Customer Reviews

Booby Trap (The Odelia Grey Mysteries)

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4 star:		(2)
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Just when things seem to be going heroine Odelia Grey's way -- her home life is settled, her boss's arrogance is down to a low roar, even the dog and cat are getting along -- an elderly friend drops a bomb. Her son, a prominent plastic surgeon, has unexplained connections to a string of women who've turned up dead, all murders attributed to an unknown serial killer dubbed the Blond Bomber. Odelia, as usual, is in the thick of it, but this time her wheelchair-bound hubby is her partner in crime. Their relationship continues to evolve, which keeps this laugh-out-loud series fresh. Odelia is a woman you want to spend time with. Wherever she's headed, I'm along for the ride.

BOOBY TRAP

Having read the other three books in this series, I was happy when BOOBY TRAP was released. It does not disappoint!

Odelia Grey tries to have a normal life as a happy newly wed, living the good life with her hubby, cat and dog, working at a job she loves, having friends; more or less having it all.

What she can't do is stay out of is trouble. A new friend of hers, Lil, who she met on-line, has confessed to Odelia that she thinks her doctor son is none other than the dreaded serial killer, known as the Blond Bomber. Lil asks Odelia to start an investigation to find out if her son is the killer.

Odelia is off and running, working hard to find out the truth behind the murders of young women. She mets all sorts of characters, good and bad, and many from previous books. Under Ms. Jaffarian's wonderful writing skills, the book is one that you can't put down.

Odelia and her husband Greg are people you would want to meet and know. The writing is fun and fast paced and while you think you have figured out who the killer is, Ms. Jaffarian writes with such skill that this reader was left guessing and then finally surprised.

Read the series and have some fun. They should be read in this order --

TOO BIG TO MISS
THE CURSE OF THE HOLY PAIL
THUGS AND KISSES
BOOBY TRAP

and being released in 2010, CORPSE ON THE COB.

These books are great! Check them out and enjoy.

Thank you!
Pam

(Note: There are some plot details here.) I used to read a lot of mysteries, but hadn't in a while, and was missing them. I saw a post on Twitter by Mystery Books about Booby Trap and immediately snapped up a copy of it, then spent the next few days with my head buried in the book. I love plus-size narrator/sleuth Odelia Gray - she's feisty, funny, bold, brave and caring. Sue Ann Jaffarian has created a memorable heroine and a fast-paced mystery.

This book centers around the Blond Bomber, a serial killer targeting hot blonde babes. She starts out with a shocker; her friend Lil asks her to investigate her own son, who she suspects of being the killer. Odelia agrees, even though her husband and friends are wary of her getting involved in another murder investigation. The more she finds out, the wilder the twists and turns of the case take, from Internet chat rooms to smuggling. Odelia doesn't so much go undercover as volunteers herself for everything from getting outfitted in a boudoir-worthy costume to making phone calls and meeting the people in the case.

This was my first book by Sue Ann Jaffarian, but definitely not my last. I look forward to reading the rest of Odelia's adventures. What I especially liked was that even though Odelia is the primary sleuth, the supporting characters are unique and fascinating in their own right, from her husband Greg (who's in a wheelchair) to the homeless neighbor who helps solve the case. Bravo to Jaffarian for making Odelia such a gutsy heroine and for creating a mystery that kept me highly entertained.

Odelia just keeps getting better and better in this series. When a friend tells you she's afraid her son is a serial killer....who could resist helping? Certainly not Odelia. Her friends are very dear to her and even against her better judgement, it's time to jump right in. The characters in this series just seem to become family to the reader. This funny mystery does not disappoint. If this is your first Odelia, you'll want the whole series....I know I did.

I've read all four of Ms. Jaffarian's "Odelia Grey Mysteries" and I've shared them with friends who enjoy mysteries. We have all agreed that these books are refreshing and fun to read. Great adventures;very human in relationships; and always a surprise when the solution is given.

I read BOOBY TRAP when I should have been doing other things - there may be no higher praise for entertainment reading than that. I've been a fan of the Odelia Grey series for a while, and have enjoyed most of the stories. But author Sue Ann Jaffarian takes the series up a notch with BOOBY TRAP. The richly textured relationship between Odelia and Greg makes you want them for next-door neighbors. And the dialogue, wit, and `can't-put-it-down' pace absolutely shine. The plot was occasionally too dependent on coincidence, a common issue with amateur sleuth mysteries, including my own. But overall, I'll simply cop a line from Oliver Twist: "More, please!"

For the last few months, a serial killer has been terrorizing Southern California. He's been dubbed the Blond Bomber because he kills blond bombshells.

Now Odelia's friend Lillian is afraid she has discovered this killer's identity - her son Dr. Brian Eddy, the best plastic surgeon in Southern California. Lillian can't bear to think she is right, so she asks Odelia to find evidence to clear her son. As Odelia tries to find what the four victims have in common, she becomes convinced that Dr. Eddy is innocent. But can she actually prove it?

This is the fourth adventure for Odelia, and it's another winner. I was hooked early and never wanted to put the book down when I had to stop reading. The plot starts well and just builds as the book goes along. And the characters were great. I loved seeing Greg and Odelia working together again.

My only complaint with this book was that one aspect of the climax was weaker than I would have liked it to be.

Even so, I really did enjoy this fun book. If you are already a fan, you'll love it. And if you aren't a fan, change that today.

This is my 4th Odelia Grey mystery and this author never quits...either does Odelia. Sue Ann Jaffarian pulls al loose ends together for this latest in the Odelia series. All the close knit people in Odelia's "family" are no longer against her getting involved in yet another murder to be solved. As a matter of fact Greg, Odelia's husband, now has decided to assist Odelia in all her sleuthing endeavors. Mike Steele, Odelia's boss, is actually going to cover her hours for her while she's out and about looking for the blond bomber. And...as if that isn't enough...Zee and Seth, Odelia's closest friends, have also made the decision to be Odelia's back when needed. With a team like this Odelia is apt to go sleuthing forever!
This is what I love about Odelia and Jaffarian. This series does not run out of steam nor does the author burn out on her character. The series and all the characters evolve and come together. Great job! I would love to know these characters, Odelia/Zee/Greg and yes even Steele. Wonderful growing relationships between all of them in Odelia's life.
Odelia is informed by Lil that the blond bomber is none other than her(Lil's) son. Lil wants Odelia to go online and behind the scenes to find the truth about Dr. Eddy, reknown plastic surgeon and Lil's son. What Odelia does find is that she's not sold on the idea of Dr. Eddy being the blond bomber. But can Odelia find the identity of this serial killer before another murder takes place?
I love this series because the characters have believable relationships with each other, they are people I would like to know, the fun is non-stop, and lastly...Odelia is an adventure and a half.
Don't stop writing Jaffarian...I love this series.

I can only give The highest recommendation for this book to all lovers of mystery series'.
Ellen

If you haven't read another Odelia Grey Mystery that's okay because you can still read this or any of the books. What I love about this series is you don't have to start at the beginning to understand the next. It is always helpful, but not necessary. These reads are easy, funny, and down to earth. I appreciate the humor and mystery.

Ordered book received in timely manner. Condition was "like new". Very pleased with purchase and service. Will use vendor again.