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Dixie Divas #2

Drop Dead Divas

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Welcome to a genteel world of pimento cheese finger sandwiches, tall libations in frosted glasses, stiletto heels, aging Southern-belle sisterhood, and murder . . .

In Dixie Divas, Trinket Truevine, her pal Bitty and their raucous fellow divas in the historic small town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, solved the murder of Bitty's ex-senator husband, Phillip. Now, in Drop Dead Divas, the Divas are sleuthing again. Their pal Naomi Spencer has been accused of murdering her fiance, drag race champion Race Champion. Soon, Naomi turns up dead, too. Talk about a fly in the martini . . .

Join the bawdy fun as Trinket, Bitty and the gang unravel another small-town mystery.

Virginia Brown is the acclaimed author of more than fifty romance and mystery novels.

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

86 people are currently reading
305 people want to read

About the author

Virginia Brown

103 books107 followers
Since writing her first romance novel in 1984, Virginia Brown has written nearly 50 romance novels. Many of her books have been nominated for Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice, Career Achievement Award for Love and Laughter, and Career Achievement Award for Adventure. Her works regularly appear on national bestseller lists. Having written under several different names about historical eras such as the old West, Regency-era, and the American Civil War, she now writes under a new pseudonym, Juliana Garnett, to focus upon the medieval era.

A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.

Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.

In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.

Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.

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5 stars
224 (35%)
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226 (36%)
3 stars
138 (22%)
2 stars
27 (4%)
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12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Ian.
1,433 reviews183 followers
October 4, 2012
3.5 Stars

A very cute, if meandering story about a group of aging Southern Belles who always manage to find themselves at the center of trouble, much to the consternation of the police.

The two central characters Bitty and Trinket sparkle as they investigate a murder. The big selling point for these books is the snarky banter between the main characters, it's the main reason I love the Dixie Divas books as much as I do.

They fit quite comfortably into my definition of good fun.
268 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2011
Woo hoo! Another hilarious divas book, Drop Dead Divas also has Trinket trying to keep Bitty out of trouble that her big mouth always seems to get her into. Yet again, much more of the adventure these ladies seem to thrive on and mysteries they slowly work on solving. All of the divas work well together and all of them have their own unique qualities they bring to the table. There is also a hint of romance in Drop Dead Divas which will keep you guessing, along with the mysteries they always seem knee-deep into before they know it. Funny, funny, funny all the way!
Profile Image for Dawn.
5 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2011
Any book that starts with "Somebody should strangle that slut." is one I know I am really going to like, and this book did not disappoint. Having grown up in the south, I have really enjoyed Virginia Brown's Divas series. She has the southern belle pegged to a tee, so it makes it so enjoyable to read.
Profile Image for Lesley.
330 reviews
January 2, 2011
A ways back Amazon offered Dixie Divas as a freebie Kindle book so I gave it a try. I loved it enough to fork out real money for book two and it was worth the $10 spent. I sure am hoping there is a book three. Southern women are so weird and crazy, bless their hearts!
Profile Image for Eva Dean.
11 reviews25 followers
December 14, 2011
I read the first book and loved it. now this one is even better. great, fast read for the end of the semester. Made a great destresser for me. Can't wait to read the third and then her fourth. I love Bitty and Trinket! Virginia Brown makes the South come alive. Her books are full of laughs.
Profile Image for Cheryl Borden.
17 reviews
July 5, 2013
I decided I liked the first book in the series and decided to pick up the second. As in the first, the characters are quirky, but fun and the story took enough twists to make it interesting, but still believable.
Profile Image for Skeeter Jorgensen.
298 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2011
This was a good book and has lots of humorous spots in it. Even laugh out loud moments. The only draw back, was some of the language was a little strong. Great book though!
Profile Image for Erin Clark.
653 reviews4 followers
September 11, 2019
I actually received Dixie Divas - not Drop Dead Divas so I don't know if this review will be helpful to anyone. I REALLY enjoyed Dixie Divas and I would love to read the next book in the series and if that is Drop Dead Divas so be it. It is funny, entertaining, and I actually laughed out loud a few times. I love that in a book. The Divas are a mix of southern belles, eccentrics and run of the mill gals who get together once a month to gossip and drink good California wine. The Divas stick together - even through moving dead bodies around! Bitty is the true Southern belle and Trinket, her cousin is newly returned to her southern home town after a nasty divorce. The two of them somehow become involved in Bitty's ex husbands murder/disappearance and their adventure escalates from there. Very light and fun, highly recommended.

