Love this author and this book!!! ( )

Not a bad first story in a series. I haven't found the characters to be too engaging yet, but the mystery was good and I'll definitely read the next book. ( )

This is the first in the Southern Beauty Shop Mystery series, and it was rather fun read that included organic beauty recipes.

Grace Terhune and her mother Violetta run a beauty shop in a small town in Georgia. The action all starts one day when the high society ladies pack the house getting their hair done in anticipation of an important town hall meeting. However, one of the most important ladies in the town (whose appointment in high-end salon was cancelled and, therefore she was forced to "slum it" in Violetta's beauty shop) gets her hair done and her highlights go wrong because she steps out of the shop and messes up the timing. However, she refuses to accept the blame and vows to get the shop closed. By the end of the night, she's dead.

Of course, Grace and Violetta become the primary suspects since there were plenty of people who heard what's-her-name threaten to get their shop closed, and neither of them have solid alibis. To top it off, Grace's ex-husband is on the police force and their divorce was far from amicable, and he would love nothing more than to throw her behind bars.

As is usual with beauty shops, Violetta's becomes a hub of gossip, but then it transforms into a hub for gossip as it as actually closes. A special agent is called in to investigate, and he, too sets his sights on Grace.

The characters in this book were vivid, lively, and extremely likeable. I kept guessing about who the killer was, and the ending did not disappoint. Unlike some mysteries, the red herring character was not overplayed. The subplot involving the docent at the local historical society was really interesting, and it made me actually wish I could visit the place!

This is another cosy series I'll be adding to my regular reading list. ( )

Grace has returned to her coastal Georgia hometown of St. Elizabeth. There she is working at her mother's beauty shop, Violetta's. When the most influential and wealthy woman in town, Constance DuBois, threatens to close the shop after a bad dye job, Grace and her mother are not too concerned. But when they are the ones that find Constance's murdered body, that threat becomes a motive.

I enjoyed this mystery. The characters are nice and I loved the town. I would like to see more of it in the next book. As a native southern, the characters rang true. This was a nice traditional cozy that I could recommend to any reader. I will be reading the next in the series. ( )

SUMMARY: Divorced beautician Grace Terhune has moved back to her hometown of St. Elizabeth, Georgia, working in the beauty shop her mother, Violetta, runs out of her home. While getting over her failed marriage and readjusting to small town life, grand society dame Constance DuBois blows into the shop, is dissatisfied with her treatment, and leaves in a huff, issuing dire threats of vengeance. When she later turns up dead, Violetta is number one on the suspect list, and Grace is not about to let her mother be railroaded.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE THIS: Grace is a funny, smart, and capable heroine. She doesn't let people walk all over her, instead preferring to smile sweetly as she delivers her barbs and looks of outrage. Most interesting (and appreciated) about her is that she's not dumb. She doesn't stumble over clues, but actually goes looking for them, utilizing the brain she knows she has. There are elements of romance, but they're mostly undercurrents and don't in anyway overpower the plot or take away from the fact that this is a mystery novel. The Southern setting is charming, the secondary characters are fabulously well-drawn, and the text is snappy and engaging. Well-written, well-paced, and with superior characterization, this novel is a winner.

WHY YOU WON'T: If you're paying close enough attention, you'll figure out who the killer is relatively early on. If this is the case, just sit back and enjoy the ride as Grace puts the pieces together. There are other minor mysteries to be solved, and a slew of capable red herrings to distract you. Even if you discover the killer's identity prior to the denouement, it's worth continuing the book to see how everything is resolved.

BOTTOM LINE: One of the best releases in the cozy genre in quite some time. If you're familiar with the genre, this novel is a breath of fresh air - Grace is gutsy and determined, intelligent without being irritating, and is no milquetoast. She's someone with whom I'd like to grab a drink and gossip. You just can't help but root for her and admire her tenacity. And for those who don't believe the cozy genre is for them, give this book a try and be pleasantly surprised. This is a welcome addition to the genre, and definitely a series to watch. ( )