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Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper #9
Fixing to Die
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus has been happily married to veterinarian Ted Scottsmeyer for months. But her newly wedded bliss is about to be cut short....
Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair....
Includes Shopping Tips!
Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair....
Includes Shopping Tips!
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
44 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Viets
86Ìýbooks560ÌýfollowersAs a young girl, Elaine Viets was taught the virtues of South St. Louis: the importance of hard work, housecleaning, and paying cash. She managed to forget almost everything she learned, which is why she turned to mystery writing.
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.�
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart � and her viewpoint � remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
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*
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Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.�
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart � and her viewpoint � remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
*
*
*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 30, 2019
Another great entry in the series. I love how Josie’s life (and Amelia’s) has evolved over the course of the series. Only Josie would find a body in the backyard and she solved the case of who put it there. I was totally sucked in by the red herrings presented to me and I was much happier with who turned out to be guilty. I really enjoy how easy these books are to read and the characters are a lot of fun to read about.
January 31, 2022
This is another excellent entry in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series by Elaine Viets. This one is a real page-turner. When Josie and her husband and daughter buy a new house, the last thing they expect to find is a dead body under the gazebo. The next thing they do not expect is a police woman who refuses to investigate, arrests the wrong person, and charges that person with first-degree murder. So Josie and her friend Alyce, along with her daughter Amellia, have to find the murderer before the wrong person is executed for the murder.
November 22, 2022
There is a lot going on in Fixing to Die by Elaine Viets !! This is the ninth book in her Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series and there are quite a few things going on and a lot of things changing in Josie's life...some good, some bad and some, well, Josie-like I guess is the best words to use.
In Murder is a Piece of Cake, the eighth book in the series Josie married her veterinarian boyfriend, Ted and her and her daughter Amelia moved in with Ted in the house he is renting. They were living in the downstairs flat below Josie's mom, Jane, so that is a huge change for all of them. Luckily Jane loves Ted and knows that he will take care of her daughter and grandaughter.
So now in Fixing to Die Josie and Ted are looking for a new house for their new family which consists of Jane, Ted, Amelia, two cats and one dog. Unfortunately Jane does not like any of the houses that she looks at. Luckily Ted's partner at the veterinary clinic Chris has a house that her aunt left her and she is looking to get rid of it. Her sister Rain was living in it until recently when she stopped paying rent and then up and left and sent her sister an email that she was leaving.
The house needs some work so Chris offers them a deal that they can't refuse which will allow them to renovate and remodel. One of the first things they decide to tackle is the gazebo that one of Rain's boyfriends built for her. Unfortunately when they start to remove it they discover a dead body buried underneath it. The body is soon identified as Rain, Chris's sister and the detective on the case immediately arrests Chris for the murder.
With Chris being arrested the honeymoon is over for Josie and Ted as now Ted has to work long hours to make up for Chris's absence. So Josie being Josie decides to find out the real killer so she can have her honeymoon stage with her new husband back !!! Unfortuantely she is finding it difficult to determine the real killer.....
Another storyline that readers will love is Amelia's dilemma. Amelia attends the Barrington School for Boys and Girls and is able to attend because she receives a scholarship. The school is a very proper school but Amelia and a few of her friends are soon the center of a bullying scheme. The bullying goes so far are putting unflattering pictures on a Facebook page and lies are told about the girls. Instead of crying in her room, Amelia and her friend Emma investigate and find proof of who is behind the bullying and the parents rally behind the girls. Reader will love seeing Amelia taking charge.....just like her mother !!!
Fixing to Die, as with the previous eight books, will have readers loving the characters and the storyline. As you read these books, the characters become more than just characters in a book, you begin to love them and want to spend as much time with them as you can !!
July 19, 2022
Cyberbullying. Jack Russell show dogs. Mid-century fixer-upper house. Dead body under gazebo. What do these things have in common? They're all elements of the 9th Josie Marcus mystery.
Now that Josie and Ted are married, it's time for the newlyweds (and Josie's daughter, Amelia) to move into a house of their own. They've found one they like, being sold at a good price by Ted's vet partner, Christine, but it's never that easy. While demolishing the backyard gazebo, the workers discover a young girl's body under the porch. Circumstantial evidence identifies the body as Chris' missing sister, Rain, and the local police arrest Chris as the possible murderer.
