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Good Buy Girls Mystery #2
A Deal to Die For
Letting no good deal go undone, the Good Buy Girls are ready to pounce on the St. Stanley flea market, where wealthy Vera Madison is selling off her vintage clothing. The widow’s wardrobe is just what Maggie Gerber needs to give her second-hand shop, My Sister’s Closet, the edge over vindictive rival Summer Phillips, who’s opened her own second-hand shop across the street.
But when Vera is found dead, it turns out that she collected enemies like Dior gowns -- and had more than a few skeletons in her walk-in closet. Now it’s up to Maggie and the Good Buy Girls to sort through the racks of suspects for the killer and get back to the business of bargains…
But when Vera is found dead, it turns out that she collected enemies like Dior gowns -- and had more than a few skeletons in her walk-in closet. Now it’s up to Maggie and the Good Buy Girls to sort through the racks of suspects for the killer and get back to the business of bargains…
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
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945 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 27, 2014
I really love these books. Does it make me a terrible person, though, if I hope that Summer is the murder victim in the next book? I just really can't stand that bitch and want her to go away. Ugh.
May 5, 2019
I'm really enjoying this series by Josie Belle/Jenn McKinley. I know that this series has ended after five books but I plan to enjoy each one until the end. Ms. Belle's smartly paced plot, the twists and the relatable characters make this an enjoyable afternoon read.
May 11, 2016
The 2nd book in the Good Bye Girl series is just as entertaining as the 1st one. A very interesting mystery that kept me guessing until the end. The arguments and interactions between Summer and Maggie are entertaining but a bit over the top.
January 29, 2024
Great, entertaining cozy mystery!
January 17, 2013
Josie Bell is a pseudonym for Jenn McKinley, currently one of the best cozy mystery writers out there. I love her two other series and it really bothers me that I can't love this one as well.
What I absolutely can't stand about this book (and series):
What kept me reading this book in spite of the above:
What I absolutely can't stand about this book (and series):
Maggie acts about as immature as is possible around Sam her high school sweetheart. It's screamingly obvious that he's crazy about her and she insists on acting like a stupid shrew during just about every encounter with him. It's annoying, not entertaining or endearing.
Summer - This character is just too stupid, too over the top, and too outrageous to be believable or entertaining. She's ridiculous and nobody actually acts like this over the age of 6. Why writers suddenly feel it's necessary to work a nemesis into every story/series is a mystery in and of itself, but if they have to do it, they could do it in a realistically humorous fashion, not in such an overblown characiture-ish fashion.
What kept me reading this book in spite of the above:
I genuinely like most of the characters: Sam, Ginger, Max, even Maggie when she's not acting like a stupid shrew. I like the premise of the story and I like reading about Maggie getting her business up and running.
The mystery was a good one - I am pretty good at guessing the murderer most of the time, but this plot had a good number of suspects, red herrings, clues-that-weren't and distractions aplenty. I still guessed a few things, but not at all with any certainty, I was totally prepared to be wrong.
And last, but not least, I kept reading because I know this author is capable of writing absolutely excellent mysteries and I know it's in there somewhere. This book, like her first in this series 50% Off Murder, started off weak but got better as the story went along - Maggie calmed down and acted like a mature adult, her interactions with Sam took on a maturity and allowed a spark or sexual tension to show through - which really, it's what we're all looking for yes? - and become an enjoyable, engrossing read.
So, would I recommend this book? Meh. Maybe. With caveats. It does get much better as it goes. But I want her next book to be excellent from the start, like the other books this author writes. I'll be looking for it when it's published, with fingers crossed.
January 10, 2019
2.5**
Book two in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series has Maggie opening a new resale shop in her Virginia community. Of course her high school nemesis, Summer Philips, opens a rival shop directly across the street. They both head to the annual fair, hoping to snag some designer cast-offs from the town’s wealthy widow. But the fair has barely begun when Vera is found dead at Doc Franklin’s office, with Doc kneeling by her side. Who murdered Vera?
This has all the elements of a successful cozy series – a nosy heroine amateur sleuth, romantic tension, a hot police chief, a troop of loyal friends who help our heroine, and a cast of colorful local citizens who fill all the ancillary roles needed.
What lowers the rating for me is the rivalry between Maggie and Summer. It is SOOooo junior high and these are women in their early forties. Get a life, already. I don’t mind the years-long enmity and rivalry itself. After all, such a relationship is a trope of this genre, but the way they’re portrayed in this series is just so juvenile that it sets my teeth on edge.
