Curl Up & Die: A 1950s Vintage Murder Mystery

by Gloria Hander Lyons

When Sarah Jane Martin’s crazy Aunt Earline decides to take in beauty shop business from the dearly departed at the local funeral home, she winds up scaring one of her living patrons to death—literally. After Mabel Thompson runs screaming in fright from a surprise encounter with one of Earline’s new clients at the Curl Up & Dye Beauty Parlor in Grandby, Texas, circa 1957, she’s found floating in a nearby lake with a bullet hole in the center of her forehead. Soon bodies start piling up, and an elusive, backwoods wild woman is their only witness, newspaper reporter, Sarah Jane, is on the hunt for her first big story and a quest to solve the murder. Join the fun in this vintage and mostly humorous tale of murder, mafia, counterfeiting, Secret Service Agents, local lawmen, psychics, and a touch of romance. In the words of Aunt Earline, “It’s a beauty experience to die for!”

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very cute, quick and easy read. I liked the country, 1950’s setting (I think by now Grandby is probably a Houston suburb. My favorite line in the book is when they needed make a call and weren’t near a phone and someone said she didn’t have one in her purse. Sarah Jane was a likable MC. Overall a fun read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story. Took me back to the world of the 50's. petticoats and all. Good mystery and a happy ending

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. But with spelling errors and too many sayings thrown in to make it move smoothly. Plus halfway through the who done it was pretty warped up and the happy ending was in sight.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery set in the 50s. The characters were all lots of fun and got themselves into some humorous situations. The author gave them all lots of personality, which isn't always easy to do when the story is a short one.

Curl Up & Die is the first thing I have read by the author and I would definitely read more of her works. I would love to see another book with the same characters.

If you like cozies, you will enjoy this one. It is a fun read that is short enough to read on one sitting!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to say the the same thing on every review I write so instead of saying "I enjoyed it" and that I could "identify with the characters" (both of which are completely true)I will say that I hope Gloria Hander Lyons writes a second book and that it is as fun, engaging and "real" as the first one. A nice murder mystery, some romance brewing and a small bit of voodoo make this a read for whiling away the afternoon, perhaps in the chair of the local beauty parlor?

[Heather Canfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but Cheesy

A fun story, but rather cliche at times. I felt like the characters spoke too much and it came across as trite. The plot was interesting, though, even exciting at times.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a little too cutesy

Kind of silly, but not a bad story. I think the author intended the goofy stuff to make it cute, light, and funny. It may have been a bit overdone. I'm not sure I will bother actively searching for more of her books.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable short novel.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this funny and quirky cozy mystery. Had some interesting characters. Was a good and predictable mystery set in the 50's with the right amount of vintage material.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was amusing and entertaining. There were a few profanities.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

this is a great book about small towns in Texas. the humorous story and murders are so well written that an
you can't help to want to read more of this type of book.

[Marj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read, fairly short, and seemed a little rushed, but still enjoyable.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Texas, 1957 and Sarah Jane Martin (budding journalist) and her family keep finding dead bodies in the small town of Grandby.