Josie doesn't believe it, especially since Rain had two volatile ex-boyfriends. She sets out to investigate, but is she in over her head ... again?
Now that Josie and Ted are married, it's time for the newlyweds (and Josie's daughter, Amelia) to move into a house of their own. They've found one they like, being sold at a good price by Ted's vet partner, Christine, but it's never that easy. While demolishing the backyard gazebo, the workers discover a young girl's body under the porch. Circumstantial evidence identifies the body as Chris' missing sister, Rain, and the local police arrest Chris as the possible murderer.
Josie doesn't believe it, especially since Rain had two volatile ex-boyfriends. She sets out to investigate, but is she in over her head ... again?
August 23, 2024
Josie and her husband bought a house. In the process of getting a contractor and getting things fixed, a body was discovered. Ted's partner (whom they bought the house from) is accused of murdering her sister. While Josie is trying to help her husband out and help them get into their home she notices something is off with her daughter. Her daughter and a few others are being bullied at school. Josie is now tasked with a mystery shopping job, helping solve the murder, getting Ted's co-worker released from jail, helping her daughter with bullies, getting them in their home, and helping her mother find a renter. Josie definitely has her work cut out for her in this book!
September 6, 2017
This is a quick, fun, read, with lots of St. Louis flavor. It even ends with an anniversary dinner at Acero in my own neighborhood, my husband's and my own choice for similar celebrations. My only quibble is when an IPhone that had been lost for months has enough battery charge to power on as soon as it's found. Nope. Not happening. Not in this universe!
November 27, 2017
I enjoyed this installment of the Josie Marcis, Mystery Shopper series. I learned a lot about kitchen renovation, and I enjoyed Jeanne, the female contractor hired by Josie for the renovation. I enjoyed Peg's small role in the story, but I thought the dog show info/the role of Jack Dandy was a bit much. There seemed to be less mystery shopping in this book than in the others.
August 26, 2020
Honestly one of the better Josie Marcus books.
The first chapter is hilarious. It sets up the ominous teaser used in past books, and then...
Somehow the investigation is less absolutely insane. It still is scattershot, but it makes sense.
And the ending is much less “handed to you on a silver platter� than in the other books.
The first chapter is hilarious. It sets up the ominous teaser used in past books, and then...
Somehow the investigation is less absolutely insane. It still is scattershot, but it makes sense.
And the ending is much less “handed to you on a silver platter� than in the other books.
June 2, 2022
Josie at it again. This time her family got involved and almost killed
Josie’s new complete family, her daughter, new husband
And herself finally find a house but it comes with a body and crappy neighbors. Ted’s partner is charged with the crime and the family is brought into the chase to find the real killer before one of them gets killed.
Josie’s new complete family, her daughter, new husband
And herself finally find a house but it comes with a body and crappy neighbors. Ted’s partner is charged with the crime and the family is brought into the chase to find the real killer before one of them gets killed.
August 4, 2022
A Good Story and a Good Conscience Raiser
The murderer was clear fairly early but it was fun watching Josie figure it out and the author tackled notone, not two,but three big current issues! Abusive practices in the show animal industry, bullying and the environment all without preaching or talking down to the reader! Ms. Vista is good!
The murderer was clear fairly early but it was fun watching Josie figure it out and the author tackled notone, not two,but three big current issues! Abusive practices in the show animal industry, bullying and the environment all without preaching or talking down to the reader! Ms. Vista is good!
February 21, 2022
Another great entry in the Josie Marcus series of books. Once again Josie takes on the investigation of a friend’s case when she is accused of murder and once again, she solves the crime with the assistance of her daughter. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
September 25, 2018
Another good book by an author I enjoy. Almost at the end of this series!
July 2, 2020
Love it. Terrific Story, Elaine is a great write. I will be sorry to see this series end.
COuld not put it down.
COuld not put it down.
July 10, 2021
Fixing to Die
Wonderful story. Full of suspense and action. I am glad they got their lives back and can live happily ever after.