Well, it won’t (and hasn’t) stop me reading them. The book is a fast read and satisfies my occasional need for some mind candy.
Book two in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series has Maggie opening a new resale shop in her Virginia community. Of course her high school nemesis, Summer Philips, opens a rival shop directly across the street. They both head to the annual fair, hoping to snag some designer cast-offs from the town’s wealthy widow. But the fair has barely begun when Vera is found dead at Doc Franklin’s office, with Doc kneeling by her side. Who murdered Vera?
This has all the elements of a successful cozy series – a nosy heroine amateur sleuth, romantic tension, a hot police chief, a troop of loyal friends who help our heroine, and a cast of colorful local citizens who fill all the ancillary roles needed.
What lowers the rating for me is the rivalry between Maggie and Summer. It is SOOooo junior high and these are women in their early forties. Get a life, already. I don’t mind the years-long enmity and rivalry itself. After all, such a relationship is a trope of this genre, but the way they’re portrayed in this series is just so juvenile that it sets my teeth on edge.
Well, it won’t (and hasn’t) stop me reading them. The book is a fast read and satisfies my occasional need for some mind candy.
July 5, 2019
I enjoy this lighthearted series as much as I enjoy second-hand shops. They are both oddly exciting and relaxing for me because you never quite know what you are in for when you open the book or open the door, respectively. In a Deal to Die For, the Good Buy Girls excitedly attend the St. Stanley Flea Market to acquire posh merchandise from wealthy Vera Madison for Maggie's second-hand shop, My Sister's Secret. As usual, the girls are not without competition. Rival Summer Philips has opened her own second-hand shop directly across the street and wants the very same merchandise from Vera. Unfortunately, someone else wants Vera dead - and they get their wish! Why would someone want to murder the widow? How many enemies did Vera have? What skeletons were hiding in her elegant closet? Read along as the Good Buy Girls uncover the answer to these questions. You'll be glad you did.
March 22, 2013
Maggie and the Good Buy Girls are back and ready to solve another mystery. This time they are headed to the St Stanley Flea Market hoping to pick up a few good deals, especially as Maggie needs to stock her newly bought business, My Sister’s Closet. They are intending on buying some of the wealthy Vera Madison’s vintage clothing, however when Vera turns up dead Maggie and the girls turn their heads to investigation.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, 50% Off Murder, and I was really looking forward to the second release. If my frantic reading over the last 24 hours is any indication, A Deal to Die For is even better than 50% Off Murder!! I absolutely couldn’t put this book down, and that’s saying a lot since I have a busy life of work, family and blogging.
I adore Maggie and her friends. The girls are all different enough that I think any reader will see a little of themselves in at least one of them, and completely relate to them. For me, it’s Ginger with her house full of boys, who still has time to be a great friend, help find a murderer and hunt out great bargains!!
I really enjoyed the murder mystery. Maggie’s boss, Doc, finds Vera’s body and becomes a suspect, and what of the sudden tension between Doc and his long-time wife, Alice. It all looks very suspect, especially when you add in long lost sister staking a claim on the Madison estate!
The mystery will definitely keep you guessing till the end, and the characters will have you coming back for more! I absolutely can’t wait to see what is in store for Maggie and the girls (not to mention Maggie’s love life) in Buried in Bargain, when it’s released in October, 2013.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, 50% Off Murder, and I was really looking forward to the second release. If my frantic reading over the last 24 hours is any indication, A Deal to Die For is even better than 50% Off Murder!! I absolutely couldn’t put this book down, and that’s saying a lot since I have a busy life of work, family and blogging.
I adore Maggie and her friends. The girls are all different enough that I think any reader will see a little of themselves in at least one of them, and completely relate to them. For me, it’s Ginger with her house full of boys, who still has time to be a great friend, help find a murderer and hunt out great bargains!!
I really enjoyed the murder mystery. Maggie’s boss, Doc, finds Vera’s body and becomes a suspect, and what of the sudden tension between Doc and his long-time wife, Alice. It all looks very suspect, especially when you add in long lost sister staking a claim on the Madison estate!
The mystery will definitely keep you guessing till the end, and the characters will have you coming back for more! I absolutely can’t wait to see what is in store for Maggie and the girls (not to mention Maggie’s love life) in Buried in Bargain, when it’s released in October, 2013.
October 10, 2021
Maggie is about to open her resale/consignment shop and hoping to pick up some stock at the local flea market. She stops at Vera's booth, after hearing that she was selling some of her dress collection, but Vera is not there. Vera is found dead at Doc's office, with Doc holding a syringe over her body. Maggie and the Good Buy girls try to clear Doc's name by searching for the killer.
The suspect was on my list, but not at the top. There were quite a few twists in the plot, and the budding love story left me wanting for more.
The suspect was on my list, but not at the top. There were quite a few twists in the plot, and the budding love story left me wanting for more.
March 12, 2013
There are several keys to writing a good cozy. One has to be including a character one respects and enjoys. Another one is setting. The final one is plot.
This one misses on two of the three. While the setting and set up work, the character and plot miss by quite a bit.
I liked the premise of the story, that being starting up a vintage clothing shop. What didn't work for me was that Maggie, the main character, acts more like a teenager than an adult. In fact none of the characters appealed to me. It was like watching people fight in high school, with lots of name calling and bullying. That's fine if it's supposed to be a YA book, but this isn't. The feud between Maggie and Summer was ridiculous and absurd.
As to the plot, again, it's not very intriguing and didn't really keep me interested.
I can't recommend the book and won't go looking for the other book in the series.
This one misses on two of the three. While the setting and set up work, the character and plot miss by quite a bit.
I liked the premise of the story, that being starting up a vintage clothing shop. What didn't work for me was that Maggie, the main character, acts more like a teenager than an adult. In fact none of the characters appealed to me. It was like watching people fight in high school, with lots of name calling and bullying. That's fine if it's supposed to be a YA book, but this isn't. The feud between Maggie and Summer was ridiculous and absurd.
As to the plot, again, it's not very intriguing and didn't really keep me interested.
I can't recommend the book and won't go looking for the other book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2022
The girls are back for a new adventure! Maggie is facing changes in her life and another dead body! What's a good buy girl to do? Bargain shop of course! Love this series😍
April 4, 2022
Great second book! The first book in this series was a 3 star for me, but this was a solid 4 stars. This book had a much better mystery to me and the characters continued to be developed well. Really enjoyed! Already have the third book on hold at the library!
November 20, 2017
always a fun quick read
September 13, 2022
As the Good Buy Girls help Maggie open up her consignment shop, they happen upon another murder in St. Stanley.
These characters are a lot of fun. The mysteries are easy to solve.
These characters are a lot of fun. The mysteries are easy to solve.
March 15, 2013
The Good Buy girls are ready to help Maggie Gerber stock her new vintage clothing store when they have to turn their attention to helping Maggie solve a local murder.
Wealthy widow, Vera Madison is found dead and that puts a stop in the St. Stanley flea market. When Maggie finds Doc a suspect in the case, she speeds up her personal investigation.
I have to say that the rivalry between two forty+ year olds has grown tiring to me. I loved the first book but this book didn't have any vintage sales, somehow the store is stocked, but we are not shown how, and too much time was spent on Maggie's romantic life. The mystery was interesting.
Wealthy widow, Vera Madison is found dead and that puts a stop in the St. Stanley flea market. When Maggie finds Doc a suspect in the case, she speeds up her personal investigation.
I have to say that the rivalry between two forty+ year olds has grown tiring to me. I loved the first book but this book didn't have any vintage sales, somehow the store is stocked, but we are not shown how, and too much time was spent on Maggie's romantic life. The mystery was interesting.
March 8, 2013
Yet another dud! Jenn McKinlay, which is who Josie Belle really is, is far too good a writer to write such childish characters! Maggie & Summer just got on my last nerve. I know there really are grown people who act like they do, I just thank God that I don't know any as I'd have to be slapping them all the time! A pity that the characters are so bad since the mystery was actually a pretty good one. I really don't think I'll bother with another one of these!
June 17, 2016
This series is very enjoyable. It moves quickly but I don't feel rushed in reading it and read it in almost one sitting. The romantic tension between Maggie and Sam continues to develop naturally and doesn't overpower the mystery of the book. Several other storylines of characters who seemed secondary play a key role in this installment.
I definitely would recommend this series. Although it could be read as a "stand-a-lone, " I recommend reading 50% off Murder, the first book.
