Dying in Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Book 1)

I enjoyed this book for a quick read. I love humor by an author! This was not heavy reading, but brought me a smile and pleasure. I wish Josie would konk her mom, though. Amelia was "sweet" to quote her. I could identify with the main character. My life is much like hers. Sometimes the slick, smart, svelt, heroin is not like real folks. I want to read more of her books.

Josie Marcus shops for a living. She is a single mom and has an exciting job. She goes to different retail and service businesses and checks out their merchandise and service. Sometimes she wears disguises and always seems to have fun. Josie gets a very interesting top secret assignment. She is to visit a high end handbag store. Based on her report all heck breaks loose. Josie has to solve the mystery to clear her own name and get her life back to normal. This seems to be an entertaining series. I look forward to reading more.

Most women would love to be paid to spend their days shopping; but for Josie Marcus, mystery shopper extraordinaire, it's a full-time job that can be just as exhausting as sitting behind a desk. Sure, schlepping from boutiques to fast-food restaurants, supermarkets to gas stations, and everything in between sounds fun; but it can be downright challenging when you're attempting to raise a nine-year-old daughter, contend with a nagging mother who lives right upstairs, and deal with the unexpected...such as murder. Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is used to people getting upset with the reports that she writes about their customer service. She has seen it all, from tantrums to tears, but, over the years, she has built a tough exterior, and knows that, no matter what, her original thoughts and words will never waver. Even when she receives threats. When she's given the assignment to shop the Danessa stores, however, Josie's mother is furious. Danessa Celedine is a celebrity that everyone in St. Louis adores. And just about anyone with money craves to carry an exclusive Danessa Celdine handbag. Unfortunately, after a few trips to the store, Josie can't help but report that there are fingerprints everywhere, and the merchandise is very low quality. It's the truth, but it sends Danessa into an uproar that leaves Josie clinging to her job by mere strings, and on the receiving end of a possible lawsuit. Josie, however, is sticking to her guns. But when Danessa turns up dead, having been strangled by a snakeskin belt from her own line, which just happens to cost thousands of dollars and have Josie's fingerprints all over it, Josie knows that it's time to put her thinking cap on. She'll have to catch the killer herself, or find herself locked up behind bars, adorned in an orange polyester jailhouse outfit that will ruin her for good. But fingering the killer proves harder than she thought once she finds herself struggling to locate an MIA person, while evading the police, spending quality time with her daughter, and trying to keep her job. With so much on her plate, Josie wonders if succumbing to prison would be more practical, but refuses to go down without a fight - and a killer pair of shoes. I have had DYING IN STYLE sitting on my bookshelf since it was first released, but never had the opportunity to read it. Once I picked it up, however, I couldn't put it down. Elaine Viets is amazing at character development, and creating scenarios that readers can truly relate to. Josie is an endearing character whose devotion to her daughter and mother illustrates her soft side; while her refusal to take the fall for a crime that she didn't commit, and not back down when she knows that she's in the right shows just how feisty she can be. The romance sprinkled throughout the story is a nice backdrop that proves to raise a few questions that will, hopefully, be answered in future installments; and the inclusion of the character of Alyce makes for a delightful addition

This book was 75% an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, Josie's mother is written to be so annoying that you cannot fathom why she would choose to put up with her. Everytime the two interacted I wanted to shake something, very distracting in a read. Otherwise, it was an entertaining mystery with Josie as a likeable lead character. Her relationship with her daughter and best friend were also well written. It was a good book but prepare to be frustrated by any scene involving her mother!