Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair: A Desiree Shapiro Mystery [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Selma Eichler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

John Lander is heir to his dying uncle's considerable fortune. But one close call with a not-so-stray bullet, and he runs right to plump P.I. Desiree Shapiro for help. The roster of suspects includes a motley crew of the uncle's potential beneficiaries-all of whom have plenty to gain from the murder.

"Tired of glamorous private investigators so svelte they could be fashion models? Has author Selma Eichler got a heroine for you." (Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

New York PI Desiree Shapiro, the plump, all-too-human heroine of Eichler's mouthwatering mystery series (Murder Can Upset Your Mother, etc.), pleases the palate once again in this brisk, entertaining read. Desiree's most recent client, John Lander, is due to inherit his Uncle Victor's sizeable fortune now that the previous heir, Edward, is dead. After a close call with a stray bullet, John hires Desiree to solve two mysteries who wants him dead and who murdered his cousin Edward? Through persistent sleuthing, the food-loving detective pieces together a short list of suspects who might benefit from Edward's death, but she has no clear idea which is the assailant. The police have a hypothesis of their own. They believe John killed Edward and faked the attempt on his own life in order to paint himself as a victim, but Desiree is reluctant to admit that her client may be a murderer. Chatty conversations pad the narrative, and zany but well-rounded characters some of whom are familiar from Eichler's previous books flesh out the story. In addition, culinary references, woven into the narrative in such a manner as to enhance rather than distract, serve as an enjoyable and delectable counterpoint to the action.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 379 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786246472
• ISBN-13: 978-0786246472
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,986,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Desiree Shapiro is Wonderful, October 6, 2002

By 

Vannie Ryanes "Vannie Ryanes/VSR Book Review" (South Orange, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #9) (Paperback)

Meet PI Desiree Shapiro. A short plumpish widow turned New York City private eye who feels that she was born without woman's intuition or very poor intuition at best. Today she is waiting to meet her newest client, John Lander (and his wife) who fears for his life since he has become heir to the family fortune. The trouble is John was second in line to the estate, now that the original heir is dead will he be next? He has already been frightened by a stray bullet which he and his wife think was meant for John. Desiree can't imagine why the couple have come to her for help, when her area of expertise is finding lost pets, not murder but it's now up to her to put the pieces together before her client is killed. Desiree's style of questioning suspects is uniquely her own. She chats people up while eating or feeding anyone she needs information from. Now she must find out who had a motive to kill cousin Edward. John certainly did but he and Edward were not only cousins, they were friends. As Uncle Victor lay dying someone is killing off the heirs to the fortune he has not yet left behind. We follow Desiree as she searches for the killer among the suspects while avoiding being romanced, trying on dresses for her nieces wedding and buttering up her long time friend on the force with donuts and coffee for tidbits of information. Selma Eichler's Desiree Shapiro is a joy to read. Reader's get a bonus of recipes included in each novel. Vannie(~.~)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Desiree Shapiro and her Cozy Life, December 31, 2011

By 

Andrea "Readaholic" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #9) (Paperback)

I loved and enjoyed this book so much, I couldn't believe the low ratings and negative reviews. I guess it just goes to show, that we are all different and have different tastes. If I don't like a particular book in a series, I will not continue to read the series. But if I do like it, I will continue to read the series. This particular series is one series that I love and enjoy so much. However, like I mentioned earlier, this series is not for everyone. But if you like cozy mysteries, a fun-loving slightly overweight PI with a sense of humor, then this series could be for you. I have read some of the books in this series, and I will continue to read until I am finished, as I love it so much, I don't want to miss a single book.

In this particular book, Desiree Shapiro (the main character, who is a PI) is hired to find out who killed Uncle Edward, and who tried to kill nephew John. She interviews lots of people. She tries to put all her notes and findings together, gets discouraged . . . The book has a nice twist at the end when she finally figures it all out. Smart lady!

I love Desiree's life. She has a cozy life, a cozy apartment, and isn't afraid to eat her favorite foods. She is a widow, with no children, and lives in NYC. She has a witty and fun sense of humor. I absolutely love these books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not her best, but Desiree is always great to spend time with, July 2, 2002

By 

Ellen b (Long Island United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #9) (Paperback)

The Desiree Shapiro series is by far my favorite mystery series. Although this was not Ms. Eichler's best work, just spending time with Desiree is a pleasure. I feel like she is either my best friend or next door neighbor. I always anxiously await the next book. You will enjoy the book, but the plot is not as rich as some of the others.