Customer Reviews

Murder Can Mess Up Your Mascara (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #12)

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

 

 

Desiree Shapiro is a robust, hilarious woman always capable of being in tune with her inner psyche. Following her heart as well as her brain proved to make for a good career choice - a private investigator residing in her own little office in Manhattan. The novel is filled to the brim with coziness and days full of sleuthing, not only is Desiree a real wise crack but she also knows a thing or two about not skipping meals - her mood and spirits are often in need of good macadamia brittle ice cream, creative meals and few slices of pizza here and there. There were plenty of great food descriptions in the book and a nice recipe at the end that I am looking forward to. This whole series looks wonderful and I can't wait to see what happens next, the ending - especially considering what happened with little kid from hell - oh I can't spoil anything - made me dying for the continuation of the story.

When a new case knocks on her door, Desiree is faced with a very unusual murder mystery - one that hasn't happened yet. As Gordon Curry comes to her door with information about someone wanting him dead he unknowingly sets that very motion into action and winds up dead as he himself has promised. Her only supposed lead ends up dead too and Desiree has no choice but to plunge into Curry's family and its wacky characters for some answers. On top of all her own personal life drama with Nick, whom she is seeing, and his child from a previous relationship that tried to sabotage their romance in many hilarious ways - the story is funny, full of twists and turns and always interesting.

As a New Yorker I can appreciate how the story embraced the city well, the cab rides, apartments, neighbors, little restaurants and general buzz was refreshing and interesting, providing a great background to a little mystery. I found Desiree to be a great heroine, and even thought this is the twelfth book in the series, I am all ready gathering them from the beginning so I can enjoy the whole experience properly. This was a very quick, light and enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries and fans of good eats.

- Kasia S.

Another great book in the Desiree Shapiro series! I look forward to each of these, and Murder Can Mess up your Mascara doesn't disappoint! Lots of plot twists to keep you guessing, little hints of romance and humor...it has it all and I read it so quickly that I am now sorry to have to wait for the next one!

I think Des is a hoot. This latest installment strikes me as "filler" on the way to Ellen's wedding, the next logical event. Blossom is an interesting character, although I can't see her as a recurring feature; a little of her goes a long way. Now, as for the book itself ...
A minor quibble was that Dilys is a Welsh name, not an Irish one! A tougher issue for me was that the family of the deceased weren't well differentiated. I found myself consciously having to sort out things such as, "Is this the first wife or the widow here?" etc. In other words, the plot ain't so hot. But, let's be honest, these books aren't really read for the plot: they're read for Des and her world. I will say that I've never been real keen on Ellen, but she does serve a function as "family" for Des.
That having been said, I'm looking forward to the next one. Can't wait to see the interaction between Des and her sister-in-law. Moreover, I don't think we've seen the last of her little nemesis, Derek, either.

Sarcastic Blossom Goody informs Manhattan private investigator Desiree Shapiro that her cousin Gordie wants to hire her because he believes someone is trying to kill him, but lacks evidence to go to the police. Desiree argues with The Mouth at first, but knows no one human can win a debate with Blossom nor avoid wilting from the acerbic verbal assault.

Not long after the call, Gordon Curry explains to Desiree that he and his wife Rhonda went on their annual fall vacation in the Pocono Mountains. With a warm Indian summer, he was swimming in the lake when a motorboat tried to run him over. Not long after that in the same area, someone fired a shot that just missed Gordie while he was hunting. He wants Desiree to insure no more attempts on his life and provides her with the name of the only person he believes might want him dead, former employee Roger Clyne. As Desiree searches for the vanished Roger, someone kills Gordie as he leaves his monthly poker game. Blossom tells Desiree to find the killer.

Plus-sized Desiree Shapiro stars in a fine Manhattan cozy that fans of the series will enjoy in spite of the heroine being her usual unconfident self except over pizza at Little Angie's in her twelfth appearance. The Mouth adds depth and humor as no one peels skin off a person than the abusive queen of derision Mrs. Goody (an apropos ironic surname). Shapiro supporters will appreciate the case switching from keeping the client alive to finding his killer, not easy when the only suspect died a couple of months ago.

Harriet Klausner