Customer Reviews

Love Her to Death (Daytime Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

So many times you approach a new book written by a favorite author with anticipation that it will be wonderful, and then you're disappointed. That didn't happen with this book -- I'd say it was just as good as the first, and maybe better.

Once again, the reader is taken into the world of upscale New York and television production -- daytime drama (what the rest of the world calls soap operas, but not the people who produce them, apparently!) Our detective character Morgan Tyler writes and co-produces a hit daytime drama. The story begins when one of the stars of the program tells her that she has an estranged husband out there who will kill her if he locates her. Morgan asks her sort-of boyfriend who is a homicide detective to see what he can find out about the husband, who may or may not be using that name -- and it's unclear what his real name is, although he is a very wealthy man. In the meantime, Morgan must deal with the trials of daytime drama production, including a new boss who wants to fire one of the actors who has put on too much weight. Then there's trying to plan the series during the time that the ratings are established -- a time when everyone pulls out all the stops to attract viewers. It becomes apparent that someone doesn't like Morgan and is either trying to scare her off something (but what?) or kill her.

This book is fast-paced, entertaining, filled with distinctive characters (you can just imagine them in your mind), and well plotted. I was genuinely surprised by the ending, although it all made sense. The world of daytime drama -- or television production in general -- is so interesting that I wonder why no-one else has used it as the location for a mystery series. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Remember the slogan for a certain brand of potato chips: "Bet you can't eat just one!"? This second entry in a series of mysteries set against the backdrop of daytime television makes me say, "Bet you can't read just one!" Exalted writer Charles Dickens and his publisher knew the value of leaving the reader begging for more. Today's reader is fortunate to now have access to the writing skills of Linda Palmer, who has followed up LOVE IS MURDER with another winner, LOVE HER TO DEATH. Like the first book, I was faced with a delicious quandry. I couldn't put it down, but I didn't want it to end, either. Linda's writing style easily draws the readers into her main character's world. In that world we're allowed to live for a few too-brief hours while we mix and mingle with other fascinating people and imagine ourselves caught up not only in the current mystery but life behind the scenes on a popular television show. The brilliance behind combining the two is evident. How more intriguing could it be than to write a serial ABOUT a serial? That makes the story possibilities endless, which I hope is what this series will be. My craving to find out "what happens next" to Morgan Tyler, her friends, and her enemies makes me wish for a new entry once a month, once a week, once a day...okay, not realistic, I know. Sigh. Pass the bag of chips...I'll re-read the first two until the next one arrives in the mail.

I read "Love is Murder" and loved it. Now Linda Palmer has outdone herself with the second in the series, "Love Her to Death." Some great new characters, and one wild ride of a read. Not to be missed!

Morgan Tyler, the head writer for the daytime drama Love of My Life, is promoted to co-executive producer. On her very first day on the job, one of her female stars Cybelle Carter is worried that she is going to be on the cover of Time. She fears the exposure might kill her. Cybelle confesses that she is married to a mysterious rich person Philippe Abacasas who is somewhere always surrounded by bodyguards and who has in his possession multiple passports.

When Morgan gets a call that a dead body was found in Cybelle's apartment, she immediately thinks that her star is dead. She goes over to the apartment and identifies the body as that of Jeannie Ford, Cybelle's stunt double. She meets the mysterious Abacasas who warns her to beware of Cybelle and her brother. He also tells her that his wife stole two rare Greek coins from him before she disappeared. Attracted to the man Morgan doesn't know who to believe but she is determined to get some answers even though someone is going to incredible and fatal lengths to stop her.

The heroine can be summed up in one word, spunky. She deals with a stress related job with total calm. Works overtime to find a murderer going the extra kilometer to do so and juggles two sexy men after a five year drought including a one night fling with Cybelle's husband. Readers are going to like this mystery which is rich in characterizations and action and short on gore. Linda Palmer proves with this fine cozy that she has what it takes to reach the top of her profession.

Harriet Klausner

These books are like the potato chips mentioned by another reviewer here on Amazon: start snacking on them and it's hard to stop.

This is fun escape fiction: romance, suspense, mystery, and everybody living in terrific Manhattan homes which they own free and clear. Oh, and they are all thin and gorgeous and doing interesting things. Which in Morgan Tyler's case includes television writing, daytime drama production, amateur sleuthing, and occasional attempts on her life by ruthless murderers. All carried off with panache, of course.

The real puzzler for me was why the cat on the cover? Hint: you find out at the very end.

Toss the Morgan Tyler mystery books into your tote when heading to the airport or the beach. They are great escapes.

I love a good mystery and this one, and the first book in the series, Love is Murder, are wonderful reads. The central character in this story is Morgan Tyler, the head writer for a soap opera. She has a very interesting background as a wildlife photographer whose husband dies and to try to find a place for herself, sends in a story to a contest to become a soap opera writer. She wins the contest and is very successful in her professional life. Her personal life kicks into high gear after being a widow for several years.

The story line is fresh, the characters are normal and very likeable. I found both of these books hard to put down. The plot twists are original, which is very refreshing these days.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series and I highly recommend this for anyone who like a good mystery.

Dianne

I was in the middle of reading DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY when I found out that there's a sequel to LOVE IS MURDER. DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY is a wonderful book, but I've never enjoyed a read as much as LOVE IS MURDER. I immediately got a copy of LOVE HER TO DEATH, determined only to read it after I finished DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. Of course, I didn't think there would be any harm in reading the first page, just to get a feel for it. I ended up finishing it that morning. There's a magic about Linda Palmer's writing that makes it impossible for me to just walk away and say, "oh, I can find out what happens later." It amazes me, but I actually think I enjoyed it more than the first book. Morgan is just one of those characters that I end up liking more and more. Can't wait till the next book so that I can see where our relationship is going. Needless to say, I don't get to see her as much as I would like, but at least I can now finish DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY.

This book is juicy & has some surprising twists that will leave you begging for more. Can't wait for the third!

Morgan Tyler writes and produces for Love of My Life, a daytime drama. Cybelle Carter, a star on the show, comes to Morgan and expresses concern because she's going to be on the cover of Time. She is married to Philippe Abacasas. He has threatened to kill her if he finds her.

Morgan gets a call that a body has been found in Cybelle's apartment. She immediately thinks it is Cybelle. It turns out to be her stunt double. Morgan is concerned that Cybelle was the intended victim.

Morgan meets Abacasas. He tells a completely different story in which Cybelle and her brother stole some coins from him. Abacasas is an attractively handsome man. Who should Morgan believe? She wants to get to the truth.

Morgan's sometimes boyfriend, a police detective, is not happy with her looking into another murder. She still has to create and produce episodes in the daytime drama as well as find time to do her sleuthing. Can she figure out who's telling the truth and who killed the stunt double without becoming a victim herself?

I love this series. Ms. Palmer has a real hit on her hands! Morgan is such a fun character. She is very down to earth, but yet she is willing to step out when needed.

The relationship tension and the work demands all add to this series. Everything is well scripted and blended. I highly recommend this book and series.

One of the worst cozy mysteries I have read. The storyline was all over the place, the characters were cardboard cutout with horrible names to match.

The writing was stilted and I could almost see the writer preening in the mirror admiring her witty prose. The suspense was non-existant because I was too busy being irritated with the language. You won't be missing much if you miss out on this one.