Updated: Finally read the correct book [Drop Dead Divas] and have to say it absolutely lived up to my expectations. A fun light read with eccentric humorous southern belle characters. Is there another one in the works - I'm game.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,380 reviews31 followers
June 25, 2019
Another in the Dixie Divas series which had me giggling out loud at times. The characters and their antics are probably better than the mystery plot, but that's not bad either. 3.5 stars
942 reviews
October 6, 2010
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It has Southern characters in a Southern setting, always a plus for me. It’s published by Belle Bridge Books, and the folks at Belle have published so many books I love that I just assume I’ll like whatever they make available. And I was excited that it was a funny cozy mystery with a Southern accent. I’ve felt a real void in that subgenre since the death of Anne George in 2001. But overall Drop Dead Divas was a book of great moments rather than a great read for me.

Drop Dead Divas is the second book in Virginia Brown’s Dixie Divas series, but the first I’ve read. Therein lies part of the problem. There were so many references to the first book that I had a difficult time staying in the current story. My mind wandered from the murder of the womanizing race car driver and his ditzy fiancée to the murder of the Senator, Bitty’s former husband with every mention of the latter. The ditz was the mistress of said senator, a fact that kept me thinking I should have read that book first.

I’m all for local color, and I understand there’s sometimes a fine line between the true eccentric and the stereotype. I just felt that the murder victims and some family members were too often closer to the latter. And if Bitty had been my cousin, shared past or no, I’d have shortlisted her with the murderer.

Despite these irritations, I liked Trinket and her gentlemen friend, I found her relationship with her aging but lively parents amusing and believable, and I liked the friendships among the varied group that make up the divas. And there were some scenes that left me laughing so hard I cried, especially the pug’s attack on the back room merchandise of a certain shop.

I’m still searching for a worthy successor to Anne George, but in the meantime, I’ll probably read the first Dixie Divas book and look for any additions to the series. But I’ll put them on hold at the library rather than ordering them from a bookstore.
Profile Image for Shelleyrae at Book'd Out.
2,616 reviews560 followers
November 7, 2010
With the eccentricities and charm of the south, Drop Dead Divas is an amusing cozy mystery. This second book of the series has the Dixie Diva's, an exclusive group of mature women, once again trying to drag Bitty out of trouble. Bitty's late husband's girlfriends new fiance is murdered and she is placed in the frame, expecially when said girlfriend is also found strangled on her property. The police aren't moving fast enough so the Dixie Diva's decide to use their connections to investigate and make sure Bitty is dismissed as a suspect, even though their well meaning interference puts them in danger from the killer.
In the style of Anne George's Southern Sisters series, Trinket Truevine and her cousin Bitty carry the story aloft with their banter and bickering. Bitty is a spoiled southern belle with a penchant for trouble. Trinket has returned home after her divorce to help her retired parents but spends most of her time babysitting her cousin. Trinket tries to rein in her cousins less than genteele impulses, with little effect.
Trinket and Bitty's relationship anchors the plot and the secondary characters are mostly just that, yet they are supportive of the story. There are some real laugh out loud moments, and it can be suprisingly bawdy given the mature age of the characters.
The Dixie Diva's stumble around the mystery in an improbable but entertaining way. Brown uses red herrings and misdirection effectively so that the mystery keeps you guessing and the conclusion is satisfying.
The one thing I found irritating were a few too many unnecessary references to the events of the previous book in a way I think distracted from this one. I haven't read Dixie Divas read but have bought it based on my enjoyment of this.
I think this is a fun cozy mystery series with plenty of hilarity and I look forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Readerwoman Laura.
39 reviews3 followers
November 8, 2010
A Rainy Sunday – a Cozy Mystery – Delightful!


Raining hard here – so I read… I mean, what’s a girl to do?!

A Californian who once lived for almost 10 years in the South, I found myself vastly amused and entertained by the rowdy adventures of Trinket, Bitty and friends, as found in the second of the series of Dixie Divas -

Drop Dead Divas
By: Virginia Brown

Publisher Name: Bell Bridge Books


I loved the fact that the women can be most gently termed “mature,” or “well-seasoned.” The second book in Virginia Brown’s series, I enjoyed the wicked humor, the styling and the all-too-typical Southernisms. “Bless her heart” is one of my favorites – said right before (or after) insulting someone. Lighthearted mysteries, often called “cozies,” are the perfect genre for the Dixie Divas – for these gals personify the no holds barred albeit blithe, casual fun that one loves in such mysteries.

To review a book like this, one has to be very careful not to slip in spoilers that will ruin the entertainment for the reader. But, needless to say, the chocolate-laced, alcohol fueled expedition to Holly Springs is fraught with both laughs and histrionics. Out to save a friend from a murder rap, these intrepid amateur detectives are bound and determined to foil the police and all comers. Accompanied by Bitty’s porcine-sound-alike Pug, the ferocious Chen Ling, a lap dog carried in a hot pink bejeweled sling, and the other ten vivacious martini-swilling women, they head off to save the day.