Wonderful story. Full of suspense and action. I am glad they got their lives back and can live happily ever after.
November 23, 2021
Well written adventure with a just married woman with a 12 year old.
December 9, 2021
Slow start with clunky writing moving characters from place to place. After about 100 pages I really enjoyed it. Lots of possible murderers to guess at.
December 16, 2022
I liked this series, but I see why it is coming to a close.
March 17, 2023
Cute mystery, good for a cold, rainy day. I enjoyed the homey touches (literally) and relationships.
May 11, 2023
This book by Elaine Viets. Josie was determined to solve the murder of Rain, his colleagues sister.
I did not see it coming on who the murderer was ! Never overlook old ladies 😄
I did not see it coming on who the murderer was ! Never overlook old ladies 😄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2015
Brought to you by guest reviewer Mary C.
This installment in the Mystery Shopper series finds Josie happily married and determined to find just the right house for her daughter Amelia and husband Joe. Unfortunately, she’s not having much luck until Ted’s partner in their vet business, Dr. Christine Dillon Cormac, offers to sell them a home she owns that was recently vacated by her hippie sister Rain. Christine regales them with tales of Rain’s abusive boyfriends, her lack of stability and not paying rent or taking care of the property. She offers Ted and Josie a deal which they quickly accept since they love the house and the price leaves them funds for renovation.
One of the first projects they undertake is to tear down a rickety gazebo Rain’s boyfriend Harley Scranton built. To their horror they discover the body of a young woman buried beneath the deck that turns out to be Christine’s sister whom she thought went to an ashram in California.
Enter Detective Noelle Stevenski, one of the most arrogant and obnoxious detectives I’ve run across in quite awhile. Her attitude set my teeth on edge. Any cop who acted that way would certainly be reprimanded. Christine became a target the moment the detective met her and no amount of reasoning penetrated her thick skull. When the neighbor, Betty Ann Goffman, told of a fight Christine had with her sister prior to her death, Christine’s fate was sealed. This was despite Betty also mentioning having to call the police on several of Rain’s boyfriends who battered her.
We don’t have much of Josie mystery shopping in this book. I missed that as Harry, her boss, is always rather fun with his crude and slimy manner. As she is interested in renovating her kitchen in midcentury modern, Josie is delighted to get an assignment to mystery shop a midcentury contractor who is applying for membership in the American Kitchen Contractors (AKC). Josie quickly discovers that Travis Ray Porter, the contractor, is a slime ball who will do anything for the job. She is also assigned one other mystery shopping job involving midcentury items. I would have liked to see more of the shopping as this provides some funny entertainment and insight into retail.
A subplot involves Josie’s daughter Amelia and three of her friends who are bullied at the prestigious Barrington school they attend. Amelia and her friends find their picture and derogatory comments posted on Facebook. When the head of the school is confronted by the parents of the bullied girls, she refuses to do anything. She claims she investigated and couldn’t find any of the pupils were involved. However, Amelia feels nothing will be done because the culprit’s parents are extremely wealthy and heavily endow the school. Amelia and one of the other girls who was bullied set out to prove several of the popular girls in school are the culprits. Their solution to the bullying was interesting and state-of-the-art.
Meanwhile, Josie decides to investigate the murder and begins questioning the neighbors. She soon discovers that one of the neighbors may have had a reason to murder Rain. The ex-boyfriends also looms large as murder suspects. Josie also feels the shady goings on at another veterinarian clinic where the doctor appears to be pulling a scam on clients involving show cats and dogs could have something to do with the murder.
I felt the solving of the murder was rather abrupt. For once, Josie wasn’t really the one to solve the mystery. Despite this, I liked this latest installment. We get to watch Josie and Amelia become closer and we see Amelia growing into an intelligent young woman. Josie’s mother appears to be mellowing and developing a better relationship with Josie. And, despite the long hours Ted has to work because of Christine’s incarceration, Josie and Ted still manage to act like newlyweds.
One thing that did annoy me about this book was the constant repeating of things. Amelia calls everything “sick� and Josie keeps telling herself that means a good thing. We got it the first time.
