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Beauty Queen Mysteries #1
Ms America and the Offing on Oahu
(Series #1) Ms. Ohio Happy Pennington finds out it’s not all sequins and silicone when she competes on Oahu for the Ms America crown—the first national title of her life.
When her fiercest competitor tumbles dead out of the isolation booth during the televised pageant finale, Honolulu PD gets to thinking Happy might have killed her.
What’s the only thing a beauty queen worth her sash can do? Nab the real killer—even if that means tangling with snarky rival contestants, a local who claims to be Hawaiian royalty, a brooding helicopter pilot, and a pageant emcee hot enough to die for ...
When her fiercest competitor tumbles dead out of the isolation booth during the televised pageant finale, Honolulu PD gets to thinking Happy might have killed her.
What’s the only thing a beauty queen worth her sash can do? Nab the real killer—even if that means tangling with snarky rival contestants, a local who claims to be Hawaiian royalty, a brooding helicopter pilot, and a pageant emcee hot enough to die for ...
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2011
66 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Diana Dempsey
13 books66 followersAuthor of the Beauty Queen Mysteries, Diana Dempsey never competed in beauty pageants herself but she did the next best thing: she worked in TV news. After a dozen years of war zones and 3 a.m. wake-up calls, she packed up her mic and her Emmy and morphed into a writer of fast and fun romantic fiction.
Diana’s novels have been called “almost impossible to put down” (Romance Reviews Today), “skillfully plotted and filled with realistic detail” (Library Journal), and “spicy, sexy, and sultry” (Booklist). Her first novel, FALLING STAR, was nominated for a RITA award for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America.
To find out about Diana’s titles, and to contact her:
Visit her website at DianaDempsey.com
Join her on Facebook at Diana Dempsey Books
Follow her on Twitter at Diana_Dempsey
Diana’s novels have been called “almost impossible to put down” (Romance Reviews Today), “skillfully plotted and filled with realistic detail” (Library Journal), and “spicy, sexy, and sultry” (Booklist). Her first novel, FALLING STAR, was nominated for a RITA award for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America.
To find out about Diana’s titles, and to contact her:
Visit her website at DianaDempsey.com
Join her on Facebook at Diana Dempsey Books
Follow her on Twitter at Diana_Dempsey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 5, 2014
Diana Dempsey has done it again! She never ceases to enthral me with her clever plots. I find her characters adorable and the Beauty Queen Mysteries No 1 was no exception. It seems Diana had great fun writing 'Offing in Oahu', that comes out clearly in her amusing and punchy writing. I did wonder how this story would appeal being written in the first person, but I had no need to worry, I found it a great read.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to all readers and will definitely look forward to the other stories in the series. I have read a few of Diana's books and would say for me this was probably the best.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to all readers and will definitely look forward to the other stories in the series. I have read a few of Diana's books and would say for me this was probably the best.
February 22, 2014
This was my first read by Ms. Dempsey snd I enjoyed it. It was a nice cozy mystery that didn't bore. I like the it didn't drag on with useless information that didn't fit the story.
Happy Pennington is a beauty queen who wants to be an amateur sleuth. Her father is a cop, so she feels she should do investigating cause its in her blood.
I will be looking for the rest in the series.
Happy Pennington is a beauty queen who wants to be an amateur sleuth. Her father is a cop, so she feels she should do investigating cause its in her blood.
I will be looking for the rest in the series.
January 14, 2013
I'm not a big fan of "chick-lit", romance stories or mysteries, but Diana Dempsey is hilarious.
January 30, 2012
I managed, just barely to finish this book last night and I wanted to give myself 24 hours to mull over what I felt about it. Unfortunately my feelings haven't changed from last night. Instead of the 1 star this book should have gotten I gave it a 2 because I could see that the author tried very hard to make this an interesting, action packed book. She did try to weave a good story, and had some interesting and well written secondary characters. Unfortunately what finally did happen, is that the so called 'heroine' just came off looking like an idiotic, Peri-menopausal busybody that had no clue and didn't care how she messed up the police investigation.
In this book we meet Ms Ohio, Happy Pennington, who is among the top 5 contestants at the Ms America pageant. While in the isolation booth, her competitor and last contestant up, dies after re-applying her face powder and lipstick. So of course the police have to think that Happy had something to do with it and Happy just has to do the cops job because they sure aren't doing it correctly!
