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58th out of 660 books
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636 voters
This Pen For Hire (A Jaine Austen Mystery #1)
by
Laura Levine (Goodreads Author)
In the first novel in her wickedly witty new mystery series, Laura Levine introduces Jaine Austen, a hip, jack-of-all trades writer who spends her days penning smarmy personal ads and daring declarations of passion--and her nights looking for Mr. Right in Hollywood's swinging singles scene.
Kindle Edition, 228 pages
Published
June 1st 2003
by Kensington Books
(first published June 1st 2002)
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Like her namesake, Jaine Austen is a writer, but a freelance writer, meaning she'll take just about any job that will help pay the bills. So when geeky nerd Howard Murdoch shows up at her door asking her to write a love letter for him she agrees although she doubts gorgeous aerobics instructor Stacy Lawrence will agree to go out with him. Much to Jaine's surprise, Stacy agrees to go out with Howard on Valentine's Day! Alas, Howard's triumph is short lived when he shows up for the date and finds...more
Jaine Austen, writer-for-hire, finds herself in a pickle when a client is charged with murder after Jaine's personal letter wins him a date with the object of his affection. Jaine doesn't believe the crime possible of the meek-mannered geek she's met and sets out to prove the authorities wrong.
Turns out there's no shortage of people who might want Stacy Lawrence dead - men she's used and jealous female rivals among them. Jaine has to narrow down the suspects before she winds up the killer's next...more
Turns out there's no shortage of people who might want Stacy Lawrence dead - men she's used and jealous female rivals among them. Jaine has to narrow down the suspects before she winds up the killer's next...more
Jaine Austen (no relation) is a freelance writer who spends most of her time writing promotional mailers and leaflets for various companies. When geeky Howard Murdoch approaches her to write a love letter, and then admits he's never even spoken to the object of his affections, Jaine relucantantly agrees to help. To Jaine's surprise her letter works and wins Howard a date with the gorgeous aerobics instructor Stacy Lawrence. But the next thing she knows Stacy is found bludgeoned to death with a T...more
Jaine Austen is a twenty-something freelance writer living on the fringes on Hollywood and Beverly Hills. She writes all sorts of thing: letters of complaint, letters of claim, brochures for companies, and singles ads. The inarticulate, un-literate and others use her services. She lives with her cat, Prozac, with a nosy, complaining neighbor.
She is asked to write a letter for the love-lorn, geeky, and socially backward Howard to a svelte, vivacious fitness instructor. The letter works and Howar...more
She is asked to write a letter for the love-lorn, geeky, and socially backward Howard to a svelte, vivacious fitness instructor. The letter works and Howar...more
After a month or so of not finding a book I could get into, and NaNoWriMo taking all my time in November, I sat down and actually enjoyed this book. Sure I didn't buy the premise of the cops being dumb, and I figured out who did it - though I didn't buy the reason why.
However, the story itself was very humorous. I enjoyed the little adventures she got herself into.
Also, it was nice that she got caught up in her lies early on pretending to be a police officer and reporter. Most cozies make the...more
However, the story itself was very humorous. I enjoyed the little adventures she got herself into.
Also, it was nice that she got caught up in her lies early on pretending to be a police officer and reporter. Most cozies make the...more
This book is a cute and cozy mystery.
One thing that drew me into this book wasn't the plot (although the plot was pretty good) was the fact that the character, Jaine Austen is life-like.
This isn't a mystery where the main character is oh-so-awesome at everything and knows everything. She admits it that she has a good number of suspects for the murder, that she happens to be some-what connected to.
Some of the jokes are cheesy and over-used, but again, that's lifelike. If your name is Jaine Aust...more
One thing that drew me into this book wasn't the plot (although the plot was pretty good) was the fact that the character, Jaine Austen is life-like.
This isn't a mystery where the main character is oh-so-awesome at everything and knows everything. She admits it that she has a good number of suspects for the murder, that she happens to be some-what connected to.