If you like a book that makes you feel like you’re visiting old friends, I recommend you pick this one up. It’s comfy, easy to be with, and highly enjoyable.
November 25, 2013
Elaine Viets returns with the latest book in the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series, Fixing to Die. Fixing to Die is the ninth book in the series and finds lead character Josie finally, happily married to her Veterinarian husband Ted and looking for a new home of their family. Viets moves between the main mystery involving a murder victim found under the gazebo and a secondary mystery involving her daughter and cyber-bulling. Fans of the series will see less mystery shopping in this one, but more focus on Josie's life and her family, as well as, her sleuthing skills. Viets gives readers a great cozy with an interesting theme.
Josie Marcus is one of my favorite cozy heroines. She has been through the ringer but she has finally married the love of her life and they are now looking for a love nest to raise their family. I liked the fact that Viets keeps Josie true to her original character, even though the circumstances of her life are changing. Josie is just as curious and inquisitive as always. When Ted's partner is accused of murdering her estranged sister, Josie is on the case. She can't seem to stay out of it when someone she cares about is knee deep in a mystery and I love that about her character. It is also apparent in the side mystery involving her daughter.
Viets does such a remarkable job of putting all the pieces of the puzzle throughout the book in such a way that the reader could figure it out, if they could just see the cover of the box. It's funny how she is able to keep you right on the verge of knowing who the killer is and then she throws in a monkey wrench and you're uncertain again. That happens about a dozen times in this one and I never did get it until the end. I didn't have any problems figuring it out once it was revealed, Viets had been deftly alluding to it all along. I loved the mystery aspect of this one and found it very entertaining.
The side story involving Amelia and the cyber bulling she was experiencing was also very good. Not only does this happen every day, it is a serious issue that needs attention and I think Viets did a good job of making readers aware. I also loved Amelia's character as she is developing in the series. She reminds me so much of a Josie and it's obvious to me that she will be a great sleuth too one day. She was such a refreshing character in this story and I thought she added a lot to this book.
There isn't much mystery shopping in this one, as the focus is more on Josie and Ted's new life and the relationship between them and Amelia. I liked the change of pace and thought it was necessary at this point in the series. Readers got to focus a little more on Josie's sleuthing as well. I don't think it deviated too far from the theme of the series. It just took a little break from it. Looking forward to the next one in this delightful series.
Josie Marcus is one of my favorite cozy heroines. She has been through the ringer but she has finally married the love of her life and they are now looking for a love nest to raise their family. I liked the fact that Viets keeps Josie true to her original character, even though the circumstances of her life are changing. Josie is just as curious and inquisitive as always. When Ted's partner is accused of murdering her estranged sister, Josie is on the case. She can't seem to stay out of it when someone she cares about is knee deep in a mystery and I love that about her character. It is also apparent in the side mystery involving her daughter.
Viets does such a remarkable job of putting all the pieces of the puzzle throughout the book in such a way that the reader could figure it out, if they could just see the cover of the box. It's funny how she is able to keep you right on the verge of knowing who the killer is and then she throws in a monkey wrench and you're uncertain again. That happens about a dozen times in this one and I never did get it until the end. I didn't have any problems figuring it out once it was revealed, Viets had been deftly alluding to it all along. I loved the mystery aspect of this one and found it very entertaining.
The side story involving Amelia and the cyber bulling she was experiencing was also very good. Not only does this happen every day, it is a serious issue that needs attention and I think Viets did a good job of making readers aware. I also loved Amelia's character as she is developing in the series. She reminds me so much of a Josie and it's obvious to me that she will be a great sleuth too one day. She was such a refreshing character in this story and I thought she added a lot to this book.
There isn't much mystery shopping in this one, as the focus is more on Josie and Ted's new life and the relationship between them and Amelia. I liked the change of pace and thought it was necessary at this point in the series. Readers got to focus a little more on Josie's sleuthing as well. I don't think it deviated too far from the theme of the series. It just took a little break from it. Looking forward to the next one in this delightful series.
Read
March 2, 2017It's a fun little read. Did not know about cockroaches and stoves, but will be looking for them if we ever get the O'Keefe and Merritt my husband has been lusting after.
December 1, 2013
Newlywed Josie Marcus hasn’t given up her mystery shopping job, but right now her main assignment is finding a house big enough for her daughter Amelia and her new husband Ted, but still within their budget. After being disappointed over and over by the houses she has been looking at, she finally finds her dream home � only to have it turn into a nightmare when a dead body is found in the backyard. When someone close to the couple becomes the main suspect, Josie puts her mystery shopping skills to use solving a murder.
"Fixing to Die" is a fun installment in this likeable series. Josie is a wonderful main character. She’s no longer a struggling single mom, but still as down-to-earth and amusing as ever. It’s great seeing Josie happy with Ted, although the house hunt and Ted’s long hours at his veterinary clinic put a strain on their relationship at the beginning of the book. I enjoyed visiting potential homes with Josie as well as the home renovation theme of the book. Josie is still working for her horrible boss Harry, and I wish there were more scenes with Josie and her best friend Alyce working together on mystery shopping assignments. Their backgrounds and personalities complement each other well and their shopping excursions together are always fun to read about. They spent time together this time, too, but not nearly enough. A side-plot about the world of competitive show dogs is eye-opening and ties in well to the main plot of the book.
The biggest flaw in some of the early books in this series is Josie’s mom. However, in the past few books, Jane has toned down some of her opinionated ways and is finally showing her compassion and love for Josie instead of worrying about what other people think. Amelia has a major part in this book with a side-plot about bullying. Amelia isn’t always my favorite character, but she shows potential as a budding investigator in this book, so maybe before she and Josie team up on a case.
The book has the usual shopping tips at the end of the book and this time, they deal with home renovation. What I love about this series is the information at the back is always thorough and not just a couple of throwaway tidbits as a gimmick. The book includes several pages of substantial and useful information for all would-be weekend warriors embarking on a renovation project.
Readers who enjoy this author’s Dead-End Job series will also like this series, which is by far my favorite of the two. New readers who like Jenn McKinlay or Denise Swanson will enjoy the characters and writing style of Elaine Viets.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"Fixing to Die" is a fun installment in this likeable series. Josie is a wonderful main character. She’s no longer a struggling single mom, but still as down-to-earth and amusing as ever. It’s great seeing Josie happy with Ted, although the house hunt and Ted’s long hours at his veterinary clinic put a strain on their relationship at the beginning of the book. I enjoyed visiting potential homes with Josie as well as the home renovation theme of the book. Josie is still working for her horrible boss Harry, and I wish there were more scenes with Josie and her best friend Alyce working together on mystery shopping assignments. Their backgrounds and personalities complement each other well and their shopping excursions together are always fun to read about. They spent time together this time, too, but not nearly enough. A side-plot about the world of competitive show dogs is eye-opening and ties in well to the main plot of the book.
The biggest flaw in some of the early books in this series is Josie’s mom. However, in the past few books, Jane has toned down some of her opinionated ways and is finally showing her compassion and love for Josie instead of worrying about what other people think. Amelia has a major part in this book with a side-plot about bullying. Amelia isn’t always my favorite character, but she shows potential as a budding investigator in this book, so maybe before she and Josie team up on a case.
The book has the usual shopping tips at the end of the book and this time, they deal with home renovation. What I love about this series is the information at the back is always thorough and not just a couple of throwaway tidbits as a gimmick. The book includes several pages of substantial and useful information for all would-be weekend warriors embarking on a renovation project.
Readers who enjoy this author’s Dead-End Job series will also like this series, which is by far my favorite of the two. New readers who like Jenn McKinlay or Denise Swanson will enjoy the characters and writing style of Elaine Viets.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2014
The newest book in the series featuring Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper extraordinaire, focuses on other aspects of Josie’s life, with only one small assignment as a mystery shopper. Instead this tale revolves around a fairy-tale house which she has just bought from Dr. Christine Cormac, the vet who is a partner with Josie’s new husband, 6� tall Dr. Ted (their marriage is new enough that she still thinks of it in terms of days, now numbering 44 as the book opens), in his St. Louis Mobo-Pet clinic. The house is potentially a treasure, albeit one in need of serious repair.
