Wash, Fold and Die

Mandy Dyer #4

by Dolores Johnson

A Mandy Dyer Mystery

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

276 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 1999

About the author

Dolores Johnson is a journalist who has worked on newspapers in Oregon, California, Wyoming and Colorado, but she always wanted to write and sell a murder mystery. She tried writing books about an investigative reporter and a newspaper editor, but it wasn't until she wrote a book about a dry cleaner, using her background as a free-lance writer and field reporter for American Drycleaner, that she met with success.

Series:
* Mandy Dyer Mystery

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

My next to be reviewed on my phone because my computer is broke book is called Wash, Fold, and Die, which makes perfect sense when you find out that the main character runs a dry cleaning business. I should have paid more attention to the how you get clothes clean without water part, but I didn't. I've just never figured that out. Anyway, the book is by Dolores Johnson and is part of a series called Mandy Dyer Mysteries. I haven't a clue how many there are, there won't be any more though, she died in 2010. She was also the editor of The American Drycleaner Magazine, something I must look up when I once again have a computer.

Our main character is Mandy Dyer and since she was given the name Dyer and was a dry cleaner she immediately became Mandy Dryer to me and will always remain so. She is also our narrator so I got tired of her talking about herself all the time. When the story begins her ex-boyfriend Stan, who is a detective comes to her for help. A man has been found dead in an alley and the shirt he is wearing has a laundry mark on it. She tells us that different dry cleaners use different methods including permanent marks and bar codes. I didn't know that and see no reason for it and it seems to me if you get your shirts cleaned too often you're going to have ink all over them. That tells you how often I've been to a dry cleaner.

Anyway, Mandy checks the mark and finds it it's from one of their shirts cleaned long ago. The problem is there is a good reason the shirt hasn't been cleaned in years, it's because the guy is dead, and not just last night in an alley dead, but seven years ago dead. So Mandy goes with Stan to look at the body and yes, that's him. Jeremiah Atkins, believed to be dead for seven years.

This was a good start to the book, except for ruining all the clothes with permanent ink part, but it just ended up okay for me. I guess my biggest problem was that I never got to really care about anybody. Did his wife kill him after she found out he wasn't really dead but had just abandoned her? It didn't really matter to me one way or the other. How about his partner in crime, or his girlfriend, or sister who isn't his greatest fan, or his aunt, and where has he been anyway? It just never mattered to me.

I will say I never would have guessed the ending and liked the one or two I came up with better, but it still was an okay book. Easy to read and all that. It did come in the middle of my very busy season so I only read it in little parts when I got a chance, so maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had more time to devote to it. Ok, I'm done now, my phone wants to be used for something other than writing reviews for awhile. Happy reading.

[RatGrrrl]

I received an audiobook ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this is a DNF @ 17%

I was trying something a bit different here and, while the writing was fine, if a little too hapless romantic amateur sleuth for my personal taste, the characterisation and voicing of one of the characters was just too grating for me to continue.

From the little I read, if you like a mysterious light read I could see this appealing.

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the 4th book in the Mandy Dyer mysteries and in this one she actually does try to stay out of things somewhat...BUT she helps her friend Rosalie when her ex husband whom she'd had declared legally dead turns up murdered in an alley, then they find out that he was using an assumed name, and that he had a Sister, Cousin, and an Aunt....THEN the Aunt turns up murdered also in an alley, and the cops suspicions land on Rosalie....but, she does try to stay out of it Lol....good book

[Kathy Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and decided to start reading the series again. This is a easy read with lots of good characters. The story line is ok but will continue reading this series.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It doesn't matter in what order you read these books, as they work as stand alone mysteries, just read them as they are a lot of fun. In this book Mandy tried really hard to stay out of the investigation, despite being curious and the police asking for help. However being friends with the widow and the employer of the only person a witnesses will talk to (well sort of but as that would spoil a number of funny and interesting sections I won't say anymore), everybody turns to her for help and as a listener I am glad they did. The mystery was unusual but I liked the fact the police came to her to identify there victim rather than the unusual amateur sleuth stumbling over the body. Her job was the perfect opening and then the story was off and running. I had come to the same conclusion as Mandy as to who was responsible but it was fun being proved right. I like the characters and having listened to a few books in the series feel like the regulars are becoming like old friends. I can't wait to jump into the next mystery.

