Murder for Bid

by Susan Furlong-Bolliger, Susan Furlong

Former investment banker, Pippi O’Brien, has turned to resale merchandising for a living. Now, instead of trading on the Chicago Stock Exchange, she rummages through dumpsters, hits garage sales and peruses consignments shops in search of cast-off treasures to sell on-line … that is when she’s not busy playing detective.

Join Pippi as she stumbles upon the mysterious murder of one of Chicago’s wealthiest suburban socialites and piles up a list of suspects and clues as disorganized as her over-stuffed apartment and as messy as her next trash-to-treasure project.

Available in paperback and electronic formats.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

ebook

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Also writing as: Susan Furlong/Lucy Arlington

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Furlong-Bolliger does a nice job of interweaving dialogue and story telling in Murder For Bid. The story telling is compelling and the dialogue flows extremely well. The story as told through the perspective of the main character, Phillipina O'Brien, engages the reader from the start. This is not an overtly serious murder mystery. The author does a good job of lightening the mood throughout the book with "Pippi's" somewhat comical thought patterns and behavior. However, there is enough intrigue to keep the reader guessing "who done it!".
If I hadn't read the author's profile I never would have guessed this was her first novel. I look forward to more works from the author and plan on looking over her other short story murder mysteries as well.

[T.C. Slonaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this isn't a 5 is because it is a murder mystery. Even though the author makes the story very light, though still believable, murder mysteries still make me nervous.

I read the book because my husband loved it. He knows me well. I am strongly character-oriented, and this book has a fantastic main character. Pippi O'Brien is fantastically flawed, and I love it when I cringe during those awkward moments where she does something I would never do. The other characters were also fun, and easy to get into.

The author also did a great job of leaving clues, but keeping the secret until the end of the book so that I was never sure of my "who dun it" guess. Good job, Ms. Furlong-Bolliger!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel in one evening. Yes, the way the dialog flows made the story compelling and made me have to see what happened next. I truly enjoyed the reading experience this book gave me.

We have the main character, whom I fell in love with almost immediately, Pippi O'Brien. Pippi is a former stock trader (Chicago floor,) and now is working hard at being a 'Resale Merchandiser.' Which means she dumpster dives and resells what she finds. Of course, she also goes to yard sales and other venues to find her 'deals.' Pippi isn't rich, however, she is happier than when she was in the 'industry.'

Pippi was busy looking through garbage (legal) at the curbside of an affluent home, when she happens upon a suspicious article of clothing...this is when we learn that Pippi has an over active imagination or is it? Well, when her boyfriend, police detective, Sean Panelli, is called out on a homicide at the very home Pippi had been at...she 'figures out' the first murder scenario in a rollicking fast-paced adventure to find the killer. As the scenarios change, alter, and deepen, Pippi takes us readers on a humorous trip. Can she be correct? Or, is Pippi in danger, after someone plants evidence in her apartment.

This novel was a surprise to me. Especially for a debut novel. Ms. Furlong-Bolliger is a talented author and I certainly look forward to future tales by her.

[Patricia Gligor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pippi O'Brien, the main character in "Murder for Bid" by Susan Furlong Bolliger, is a unique, likeable character with a very active imagination who is determined to make a success of her new resale merchandising business. She rummages through dumpsters and trashcans and scours yard sales and consignment shops to find the items she will refurbish and sell for a profit.
On one of her expeditions, Pippi discovers a very expensive shirt with lipstick stains in a trash can and she concocts her own version of why the shirt was discarded. Her boyfriend, Sean, a detective with the local police force, dismisses her theory but, as time progresses, he comes to realize that Pippi's instincts were dead on.
Will this novel be the first in a mystery series? I certainly hope so.

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.Great story with very likable characters..hoping there will be a book 2..

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine working as an Investment banker and giving up the life-style of one, to reselling merchandise. Oh not just any merchandise, mostly used merchandise from garage sales, consignment sales, "found" items, (usually found in dumpsters).

Meet Pippi O'Brien, dumpster diving diva and her oh so steady boyfriend Sean Panelli, investigative detective with the Chicago P.D. Hang with Pippi and Sean, as they are, (one legally, one not so much), embroiled in a murder in one of Chicago's ritziest neighborhoods. Not just any murder, but one of a Councilman's family member. Richard and Amanda Schmidt seemed to have everything going for them, he has a great career, she has her clubs and fundraisers, they are friends with Judge Reiner and his wife. How could they ask for more? How could one of them end up dead in their beautiful home? How could anyone think that one of them killed their spouse?

Author Susan Bolliger takes us in and out of the life-style of the rich and famous. Into classy country clubs with astonishing golf clubs, into the city itself for a night of wining and dining, into dumpsters and second hand stores, as we follow the trail of murder and who-done-it.

[LeighAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pippi has left the investment world to try and make a living in resale. She digs through dumpsters, visits garage sales and consignment shops looking for treasures that she can sell for a profit or fix up to sell. One day she happens to stumble upon a murder while checking out a Councilman's garbage. Of course she has to play detective and try to solve the case even though her detective boyfriend tells her she needs to back off. All of her questions and prying puts her in danger of becoming the next victim.

This book was hilarious especially for a murder novel. Pippi was such a fun character, I absolutely loved her! I had a great time reading this book and could have devoured it in one sitting if I would have had the time. The author has wonderful potential and I would definitely read more of her work. The only thing that would have made this book perfect was a little more editing. There were a few mistakes here and there but I can overlook them for such a great book. If it wasn't for that this would be a 5 star book. Check this one out for sure if it sounds like something you would enjoy!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pippi O’Brien thinks nothing of combing through Dumpsters and poking around at yard sales in search of discarded treasures—it’s all in the name of business. But when her foray into a trash bin turns up a clue to a sleazy affair, she finds herself embroiled in a twisted murder. Her determination to hunt down the killer, along with her vivid imagination, leads her into some sticky situations. But she’s getting too close for comfort, and soon she’s in mortal danger from a vicious killer. Smooth plotting and humorous dialog charmed me all the way through this delightful, fast-paced cozy. Long live Pippi and this promising new series!