Josie had been living with her 12-year-old daughter, Amelia, in her mother’s house, and Ted had been living in a rental home. Josie is a thirty-two-year-old mom to Amelia, a scholarship student at the Barrington School, “a private school for the richest kids in St. Louis.� Their combined pets include Stuart Little, Josie’s mother Jane’s shih tzu, Josie’s cat Harry, and Ted’s cat Marmalade and his black Labrador, Festus. The new house, a Tudor Revival cottage, becomes available after its former tenant, Chris� sister, Rain, a “free spirit,� had not been seen or heard from after taking off several months before, telling Chris in an e-mail that she was moving to an ashram, leaving the house in a state of disrepair and owing several months rent.
Josie takes on the task of getting the repairs underway almost immediately. No sooner does she begin than, when a crew starts tearing down an old gazebo, a body is unearthed, soon identified as Chris� missing sister. The lead detective who comes to investigate quickly determines that Chris has killed her sister, and arrests her for murder. Soon Josie finds herself thinking “If it wasn’t for that body in the backyard of our new house, my life would be perfect. Hunky husband, a daughter who’s doing well in school, and no crises with Mom.� The effect on her marriage is severe, as her new husband’s time is taken up with much longer hours at the clinic; not for the first time in the series, Josie determines to find the real killer. An interesting murder mystery with several possible culprits, the book makes for a perfect beach read, and is recommended.
Josie had been living with her 12-year-old daughter, Amelia, in her mother’s house, and Ted had been living in a rental home. Josie is a thirty-two-year-old mom to Amelia, a scholarship student at the Barrington School, “a private school for the richest kids in St. Louis.� Their combined pets include Stuart Little, Josie’s mother Jane’s shih tzu, Josie’s cat Harry, and Ted’s cat Marmalade and his black Labrador, Festus. The new house, a Tudor Revival cottage, becomes available after its former tenant, Chris� sister, Rain, a “free spirit,� had not been seen or heard from after taking off several months before, telling Chris in an e-mail that she was moving to an ashram, leaving the house in a state of disrepair and owing several months rent.
Josie takes on the task of getting the repairs underway almost immediately. No sooner does she begin than, when a crew starts tearing down an old gazebo, a body is unearthed, soon identified as Chris� missing sister. The lead detective who comes to investigate quickly determines that Chris has killed her sister, and arrests her for murder. Soon Josie finds herself thinking “If it wasn’t for that body in the backyard of our new house, my life would be perfect. Hunky husband, a daughter who’s doing well in school, and no crises with Mom.� The effect on her marriage is severe, as her new husband’s time is taken up with much longer hours at the clinic; not for the first time in the series, Josie determines to find the real killer. An interesting murder mystery with several possible culprits, the book makes for a perfect beach read, and is recommended.
April 29, 2014
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus� dream of happily-ever-after has finally come true by marrying Ted Scottsmeyer, a well-respected vet in town. Ready to settle down with her handsome beau and teenage daughter Amelia, she goes house hunting in search of the perfect abode. After a string of unsatisfactory showings, she learns Ted’s business partner Christine has an old house for sale that needs some attention. Ready for the challenge, the newlyweds close the deal and begin the renovation on their stylish mid-century home.
Amid the deconstruction of a hazardous gazebo lies the body of Christine’s estranged sister Rain. Last time seen, the sisters were at odds over an adulterous affair. When the facts surrounding their tumultuous relationship are made public, Christine lands behind bars as the lead suspect in the case. Leaving Ted all alone to manage the practice, Christine struggles with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her sibling’s demise. With the fear of losing her freedom as well as custody of her kids, Christine turns to Josie for help clearing her name.
Yet, Josie has more than just a murderer to find. When Amelia and friends fall victim to a cyber-bullying incident at their exclusive private school, the teenager taps into her keen investigative skills to capture her tormentors. With Ted’s taxing schedule keeping him away from home, it falls on Josie’s shoulders to find the murderer and stop the bully. Then once the guilty are caught and punished, the three of them can finally move into their dream home.