I definitely would recommend this series. Although it could be read as a "stand-a-lone, " I recommend reading 50% off Murder, the first book.
July 7, 2013
Lousy. Don't bother. Shallow characters, dumb plot, improbable legal problems.
September 18, 2024
This is my pick for #readforkimberly. I discovered the first book in the series last year, during a round of cozy mystery bingo, so I was excited to continue with this sequel. Josie Belle is a pseudonym for Jenn McKinlay, a highly beloved and well published author. This series was published back in 2012 so it has been fun reading some of her earlier works and watching her skills as a writer develop. Her stories are always made up of a great cast, just the right amount of humor, a touch of romance and a captivating mystery.
The characters truly make this series enjoyable. I love the close-knit friendship of the Good Buy Girls. Maggie, Ginger, Joanne and Claire are so fun together. They didn’t bargain hunt together as much as they did in the first book, but it was good seeing them come together to help Maggie set up her brand new secondhand shop! I love how they feel like true friends, ones who have known one another for decades and can act silly, banter and rally together when one needs extra support. They also have a couple secrets that come out through the story. The side characters are just as great, even if there are a couple who get on your every last nerve. Deputy Dot Wilson and Max, the young legal representative, easily make up for them. There’s a love triangle going on through this story. Both suitors are super nice and likeable, but everyone knows who Maggie belongs with!!
The mystery grasped my attention right from the start. It was full of secrets, twists, red herrings and good old drama. I figured out one of the main secrets early on and also zeroed in on the correct culprit, but I was still shocked by one last reveal towards the end.
This was a great book to read as we head into Fall. I loved all of the descriptions of the changing season, pumpkin treats and even mentions of Thanksgiving plans that were sprinkled throughout the story. Looks like book 3 takes place around Christmas and centers around Joanne and her husband. I look forward to reading it.
The characters truly make this series enjoyable. I love the close-knit friendship of the Good Buy Girls. Maggie, Ginger, Joanne and Claire are so fun together. They didn’t bargain hunt together as much as they did in the first book, but it was good seeing them come together to help Maggie set up her brand new secondhand shop! I love how they feel like true friends, ones who have known one another for decades and can act silly, banter and rally together when one needs extra support. They also have a couple secrets that come out through the story. The side characters are just as great, even if there are a couple who get on your every last nerve. Deputy Dot Wilson and Max, the young legal representative, easily make up for them. There’s a love triangle going on through this story. Both suitors are super nice and likeable, but everyone knows who Maggie belongs with!!
The mystery grasped my attention right from the start. It was full of secrets, twists, red herrings and good old drama. I figured out one of the main secrets early on and also zeroed in on the correct culprit, but I was still shocked by one last reveal towards the end.
This was a great book to read as we head into Fall. I loved all of the descriptions of the changing season, pumpkin treats and even mentions of Thanksgiving plans that were sprinkled throughout the story. Looks like book 3 takes place around Christmas and centers around Joanne and her husband. I look forward to reading it.
December 30, 2021
Vera Madison is dead, and she died on the floor of a doctor’s office in the small town of St. Stanley. Dying in a doctor’s office perhaps isn’t common, but it’s not like Vera has the market cornered on how to do it. She was on the brink of promising her vintage clothing collection to Maggie Garber, a local bookkeeper and newly minted proprietor of a secondhand clothing shop. The two would have inked the deal at a flea market in town, but someone chose that day to off Vera in the afore-mentioned physician’s office. Vera’s daughter, Bianca, is a timid thing who doesn’t take the loss of her mother well. When a mysterious half-sister shows up to claim the old mansion as her inheritance, Bianca is no match for the brash alleged heiress. Meanwhile, the guy whom the cops suspect killed Vera Madison is none other than the doctor who owned the office in which someone murdered Vera—for murder it was.
It’s up to Maggie and her coupon-clipping good buy girls to help the doctor out of a bad jam and figure out who really killed Vera.
The solution surprised me, and the love triangle that includes Maggie is intriguing by every measure. The book ends on a perfect cliffhanger that guarantees even the casual visitor to the series will be back.
It’s up to Maggie and her coupon-clipping good buy girls to help the doctor out of a bad jam and figure out who really killed Vera.
The solution surprised me, and the love triangle that includes Maggie is intriguing by every measure. The book ends on a perfect cliffhanger that guarantees even the casual visitor to the series will be back.
April 2, 2019
Another great book in this thrifty cosy mystery series. I love the interactions between Maggie and her Good Buy Girls, as well as those between the GBGs and Summer. She really is a great foil for Maggie, and her attempts to lure Sheriff Sam Collins away from Maggie are so inept that Maggie would have no cause for worry even if she was dating Sam.
The murder mystery was really well thought out, and adds some volatile personalities to the mix. I loved Doc, and his relationship with Maggie is very sweet and almost grandfatherly. A fast paced and fun cosy read.
3.5 stars
The murder mystery was really well thought out, and adds some volatile personalities to the mix. I loved Doc, and his relationship with Maggie is very sweet and almost grandfatherly. A fast paced and fun cosy read.
3.5 stars
May 8, 2024
I liked this book more than I thought I would at the beginning.
Standard cozy themes. Now single woman starting over with a new business venture and a good set of friends. There is also a former love and a possible new guy who want to go out with her.
Then the murder.
The writing is good, the idea of a vintage clothing or 2nd hand shop is appealing to me, and the characters seem OK. I got a bit confused about who the 2 'mean girls' were and which was which but that may have been due to listening to it, not reading it.
Standard cozy themes. Now single woman starting over with a new business venture and a good set of friends. There is also a former love and a possible new guy who want to go out with her.
Then the murder.
The writing is good, the idea of a vintage clothing or 2nd hand shop is appealing to me, and the characters seem OK. I got a bit confused about who the 2 'mean girls' were and which was which but that may have been due to listening to it, not reading it.
August 3, 2017
If you enjoy Jenn McKinlay's Library Lovers and Hat Shop "mysteries" with Lindsey and Scarlett's BFF posses, and their weird denials of serious attraction to the men they won't allow in their lives (despite endless chest-tightening, lip tingling, breathless, smoldering glances), then suspend disbelief and any knowledge you might have of ethical police procedure or estate law, wait for a rainy afternoon, and dive into this one. It's the same thing.
October 25, 2018
Another nice cozy by Jenn McKinlay. I do feel that the main character isn't quite as mature as she should be for being (I believe) around 40. I also think that some of the scenarios that happen are way too unlikely. That being said, I really love the bond between the main 4 characters. There's even a mean-girl in town that you hate but love that she's there torturing them! Their friendship with each other and the other small-town characters is great! I can't wait to visit again!!
July 16, 2018
Maggie buys a second-hand shop and is working on getting it ready to reopen. There is a murder in the doctor's office where Maggie does the bookkeeping. With friends under suspension, Maggie does what she does best trying to find the real culprit. Romance comes in the guise of two suitors for Maggie.
August 16, 2018
These books don't feel like Jenn McKinlay books to me. They're fine, but I don't love them. I have the 3rd, so obviously I'll read it, but I doubt I'll go out of my way to find more in the series. The MC is incredibly immature. I've read books with an awful nemesis like summer, but the MC didn't resort to stooping to their level, so it wasn't quite as annoying as it is here.
May 1, 2020
Such a fun series!
I’m really enjoying this series. I like Maggie, Sam and the rest of the GBG’s. I liked this story and all the twists and turns trying to figure out what happened and how it was affecting what was happening now. Can’t wait to see what happens next! #readforkimberly
I’m really enjoying this series. I like Maggie, Sam and the rest of the GBG’s. I liked this story and all the twists and turns trying to figure out what happened and how it was affecting what was happening now. Can’t wait to see what happens next! #readforkimberly
May 8, 2020
This was definitely better than the first book, and I could see the author improved in writing style and plot. Good twists and turns and a satisfying end. But there are only so many times you can write the phrase about blowing out a breath, as a description for a scene. Really hoping the third has less of that!
June 13, 2021
Great story. I really enjoy the Good buy girls. I absolutely love the tips at the end of the book. I enjoy learning tips throughout the book that I can use in my life. It makes it all seem more real. It's nice to see unlike some books when the characters have a bunch of money. I can't wait to read more!
November 2, 2022
Hmm, not bad! Not sure whether it was an error on the part of my MOBI file but there were a few spelling errors, but overall as usual a cosy, entertaining read from the Good Buy Girls! As usual Summer Philips has returned with a vengeance…[*sigh*] but I loved this book overall~ Will definitely be returning to this series when I need something more light-hearted 💗
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews