After a dry spell, freelance writer Jaine Austen’s life is suddenly full of romance. For one thing, she’s reconnected with her ex—though her cat, Prozac, isn’t happy about it. And Jaine’s also got a new ghostwriting gig, working on a steamy novel called Fifty Shades of Turquoise . . .
Daisy Kincaid is in her sixties and heiress to a fortune. Now she wants to make a name for herself as a romance author . . . with a little help from Jaine, that is. As Jaine labors away on love scenes, she gets to know the wealthy woman’s gentleman friend, her household staff, and her social circle—every one of whom is horrified when Daisy falls under the spell of a much younger stud named Tommy, a rude, crude lothario who’s made himself a fixture in Daisy’s Bel Air mansion.
After Tommy and Daisy shock everyone by announcing their engagement, it doesn’t take long for someone to stab him in the neck—with the solid gold Swiss Army knife that Daisy gave him as a gift. The challenging part is trying to narrow down the list of suspects. Jaine’s going to have to put a bookmark in that love story and focus all her creative talent into untangling a tale of money and murder . . .
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Release Date: Sep 24, 2019
Series: A Jaine Austen Mystery
Book: 17
Publisher: Kensington Books
Price: $12.99
Jaine Austen is in love – with her ex-husband Dickie Elliott. Although her best friend Lance and her vocal cat Prozac don\’t approve, Jaine couldn\’t be happier with her rekindled romance. Jaine is also pleased with a well-paying job she landed ghost-writing a romance novel for wealthy woman living in a Bel-Air mansion. When a smooth-talking younger man arrives and turns the much older woman\’s head, the whole household is in turmoil. When Tommy is found murdered, Jaine has a house full of suspects to investigate to find the real killer.
I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed every one. Jaine is funny and real, with a weakness for junk food and an aversion to exercise. However, she is a talented writer, a loyal friend, and a clever investigator. The investigation in this installment is interesting and the mansion is full of quirky characters. Jaine\’s romance with Dickie is also entertaining as the reader, along with Lance, fear that Jaine is going to get hurt again. New readers could read the book as a standalone and enjoy it but will definitely want to check out earlier books in the series, too. The book is on the short side, but I appreciate that it is a quick, fast-paced read
I was surprised at how the investigation turned out and was pleased with how other things in Jaine\’s life turned out. As always, I enjoyed the story-within-a-story of Jaine\’s parents\’ latest escapades in Florida. Their misadventures are related to Jaine through a series of amusing emails throughout the book. Prozac is always an important character in these books and his antics are for Jaine\’s own good this time.
I had several laugh out loud moments during this book from Prozac, Jayne\’s parents, and the situations Jaine gets into. When I pick up a new Jaine Austen mystery, I know I will begin and end with a smile on my face with lots of laughs in between. Death of a Gigolo is another well-written, entertaining mystery from Laura Levine.
~ Christine
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