Fixing to Die is the 9th installment of the highly popular Josie Marcus Mystery Series. Viets’s latest cozy is designed with all the essentials tools needed for constructing an updated look to a fan-favorite series. While this story centers more on subplots rather than numerous mystery shopping vignettes, the theme is relevant for adults and teens alike. The maturation in Josie and Ted’s relationship is endearing as the reader catches a glimpse into their newlywed life. Plus, the renovation tips and practical suggestions included add authenticity to this delightful read.
Amid the deconstruction of a hazardous gazebo lies the body of Christine’s estranged sister Rain. Last time seen, the sisters were at odds over an adulterous affair. When the facts surrounding their tumultuous relationship are made public, Christine lands behind bars as the lead suspect in the case. Leaving Ted all alone to manage the practice, Christine struggles with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her sibling’s demise. With the fear of losing her freedom as well as custody of her kids, Christine turns to Josie for help clearing her name.
Yet, Josie has more than just a murderer to find. When Amelia and friends fall victim to a cyber-bullying incident at their exclusive private school, the teenager taps into her keen investigative skills to capture her tormentors. With Ted’s taxing schedule keeping him away from home, it falls on Josie’s shoulders to find the murderer and stop the bully. Then once the guilty are caught and punished, the three of them can finally move into their dream home.
Fixing to Die is the 9th installment of the highly popular Josie Marcus Mystery Series. Viets’s latest cozy is designed with all the essentials tools needed for constructing an updated look to a fan-favorite series. While this story centers more on subplots rather than numerous mystery shopping vignettes, the theme is relevant for adults and teens alike. The maturation in Josie and Ted’s relationship is endearing as the reader catches a glimpse into their newlywed life. Plus, the renovation tips and practical suggestions included add authenticity to this delightful read.
February 19, 2017
This was a good ending to the series because it looks that way. I really enjoyed all the books in this particular series and the daughter growing up along with a friendly vet who becomes a boyfriend then a husband. Adds a lot of humor and fun as well.
March 29, 2014
#9 in the Josie Marcus - Mystery Shopper series. A change in this cozy entry has Josie's interactions with her horrible boss at an absolute minimum and her two mystery shopping excursions are wrapped up in a few pages. Her shopping efforts are focused on goods and services for rehabbing a Tudor Revival cottage. A welcome change of pace.
Josie's 12 year old daughter, Amelia, goes to an exclusive school and has become an expert on midcentury modern design because one of the Bad Girls brags about how much money her mother spends on it. When Amelia is bullied on Facebook, she demonstrates advanced computer skills to identify the perpetrators, prove when and where the bullying photos were taken and write an indicting presentation. When added to the gourmet cooking skills Amelia has absorbed from her grandmother and step-father, the skillset of this 12 year old is beyond belief.
Mystery Shopper series - Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair
Josie's 12 year old daughter, Amelia, goes to an exclusive school and has become an expert on midcentury modern design because one of the Bad Girls brags about how much money her mother spends on it. When Amelia is bullied on Facebook, she demonstrates advanced computer skills to identify the perpetrators, prove when and where the bullying photos were taken and write an indicting presentation. When added to the gourmet cooking skills Amelia has absorbed from her grandmother and step-father, the skillset of this 12 year old is beyond belief.
Mystery Shopper series - Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair
December 30, 2013
I finished reading this book last night but when I went to add it on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I could remember neither the title nor the author's name, so make of that what you will. Nonetheless, this is a cute little mystery about newlyweds Josie and Ted, who buy a house from Ted's veterinary partner Christine, and who during renovation find the dead body of Christine's sister. Christine is arrested for the murder, and Josie sets out to prove her innocence mostly so that Ted can stop working such long hours. There are also two subplots, one about remodeling the kitchen (the moral of which is never buy a used stove) and one where Josie's daughter Amelia is being cyberbullied by other girls at the expensive private school where she's a scholarship student.
This is a fun, quick read. Viets has the bad habit of repeating herself -- for example, every time Amelia calls something "sick," Josie then reminds herself that "sick" is a compliment (and in general, the tween slang is unconvincing, unless 12-year-olds are prone to describing curtains and paint samples as "totally legit") -- and the dialogue is sometimes clunky and overladen with exposition. There are a lot of red herrings and a lot of plausible suspects in the murder, so probably any outcome to the mystery would have been satisfying. I rarely read genre mysteries, but I liked this one and would probably read others in the Josie Marcus series.