Some of the jokes are cheesy and over-used, but again, that's lifelike. If your name is Jaine Aust...more
I'm starting to like this author. I first read her stuff in the last book I read, and enjoyed it so I checked out the first book in her mystery series, and it was good. It was short, funny, and a fast read. I've read a lot of mysteries this year, and most of them are slow and long with not much humor, so this was a refreshing read. I might have picked up her stuff earlier if she used more interesting titles. They don't really jump out at me, but oh well. I think most women can relate to Jaine, a...more
I love Laura Levine's books!! This one is from a series about a young single female who writes ads for a living (so far she writes ads mostly for plumbing and toilets..lol) She has a persnickety cat named Prozac, and a gay male neighbor who is always cleaning out her closet and doing things to try to get her to fix herself up more.
She always seems to be running into situations where a crime has been commited and ends up playing detective (and she's very good at it) There is a lot of humor in th...more
She always seems to be running into situations where a crime has been commited and ends up playing detective (and she's very good at it) There is a lot of humor in th...more
If I weren't sitting here writing a review of this book, I probably wouldn't even remember I read it this time next year. This piece of fluff is a book I found in the kitchen at my office and when I read Laura Levine's biography notes, I was immediately curious. Ms. Levine's t.v. credits including writing for The Bob Newhart Show, Three's Company and Laverne and Shirley, to name a few. Wondering how a sitcom writer would fare as a mystery novelist, I read this book over the course of four lunch...more
Honestly the book was well plotted, and the mystery element was fairly engaging, so why the low rating?
The main character was brutal. I understand selfconcious, and body image issues, but the CONSTANT references to her weight issues were rather grating. I don't think more than two pages went past before being treated yet again to the heroine reminding us that she shouldn't be eating something or that blond skinny women sneer at her in her head.
the book was saved from a one star on the merit of t...more
The main character was brutal. I understand selfconcious, and body image issues, but the CONSTANT references to her weight issues were rather grating. I don't think more than two pages went past before being treated yet again to the heroine reminding us that she shouldn't be eating something or that blond skinny women sneer at her in her head.
the book was saved from a one star on the merit of t...more
another book I found by luck browsing the library shelves...Jaine Austen (ha ha ha) is a free lance writer who gets involved with a murder when one of her clients, Howard, comes to her to write a love letter to an aerobics instructor. Howard is your typical nerd who falls for a girl WAY out of his league, but Jaine finds out that not only is he found covered in said dream girl's blood, but holding the murder weapon of choice..a ThighMaster. Jaine decides to investigate the suspects herself belie...more
Aug 24, 2011
Smitha
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all cozy mystery lovers
Shelves:
ethereal,
cozy-mystery
another quaint cozy mystery by Laura Levine, the first in the series, but the second one I read. I was already acquainted with Jaine Austen, the cute, chubby lady detective (by chance, not by choice) and this book showed how it all started. I was engrossed in this light read, and barely took me 2-3 hours to finish. It was well worth it. The plot deals with a nerdy office-worker being caught with the murder weapon at a glitzy aspiring B grade actress /sport instructor female's bedroom. As Jaine A...more
Jun 10, 2012
Marie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cozy-mysteries,
first-in-series,
humorous,
own,
paperback,
pets,
jaine-austen-mystery,
2012,
epinions
This is a fun first book in the Jaine Austen Mystery series. Jaine starts investigating a murder because she feels at least somewhat responsible when one of her clients is arrested for committing murder. The mystery is fun and entertaining, and surprisingly strong considering how short the book is. Jaine is a delightful character who is fun and believable. The other characters are interesting as well, though not as developed. This book gets the series off to a good start and I plan to continue r...more
This delightful cozy introduces us to Jaine Austin, a freelance writer in Los Angeles who specializes in writing things like resumes, personal ads, and brochures for plumbing companies. When Jaine is asked to write a love letter to sexy aerobics instructor Stacy Lawrence on behalf of geeky Howard Murdoch, she has no idea that Howard will end up being arrested for Stacy's murder. Jaine feels that Howard must be innocent, so she ensues on a hilarious tale of trying to find the murderer herself.
Thi...more
Thi...more
So far I am loving this book. I don't think I've ever read a mystery that is as laugh-out-loud funny as this one. One of my favorite lines thus far was the description of a woman with "bosoms the size of throw pillows." I've seen women like this! I started this book after midnight last night and read until nearly 3:00 a.m.
I finished this book the next day. I pretty much had the murderer pegged midway through, though had no idea as to the motive, but this did not adversely affect my enjoyment of...more
I finished this book the next day. I pretty much had the murderer pegged midway through, though had no idea as to the motive, but this did not adversely affect my enjoyment of...more
This is the first book I've read by this author, and it is the first book in this series of "A Jaine Austen Mystery" series. It was a fun romp about a wisecracking L.A. gal detective, Jaine Austen, who solves murder mysteries. Humor is the key ingredient in this book. It is a fast moving action-packed and fun summer day book to read. I kind of figured out who the guilty person was, but that is part of the fun of reading cozy mysteries, trying to figure out the puzzle of "whodunit." I enjoyed thi...more
Overall, I thought this was a (quick) good read. The plot was good and funny. Although I don't live the same lifestyle, I was still able to relate to Jaine. I look forward to reading the rest of the series! However, the only part I didn't like was how many times she described certain items (such as repetition of the cat food not being exactly as described on the can). Although I don't normally like the notes in first person when the character directly speaks to the reader, Laura Levine smoothly...more
A fun and witty novel that is asentertainingas it is quick to read.Set in trendy, plastic LA Levine dances the line betweenoutrageousand down to earth magnificently. Readers will instantly fall in love with Jaine's best friend and her cat, Prozac. Perfect for an afternoon pleasure lounging on the beach or just snuggled on the couch on a rainy day. Either way, This Pen for Hireblends mystery and chick-lit with ease for our enjoyment.
Austen fans, beware. The only thing linking the two is themisspe...more
Austen fans, beware. The only thing linking the two is themisspe...more
I was hoping for a new Stephanie Plum – sassy girl with lots of laughs. This is a feeble attempt at that same format but it falls far short of Evanovich’s masterful series.
Jaine Austen lives in LA and writes for people – writes whatever they need. Howard needs a love letter for the unattainable Stacy. But when Stacy turns up dead and Howard is arrested for the murder, Jaine steps in to help clear his name and bring the real killer to justice.
This was the first book in the series but I doubt I’ll...more
Jaine Austen lives in LA and writes for people – writes whatever they need. Howard needs a love letter for the unattainable Stacy. But when Stacy turns up dead and Howard is arrested for the murder, Jaine steps in to help clear his name and bring the real killer to justice.
This was the first book in the series but I doubt I’ll...more
I found this at the library. I like the chit lit/mystery genre so this seemed like a fun quick read. Interesting premise but the author spent WAY too much time trying to be clever. I could over look the obvious similarity to Stephanie Plum with the obsession over food, wacky side kick, and frizzy hair but when she started to talk to the reader, I was done. I am so glad I didn't waste any money on this trite novel and that I respected myself enough to stop reading about half way through instead o...more
A light, breezy murder mystery. Jaine Austen is a 36-year old woman who is a freelance writer with a home-business. She writes a love letter so that geeky Howard Murdach can get a date with the aerobics instructor of his dreams. The letter works a little too well. Howard gets the date. The aerobics instructor winds up dead. Amateur sleuthing and self-effacing comedy ensues. This book is a quick and easy read. The characters are likable. . The humor witty. The author a comedy writer. All-in-all,...more
Read for Fun!
Overall Rating: 3.75
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.00
First Thought When Finished: What a fun read!
What I Loved: Note to self: don't write love letters for others unless you want to be in the middle of a very fun mystery. Jaine Austen was such a cute character. She was sassy, fun, and kind of a mess. Her dating life sucks. Her career is a little unusual. Her neighbor is nosy. Her best friend was a total riot. All in all she was just fun to watch stumble through things. She was...more
Overall Rating: 3.75
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.00
First Thought When Finished: What a fun read!
What I Loved: Note to self: don't write love letters for others unless you want to be in the middle of a very fun mystery. Jaine Austen was such a cute character. She was sassy, fun, and kind of a mess. Her dating life sucks. Her career is a little unusual. Her neighbor is nosy. Her best friend was a total riot. All in all she was just fun to watch stumble through things. She was...more
Apr 09, 2011
Diane Morasco
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
beach-read,
chick-lit,
cozy,
fun,
hilarious,
humor,
my-library,
mystery,
mystery-chick-lit,
series
Laura Levine knocked it right out of the box w/ her quick witted, smartly paced debut. This Pen for Hire is brimming with humor.
Meet Jaine Austen ~ her mom's not too big on spelling . Jaine is one of the most down-to-earth & utterly charming amateur detectives to come along in a long time.
Laura Levine created not only an appealing, crafty, brassy, character ~ she hit the nail & penned a fun, fast~paced mystery that is laugh~out~loud funny!!!
Laura has an invigorating knack for writing in...more
Meet Jaine Austen ~ her mom's not too big on spelling . Jaine is one of the most down-to-earth & utterly charming amateur detectives to come along in a long time.
Laura Levine created not only an appealing, crafty, brassy, character ~ she hit the nail & penned a fun, fast~paced mystery that is laugh~out~loud funny!!!
Laura has an invigorating knack for writing in...more
Hello,
I haven't actually read this book. I came upon this series while I was searching the internet for "humorous mysteries."
There is a series of books called "The Jaine Austen Mysteries" by Laura Levine. They look like they are a spoof of Jane Austen books. This series sounds hilarious.
There are a lot of Jane Austen fans on this site, and thought you would enjoy hearing about this series.
If any of you reads one of these books, I would be interested in hearing what you think of them.
I haven't actually read this book. I came upon this series while I was searching the internet for "humorous mysteries."
There is a series of books called "The Jaine Austen Mysteries" by Laura Levine. They look like they are a spoof of Jane Austen books. This series sounds hilarious.
There are a lot of Jane Austen fans on this site, and thought you would enjoy hearing about this series.
If any of you reads one of these books, I would be interested in hearing what you think of them.
Awful. Truly awful. Its a miracle I finished it. Any book that uses the words tush, delish, yummy, and a few more I can't think of at the moment that are just as bad should be banned. The main character was pathetic. The relationships between characters were empty. There were way too many possible killers that it seemed at the end, the author just randomly picked one from the list. I will not be picking up any more from this series.
I liked this book in the beginning, but as I got further along I was really disappointed in the way Jaine talked about herself. I got so tired of reading sentences where she said she wasn't going to eat something, then she did and felt guilty about it. Just eat the damn pie, no one cares. I will not be reading any more of this series, they are probably all like that. I like a heroine, not some whiny girl who doesn't like herself.
Jaine Austen hires her writing talent out to almost anyone. Howard, a less than handsome man, hires her to write a letter to a beautiful fitness instructor to get her to go out with him. It works !!!! When he gets to her place, he finds her dead and is arrested for her murder. Jainfe doesn't think he did it and her quest to prove it turn into a funny, shor read, an enjoyable one.
I really love the character Jaine Austen! She just comes to life and you feel like you know her. Jaine thinks on her feet and isn’t trained as a PI, which I love. She is just a very relatable character.
It’s a pretty quick read, but still a good mystery. It’s not a complicated or serious mystery, which I think is a welcome change if you’re a constant mystery reader. Some parts are a bit predictable, but it’s entertaining so I don’t mind that at all. I really like Laura Levine’s books after readin...more
It’s a pretty quick read, but still a good mystery. It’s not a complicated or serious mystery, which I think is a welcome change if you’re a constant mystery reader. Some parts are a bit predictable, but it’s entertaining so I don’t mind that at all. I really like Laura Levine’s books after readin...more
I admit I was skeptical when I picked up this book. After I read Kate Carlisle's books I thought nothing could top them or come near to them. I was wrong. Laura brings so much more humor into the mix. Some of the writing style is the same as Kate Carlisle and yet it is refreshing with some really funny characters.
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer in L.A who writes all sorts of things for people. Resumes, brochures, even love letters. Until one love letter goes wrong and she is almost convicted...more
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer in L.A who writes all sorts of things for people. Resumes, brochures, even love letters. Until one love letter goes wrong and she is almost convicted...more
I've been so good lately! I've been fulfilling my need to read things not on my bookcase by utilizing my local library. Huzzah! This title had been on my amazon.com wishlist for quite some time. I think I was attracted to it because a.) cute cover, b.) main character's name is Jaine Austen. Will I never learn? This was a pretty ho-hum mysteryvery little suspense; uninspired characters; predictable; tried very hard to be witty and failed (at least for me). I also wasn't a fan of the heroine who...more
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Grew up in Brooklyn, New York, back when mastodons (and Edsels) still roamed the earth.
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for show...more
More about Laura Levine...
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for show...more
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