Wolzien, Valerie Books

Death in Duplicate

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Commercials for Brand Names! 1 out of 5 stars.
9 of 22 people found this review helpful.

I have enjoyed some of these books, but they have ALWAYS been TERIBLY TIRESOME the way the writer drops brand names thinking it will somehow improve the plot. Guess what? It does not.
This book finally did it, I can no longer bear to read what the characters wear, drink, eat, drive, you name it! The 'trendy' settings ( in spite of attemps to appear REAL) do not work.
The writer can not come up with a page that does not extol the virtues of brand name shopping. WRITER ALERT............. this is a book, not an ad in Sunday's paper!
We know the lead character carries a 'COACH' bag, we know how much she pays for EVERYTHING. What, may I ask does this have to do with a good book??????? Nothing.

Editorial Review:

DOUBLE THE LOVE, DOUBLE THE DEATH

Susan Henshaw and her husband, Jeb, are the proud grandparents of beautiful twins, and their daughter and son-in-law are temporarily moving into the Henshaws’ Connecticut home with their tiny bundles of joy. Added to the mix are two giant bullmastiffs and a nanny. Though a bit overwhelmed, Susan and Jeb are delighted to be a part of the chaos.

But a neighbor, Nadine Baines, soon starts to rain on their parade. She recognizes the nanny as a suspect in several recent shady deaths at a nursing home. The day after this troubling revelation, Nadine is found in her kitchen with a knife protruding from her chest. Is the nanny the culprit? Are Susan’s grandchildren at risk? With murder so close to home and another possibly following, Susan must investigate–and she uncovers a tangled conspiracy beyond her wildest imagination.

Shore to Die

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Josie Pigeon is a different kind of sleuth 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I found the premise of this mystery interesting. Josie Pigeon heads an all woman construction company. She finds a body on a job site and soon after it disappears. Josie is determined to find the body and the killer. She enlists the help of a newcomer to the island. He owns the liquor store, but was formerly a prosecuting attorney. Every one is a suspect, including the construction crew. All of them seem to have a secret!

Editorial Review:

THE BODY IN THE BEACH HOUSE IS DEAD AS A DOORNAIL.
Summer's coming, and Island Contracting's all-woman construction crew is working overtime, glitzing up the old house on the north end of the island. Then the firm's owner, redheaded Josie Pigeon, discovers a murdered body under a drop cloth-- a body that vanishes as mysteriously as it appears.
With a complicated job to finish and clients who'd bring out the killer in anyone, Josie doesn't need a murderer on her job site. But she can't erase the horrid suspicion that one of her excellent crew may be moonlighting as a killer. Melissa? Chris? Evelyn? Sexy Betty? It seems impossible.
The one bright spot in Josie's life is the new owner of the local liquor store, who's not only attractive but amazingly helpful at amateur detecting. . . .

The Student Body (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #12)

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Another winner 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Not only is this a good mystery and a good read but those of us who have read the entire series have seen the heroine and her family grow along with our families. This is just another step in that growth and we get a good mystery besides.

Susan Goes Back to College 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Susan Henshaw decides to go back to college after her children leave home. She is nervous about the prospect of returning to the academic life and trying to relate to 18-22-year-olds. She goes through the usual pangs of attending class and taking tests, but the real problems begin when her lab partner is murdered with Susan's backpack. Of course, suspicion centers on Susan, so she has to investigate the murder in self defense. She discovers that the murder victim had meddled in many people's lives and that several people might have a motive to murder her. Her semester of work parallels her investigation, and as finals approach, Susan zeroes in on the murderer. This book is recommended reading for "cozy" fans.

Editorial Review:

BAD CHEMISTRY

Like many fiftysomething housewives facing empty nests, Susan Henshaw decides that returning to college will give her life new meaning. But a murdered lab partner isn't what she had in mind--especially since the victim was strangled with the straps of Susan's own backpack.

So when Susan is named the prime suspect, she fits an investigation into her extracurricular activities. But after a strange student ominously named "Jinx" becomes her informant, Susan begins to wonder: What does she really know about the victim, academic politics, or even her newfound friends? One thing is certain--finding answers to this test could cost Susan her life. . . .

We Wish You a Merry Murder

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

This is the Susan Henshaw mystery you should start with 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This was the first of the Susan Henshaw mysteries I read--a friend recommended it to me as a fun change of pace from all the professional and religious reading I was doing at the time. To be honest, it's far superior to the first two installments, "Murder at the PTA Luncheon" and "The 40th Birthday Body"--the latter of which was especially bad. "PTA" probably would have kept me reading, but "40th" would have stopped me cold. This is the one to start with if you're new to the series. Susan copes with holiday shopping, a visit from her mother-in-law, parties--this series has at least one party in every installment!--and, of course, the murder of a neighbor. But how do I say this? This one is just plain FUN to read. Call me corny, but I can feel Christmas in the air and coming through every page. Like the other reviewer, I like to re-read this during December. That's when my holiday savings account is matured and just for a few weeks, I feel as if I could just go into the stores and buy whatever I want like Susan and Kathleen do. By the way, I'd never heard of a cookie exchange party until I read this book. This is my year to try one myself. Did I mention that this book is fun???

Editorial Review:

Although Kelly Knowlson firmly thought her newly remarried ex-husband, Evan, would return to her, did she set him by the fire, egg nog by his side, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS in his hands, and put a bullet in his head? By the time the police show up, the body is gone, so of course Kelly is the prime suspect. Between molding cheese balls and salmon mousse for a holiday dinner, suburban sleuth Susan Henshaw fits in a little yultetide detecting to discover if Kelly Knowlson iced her ex. And if not, who would dare send such an uncharitable Christmas greeting...?

Death in a Beach Chair

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Murder Takes a Caribbean Vacation 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Suburban Connecticut sleuth Susan Henshaw and her husband Jed, along with their best friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon, have arrived in the Caribbean to enjoy a vacation at the beautiful Compass Bay resort. They're really looking forward to lazing by the pool, gazing at the coral reefs, and enjoying the white sand and blue water. Their perfect vacation is rudely interrupted, though, when on the second day of their trip, another resort guest, who happens to be a beautiful single blonde, is found strangled in her deck chair. Susan and Jed are shocked to learn that the victim is actually their friend Jerry's sister-in-law, who was frumpy and overweight when they know her ten years ago. She has undergone a complete makeover since they last saw her, so they didn't immediately recognize her. The local police take Jerry into custody, and Susan springs into action to try to find the real murderer. Susan ends up spending her vacation interviewing the other resort patrons, looking for another connection between the victim and someone else on the island.

I wanted to like this book, but frankly I had a hard time getting through it. Although I like the four main characters in this story, the other resort visitors were fairly obnoxious characters. And the clues that the other vacationers gave to Susan were not really pertinent to the final solution. This book could have used a lot more action to make the plot more interesting.

Editorial Review:

For Susan and Jed Henshaw and their friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon, the tiny Caribbean resort called Compass Bay has everything. White sand, luxurious cottages, rum punches to die for—even a gorgeous unattached blonde ornamenting the premises.

But Kathleen and Jerry are having marital problems—and when the mysterious blonde turns up murdered, the cloud hanging over their little paradise grows black indeed. It turns out that the victim is the once-frumpy sister of Jerry’s first wife. Many years ago, Susan, Jed, and Jerry had known her well, and the island police don’t believe it’s coincidence that she appeared at Compass Bay at the same time as her old friends. Nor does Susan, who shifts into investigative red alert—and finds a serpent in Eden, its fangs loaded with venom. . . .

Death at a Discount: A Susan Henshaw Mystery (Susan Henshaw Mysteries)

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Witty and fun 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this clever, witty mystery, which was the first I've read by this author. I was drawn to it at first by its setting in a discount mall, but soon found many other things to like- the characters, the clever one-liners, the discussion of suburbia and the importance of appearances and money in it, as well as the mystery itself.

I love finding a "new" author who's written lots of other books- now I have the fun of going back and reading the first books in this series.

Editorial Review:

SHE SHOPPED TILL SHE DROPPED . . . DEAD.

As her wealthy friends and neighbors knew, Amanda Worth wouldn't be caught dead in a discount store. But she was. Susan Henshaw found her in a dressing room with a Hermes scarf knotted murderously tight around her elegant neck.

What possibly could have lured Amanda to the grand opening of the new outlet mall? Susan shops around for the answer and discovers that on the seamy side of suburbia, the seven deadly sins are alive and kicking. Greed, envy, illicit romance, financial chicanery--anything goes. For in this pristine Connecticut village, murder is suddenly the fashion. And one size fits all. . . .


From the Paperback edition.

Fortieth Birthday Body

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

The real cheat is the ending 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I wouldn't put this author in my top ten favourite mystery authors, but I enjoyed a couple of her other books. Her prose isn't sparkling, but they're pretty good in-the-tub reading. However, when I reached the conclusion of this one, I nearly dropped it in the bubble bath: the piece of information used to solve the crime is something that the author SPECIFICALLY tells us nobody knew. Because, if anyone had known this piece of information, the story would have ended right there. I re-read the crucial passage three times and every time it was there in black and white: the person who claims at the end to have spotted something is someone who specifically DID NOT.