When Detective Stan Foster turns up asking to talk to her, Mandy thinks he is finally going to ask her out. Unfortunately he just needs help identifying a dead body and he hopes Mandy knows who it is from just his laundry tag number. The number was used to identify a man Mandy had a crush on when she was growing up but he went missing years ago and Mandy knows for a fact his wife had had him declared dead. He died in a part of town where the only witnesses was a homeless man. A man who can't or won't talk to the cops. He also happens to be friends with one of Mandy's employees and she turns to Mandy to act as go between. It doesn't help the man's widow has become a good friend during the years he was missing and she can't face learning the truth about where he has been all this time on her own. Mandy despite trying to stay out of it has no choice but help her friend especially as the more she learns the more she questions if she ever really knew the man.
I liked the narrator. She does some good voices both male and female. All of which helps to bring the characters to life and create and entertaining listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Mandy Dyer book was amazing! I was encouraged to see the return of Stan, the cop, after he sort of dumped her in the last book. The guy does have emotional baggage, though, so I'm not sure that he is right for Mandy. Stan comes into Mandy's dry cleaning shop and her heart skips a beat. Is he coming to apologize and ask her out? No, he wants her to identify a cleaner's mark on a shirt found on a dead man. Then she has to identify a body in the morgue. And Mandy is astounded. She knows the guy, Jeremiah, and he died 7 years ago! Where has he been for 7 years? And who killed him now? So begins a wild search with a cast of characters that both hinder and help: reformed bag lady Betty, Honest Abe from the streets. The pool for the murderer is large. Is it Jeremiah's wife? His aunt? Sister? One of his nefarious associates? Jeremiah wasn't even his real name and his wife didn't know he even had relatives. As usual, Mandy ends up in the thick of it and nearly gets killed. At the end it looks like Stan, the cop, may return as a romantic interest.

[JoAnn Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! All the suspects, but she dives into it anyway! She finds that someone she admired, who supposedly died 7 years prior, is now deceased! In 7-year-old clothes, no less! Betty's friend "Honest Abe" discovered the body, then fled, thinking he would be pegged as a killer. Mandy and the widow, Rosalie, check out suspects - such as the aunt-who checks up on them with a tail, the sister - who saw him recently, and the art dealer with Betty. If that weren't bad enough, Betty has a new love - previously when convalescing, Mandy got the idea that the widowed "Mrs. Claus" and the widowed doll doctor were a perfect match. Unfortunately for Mandy, Art was smitten with Betty! It was fortuitous though when Mandy decided to inquire about a signature on the painting they saw and found the killer! Betty, Art and Abe came to her rescue even before she thought she needed help - and even called Mack! On the romance front, Mandy and Stan played their game until he confessed to an issue. Mandy even thought it was Cop Dumps Dry Cleaner day - until she found out what his confession really was!

[lexx t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolores Johnson’s Wash, Fold & Die was such a fun listen! I was drawn in immediately by the audiobook’s intro music and the narrator’s lively, movie-like performance. Mandy, a smart and sassy dry cleaner, gets wrapped up in a homicide investigation, and even though it’s an unusual setup, it works so well.

The pacing was fantastic — no unnecessary filler, just straight into the mystery. I loved Mandy’s independence and the way she trusted her gut, even when a detective tried to get her to stay out of it. Betty, the older sidekick who doesn’t take any mess from anyone, also stole the show for me.

Though this is the fourth in a series, it works great as a standalone. My only small critiques: the male voices on the audiobook felt a little off, and I would have loved just a touch more about Mandy’s personal life. Still, the ending had me completely glued!

Highly recommend if you like witty amateur sleuths and fast-paced mysteries with heart!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a mystery set around a dry-cleaning business, but it worked. The narration by Emily Ellet was great and kept me engaged and while some of the male voices were a little off, it never pulled me out of the story. Characters wise, I liked Mandy right away, and the mix of eccentric characters (Betty the Bag Lady and Harpo the Mime cracked me up) made it feel playful even while following a murder investigation. However it was slow to get things going but it did keep me going and I was listening non-stop after a while, and the killer came as a surprise. I haven’t read the earlier books in the series, but this stood alone just fine, and now I’m curious to go back and pick up the others. A light, clever listen that was exactly the kind of cozy mystery escape I was looking for. Big thank you to goodreads and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook to review.

[Sally Matinfar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery was a charming read! It follows Mandy, a dry cleaning shop owner, as she helps solve a murder. Like most books in this genre, it’s pretty clean granted there’s a mild hint at a sexual situation and some implied violence, but nothing too intense. I do believe the primary demographic for this book would be much older audiences so I wouldn’t recommend it to younger readers.

Since this is part of a series, I didn’t have the full context of Mandy’s character development, but I think readers who’ve followed the series will really enjoy seeing her grow. Overall, it’s a cute addition to the series.

I’d like to thank the Publisher for giving me an electronic ARC of the book. All opinions are just that, opinions, and are all of my own.

