Book Review: Hair Raiser

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hair Raiser     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Nancy J. Cohen
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Series: Bad Hair Day # 2
Kensington, Dec 2000, $20.00, 288 pp.

In Southern Florida, Marla Shore owns the Cut 'N Dye Beauty Salon where she also works as a stylist. Currently, Marla is preoccupied with the Taste of the World fundraiser sponsored by Ocean Guard, a preservation group concerned with the coastal environment. She serves as the liaison between the participating chefs in the event and the leaders of the sponsoring group. If this occasion succeeds, Ocean Guard will obtain ownership of the property next door to her friend’s property. If the property is to remain a nature preserve, Ocean Guard must also donate $20,000 to a designated political lobby, hence the fundraiser.

Obtaining the property appears to be a snap until many of the chefs withdraw from the event. Marla thinks someone is trying to prevent the transfer of the property. Two organization members are murdered and biological waste washes ashore onto the property whose ownership appears in doubt. Marla begins making inquiries that will make her a key target of a determined killer.

HAIR RAISER is a delightfully funny yet stylized murder mystery that shows the talent of author Nancy J. Cohen to entertain her audience. The characters are easy to identify with, likable and realistic next-door neighbors. The brilliantly crafted mystery makes it extremely difficult to identify the villain until Ms. Cohen reveals whom the individual is. The second installment in the "Bad Hair Day" series is a near perfect perm.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner