Mysteries to Solve Before You Die Laughing.

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A lover of laughter and aficionado of the absurd, author Margaret Lashley brings her unique, sideways look at the world to the page in her hilarious, best-selling Val Fremden Midlife Mystery Series, Doreen Diller Humorous Mystery Trilogy, and Freaky Florida Investigations.

More on the Val Fremden Midlife Mystery Series: Each book in this hilarious and heartfelt mystery series is jam-packed with plot twists and laughs you'll never see coming. But what really sets the Val Fremden series apart are the quirky, flawed characters you'll no doubt recognize as friends you already know.

More on the Doreen Diller Humorous Mystery Series: The Golden Girls meets Married to the Mob in this madcap mystery series packed with hilarious, Mafioso-style mayhem and seasoned with generous dollops of Southern-style sarcasm.

More on Freaky Florida Investigations: As a native of the Sunshine State, Margaret was weened on weird! She brings her extensive background in the redneck subculture to bear in this hilarious "Florida Man versus The X-Files" series! Climb aboard an old RV with Bobbie, Grayson, and Earl for some mind-bending, side-splitting adventures you won't soon forget.

More on Mind's Eye Investigators: This twin-book series introduces Deanna Young, a New York psychologist, and her unlikely new companions, two Florida investigators named Blatch and Smalls. While both books are peppered with sharp humor, make no mistake. Mind's Eye Investigators will have you on the edge of your seat.

"Quirky, funny, and mysterious. I was always looking forward to the next tidbit of information that would reveal a surprise." Amazon Review

"The twists and turns of the story line kept me eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next, and kept me thinking as well." Amazon Review

"Lashley does an artful job of raveling, rolling out and unraveling the plot/s whilst leaving the reader to ponder their own conclusion or opinions." Amazon Review

“Hooked like a fish. OMG Margaret Lashley is the best! Val could be Stephanie Plum's double!! Phenomenal writing.” Amazon Review

"There’s a mystery at the heart of this book – a few of them – that will hook fans of Janet Evanovich and other comic mystery writers." Amazon Review

"Her characters are real and full, her situations believable, and her dialogue marvelous." Amazon Review

"Margaret writes with a "smirk" of a Cheshire cat. Fantastic read.” Amazon Review

"Full of twists and turns as only Margaret Lashley can write!" Amazon Review

"If you like Anne George's 'Southern Sisters' don't miss Margaret Lashley!" Amazon Review

“The characters are great – so many laugh out loud moments…” Amazon Review

"I have long been an Evanovich fan and she is my go to author when someone asks for a book recommendation without telling me what genre they prefer. Now, I can add Margaret Lashley to that very short list." Amazon Review

"If you enjoy Janet Evanovich you will love Margaret Lashley!" Amazon Review

Ms. Lashley also penned How to be Happy When Life Treats You Crappy, a personal workbook based on her world-wide travels in search of what makes people resiliently happy. Margaret is a native Floridian and lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. Write to her at: Contact@margaretlashley.com. She loves to hear from fans!

From the Author:

Like the characters in my novels, I haven’t lead a life of wealth or luxury. In fact, as it stands now, I’m set to inherit a half-eaten jar of Cheez Whiz…if my siblings don’t beat me to it.

During my illustrious career, I’ve been a roller-skating waitress, an actuarial assistant, an advertising copywriter, a real estate agent, a house flipper, an organic farmer, and a traveling vagabond/truth seeker. But no matter where I’ve gone or what I’ve done, I’ve always felt like a weirdo.

I’ve learned a heck of a lot in my life. But getting to know myself has been my greatest journey. Today, I know I’m smart. I’m direct. I’m jaded. I’m hopeful. I’m funny. I’m fierce. I’m a pushover. And I have a laugh that makes strangers come up and want to join in the fun. In other words, I’m a jumble of opposing talents and flaws and emotions. And it’s all good.

In some ways, I’m a lot like Val Fremden. My books featuring Val are not autobiographical, but what comes out of her mouth was first formed in my mind, and sometimes the parallels are undeniable. I drink TNTs. I had a car like Shabby Maggie. And I’ve started my life over four times, driving away with whatever earthly possessions fit in my car. And, perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that friends come from unexpected places.

So thank you for being a fan. Your support helps keep my attitude one of gratitude. I hope I return the favor – along with a side-splitting laugh...or two.

Why did you decide to write fiction with women as the lead characters?

I grew up in an era of strong women role models, such as Marlo Thomas in That Girl, as well as Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett in shows that bore their names. These women were pursuing their own dreams, their own ways. I didn’t see much of that in fiction today. I wanted to create a character that was strong, yet vulnerable. One that celebrated the everyday, self-made woman who was struggling to finally put her own needs first. My main characters are survivors who bears the scars of their hard journey proudly, and with their own quirky coping mechanisms and senses of humor.

What type of reader would enjoy your brand of writing?

Readers who like to be taken by surprise – who like to laugh and cry and dissolve into another world when they read. My characters have their great triumphs and cringe-worthy failures. They are complex and flawed, and vulnerable and funny as hell. My stories draw laughs using a wide net – from Pat Conroy’s twisted, dark family humor to Stephanie Plum's pluck to Bridget Jones’s slap-stick situational gaffs. Things don’t always turn out as planned. But that’s life – when it’s truly lived.