One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest: A Pauline Sokol Mystery [Mass Market Paperback]

Lori Avocato (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2005

When Pauline Sokol goes undercover to investigate brokers who match psychiatric patients with treatment facilities for high dollar bounties, she suddenly finds herself confined against her will in a mental hospital run by nuns! Of course, convincing the staff that she's not crazy is like convincing a jailer that she's innocent, so Pauline decides to use the time to her advantage and continues with her investigation. Just as she starts to immerse herself in this strange world and make some headway, her hunky cohort Jagger shows up. When Jagger won't help her escape, Pauline knows that she's in deeper than she ever imagined and her only hope is the help of her colorful and "off kilter" new friends – her fellow patients. But when a crooked cross dressing nun winds up dead, Pauline knows that only her wits can save her from a killer that's committed to silencing her...permanently.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Avocato's third comic Pauline Sokol mystery (after The Stiff and the Dead), the ex-nurse turned insurance fraud investigator finds herself drugged, kidnapped and locked in a mental institution under a fictitious name. Enter enigmatic Jagger, who's masquerading as a doctor this time around and, as usual, doesn't tell Pauline much except that she's supposed to investigate a scam involving the placement of "mental patients" for insurance bounty money. Surrounded as she is by oddball inmates and "nuns" with French manicures, it's a tough call to determine who's bonkers and who's not. When one of the nuns ends up impaled on a broom handle and a naked patient gets a little too friendly, Jagger tries to pull Pauline from the case, but our spunky heroine has ideas of her own. While there's more perky narrative than actual sleuthing, readers who were charmed by the eccentric characters from previous books—Pauline's cross-dressing roommates, Polish family members and sleazy boss Fabio—will find this entry every bit as delightful.
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Review

“A hilarious roller coaster ride.” (Merline Lovelace, USA Today Bestselling Author )

“A fresh, new voice in mystery . . . great fun and a diverting escape.” (Laura Van Wormer )

“Delightful.” (Publishers Weekly )

“An outstanding mix of humor, family relationships, unusual characters, and realistic detecting.” (Florida Sun-Sentinel )

“A wacky and outright hilarious new mystery series...great sparring dialogue, well-defined characters and comedy galore.” (Curled up with a Good Book Reviews )

“A wonderful debut mystery . . . a solid who-done-it, chick lit style.” (Harriet Klausner )

“Sexy and sassy . . . a sure prescription for outrageous sleuthing.” (Carolyn Hart )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (September 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060731672
• ISBN-13: 978-0060731670
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After completing four years in the Air Force as a registered nurse, I began writing novels with medial/military themes. The winnner of several writing contests, I have completed fifteen novels and now write the humorous mystery series, The Pauline Sokol Mysteries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC! Can't wait for the next installment!, December 21, 2005

By 

CT Adams & Cathy Clamp (aka Cat Adams) "Autho... (Texas Hill Country) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest: A Pauline Sokol Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)

Lori Avocato's new release, ONE DEAD UNDER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, is a fun and sassy addition to the mystery genre. This third foray into the strange and wonderful world of Pauline Sokol, registered nurse turned fraud investigator, takes Pauline to the other side of the needle. Locked up against her will in a mental institution is nearly enough to drive her insane, especially when it's with the full knowledge of her supposed partner, the mysterious but oh-so-sexy Jagger. But with patients disappearing into the mysterious Ward 200B and then leaving covered by a sheet, Pauline realizes that there's more at stake than a few minor inconveniences --- like shackles on her bed and the occasional shock therapy.

In addition to tight pacing and a well developed plot, Avocato has done a wonderful job of creating believable, lovable, secondary characters. The flamboyant Goldie, along with his devoted boyfriend Miles, are truly endearing. They're both tough and compassionate and give the book extra zing. And for all you Jagger fans from Avocato's first two books, never fear --- he's back at his snarky but seductive best!

I'm looking forward to the next offering from this rising star on the mystery shelves!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first 2., September 26, 2006

By 

Alicia "Dax's Mom" (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest: A Pauline Sokol Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)

The writing is getting better. I don't think Pauline said "Ack" once in this book. A plus in my book. I actually stayed up to finish this one. Yes, Jagger betrayed Pauline in the beginning, but I got over it. She could have fallen into character a little quicker in my opinion, but I enjoyed the story. I think I'm over the similarities to Stephanie Plum and am eager to read the next book. Thanks to my friend who insisted I keep reading.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The next mystery has arrived!, September 30, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest: A Pauline Sokol Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)

Pauline Sokol is a burned-out registered nurse. [In the first book of this series] Pauline leaves nursing and becomes an insurance fraud investigator for Scarpello & Tonelli Insurance Company.

Pauline should have known something was up when Jagger shows up at her parents' house for her birthday party. Jagger says all he needs her to do is help him escort a lady to the Cortona Institute of Life, a mental institution run by nuns. By coincidence, her boss has given her a third case. This one is for psychiatric fraud. So Pauline now has two psychiatric cases at the same time.

It all goes down hill and Pauline is the one committed, unwillingly, to the institution. Even her attractive sometime-cohort Jagger refuses to help get her out. No one believes that she really sane and a mistake has been made. Since she is there anyway, Pauline begins doing what she does best, snooping. Turns out that she is not the only one that has been kidnapped and committed. A huge scam is going on and she is in WAY over her head.

When the first body shows up, Jagger wants Pauline out. However, Pauline now refuses to leave. Other innocents are depending on her. With a little help from Jagger, her own kooky family, and a few "sanity-challenged" friends, Pauline just may survive this case.

***** This is Pauline's most serious case yet! There is more romance, more time spent with her interesting family, and the secondary characters (in and out of the institution) are even more colorful than before. The Sokol's extended family members have carved a place for themselves within my heart.

If the book has Lori Avocato's name on the front, buy it! Don't even bother reading the synopsis on the back cover. You won't be disappointed! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.