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Critically acclaimed screenwriter debuts the first in the Liza Radley Housewife Detective Chronicles "Mattison’s writing is crisp, snappy, witty, and deeply entertaining—I was hooked right on the first page" "It crackles with funny one-liners and wry humor. " New York Book Pundit "Mattison writes with a quirky, funny style that kept me engaged through the entire story." Beckstar Reviews When Liza Radley realizes it’s cheatin’ season and no self-respecting detective’s gonna spy on her husband for the $800 and change she has hidden in a plastic soap dish, she does what any normal transplanted Georgia Peach would do--she becomes a private eye. While downing her fourth maple-glazed curbside, Liza discovers “Eye Spy”, a shop for the self-motivated sleuth in the heart of Boston. Inspiration strikes and she enters the world of Jack Parella, the owner/operator who talks like Humphrey Bogart but with a Southie accent and is more than willing to train Liza in the ways of amateur sleuthing, while simultaneously infuriating and titillating her. Though Liza starts the journey intending to rebuild her crumbling suburban life, she finds herself thrust into a fiery mystery as head of "Crimes of the Heart Detective Agency" with Parella by her side. Thus our dynamic duo is primed for their next adventure.
277 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2013
19 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Mattison
4 books11 followersMattison started her career in Chicago appearing on television and radio. She founded founded Cheshire Smile Productions, bringing to life and penning her first feature film FISH WITHOUT A BICYCLE, a festival winning coming of age comedy which was directed by Brian Austin Green. “Fish” is now available on Netflix. Mattison also wrote Cheshire’s second release THE THIRD WISH now available at Blockbuster and distributed by the Hallmark Channel.
Lionsgate’s FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY, based on a true story of Jewish gangsters set in the 1970’s starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Edward Furlong and Jeffrey Tambor was also produced and written by Mattison. Most recently Jenna has written a TV movie called COMMITTED, which wrapped production this spring to premiere on television this fall. Her debut novel The Tree Of Jesse, a paranormal romantic thriller, was released this spring, available worldwide. Mattison next novel is Eye Spy the first in a comedic romantic suspense series available this summer.
Lionsgate’s FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY, based on a true story of Jewish gangsters set in the 1970’s starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Edward Furlong and Jeffrey Tambor was also produced and written by Mattison. Most recently Jenna has written a TV movie called COMMITTED, which wrapped production this spring to premiere on television this fall. Her debut novel The Tree Of Jesse, a paranormal romantic thriller, was released this spring, available worldwide. Mattison next novel is Eye Spy the first in a comedic romantic suspense series available this summer.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 11, 2014
It was funny from the get-go without being silly; that's a big plus for me. Protagonist Liza evolves from a too-complacent housewife (who isn't cut out to be a homemaker) into an accidental private investigator with an unattached hunk for a partner, when her girlfriends insist her husband is cheating. Liza sets out to prove them wrong, and the adventures that come of her efforts are sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious, and so totally believable she has made me a fan in search of the next book.
August 1, 2013
Hilarious!! Can't wait to read the next one!!
February 27, 2014
Loved the entire book!
July 24, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 5 out of 5 Stars.
Part comedy, part mystery, Eye Spy by Jenna Mattison is a fun; contemporary tale of a married woman who finds out her husband's a cheater and somehow ends up becoming a private detective. With likable characters, witty dialogue and a good supporting cast, Ms. Mattison's book had me turning the pages from beginning to end. While there is a small mystery, it's the comedy in the book that not only had me laughing out loud but made me fall in love with the characters.
The wife of a podiatrist, Liza Radley can't believe her friends think her husband's cheating on her. Just to prove them wrong, Liza decides to hire a private detective to spy on him. Only she can't afford the $5000 retainer fee. Deciding to do it herself, after all how hard could it be, Liza ends up at Eye Spy, a store specializing in electronic surveillance equipment. Shocked when her friends turn out to be right, Liza finds herself filling for divorce and helping another woman check up on her husband.
Jack Parella was forced to give up his badge as a Boston detective due to an injury received in the line of duty. Running a store specializing in surveillance equipment is his way of staying on touch with his "cop" roots. Attracted to a client who's determined to prove her husband is not a cheater, Jack is both saddened and relieved when Liza discovers her husband is a looser; he's relieved she's going to be free and available but saddened to realize she now thinks every man is a cheating looser. Determined to prove her wrong, Jack agrees to be partners on a case she took on while in his store.
The scenes between Liza and Jack are a riot. They have great verbal give and take, and it's really fun watching a former cop, who's a big fan of film noir, chatting it up with a woman mostly stuck in the 80's. It helps that Liza is completely hopeless when it comes to using verbal clichés and always gets them wrong. Ms. Mattison does an excellent job developing both characters, separately and together, and it's great to watch Liza realize she had given up on her dreams and desires for someone else. Watching her sort of fall back in love with herself and with her ideas was really great.
Will Liza and Jack prove their client's husband is faithful or a cheater? Will Liza realize she wants to be a "private eye" for real? You'll have to read Private Eye to find out, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading what Ms. Mattison puts these characters through next.
Part comedy, part mystery, Eye Spy by Jenna Mattison is a fun; contemporary tale of a married woman who finds out her husband's a cheater and somehow ends up becoming a private detective. With likable characters, witty dialogue and a good supporting cast, Ms. Mattison's book had me turning the pages from beginning to end. While there is a small mystery, it's the comedy in the book that not only had me laughing out loud but made me fall in love with the characters.
The wife of a podiatrist, Liza Radley can't believe her friends think her husband's cheating on her. Just to prove them wrong, Liza decides to hire a private detective to spy on him. Only she can't afford the $5000 retainer fee. Deciding to do it herself, after all how hard could it be, Liza ends up at Eye Spy, a store specializing in electronic surveillance equipment. Shocked when her friends turn out to be right, Liza finds herself filling for divorce and helping another woman check up on her husband.
Jack Parella was forced to give up his badge as a Boston detective due to an injury received in the line of duty. Running a store specializing in surveillance equipment is his way of staying on touch with his "cop" roots. Attracted to a client who's determined to prove her husband is not a cheater, Jack is both saddened and relieved when Liza discovers her husband is a looser; he's relieved she's going to be free and available but saddened to realize she now thinks every man is a cheating looser. Determined to prove her wrong, Jack agrees to be partners on a case she took on while in his store.
The scenes between Liza and Jack are a riot. They have great verbal give and take, and it's really fun watching a former cop, who's a big fan of film noir, chatting it up with a woman mostly stuck in the 80's. It helps that Liza is completely hopeless when it comes to using verbal clichés and always gets them wrong. Ms. Mattison does an excellent job developing both characters, separately and together, and it's great to watch Liza realize she had given up on her dreams and desires for someone else. Watching her sort of fall back in love with herself and with her ideas was really great.
Will Liza and Jack prove their client's husband is faithful or a cheater? Will Liza realize she wants to be a "private eye" for real? You'll have to read Private Eye to find out, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading what Ms. Mattison puts these characters through next.
July 25, 2014
Meh...
Pros: Lively story line
Cons: Poor editing
Author tries too hard to make Liza a "character": intentionally skewed cliches, overeater, weight problem, exercise impaired, bored pampered housewife. Too many stock pieces, so that the reader has trouble discerning any true character. She just ends up a mishmash of mystery cliches.
Jack is only marginally better, but again, stock character. Handsome, rugged, but vulnerable former cop with a soft spot for a ditzy woman that he helps and ends up taking on as a business partner.
I kept hoping it would get better, and that the characters would become more authentic, but it never happened.
Not a series I'm likely to continue reading.
Pros: Lively story line
Cons: Poor editing
Author tries too hard to make Liza a "character": intentionally skewed cliches, overeater, weight problem, exercise impaired, bored pampered housewife. Too many stock pieces, so that the reader has trouble discerning any true character. She just ends up a mishmash of mystery cliches.
Jack is only marginally better, but again, stock character. Handsome, rugged, but vulnerable former cop with a soft spot for a ditzy woman that he helps and ends up taking on as a business partner.
I kept hoping it would get better, and that the characters would become more authentic, but it never happened.
Not a series I'm likely to continue reading.
September 4, 2016
Sorry if this shows up as a duplicate - I didn't realize my husband was logged in when I posted my review
I love, love, love this book and it's lead character Liza. She's spunky, complex, and fun to watch as she finds her feet again. This book is about what you can do when you reluctantly get the chance to have a do-over. Her new PI partner Jack is mysterious and sexy - who wouldn't be tempted to make him a part of their new and exciting life? So excited about this series!
I love, love, love this book and it's lead character Liza. She's spunky, complex, and fun to watch as she finds her feet again. This book is about what you can do when you reluctantly get the chance to have a do-over. Her new PI partner Jack is mysterious and sexy - who wouldn't be tempted to make him a part of their new and exciting life? So excited about this series!
August 19, 2014
Liza Radley stays home now that she has put her podiatrist husband through school and he has set up a successful practice. When her friends convince her to be suspicious that her husband is having an affair, she sets out to prove them wrong.
Liza is a bit naive of the 'real world', but she deals with it with a sense of humor... and lots of carbs. This was a light read - no dead bodies, no erotic sex, just a bit of a light jaunt. I did enjoy it.
First in a series.
Liza is a bit naive of the 'real world', but she deals with it with a sense of humor... and lots of carbs. This was a light read - no dead bodies, no erotic sex, just a bit of a light jaunt. I did enjoy it.
First in a series.
January 6, 2014
The dedication of this book--"To Mommy who smells sweeter than anyone I know. And to my beloved R.R., without you I could never do anything that I do," was so stomach churning that I could not face reading this.
April 6, 2014
A silly mystery book that was at times a little over the top but it also made me laugh. There was a little bit of bad language that I didn't appreciate.
October 21, 2015
Eye Spy review
Eye Spy is the very funny first book in the Lisa Radley Housewife Detective series written by author Jenna Mattison.
Eye Spy is the very funny first book in the Lisa Radley Housewife Detective series written by author Jenna Mattison.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews