MURDER AT THE PTA LUNCHEON [Paperback]

Valerie Wolzien (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (1988)
• ASIN: B000OTEPWQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meet the super-sleuths of Hancock, Connecticut:), October 19, 2000

By 

Melissa P. Cooper "kymissyin" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder at the PTA Luncheon (Mass Market Paperback)

OK, I admit it. I read "We Wish You a Merry Murder" first. This was the third of the Susan and Kathleen books I read. Loved "Merry Murder" and pretty much hated "40th Birthday Body." This one, however, is a keeper. Both the cops and the suburban housewife who helps them solve the murders here confront their prejudices about the way the "other half" lives, be that rich vs. poor, or married vs. single. Susan is not just another frivolous dilettante wealthy stay-at-home mom. She's a good friend with great sensitivity. This one doesn't have the laugh-out-loud funny moments of "Merry Murder," but it's good nonetheless. Like the other reviewer, I was VERY disappointed in the "Menu for Murder" TV movie based on this book. They butchered it. All of Valerie Wolzien's books would make good Sunday night TV movies or Lifetime TV fare--but only if they stick to the book more faithfully. I love these characters, and what you see here is just the start of a fun series with people you don't mind visiting again. After this one, just skip "40th Birthday Body" and take the rest of the books in order, and things will unfold without missing a beat.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and clever, January 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder at the PTA Luncheon (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was made into a TV movie starring Julia Duffy and Cindy Williams, and the luscious Ed Marinaro, among others, but trust me--the book was better. The movie moved the family from Connecticut to California, left out the Kathleen character (a big no-no, if you ask me), and turned Susan's husband into a workaholic jerk, making her susceptible to the charms of Brett. The only real similarities between the plots of the book and the movie were that the families were for the most part, wealthy, and someone did get murdered at a PTA luncheon. The book, Wolzien's first in the "Susan" series, was more complex and the characters much more believable than the caricatures in the TV movie. In this one, you see more of the contrast between the haves and the have nots. Kathleen's character is the most complex and the most interesting here. It's neat to see what Wolzien does with her in future outings in this series

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real skinny on the PTA, September 19, 2001

By 

Michele Hermansen "gengonushi" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder at the PTA Luncheon (Mass Market Paperback)

In this, the first of the Susan Henshaw novels, Valerie Wolzien introduces the reader to a clever, quick-thinking suburban housewife. That may not sound like a winner, but IT IS! Susan is a fantastic character, with depth and real emotions, combined with a talent for detection. She isn't snooty at all, and anyone could relate to her and her family. Wolzien's book is smart, funny, easy to read and a great look into the PTA --where petty jealousies and murder lurk. A must read! Note: the books can be read out of sequence, but starting with #1 is best!