marvin Weiss, to offer Roxy a job.

Someone has sent Carmine a cryptic contract note requesting a kidnapping. Local museum curator, Clarice Crabtree (Roxy's former high school nemesis) is on someone's short list and that person want Clarice gone.

But Roxy has a heart and goes to warn Clarice. Between Clarice being her same nasty self and Rooney, Roxy's dog, digging through a freezer of old bones; Roxy forgets what she actually came to do and Clarice leaves before Roxy can warn her of the contract.

When Clarice is found dead, floating in the river & trussed up in a rug the problems really begin.

It turns out that Clarice had two husbands and two children that she was supporting, all in a very expensive lifestyle; her daughter Sugar, an Olympian ice skater hopeful and her son Richie, an up & coming avant garde dress designer lacked nothing to aid them making their dreams come true.

Meanwhile Clarice had put her father, a famous paleontologist, in a nursing home for Alzheimer's patients, but he escapes & returns home in an attempt to protect his frozen bones...

Also in the mix are:
Nooch, Roxie's friend & co-worker
Flynn, Roxie's former, Sage's father, & chef extraordinaire whose newest soup (made for a rockstar who collects dinosaur bones) has a secret ingredient that not even Flynn knows about
Aunt Loertta, who raised Roxy
Sister Bob, former nun & Loretta's cousin
Gino Martinelli, who owes Carmine money & receives an unpleasant visit from Roxy
Zack Cleary, Sage's on-off again boyfriend & police academy cadet
Adasha Washington, Roxy's friend, neighbor & ER Doctor who helps abused women find shelter

Add all these people and several others into the mix and you have a zany, rollicking, funny story that rivals Carl Hiaasen.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

On one of my trips to the library I decided to pick this up and it did not disappoint. All jabs against the Bengals football team aside (my favorite) this was a really enjoyable and funny read. It took me about a day to read and it Kept me guessing until the end. If you want to get away for a few hours and want a really funny lighthearted read with a little bit of romance then look no further. You have found what you have been looking for.

[Frances Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of what attracted me to this book is its setting - Pittsburgh - where I have close relatives. Also because of the Italian-American connection; also my family. The book had some good, humorous lines and characters - I loved Sister Bob - and it was a pretty good story, but I did not find the protagonist very likable, which detracted somewhat for me. I don’t plan to read any others in this series, but I don’t regret reading this one.

[Marla Bradeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

STICKY FINGERS is a fun, humorous mystery. A bold but flawed heroine, quirky secondary characters, and an intriguing mystery all work together to capture the reader's interest and keep the pages turning. Those familiar with the Pittsburgh area will likely enjoy the local references as well.

Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I got this book at the dollar store. It was a good quick read. If you are bored and want something light to read this is it. If your are into more serious novels..then this is not for you lol. It was ok.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and didn't immediately love it. While the story was good, I couldn't decide if I liked Roxy Abruzzo. I am a bit OCD and like to read series books in order so ... after finishing this book yesterday I started the first Roxy book today and already I love it more. Weird.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish the first one, but this one was ok. The main character took a vow of celibacy and so there wasn't so much raunchy talk and sex.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Martin, please continue writing more Roxy Abruzzo books!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kick butt entertaining and gritty book - I love the lead character but sometimes I feel sad for her. But she keeps grinding through and I’ll root for her.

[Phyllis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not even close to Janet in her good days.

[Jaymie De Frain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are crazy and quirky, which makes for a very interesting--although not very realistic--story.

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

Funny book. Just love Roxy, her adventures, family and friends!

[Thea Krause · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. No story arch. Weird improbable plot. 0/10. I could write a better book.

[Beth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a light hearted mystery with a fun character? This is the book for you. I loved the book and the quirky twists and turns it took and the main character reminded me a lot of Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich). Easy to read and a fun diversion from all of the serious books I have been reading lately. Totally enjoyable book.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find.
Interesting.
Some what funny.
Well defined characters.
A few unnecessary cuss words.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and easy read. Not all books are deep and life-changing, and that's okay. Fun characters and a plot that is comically interesting.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun tough girl mystery, set in Pittsburgh. Roxy reminds me a bit of Stephanie Plum. I will be looking for others in this series. 3.5 stars

[Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roxy turns down a kidnap-for-hire job from her crime boss uncle. The victim Clarice is a former high school rival of hers. When Clarice is found dead a few days later, thanks to her own “mother” issues, Roxy makes it her mission to solve the crime on behalf of the victim’s kids. This story had some twists and turns in it. My one real criticism of it (besides Roxy being an extremely raw character) is that for someone who is supposed to be intellectually disabled, her side-kick Nooch uses and understands some pretty complex vocabulary and sentence structure. As before, I love how Roxy stands up for underdogs (human and animal). This is the second in this series. I’m happy that Roxy has decided to better herself. If that continues, I’ll continue with the series. All the same, I was thrilled to pieces to learn this author has another book in her Blackbird Sisters series coming out soon; I thought it had come to an end.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough-talking Roxy Abruzzo will do a lot, but she draws the line at felonies. When she's asked to kidnap her old high school nemesis, she just says no--but someone else does snatch Clarice Crabtree. When Clarice's secrets start to come out, Roxy--a soft touch for kids--worries about the two teens involved in Clarice's life. As usual, she has an abused woman in one of her safe houses, her daughter Sage to get into college, and the rest of her family to consider. But this time around, she also must deal with a new enemy, a rock concert, and an Italian wedding. To make matters more surreal, her faithful assistant Nooch, strong but slow, has started reading a self-help book, whose principles he insists on sharing.

[Kwoomac · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Am I supposed to like these people? This is the secomd book in a series (so far of two). While not necessary to read the first book, most of the back story is relayed there. Author does bring the reader up to speed. Maybe I would have liked them more if we had a history.

Roxy Abruzzo, is a local from Pittsburg. Locals are referred to as yinzers because I guess they say yinz instead of you. Possibly from you uns? She's in her mid 30's and has a teen age daughter, after a teen age pregnancy. The father, a recovering heroin addict is recently back in their lives. Roxy may or may not be a sex addict, depending on who you ask.

The wring was fine but I never connected with any of the characters and never cared about the murder mysery.