One can’t help but wish that there was open membership in this group of diehard Southern Grits. (Girls Raised in The South) I for one, despite now living back in California, would love to sit around and shoot the breeze with these women; delightful, hard-assed and candy-energized, they would be so much fun to talk to, and with whom to share pimento cheese sandwiches!
Profile Image for Audiothing.
203 reviews17 followers
February 14, 2015
Drop Dead Divas

Here they go again! .....
Bittys' late husbands girlfriend now has a brand new fiancé. Bitty insists on referring to him as her late husband despite being oft reminded by Trinket that, as they were divorced when he was murdered, he is her ex husband. Anyway, back to the story, Naomi, the girlfriend, being truly stupid, (bless her heart) sees no reason why she and Bitty can't now be friends, after all, the Senator, Bittys' late ex husband, is dead, so what's to gripe about? While Trinket, Bitty and Chitlin' are enjoying tasty treats at the cafe, Naomi decides it would be a good time to kiss and make up, so she shows off her engagement ring. Bittys response : "oh there it is dear, it looks almost real"
Is typical of the wonderfully facetious Divas, and there is so much more to come.
There does, though, have to be a murder, and the first to go is Race Champion, Naomi's fiancé, the next victim is found on one of Bittys remote properties. Once again the Divas must band together and solve the murder, before Bitty gets herself arrested.
At one point, when Bittys circumstances are somewhat reduced, Trinket decides to teach her how to shop - in Walmart!
This series is chock full of fun, there's also a little bit of romance, all pure entertainment and should be first line treatment for anyone down in the dumps.
I first met the Divas in a Book one freebie from narrator Karen Commins, all I can say to all you authors and narrators out there is this: Freebies work! If joyed it so much that bought this second audiobook in the series from Audible with my one and only precious monthly credit! It didn't let me down!

Narrator

Karen Commins is a star in this series, to me, her Southern accent is just perfect. She has a wonderful sense of comic timing which really does justice to the writing. Divas without Karen would be unthinkable.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
2,026 reviews123 followers
July 24, 2011
Drop Dead Divas by Virginia Brown
Bell Bridge Books, 2010
255 pages
Mystery; Contemporary
3/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I requested this, I did not realize it was the second book in a series, which was unfortunate because there are many references to the murder and various happenings that somewhat confused me. I'm also very much not the target audience for this book, which I would describe as middle-aged Southern women like the main characters of this book. In comparison, I am in my twenties and am a proud Yankee. But there were still charms in this book.

I loved the small-town feel where pretty much everyone knows everyone and is related to a big part of the town. I enjoyed seeing their relationships and the gentle chatter. Because this was a cozy, it wasn't too violent and I enjoyed seeing the ladies detect even when the patronizing police told them to stay at home and knit.

I mostly liked the narrator Trinket although I wish there had been more of her "gentleman friend" Kit, who she says she likes but who we see very little of. I attempted to like Trinket's best friend and cousin Bitty because she plays a prominent role but she's pretty awful and inevitably I ended up cringing whenever she made a tactless statement (i.e. often).

As to the mystery, I didn't think much of it. The story was pretty tightly focused on it although there were diversions as Bitty fears she's about to become broke, despite being very far from that situation. I'm not sure there were often clues to actually solve the murder but I didn't mind too much.

Overall: A competent cozy; not my favorite and I doubt I will be continuing with the story.
Profile Image for Kristi.
475 reviews17 followers
March 24, 2011
This second installment of the Dixie Divas series was a fun, light read. It takes place only a few months after the first book ends. Once again, Trinket's best friend and cousin, Bitty, finds herself at the top of the list of suspects for another murder in Holly Springs. It falls on Trinket, Bitty and some of the other Dixie Divas to clear Bitty's name. In the process of the investigation lives are at stake.

It may seem as though the plot is set up for a thriller or suspense novel. But the colorful southern women keep things pretty light. That said, I did not find this one to be quite as funny or enjoyable the first book. Though to be fair, I do not often read two books by the same author in quite this quick of a succession. Spacing books out let's me draw out my enjoyment of a series and helps me notice any writing quirks and such less.

There is some discussion of how the bodies are found, but it doesn't go into gruesome detail. Those who are squeamish or offended by some frank discussions of a sexual nature may wish to skip this one. Though none of the talk is really meant to titillate.

I came down pretty harsh on the Kindle formatting of the first book. There was marked improvement on this one. I noticed no odd markup text or strange line breaks. Though sadly there was still no working table of contents. The lack of a TOC is not a deal breaker for me, but I wish publishers would catch on. It is something I make use of from time to time, most often if I find myself out & about with time to kill & I don't have wi- fi to synch my phone with where I left off on my Kindle.
Profile Image for Delta.
1,242 reviews22 followers
December 15, 2015
This is the third Dixie Divas story I've read and I finally figured out what bugs me about them: Brown writes as if she's afraid you won't "get it". By that I mean she's told the story in such a way that you don't have the opportunity to see the joke (or miss it) and you don't get to solve the mystery on your own. Because the story is told from Trinket's first-person POV, you're treated to her feelings about every funny moment and the connection between every clue. It's like having a laugh track over a funny show, but it makes it less funny because you are pulled out of the moment. There are so many funny parts in this story - such as Bitty's dog snatching a large sex toy and running down the road with it - but because you are forced to focus on how funny Trinket finds the situation, it falls flat. It's the same for the mystery; the Divas write out and talk about every clue they find and all the suspense is gone when the murderer is finally revealed. Like a commentary track on top of the story.
Profile Image for Nelda Pearson.
123 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2013
This is the second in the Dixie Divas series and alot like the first. This a cross between a mystery and southern chicklit and from my perspective not very good southern chicklit maybe third tier. I like the characters OK but they basically don't do anything with emphasis on do but hang around and drink and need rescuing. Rayna is a successful artist so she does do something but when her paintings are described they sound like shlock. Bitty is too cute for words and you keep thinking Trinket should really pull herself together and use her skills as dubious as they are to get a job. The author keeps reminding you that they are southern. Why? Let the settings and behavors speak for themselves. OK, its maybe a 2.5 but truly even for genre lit it just didn't hold my attention. Actually stopped reading it for three days while read a left behind by a family friend. Not a page flipper and not great fun either just OK.
Profile Image for Donna.
2,939 reviews31 followers
October 17, 2012
I didn't really care for the first book in this series but I had already bought this one so decided to give it a chance. This series is just not for me. This seems to be the kind of thing I would like--a cozy mystery, funny southern women--but I just didn't care about the story or what was going on or how it was going to turn out. Brown writes long detailed descriptions of inane things ad nauseum--what people are wearing, what they are eating, how they take their tea, several paragraphs to describe a closet for crying out loud. I almost didn't finish the book but stuck it out. I was waffling between one and two stars but went with two because the characters are actually likeable.

Listened to as an audiobook.
Profile Image for Janiece.
79 reviews
July 28, 2012
Fun read. The characters are starting to take shape and the reader is not as annoying as in the first book. There are some really fun cultural details in the book that remind me of growing up with a mom and dad born in the deep South: pimiento cheese sandwiches, sweet tea, fresh made lemonade! yum!

Storyline has a surprise ending, hints to the reader but we were all going somewhere else and wanting the really mean people to be guilty. Ha! As in life sometimes that isn't the case.
Profile Image for Anne.
450 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2016
I thoroughly enjoy the Diva's antics. The bantering between Trinket and Bitty became a little tiring in the middle of the book. However the most disconcerting was the fact that Trinket broke her arm and was in terrible shape. Next scene she was cleaning out closets and taking a both with no mention of her arm again. The time line was just a bit questionable. None of those were enough to lose a star. They are such a fun group of belles. I want them to be my friends!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathy.
50 reviews
November 5, 2010
First "Diva" book I have read - and found it to be really enjoyable. A group of divas think they can do better than the local police and they set out to solve a crime and find themselves deeper and deeper in trouble. The books makes you laugh, but holds your interest and keeps you wondering who is the murderer. Will definitely read another "Diva" book.
Profile Image for Anna Church.
Author 4 books7 followers
July 26, 2012
Drop Dead Divas by Virginia Brown is a humorous story about a women's group that find trouble everywhere they turn, legally. They keep the police station always hopping. Especially, the two main characters. This mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, but also made me laugh at the same time! It is a must read, especially for ladies!
Profile Image for Marcella.
12 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2013
The story was actually pretty good once you get into it. I nearly didn't bother because of the copious amount of description of houses, furniture etc. There was far too much of it which made this book a slow read for the first few chapters, but I persevered and was glad I did. The characters are fun, and there is action and humour to keep you going. Not a bad little mystery.
Profile Image for Beth.
431 reviews
December 29, 2014
I listened to this one on Audible and it was an enjoyable book. The book was a lot of fun on Audible as the reader was talented and made it a lot of fun.
The mysteries are zany enough to be fun but serious enough to keep a mystery reader engaged. I have the next book in the series cued to "read" soon.
Profile Image for Robin.
314 reviews19 followers
November 3, 2010
There are a lot of references to the first book in this sequel, which is only a bad thing if you haven't read the first book or read it so long ago that you don't remember much from it. Otherwise, this one is just as good as the first!
Profile Image for Ronda.
11 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2013
I am loving the Divas. Being a Southern Girl myself, I find lot's to compare to my group of friends. The plot moves at a perfect pace for a good read and I love a mystery that gives you giggles every once in a while.
24 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2011
I hope there are more of this series to come
Profile Image for Jackie.
223 reviews3 followers
Read
August 4, 2011
Second book in a wonderful new series by the author. More fun times w/ Bitty and all her wackiness!!! Hoping there is a book #3! :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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