The Curse of the Holy Pail (The Odelia Grey Mysteries) [Paperback]

Sue Ann Jaffarian (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Odelia Grey Mysteries | Publication Date: February 8, 2007

Is the "Holy Pail" cursed? Every owner of the vintage Chappy Wheeler lunchbox–a prototype based on the 1940s TV western–has died. And now Sterling Price, business tycoon and a client of Odelia Grey's law firm, has been fatally poisoned. Is it a coincidence that Price's one-of-a-kind lunch pail–worth over thirty grand–has disappeared at the same time?

Treading cautiously since a recent run-in with a bullet, Odelia takes small bites of this juicy, calorie-free mystery–and is soon ravenous for more! Her research reveals a sixty-year-old unsolved murder and Price's gold-digging ex-fiancée with two married men wrapped around her breasts . . . uh, finger. Mix in a surprise marriage proposal that sends an uncertain Odelia into chocolate sedation, and you've got an unruly recipe for delicious disaster.

Click here to download Book Club Questions for The Curse of the Holy Pail, prepared by author Sue Ann Jaffarian!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It's only a lunchbox, but someone wants it badly enough to kill for it. Plus-size, middle-aged paralegal Odelia Grey finds out her client, wealthy Sterling Price, has been murdered, and the rarest piece of his collection, a Chappy Wheeler lunch box, is missing. The box has a curse on it--all its previous owners have met with a dire fate. Of course, it's worth a not-so-small fortune, and that kind of money makes ownership worth the risk. The list of suspects is long--Sterling's loyal secretary, his discarded fiancee, his money-grubbing relatives, fellow collectors, overzealous environmentalists, and even Odelia herself. Told in an engaging first-person narration, this is the second book in the humorous Odelia Grey series (Too Big to Miss, 2006). Libraries will want both, as Jaffarian offers the perfectly flawed alternative for readers sick and tired of picture-perfect characters. The wonderfully human Ophelia's adventures will continue in the forthcoming Mother Mayhem. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"With a legendary curse, a possibly murderous little person, ruthless heirs, [and] charismatic thugs... a lively caper that will keep you guessing right till the end." -- Kris Neri, award-winning author of the Tracy Eaton mysteries

"I'd like to spend more time with Sue Ann Jaffarian's Odelia." -- The New York Times

"More fun than a lunch pail full of plump paralegals, The Curse of the Holy Pail is a tale as bouncy as its bodacious protagonist." -- Bill Fitzhugh, author of Highway 61 and Resurfaced

"Odelia Gray is a wonderful addition to the mystery genre, a smart, funny, engaging plus-size heroine who takes readers on a plus-size ride. You root for her, laugh with her and cheer at her ultimate triumph. If I were in trouble, I'd want Odelia on my side." -- Denise Hamilton, Edgar Allen Poe and Willa Cather awards finalist and national bestselling author of Prisoner of Memory

"Well written and nicely paced, this is a good beach or airplane read." -- Cycling.Finial.com

The Curse of the Holy Pail is a fast-paced and well-plotted book. Jaffarian's writing is sharp and sassy--like her protagonist--and she knows how to keep the suspense high. If this second-in-a-series is any indication, Jaffarian and Odelia have a bright future. -- Mystery Scene, March 2007

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (February 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073870864X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738708645
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian, is a middle-aged, plus size paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles with her two cats, B and Raffi. She writes mysteries and general fiction, as well as short stories.

In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after as a motivational and humorous speaker.

Want to receive HOT FLASHES, Sue Ann's newsletter? To subscribe, just send an e-mail to [e-mail] with "Add Me" in the subject line. HOT FLASHES is distributed 3-5 times a year via e-mail. And rest assured, your e-mail information is never sold to or shared with anyone.

You can visit Sue Ann at her website: www.sueannjaffarian.com and follow her on both Facebook and Twitter.

(Photo by Innis Casey Photography)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, but newcomers start with TOO BIG to MISS, June 6, 2003

By 

curvynovelsdotinfo "[e-mail]" (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Curse of the Holy Pail: An Odelia Grey Mystery (Paperback)

Heroine: Abundant

Sassy, classy, large and in charge. That's corporate paralegal Odelia Grey for you in a nutshell. But if you crave a little more information on her you might be interested to also know that she owns a green pet cat named Seamus. (Yes, really!) And her curiosity, impulsiveness, and a knack for being in the right place but at the wrong time, lead her into some hair-raising situations.

Fortunately Odelia's a sharp cookie and can think her way out of most predicaments, and for those she can't get out of on her own she has a great group of friends to provide back-up.

What worked for me:

I had a blast taking a joy-ride in Odelia's head. She's very perceptive and has a great sense of humor.

The mysteries keep you guessing, but aren't so difficult as to be off-putting to non-mystery buffs.

Her gentleman friend Greg was quite yummy and his appearance in the story offered a nice touch of romance for fans of that genre.

Size-wise Odelia is middle-aged, quite short and rather round. She's been working for a long time at accepting herself, and her support group Reality Check has been very helpful in making that happen. I'm glad that Odelia is starting to speak up for herself and is learning not to be cowed by clothing sales clerks afflicted with superiority complexes!

What didn't work for me:

I didn't mind it because it's both a cause dear to my heart as well as an integral part of the story, but some folks who aren't into the size acceptance movement might feel uncertain about that part of the first book. However, size is not the main issue in the second story. And it's certainly no reason not to pick up this excellent series.

I hate cliffhangers in series, but that's what keeps people coming back for more!

Overall:

Packed with clever humor, vibrant prose, sympathetic characters, and brilliant mysteries, the Odelia grey series is the total package and is highly recommended for fans of mystery and romantic suspense.

Warning: there are some steamy scenes here and there in this story.

If you liked the Odelia Grey mystery series, you might also enjoy the Southern Sisters mystery series, the Josephine Fuller mystery series, the Stephanie Plum mystery series, "Death by Dessert", "The Gumshoe Girls", "Lady Blue", "Teacher's Pet", "Love by the Pound", "Etta Mae's Little Theory" or "Good in Bed".

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pail-full of Mystery, September 8, 2003

By 

theseusxx (Brunswick County, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Curse of the Holy Pail: An Odelia Grey Mystery (Paperback)

This book is excellent reading for everyone who enjoys a good murder mystery but beware, don't try to figure it out! SueAnn Jaffarian knows how to twist and turn the story around making you guess the final outcome up to the very end of the book.

I suggest you also get the first book (Too Big To Miss) so you know who you are dealing with - a cleaver, big-sized snoop who can get herself into trouble at the drop of a cookie. The Holy Pail continues the adventures of Odelia Grey and her acrimonious pursuit of whatever gets in her way!

Read On and have fun!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Odelia Grey is a Big Beautiful Winner!, May 12, 2004

By 

Kate Thornton (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Curse of the Holy Pail: An Odelia Grey Mystery (Paperback)

Sue Ann Jaffarian has captured cleverness and wit in this larger-than-life mystery series. This book, The Curse of the Holy Pail, is the second in the fast-paced and funny series featuring plus-sized Odelia Grey. Move over, Stephanie Plum, Odelia can eat your lunch! Odelia Grey is a Big Beautiful Woman who works as a paralegal and solves twisty mysteries with a lotta style. Through the well-constructed plot involving family, boss, boyfriend, old TV shows and a rare and collectible lunch box with a now-dead owner, Odelia navigates the sparkling waters of murder and comic mayhem in full sail. She will keep you on the funny edge of mystery and wanting more when it's solved. I have it on very good authority that the third Odelia Grey is in progress, and I can't wait for it. Way to go, Sue Ann Jaffarian!