Calamity Jayne (Calamity Jayne Mysteries) [Kindle Edition]

Kathleen Bacus (Author)

Book Description

HOW DOES A BLONDE SPELL 'FARM'?

E-I-E-I-O

Tressa Jayne Turner has had it up to here with the never-ending string of dumb-blonde jokes and a longtime nickname that's harder to get rid of than lint from a belly button. Dubbed 'Calamity Jayne' by Iowa Department of Natural Resources officer, Rick Townsend, Tressa's out to gain a little hometown respect--or die trying. Unfortunately, that may be the case. She's just been handed the perfect opportunity to get "Ranger Rick," the doubting Don Juan of the DNR, and a skeptical citizenry to take her seriously. How? By solving a murder no one else believes happened...No one, that is, except the killer.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bacus's riotous romantic suspense debut offers plenty of smalltown charm and oddball characters, notably ditzy blonde Tressa Jayne Turner, who has earned the moniker Calamity Jayne for the disastrous events that follow wherever she goes. One night after working the late shift at Bargain City in Granville, Iowa, Tressa mistakes another car for her own, and ends up on a dark country road with a flat tire. Instead of a spare, Tressa finds the town's drug-smuggling attorney dead in the trunk and an envelope of greenbacks in the glove compartment. In a panic, Tressa goes for help, but when she returns with Ranger Rick, her hunky nemesis from high school who turns up at all the right moments, the car has disappeared, dead body, cash and all. Naturally, no one believes the incident happened, except for the murderer, who's determined to recover the money he believes Tressa has snatched. Filled with dumb-blonde jokes, nonstop action and rapid-fire banter, this is a perfect read for chick-lit fans who enjoy a dash of mystery. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Everything Tressa Jayne Turner does quickly morphs into disaster. Having been fired from almost every job in Knoxville, Iowa, she is finally holding down two dead-end positions, but she still manages to get into trouble when she accidentally takes someone else's car from a dark store parking lot and discovers that the trunk holds a stash of money and the corpse of a sleazy local attorney. By the time the law shows up, body and cash are gone. With Tressa's reputation, no one believes her story, not even her love-hate interest, a ranger named Rick. But Rick's crafty grandfather knows something's up, and he eagerly signs on as Tressa's sleuthing buddy. Eventually, Tressa's tale gains credibility as the killer decides to come after her, too. Dumb blond jokes aimed at Tressa are peppered throughout the book, but in the end, the "dumb blond" gets the last laugh. Fans of Janet Evanovich will be glad to see that you don't always have to go to the burgh for mirthful murder and mayhem. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 419 KB
• Print Length: 340 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0505526654
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004LROPCM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,825 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #28 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Humor
  • #37 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Women Sleuths

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful debut! February 2, 2006

By T. Bittick

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This wonderful first novel by Kathleen Bacus is an amazingly funny, yet grippingly suspenseful, debut. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and peppered with truly poignant observations from the underachieving "Calamity" on her average-Jayne life, it doesn't take long for readers to start rooting for this plucky heroine to receive her due. Determined to win the respect of the townspeople who have good-naturedly mocked her all of her life, our "dumb blonde" heroine Tessa Jayne finally comes to realize it isn't R-E-S-P-E-C-T that she needs, but SELF-respect. While watching her discover that fact, you root for her and cheer her on as she gets closer to solving the case no one in town believes is a case.

I loved this book, and I'm looking forward to Calamity Jayne's further adventures. What a fun, delightful read.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic New Writer February 2, 2006

By Strategic Serendipity Leadership

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

What an enjoyable book! The writer's style makes for a very quick read and keeps you laughing all the way. I did not guess the ending and that is very unusual for me. Can't wait for Calamity Jane Rides Again!

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kept Me Laughing -- and Guessing February 10, 2006

By Colleen Thompson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

A small-town underachiever with two dead-end jobs, a lust-hate relationship with her brother's gorgeous best friend "Ranger Rick," and a reputation for living up to her hated nickname, Calamity Jayne stumbles into a murder mystery -- and a way to prove to everyone, especially herself, that she's more than just a walking, talking dumb blonde joke. Calamity's wise cracks kept me laughing and the story's mystery kept me guessing 'til the very last page.

Terrific, fun debut, Ms. Bacus! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Highly recommended.

More About the Author

Kathleen Bacus is a former Iowa State Patrol Trooper and Iowa Department of Justice consumer fraud investigator. An award-winning author for her humorous romantic mystery series, the Calamity Jayne Mysteries, Kathleen is currently at work on her next novel.