There are so many red herrings that I finally just had to skim to the end just to see if anyone actually did the deed! Unfortunately, Happy was not exactly the most sympathetic of protagonists. I know that is harsh of me, and I also realize that this book cost a mere 99 cents so I shouldn't feel cheated...but I do because all of the elements of a good, honestly funny, slap-stick kind of comedy of errors, mystery were there. But it was too much. Perhaps Janet Evanovich can get away with this kind of thing, but not lately. Audiences may be looking for less "rebel without a clue" and more "women with some common sense and a good sense of humor" in there fictio
In this book we meet Ms Ohio, Happy Pennington, who is among the top 5 contestants at the Ms America pageant. While in the isolation booth, her competitor and last contestant up, dies after re-applying her face powder and lipstick. So of course the police have to think that Happy had something to do with it and Happy just has to do the cops job because they sure aren't doing it correctly!
There are so many red herrings that I finally just had to skim to the end just to see if anyone actually did the deed! Unfortunately, Happy was not exactly the most sympathetic of protagonists. I know that is harsh of me, and I also realize that this book cost a mere 99 cents so I shouldn't feel cheated...but I do because all of the elements of a good, honestly funny, slap-stick kind of comedy of errors, mystery were there. But it was too much. Perhaps Janet Evanovich can get away with this kind of thing, but not lately. Audiences may be looking for less "rebel without a clue" and more "women with some common sense and a good sense of humor" in there fictio
March 21, 2016
Found this book to be an enjoyable, light read that is perfect for sitting by the pool or under a tree. The story revolves around Ms. Ohio, Happy Pennington, who witnesses one of her top rivals dying of poisoning. Since she was the last competitor to see the poisoned Ms. California alive, and because this final contestant was her top competitor to the Ms. America crown (which just so happens to now be awarded to Ms. Ohio), Happy is the top suspect in the murder. To clear her name she begins investigating the clues to see if she can find out who really did it.
The Pro's of the book are the way she goes about gathering her information and how she finally finds the true killer with Oahu as her background. Surprisingly not until the end was I able to figure out "who done it".
The Con's are the constant reference to the outfits and make up she' s wearing, and the playing up of the stereotypical competitor as vain, air headed, or bitchy cheater.
A three star rating because I found this book "middle of the road", neither life altering nor waste of reading time.
The Pro's of the book are the way she goes about gathering her information and how she finally finds the true killer with Oahu as her background. Surprisingly not until the end was I able to figure out "who done it".
The Con's are the constant reference to the outfits and make up she' s wearing, and the playing up of the stereotypical competitor as vain, air headed, or bitchy cheater.
A three star rating because I found this book "middle of the road", neither life altering nor waste of reading time.
August 11, 2014
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this light-hearted mystery novel. It was a first read from the author and I will certainly consider reading the other Beauty Queen Mystery stories as well. I obtained the book as a freebie and read it on my Kindle over two sittings - great for a poolside or plane ride. The book has some fun at the expense of the pageant process, which I found quite entertaining!
November 30, 2014
Great story line but needs editing
This whole manuscript jumps from first person to third person - back and forth. The author also doesn't keep tense correctly, jumping from present to past tense repeatedly. Both of these grammar snafus get in the way of a good read when a good editor could have taken care of this.
Aside from this, excellent story line, good character progression and a fun read!
This whole manuscript jumps from first person to third person - back and forth. The author also doesn't keep tense correctly, jumping from present to past tense repeatedly. Both of these grammar snafus get in the way of a good read when a good editor could have taken care of this.
Aside from this, excellent story line, good character progression and a fun read!
January 16, 2023
This was a fun, upbeat cozy mystery. I liked the humor and the characters, I didn't care for the way some of the characters handled one another. It wasn't personal preference on my part ("Oh, I wish so-and-so did this") but more that I didn't find some character reactions and interactions believable. But it was still fun, and I recommend it to anyone who's looking for an entertaining read. The beauty queen pageant thing was a cool setting - not to mention Hawaii!
April 9, 2014
Got this for free on the kindle and ended up enjoying it. Fun mystery, funny moments, good beach reading and a unique spin on the accidental detective. Plus, now i know the difference between a muumuu, a caftan, and a tunic :-) I think I'll read the next in this series.
August 17, 2014
Delightful
Delightful
This is a good start for a series with beauty queen contestants as the major players. Suspenseful, enjoyable. A pleasant read. I'd certainly like to read more stories about Happy Pennington.