This is otherwise not a bad mystery, and I like the way the author makes you get to like the victim a little, but it's very hard to get past that impossible solution.

Editorial Review:

Down-to-earth housewife Susan Henshaw is turning forty -- and feeling ancient. Adding insult to injury is the return of gorgeous local hussy Dawn Elliott, rumored to have slept with half the married men of quiet Hancock, Connecticut. To lift her sagging spirits, Susan's loving husband throws her a surprise party. But one guest gets the surprise of her life -- or death. Dawn Elliott is found murdered. And Susan herself is the prime suspect . . .

Remodeled to Death

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Susan and Josie, but no pussycats. . . 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well, it's just another lovely August for suburban sleuth Susan and her handsome husband Jed. The kids are away, and it's just the perfect time for some romance--until the pipes burst and the resulting water damage uncovers a bushel basket of necessary home improvements. Bummer. The only problem is they can't get the obstinate city building inspector to approve their plans. He's busy being a corpse after having been shot with a nail gun. Ouch. Whodunit? Susan gets some unexpected detective help--and a lovely new bathroom--courtesy of contractor Josie Pigeon, who does such a good job here that Valerie's giving her a series of her own. Double your pleasure, ladies. .

Editorial Review:

OH, THOSE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER IN SUBURBIA, WHEN THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR A MURDER OR TWO.
With the kids away, Susan and Jed Henshaw are in the mood for a lazy, romantic August. Then the pipes in an upstairs bathroom burst and water inundates the floors below. Suddenly their cozy twosome is joined by a dozen plumbers, plasterers, and carpenters, who leave the house looking worse than the water damage.
The only bright spot is that they won't have to deal with the town's hated building inspector, for the excellent reason that he has just been murdered. And most people in Hancock say they'd like to shake the hand of the man who did it. Susan has enough problems without trying to nail Simon Fairweather's killer; but she just can't resist, especially since chances are good that the murderer is actually at work in her bathroom....

Murder at the PTA Luncheon

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Meet the super-sleuths of Hancock, Connecticut:) 4 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

OK, I admit it. I read "We Wish You a Merry Murder" first. This was the third of the Susan and Kathleen books I read. Loved "Merry Murder" and pretty much hated "40th Birthday Body." This one, however, is a keeper. Both the cops and the suburban housewife who helps them solve the murders here confront their prejudices about the way the "other half" lives, be that rich vs. poor, or married vs. single. Susan is not just another frivolous dilettante wealthy stay-at-home mom. She's a good friend with great sensitivity. This one doesn't have the laugh-out-loud funny moments of "Merry Murder," but it's good nonetheless. Like the other reviewer, I was VERY disappointed in the "Menu for Murder" TV movie based on this book. They butchered it. All of Valerie Wolzien's books would make good Sunday night TV movies or Lifetime TV fare--but only if they stick to the book more faithfully. I love these characters, and what you see here is just the start of a fun series with people you don't mind visiting again. After this one, just skip "40th Birthday Body" and take the rest of the books in order, and things will unfold without missing a beat.

Editorial Review:

A cyanide-laced canape -- and the death of the PTA president who devoured it -- had quite upset the spring luncheon of the affluent suburban Connecticut PTA, when a second PTA member dropped dead from a poisoned packet of artifical sweetener. Now Susan Henshaw, vice-president of the PTA, leads an investigation into an organization riddled with scandal, sex and drugs . . .

An Old Faithful Murder

Valerie Wolzien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not her best , but still enjoyable 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Susan Henshaw and her family take a trip to Yosemite National Park for cross-country skiing. They meet another couple with children the same ages as Chrissy and Chad. The other couple is meeting the rest of their family for a reunion. The patriarch of the family is murdered and Susan and Kathleen have to find out why.

This was an okay mystery, but not up to Wolzien's usual standards. I figured out the mystery early on, but the descriptions of the park are worth reading the book to the end.

Great January Reading 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Susan, her husband and kids, and Kathleen, her husband, and infant son, all head to Yellowstone for some skiing. At the ski lodge is a reunion of what can best be described as one big happy dysfunctional family. When one of the clan is murdered during a snowstorm that means no one can get in or out of the park, Susan has to work fast before there's another murder--maybe hers! Will she figure out whodunit in time to watch Old Faithful spout just once before her vacation's over??? Stay tuned. .

Editorial Review:

The Henshaw family vacation at Yellowstone National Park turns tragic when George Ericksen -- whose family has been befriended by the Henshaws -- is found murdered at the foot of Old Faithful. When amateur sleuth Susan Henshaw takes the case, a web of twisted emotions and buried secrets quickly unfolds, and Susan finds that everyone had a reason to kill George. But there can only be one killer . . . can't there?