This is a fun, quick read. Viets has the bad habit of repeating herself -- for example, every time Amelia calls something "sick," Josie then reminds herself that "sick" is a compliment (and in general, the tween slang is unconvincing, unless 12-year-olds are prone to describing curtains and paint samples as "totally legit") -- and the dialogue is sometimes clunky and overladen with exposition. There are a lot of red herrings and a lot of plausible suspects in the murder, so probably any outcome to the mystery would have been satisfying. I rarely read genre mysteries, but I liked this one and would probably read others in the Josie Marcus series.
November 13, 2013
Fixing to Die is the ninth book in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but I don't think it will be my last
Josie and Ted have tied knot. Now, Josie, Ted and Amelia, Josie's daughter are looking for a home to call their own. Unfortunately, nothing strikes Josie's fancy. Ted comes home one evening with the news that his partner, Chris, has a house for sale and upon seeing it, they feel it is a doable project. Ted and a couple buddies start to tear down a poorly constructed gazebo and uncover a dead body. the body turns out to be Chris's "hippie style" sister who up and left about six months before. The police investigate and feel that they have an iron tight case against Chris. Josie doesn't feel that she is guilty and starts her own investigation to clear Chris' name and allow Josie and Ted to resume a normal existence.
An interesting side story centers on bullying at Amelia's school. Amelia and three other girls are the victims of a social network bullying scheme. Amelia is a real treat. Rather knowledgeable with computers, she helps her mother to dig thru who might be behind the bullying.
Josie and Ted are enjoyable characters, but Amelia is a real gem. Not a sassy 12 year old, but quite smart and a better cook than her mother.
Looking forward to reading more of Elaine Viet's books.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but I don't think it will be my last
Josie and Ted have tied knot. Now, Josie, Ted and Amelia, Josie's daughter are looking for a home to call their own. Unfortunately, nothing strikes Josie's fancy. Ted comes home one evening with the news that his partner, Chris, has a house for sale and upon seeing it, they feel it is a doable project. Ted and a couple buddies start to tear down a poorly constructed gazebo and uncover a dead body. the body turns out to be Chris's "hippie style" sister who up and left about six months before. The police investigate and feel that they have an iron tight case against Chris. Josie doesn't feel that she is guilty and starts her own investigation to clear Chris' name and allow Josie and Ted to resume a normal existence.
An interesting side story centers on bullying at Amelia's school. Amelia and three other girls are the victims of a social network bullying scheme. Amelia is a real treat. Rather knowledgeable with computers, she helps her mother to dig thru who might be behind the bullying.
Josie and Ted are enjoyable characters, but Amelia is a real gem. Not a sassy 12 year old, but quite smart and a better cook than her mother.
Looking forward to reading more of Elaine Viet's books.
January 14, 2015
“Mystery shopper Josie Marcus has been happily married to veterinarian Ted Scottsmeyer for months. But her newly wedded bliss is about to be cut short....
Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair.... Includes Shopping Tips!�
Like all of Elaine Viet’s books this is a GREAT READ!!!! Josie, her daughter and her new husband get into a swell mess --- Amelia has a mystery from her school to solve, Ted’s Veterinarian Clinic could go bust and the new house they just bought had a dead body buried under the steps. What with all the cooking, renovating of their new house, murder ---- has everything and more any mystery reader should just love! Hope this one didn’t finish the series! Was so very good, I read it in less than 12 hours!!!
Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair.... Includes Shopping Tips!�
Like all of Elaine Viet’s books this is a GREAT READ!!!! Josie, her daughter and her new husband get into a swell mess --- Amelia has a mystery from her school to solve, Ted’s Veterinarian Clinic could go bust and the new house they just bought had a dead body buried under the steps. What with all the cooking, renovating of their new house, murder ---- has everything and more any mystery reader should just love! Hope this one didn’t finish the series! Was so very good, I read it in less than 12 hours!!!
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