Delightful
This is a good start for a series with beauty queen contestants as the major players. Suspenseful, enjoyable. A pleasant read. I'd certainly like to read more stories about Happy Pennington.
April 19, 2013
A fun read with so many possible suspects. The beauty contest ~ pageant theme is unique and worked surprisingly well. A definite recommend to people who like fun,upbeat cozy mysteries.
June 6, 2013
Really enjoyed it. A fun look inside the pageant world.
June 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. its what I like to call an easy sunday afternoon book. It was fun and very enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
March 22, 2017
Happy Pennington is Ms Ohio, and she's competing for the Ms America title in the finale in Oahu. She makes it to the final five...and then it's down to the final four when one contestant ends up dead on stage. Happy, of course, was the last in the booth with her and the eventual winner, so she's on the suspect list...but she has a suspect list of her own, and she's determined to figure it out, using her new crown if necessary, especially when her crown is in jeopardy. Happy isn't an airhead; she seems like a well-rounded (albeit at times misguided in her judgment) contestant.
Guess I'm out of the loop on these Ms America beauty pageants, but why isn't it Mrs Ohio and Mrs America if it's geared toward older, married women? Also, why doesn't she spend more time with her husband? Kinda weird that he's staying right down the street, but they don't go to dinner or hang out more. Neat that they're high school sweethearts. Not so neat that her mom's adamantly opposed to him, even after all these years, and Happy doesn't do anything about it.
Dempsey's writing is solid. It's a little slow at times, but then it picks up the pace in others and averages out. Not sure how this will hold up as a series. Happy got quite a bit of help from her fellow contestants, and I doubt they go on tour with her.
Guess I'm out of the loop on these Ms America beauty pageants, but why isn't it Mrs Ohio and Mrs America if it's geared toward older, married women? Also, why doesn't she spend more time with her husband? Kinda weird that he's staying right down the street, but they don't go to dinner or hang out more. Neat that they're high school sweethearts. Not so neat that her mom's adamantly opposed to him, even after all these years, and Happy doesn't do anything about it.
Dempsey's writing is solid. It's a little slow at times, but then it picks up the pace in others and averages out. Not sure how this will hold up as a series. Happy got quite a bit of help from her fellow contestants, and I doubt they go on tour with her.
January 1, 2020
Fun, light read.
The blurb says it all.
There is a whole series of these! Might be fun to read one after a heavy book (that’s not when I read this one but still...).
Oh, and Ms America is from Ohio, so that’s cool.
The blurb says it all.
There is a whole series of these! Might be fun to read one after a heavy book (that’s not when I read this one but still...).
Oh, and Ms America is from Ohio, so that’s cool.
March 23, 2022
Meh. I skimmed the last hundred pages to make sure I got the murderer correct. I don't know what bothered me but the voice was off. It was a little too slang-y and I really didn't need to know every single character's wardrobe change. Fun and quirky but the writing style was not for me.
September 9, 2017
Kindle
January 24, 2024
Light reading, and lots of fun.
February 27, 2024
Unfortunately DNF'd this book. Will retry one day, as i might have just not been into it at the time.
January 16, 2016
Ms. Ohio Happy Pennington finds out it’s not all sequins and silicone when she competes on Oahu for the Ms America crown—the first national title of her life.
When her fiercest competitor tumbles dead out of the isolation booth during the televised pageant finale, Honolulu PD gets to thinking Happy might have killed her.
Happy has to clear her name and catch the killer and make sure they are very UN -Happy!!!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book was my choice for my December Just For Fun Reading Challenge and it really was a fun read! It reminded me of the Miss Congeniality movies staring Sandra Bullock. A behind the scenes look at Beauty Pageants with older contestants who still can fit into a pageant bathing suit and embarrass their kids like crazy.
Happy Pennington was a sassy protagonist and the rest of the characters run the gambit – a varied group of beauty queens, a chopper pilot, the pageant emcee with a huge secret, Happy’s hubby and her mother who doesn’t think much of Happy’s hubby.
The mystery was full of suspects starting with several contestants and their handlers. Happy needed a spreadsheet to track them all. Very well plotted.
A great read to take your mind off the cold weather. A virtual trip to Hawaii in December should warm you up nicely.
When her fiercest competitor tumbles dead out of the isolation booth during the televised pageant finale, Honolulu PD gets to thinking Happy might have killed her.
