Review: Murder by Manicure

Murder by Manicure Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Nancy J. Cohen
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Woman Main Character
Series: Bad Hair Day # 3
Kensington, Dec 2001, $22.00, 230 pp.

Beauty saloon owner Marla Shore lives and toils in Fort Lauderdale. She also works for an organization that tries to make home swimming pools safe for children because she witnessed the drowning death of a child. When it comes to pool safety, Marla will do anything, even investigating homicides involving clients.

Marla applies for a trial membership at Perfect Fit Sports Club. On the night she enrolls, a swimming pool client dies in the sports club's whirlpool. The post mortem toxicology reveals the victim's blood stream contained a strong sedative. Marla knows this woman would never risk medication just prior to entering the heated whirlpool. Unable to resist, Marla interferes with the official police investigation to quickly learn that many members and the staff prefer having the victim dead.

Nancy J Cohen has written another romantic mystery starring delightful characters from her previous novels in this lighthearted amateur sleuth series. The story line is fun due to Marla's machinations. However, the plot works because so many suspects exist, which leads to readers making MURDER BY MANICURE a one sitting experience to learn who did it and why.

BONE WALKER--5+ KATHLEEN O'Neal Gear & W Michael Gear Forge, Dec 2001, $26.95, 352 pp.

In the thirteenth century, the once majestic Anasazi Empire is in a rapid state of decline. A nasty drought has led to a food shortage, which exacerbates the religious disputes and inter-clan genocide becomes the norm. War chief Browser and his trusted aide Catkin want to kill the witch Two Hearts, who burned their home to the ground. Two Hearts covets an amulet Browser wears because the witch believes that will extend his life.

At the same location, but in the twenty-first century, the FBI asks archeologists Dusty Steward and Maureen Cole to help on a homicide investigation. Someone killed a mutual friend Dr. Dale Emerson in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico with the evidence pointing towards a witch. Dusty and Maureen have the knowledge to see what the Feds might miss because the proof lies outside their belief system.

The alternating chapters between the thirteenth and twenty-first centuries keeps the readers on full alert as they try to connect the link between the eras. There are many fascinating mysteries contained within BONE WALKER, but it is the vibrant and perceptive panorama on the Anasazi culture that makes this novel stand out amidst the crowd of archeological who-done-its. The audience feels the decline of this mighty civilization and wonders if history will repeat itself with the United States.

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

Book Review: Murder by Manicure