Star Tangled Murder, Bad Hair Day Mystery #18, by Nancy Cohen
ISBN: 9781952886256 (Paperback)
ISBN: 9781952886249 (eBook)
ASIN: B0BQS68WS7 (Kindle edition)
Page Count: 284
Release Date: March 14, 2023
Publisher: Orange Grove Press
Genre: Fiction | Cozy Mystery
Hairstylist Marla Vail and her husband get tangled up in murder when their Fourth of July visit to a living history village ends with a bang—and a body.
Salon owner Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a Seminole battle reenactment turns up a real dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal with a tomahawk.
As Dalton gets involved in the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Her flare for uncovering secrets reveals that everyone in the village is a suspect. Instead of celebrating the holiday with red, white, and barbecues, she discovers secrets, lies, and false avenues. Did the marshal’s murder have anything to do with a lost Confederate payroll, or did his plans to renovate the park light a fuse that he couldn’t snuff out?
In a place where history comes alive, the dead bodies are piling up. Marla would rather be chilling and grilling, but somebody’s mind is on killing. If she’s not careful, her sleuthing might blow up in her face like a faulty firecracker and she’ll become the next victim. Recipes Included!
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Praise for Star Tangled Murder:
“Nancy J. Cohen captures the feel of a living history village. The primary theme revolves around history through the village as well as being set during the Fourth of July. Cohen displays a genuine respect for history as Marla dives into secrets surrounding this village and the danger that goes with it. The writing captures the feel of their surroundings. Another delightful installment brought to life, Star Tangled Murder finds Marla facing more changes in her life as she investigates a murder that connects to history while she balances motherhood, the salon, and sleuthing.” Liz Konkel, Readers’ Favorite
“History and mystery entangle in unusual manners as the story unfolds, revealing a series of lies and possibilities that become even more convoluted and puzzling as Marla and Dalton delve deeper. As the history and more murders evolve, the duo finds themselves ever more twisted in a mystery that leads Marla to consider when to obey her more savvy husband’s detective edicts and instincts and when to embark on her own course of action. The result is delightful …Libraries seeking cozy mysteries replete in psychological strength and American history drama will find Star Tangled Murder a compelling portrait of a historical reenactment gone awry.” D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“Marla and Dalton have a unique marriage. She has frequently been helpful in some of her husband’s previous cases, since she’s able to ferret out information that formal police interviews can’t. Once again, with Dalton’s encouragement, she begins to nose around. Between the two of them, they discover that most people employed as villagers have a checkered past… Star Tangled Murder shines with excellent plotting, lots of twists and turns, and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended.” Susan Santangelo, Suspense Magazine
Read an Excerpt:
Stepping closer, Marla laid a hand on the older woman’s sleeve. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Would you know anyone who might have wanted to harm Phil?”
Gilda shook her off. “What business is it of yours? And why are you asking all these questions, anyway? You’re awfully nosy for tourists.”
Susan stepped forward. “I’m a journalist, and I plan to do an article on the women of the village, if you’d like to be included. It would help bring publicity to the place and perhaps more donations. I noticed a box at the entrance for contributions.”
“You should talk to Angus, but don’t tell him I sent you. He’s the blacksmith.”
“Oh? How does he fit into things?” Susan switched her bag to her other shoulder.
“You’d best let him fill you in. Don’t let his appearance intimate you. He’s a big guy but he has a soft heart. Well, except for his skirmishes with Phil. Those riled him up plenty.”
“What skirmishes?” Marla queried. She didn’t want to press their luck and would move on if Gilda shut down. The tour guide must have been grateful for an audience, though, because she answered the question.
“At town meetings, he and Phil often clashed about their ways of doing things. More than once, Angus told the marshal he’d better keep his nose clean, or things would come crashing down around him. I got the impression they weren’t discussing village rules and regulations.”
Excerpt from Star Tangled Murder by Nancy J. Cohen.
Copyright © 2023 by Nancy J. Cohen.
Published with permission.
All rights reserved.
Meet the Author
Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and the RONE Award, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook, have won the FAPA President’s Book Award, the Royal Palm Literary Award, and IAN Book of the Year. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World.
Connect with the author via: BookBub | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter | Website | Blog | YouTube
Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Her books have won numerous awards, including the instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery. A featured speaker at libraries, conferences, and community events, Nancy is past president of Florida Romance Writers and Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising and visiting Disney World.
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