[Erin Brings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wash, Fold, and Die
By Dolores Johnson
Narrated by Emily Ellet

Published on Audio May 20,2025

This was such a fun listen, I can’t get enough of this series it’s just so much fun. The narrator Emily is amazing and really brings Mandy to life. I can’t get over just how much Mandy is always getting into and honestly surprised how much knowledge a dry cleaner can bring to a murder investigation. I can’t wait to finish the rest of this series because it’s like no other. Dolores has really hit the jackpot with this series!

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the best-plotted Mandy Dyer books. Not too much Betty or Stan or Nat, either, which I appreciated. I thought for a time that Honest Abe, a homeless man who knew Betty, was the alter ego of painter Jeremiah Atkins, but I was wrong. I definitely didn't see the gallery owner being the killer, either, but it made sense when I finished it, which I appreciate (vs. the last Mandy Dyer I read where the solution didn't really hold water).

Will Stan and Mandy be a couple now that he's figured out what he wants? We'll see....

[JenJenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wash, Fold, and Die is the fourth book in what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series. With each new installment, I enjoy getting to know the central characters more. I listened to the audiobook and couldn’t stop, such a fun and engaging experience. The narrator, Emily Ellet, is absolutely perfect and brings the story to life in the best way. I’m already looking forward to the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for letting me listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.

[Sherry Steveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a cozy mystery with quirky characters, I recommend this audiobook narrated by Emily Ellet. This is book 4 in the series and I’ve not read any of the previous books so it works well as a standalone.
A dry cleaner turned amateur sleuth is the perfect set up for a who-dunnit. Fans of Finley Donovan will find this series just as likeable.

What I’ve discovered is that even though this is an older series, the audiobook is just coming out. Giving fans of this genre a chance to listen to this series.

Recommend this for its place in the genre and the narrator was fantastic.

[Becky Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was the first I read in the series and I was able to keep up without feeling like I was missing something from not reading the one before.
The characters were interesting. Good amount of information given to be able to know enough about them.
The story itself was decent. I didn’t suspect who the killer was, so that was good.
The narrator was ok, definitely need to do something about the ale characters because when she spoke as them it was quite annoying.

Otherwise not too bad. Will probably read others in the series

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many Dyer owns and runs a dry cleaners and when her ex boyfriend walks in she hopes he wants to restart their romance. But no, he wants help with a homicide investigation. Now Mandy’s desire for amateur sleuthing means she will start investigating and may put herself in danger.

Enjoyed this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Plenty of good and quirky characters in this well paced novel. Who has died, how, why and where has he been the last few years?

[Elizabeth Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good listen. Seems to be part of a series but I found it a good stand alone book.
A bright, mystery, loving laundromat owner keeps herself busy by helping the Denver police with few crimes here and here.
Interesting read. Likeable characters. Some were more memorable than others.
Plot involves a dead body, a missing artist, a hard to read cop and the family like crew of the laundromat.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy is called on by Stan, her detective friend who dumped her 9 months ago. He needs help with a case and Mandy is just the one to assist.

I haven't read one of these for a while, but I do enjoy them. Mandy runs a dry cleaning business in Denver, Colorado and has some colorful characters who work for her. This one had a good plot that kept me guessing and I look forward to the next one.

[Megan Midgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. This is my first Mandy Dyer book and I might have to look at the other ones because I had a lot of fun with all the different characters and how well they were written about. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job.

I'm also not mad that it was a happy ending with Mandy getting back together with Stan.

[Meg Staggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was possibly my favorite of this series. But lets be so forreal, home girl needs to stop interfering before she gets arrested or killed. At this point, i almost think it would be better if she just became a detective.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy mystery with an interesting set: a dry cleaner. This book was just a little slow and uninteresting in spots. The narrator didn’t do well at the man’s voice and it was distracting from the story.

[Millie Dearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun easy read

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun book by Dolores Johnson!

[Michele Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A who-done-it with a rom-com appeal. This was an easy, quick read that was light-hearted and fun. Narration was perfect.

[Justyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read. Moves at a good pace. I like the variety of characters. Felt like a weekly episode of some crime show. Haven't read any of the other books in the series, but enjoyed this as a standalone. Narrator Emily Ellet did a great job as the main character, and her performance as the female characters is great. She did a great job changing up the voices for each charcater. I really didn't like her male "voices." Found it distracting, but that could be because I didn't feel like it suited the image I had of them in my head, none of them. I did find certain references and descriptions of situations or observations repetitive.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the arc.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cozy series. I enjoyed this series … the characters are fun, and funny…. the plot has a lot of twists… I really read this series and devoured it a few years ago… have to get back to see if there are new books…. I definitely recommend Mandy for fun - and excitement.. and hopefully many new books.

[C-shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like ole Dolores Johnson's book about Mandy Dyer, a dry cleaner who solves murders in her spare time. I'm trying to re-read the entire series, some of which I've read, some I haven't.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoy all these books. I can't believe i didn't have it right!!!