Happy has to clear her name and catch the killer and make sure they are very UN -Happy!!!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book was my choice for my December Just For Fun Reading Challenge and it really was a fun read! It reminded me of the Miss Congeniality movies staring Sandra Bullock. A behind the scenes look at Beauty Pageants with older contestants who still can fit into a pageant bathing suit and embarrass their kids like crazy.
Happy Pennington was a sassy protagonist and the rest of the characters run the gambit – a varied group of beauty queens, a chopper pilot, the pageant emcee with a huge secret, Happy’s hubby and her mother who doesn’t think much of Happy’s hubby.
The mystery was full of suspects starting with several contestants and their handlers. Happy needed a spreadsheet to track them all. Very well plotted.
A great read to take your mind off the cold weather. A virtual trip to Hawaii in December should warm you up nicely.
February 22, 2012
Ms America competition is fierce and the presumed winner ends up dead from lethal lipstick. Enter Ohio contestant Happy Pennington (not her real name) to glide her way to the answer. The book is quirky with funny but not fully developed characters and the answer is a quick sum-up that left me unsatisfied. All that said, I think this has the fundamentals needed for a fun series following the beauty pagents around the globe. You'll learn trade secrets like how to use packing -- never duct -- tape and why Ms. Congeniality never wins. A light read perfect for the beaches of Hawaii, where I happen to be right now.
September 18, 2015
I thought this was a fun little (fairly) quick read. A beauty queen, Happy Pennington, stumbles upon a murder at her own beauty queen contest, gets herself listed and suspect #1; and so decides to sets about to solve it, and clearing her name. It took a cozy from a different point a view and that was a fun twist on it. I enjoyed discovering and solving the mystery with Happy and I enjoyed Happy herself. She was fun, witty, and sharp as a tack. The author did a good job a write a fairly tight plot, with lots of fun characters. I would read more of the stuff, and especially this series.
Three stars.
Three stars.
September 29, 2011
This book should probably be a three star; it was well written and well edited - it was just too goofy of a story to get a three star by me. It is the kind of ultra-light reading one does by the pool or at the beach when one wants to keep busy without a lot of brain usage.
Fun, but I doubt I will read another one by her, unless I am of course, going to the beach or laying in bed with a cold and cannot concentrate much. It was fun and goofy - if you are looking for that; this book is for you.
Fun, but I doubt I will read another one by her, unless I am of course, going to the beach or laying in bed with a cold and cannot concentrate much. It was fun and goofy - if you are looking for that; this book is for you.
August 19, 2013
This book is great to read on vacation or when you have read an intense book. This book has very descriptive writing. If I cared about fashion it might have mattered to me.
This book does have some references to homosexual references along with numerous adultery references. Some people might not find.it acceptable for young teens becauses of these references.
Overall it was a light and quick read.
This book does have some references to homosexual references along with numerous adultery references. Some people might not find.it acceptable for young teens becauses of these references.
Overall it was a light and quick read.
May 1, 2013
This is a great cozy, fun, reasonable characters, a solid plot, and just interesting to the last page!
There are two more books in the series, and I'm ready to read them!
Trust me, this book is fun, and the whodunnit is a cleverly kept secret, but not way out of the realm of guessing.
I enjoyed this read! It was not annoying and no pressure. Tasteful and fun!!!!!
August 28, 2011
Light hearted, easy read. No great suspense or character development and not particulary memorable but was still an ok read on a hot summer day when you don't really want to think too hard about anything.
May 17, 2012
Kind of reminded me of "Miss Congeniality", but the players are older ladies competing in a pageant instead of young ladies.
There's murder mixed with affairs and some humor here and there.
I enjoyed the book.
There's murder mixed with affairs and some humor here and there.
I enjoyed the book.
May 27, 2012
It was an entertaining read and it kept me guessing. I give it only 2.5 stars because I felt that the ending was quite a letdown. There was such a buildup in the first half and then it just kind of fizzled out towards the end.
June 4, 2012
I liked trying to solve the mystery, but I don't understand why the main character bothered to try and solve the case herself. Not once was did it seem as if she would go to jail for the death of the other contestant.
Just ridiculous the logic she used in this novel.
Just ridiculous the logic she used in this novel.
June 21, 2012
I enjoyed this story, comical funny entertaining -- sometimes wondered about grown married women who had children wanting to be in a beauty pageant but....GREAT summer read! Will look for more by Diana Dempsey!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews