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Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper #10
A Dog Gone Murder
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is getting the dirt on doggy day-care centers, and discovers that one dog-loving local celebrity is really bad to the bone.
Josie has been asked to investigate Uncle Bob’s Doggy Day Camp, known for its commercials featuring Uncle Bob liking dogs so much that he acts like one. But Josie soon learns how Uncle Bob acts when the cameras are off. Her mother’s new tenant, Franklin, who works for Uncle Bob, plans to quit after seeing the man’s true nature. But before he gets the chance, Bob is murdered, and Franklin goes from the doghouse to the big house.
Now it’s up to Josie to clear Franklin’s name. Her investigation reveals that Bob was more of a dog than anyone knew—and had been kicked out of his house for bad behavior. As she digs up new clues, Josie will have to catch the killer quickly, before any more trouble is unleashed.
Includes Shopping Tips!
Josie has been asked to investigate Uncle Bob’s Doggy Day Camp, known for its commercials featuring Uncle Bob liking dogs so much that he acts like one. But Josie soon learns how Uncle Bob acts when the cameras are off. Her mother’s new tenant, Franklin, who works for Uncle Bob, plans to quit after seeing the man’s true nature. But before he gets the chance, Bob is murdered, and Franklin goes from the doghouse to the big house.
Now it’s up to Josie to clear Franklin’s name. Her investigation reveals that Bob was more of a dog than anyone knew—and had been kicked out of his house for bad behavior. As she digs up new clues, Josie will have to catch the killer quickly, before any more trouble is unleashed.
Includes Shopping Tips!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
About the author
Elaine Viets
89 books574 followersAs a young girl, Elaine Viets was taught the virtues of South St. Louis: the importance of hard work, housecleaning, and paying cash. She managed to forget almost everything she learned, which is why she turned to mystery writing.
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 2, 2014
A Dog Gone Murder is the tenth book in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series.
Josie's mystery shopper's assignment this time is to check three Doggie day care centers and the best will get a prestigious Certified Pet Care Center designation.
Josie's first stop is Uncle Bob's Day Camp. Uncle Bob is an icon in St. Louis, what with his ridiculous television commercials, with Ralph the Labradoodle. At first the camp looks it would have everything one would want for their pet, but Josie finds out that in reality, Uncle Bob hates pets and has recently broken the leg of Sharon's dog Angel. A couple days later Josie returns to get more information about Uncle Bob's and finds Bob near death in his office and later dies. The cause of death is poisoning by an item in his lunch's salad. suspicion to Frank, an employee and the tenant in Josie's mom 's duplex, and probably the last to see Bob alive. While continuing to perform her mystery shopping, Josie and her friend, Alyce begin to search for clues as to who might have sent Bob to meet his maker.
This series offers the reader a wonderful cast of characters, too. Josie and Ted are adjusting well to their new marriage. Amelia's tween life is about what is expected. After a disastrous first girl/boy party, two of her fondest dreams come true, One D and new neighbors move in next door and have a boy about Amelia's age.
Looking forward to the book in the series.
Josie's mystery shopper's assignment this time is to check three Doggie day care centers and the best will get a prestigious Certified Pet Care Center designation.
Josie's first stop is Uncle Bob's Day Camp. Uncle Bob is an icon in St. Louis, what with his ridiculous television commercials, with Ralph the Labradoodle. At first the camp looks it would have everything one would want for their pet, but Josie finds out that in reality, Uncle Bob hates pets and has recently broken the leg of Sharon's dog Angel. A couple days later Josie returns to get more information about Uncle Bob's and finds Bob near death in his office and later dies. The cause of death is poisoning by an item in his lunch's salad. suspicion to Frank, an employee and the tenant in Josie's mom 's duplex, and probably the last to see Bob alive. While continuing to perform her mystery shopping, Josie and her friend, Alyce begin to search for clues as to who might have sent Bob to meet his maker.
This series offers the reader a wonderful cast of characters, too. Josie and Ted are adjusting well to their new marriage. Amelia's tween life is about what is expected. After a disastrous first girl/boy party, two of her fondest dreams come true, One D and new neighbors move in next door and have a boy about Amelia's age.
Looking forward to the book in the series.
August 12, 2015
#10 in the Mystery Shopper series. Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is assigned to check out three dog care centers and being a mystery winds up having to solve a murder, but since it's also a cozy, Josie's domestic life needs to be updated. Newlywed Josie is comfortably adjusting to life with Ted. Her tween daughter Amelia is not as comfortably maturing and her first co-ed party is a disaster with inattentive chaperones and freely available sex and alcohol.
#10 - Mystery Shopper series - Josie has been asked to investigate Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Camp, known for its commercials featuring Uncle Bob liking dogs so much that he acts like one. But Josie soon learns how Uncle Bob acts when the cameras are off. Her mother's new tenant, Franklin, who works for Uncle Bob, plans to quit after seeing the man's true nature. But before he gets the chance, Bob is murdered, and Franklin goes from the doghouse to the big house. Now it's up to Josie to clear Franklin's name. Her investigation reveals that Bob was more of a dog than anyone knew--and had been kicked out of his house for bad behavior. As she digs up new clues, Josie will have to catch the killer quickly, before any more trouble is unleashed.
#10 - Mystery Shopper series - Josie has been asked to investigate Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Camp, known for its commercials featuring Uncle Bob liking dogs so much that he acts like one. But Josie soon learns how Uncle Bob acts when the cameras are off. Her mother's new tenant, Franklin, who works for Uncle Bob, plans to quit after seeing the man's true nature. But before he gets the chance, Bob is murdered, and Franklin goes from the doghouse to the big house. Now it's up to Josie to clear Franklin's name. Her investigation reveals that Bob was more of a dog than anyone knew--and had been kicked out of his house for bad behavior. As she digs up new clues, Josie will have to catch the killer quickly, before any more trouble is unleashed.
December 1, 2014
I love this series, Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper and this book was as exciting to read as all the others have been.
At first, I wasn't going to start reading this series because I didn't think I would enjoy reading about a single mother, mystery shopper, but I was wrong!
Possible spoiler starts here
Like all of this author's books, great research went into it. In this book, the issues dealt with were dog spas and daycares (behind the scene), and I really enjoyed it since I love animals. She also dealt with drinking and AA, and tween issues such as peer pressure and drug use.
I read cozy mysteries because sometimes I enjoy mysteries without the gory details and love happy endings. This book was no exception to those points. And after reading all the books in this series, I have gotten to know all the main characters well and enjoy keeping track of their lives from book to book.
With no exception, the author included a shopping tips section at the end of the book. In this book, the tips had to do with finding a safe dog spa/daycare. She also includes very unique ideas to pamper your canine companion.
Happy reading!
At first, I wasn't going to start reading this series because I didn't think I would enjoy reading about a single mother, mystery shopper, but I was wrong!
Possible spoiler starts here
Like all of this author's books, great research went into it. In this book, the issues dealt with were dog spas and daycares (behind the scene), and I really enjoyed it since I love animals. She also dealt with drinking and AA, and tween issues such as peer pressure and drug use.
I read cozy mysteries because sometimes I enjoy mysteries without the gory details and love happy endings. This book was no exception to those points. And after reading all the books in this series, I have gotten to know all the main characters well and enjoy keeping track of their lives from book to book.
With no exception, the author included a shopping tips section at the end of the book. In this book, the tips had to do with finding a safe dog spa/daycare. She also includes very unique ideas to pamper your canine companion.
Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2016
This is the tenth book in the series and the first book that I have read. It can be read as a standalone as I had no problem understanding the characters. The description of the area and activities was complete. I understood the descriptions of the dog day businesses. I especially like the lawyer, Renzo Fisher. There is information that I found hard to credit. There is first-class information on selecting a day care or kennel for your animal.
Josie is a mystery shopper. Her assignment is to inspect 3 doggy day care facilities. who are looking for a certificate of merit? Josie's Mother's tenant, Frank is working at, Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Care. He is involved in an incident where a senior dog is hurt by Uncle Bob. Frank stays employed to watch over the dog, Josie leaves at the facilities. He resigned when he knew the dog was safe.
Uncle Bob is poison by azalea 's leaves. The police decided the Frank is guilty of the crime due to circumstance evidence. Josie begins to explore the event looking for the killer. I will read more of this series. I recommend this book
Josie is a mystery shopper. Her assignment is to inspect 3 doggy day care facilities. who are looking for a certificate of merit? Josie's Mother's tenant, Frank is working at, Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Care. He is involved in an incident where a senior dog is hurt by Uncle Bob. Frank stays employed to watch over the dog, Josie leaves at the facilities. He resigned when he knew the dog was safe.
Uncle Bob is poison by azalea 's leaves. The police decided the Frank is guilty of the crime due to circumstance evidence. Josie begins to explore the event looking for the killer. I will read more of this series. I recommend this book
May 26, 2017
I'm finding that I really enjoy reading cozy mysteries that have animals in them, and this one was good. The mystery was okay, but I liked the set up (the mystery shopper aspect) and will have to check out the others books in the series.
February 1, 2019
Okay main mystery but I am beginning to really not like the character of Amelia, Josie's awful daughter. She sort of ruins the books for me. Thank goodness for Ted. A happy ending for Josie (eventually Amelia will grow up, go away, and have a life of her own - something to look forward to).
Read
November 20, 2014I’ve learned to expect a fast-paced adventure, full of twists, turns, surprises, and wit, and to clear my calendar before beginning a book by Elaine Viets. Secret shopper Josie involves family and family pets in her investigation of doggie day care, and finds shocking conditions . . . and a murder. When Frank Hyzy, Jane’s “just a renter” friend, is arrested, Jane asks Josie to help him, resulting in danger, suspense, and action, leavened with love and humor.
Amelia helps with computer searches, and faces her own teen issues with out-of-control parties and mean girls — what a role model on how how a teen extricates herself safely from a bad party. Thinking now about cell phones — how did we stay safe before we had them?
Along the way, there are lessons in botany (azalea leaves are poisonous but bitter), geology (Precambrian Period = 4 billion years, how long some waits feel) and how to pick good day care for dogs.
This is part of the Mystery Shopper series, but can be read as a stand-alone, with enough “catch-up” information to follow the story without spoiling earlier books in case a reader wants to go back to the beginning.
Amelia helps with computer searches, and faces her own teen issues with out-of-control parties and mean girls — what a role model on how how a teen extricates herself safely from a bad party. Thinking now about cell phones — how did we stay safe before we had them?
Along the way, there are lessons in botany (azalea leaves are poisonous but bitter), geology (Precambrian Period = 4 billion years, how long some waits feel) and how to pick good day care for dogs.
This is part of the Mystery Shopper series, but can be read as a stand-alone, with enough “catch-up” information to follow the story without spoiling earlier books in case a reader wants to go back to the beginning.
November 10, 2014
Josie's job of shopping doggie day care's made me laugh. The options available made me wish that I was a pampered pooch instead of a human.
I liked how Josie's family life is changing. Amelia is in that odd age when parents become evil. I hated seeing that as the girls were close and had a good relationship. When trouble came to Amelia and her friend I loved that she made the right decision and called Josie and Ted. It was the right thing to do, even if it made her not so popular at school. I loved how things played our for Amelia. The old adage of what comes around goes around was very true for Amelia.
Things for Josie's mom were up in the air. It seemed like she was pulling away from Josie, unusual as the two have been very close. I did like how this ended and am glad that Jane is starting a new chapter in her life.
I liked how Josie's family life is changing. Amelia is in that odd age when parents become evil. I hated seeing that as the girls were close and had a good relationship. When trouble came to Amelia and her friend I loved that she made the right decision and called Josie and Ted. It was the right thing to do, even if it made her not so popular at school. I loved how things played our for Amelia. The old adage of what comes around goes around was very true for Amelia.
Things for Josie's mom were up in the air. It seemed like she was pulling away from Josie, unusual as the two have been very close. I did like how this ended and am glad that Jane is starting a new chapter in her life.
May 4, 2015
Elaine Viets background stories are always as interesting and compelling as her murder plots. This is no exception! Mystery Shopping with Josie Marcus is always a learning experience about many different things. Some that we take for granted and some that are totally new ideas. Day care for pets is a new one and even more challenging than finding good day care for your kids. The murder was original and kept us chasing each clue and suspect to the totally surprising ending. Totally entertaining and extremely well plotted, this one takes us to a new level of detecting.
May 18, 2015
I like this series. The characters grow and change and life situations change. Too many series always seem to stay in the same place. Some of the subplot stories were more interesting than the actual murder mystery this time around. In some ways that was good, and not so good in others. Will be interesting to see how Josie's mom's story grows. Not the best in this series, but definitely worth a read.
September 21, 2016
I knew what I was getting into with this series, and it wasn't profundity, but holy heck, where in the world were the editors? The multiple inconsistencies and errors throughout the books drove me far crazier than the banal prose and formulaic plots. Still, I read all of them, didn't I, so much of the blame is on me, which I why I settled on two stars rather than one.
October 10, 2015
Entertaining! Quirky characters and interesting mother-daughter interactions. Plot twists at every turn.
Well written and well plotted mystery. Keeps you changing your mind on “who did it” until the very end….
Well written and well plotted mystery. Keeps you changing your mind on “who did it” until the very end….
July 12, 2016
This, as all other Josie Marcus books, was a great read..but aside from finding a body and solving a murder, it deals with real life issues. Josie's daughter is 12, Josie has just gotten married and moved into a house with her new husband....so life happens along the way!
January 9, 2015
As always, I absolutely LOVE this series. Elaine Viets is a favorite author of mine and she never disappoints.
December 21, 2022
I am a huge fan of the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper Mystery series by Elaine Viets and will miss reading about Josie, her family and her knack for solving murders. Sadly A Dog Gone Murder, the tenth book in the series, is the last book Viets wrote for the series......but she ends the series REMARKABLY !!!
The Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper Mystery series follows Josie Marcus as she is a single mom living in the flat below her mother Jane. Josie is raising her daughter Amelia and the mystery shopping job allows her to work flexible hours so that she can be there for Amelia. As the series progresses Jane continues to get in the middle of murder investigations as well as do the best she can to raise Amelia. Luckily Josie meets Ted who is a veterinarian when he is called to look at Amelia's cat Harry. Ted and Josie fall in love and a few books back they got married. And in the ninth book, Fixing to Die, they bought a house and move in....after Josie solves a murder that took place in their new home.
So now in A Dog Gone Murder Josie is hired to look into a few doggy day care businesses and enlisted the help of her mom's dog, Ted's dog and her best friend Alyce's dog. Unfortunately on one of Josie's visits she goes to ask the owner of Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Camp a few questions on her mystery shopper questionnaire list but finds him unconscious on the floor of his office. Later that evening while watching the news she learns that Uncle Bob did not make it. And to make matters worst Frank, the man who moved into Josie's flat below her mother is taken in and arrested for the murder. Jane is beside herself and asks Josie to please prove his innocence. So Josie being the good daughter that she is begins to dig into Uncle Bob's past as well as his wife's, employees and a few of their clients. Unfortunately the suspect list gets longer rather than shorter and it isn't until Josie is face to face alone with the killer than she realizes her mistake. Luckily she has back-up in a way and the cops show up at exactly the right moment.
Readers will fall in love with Josie, her family and friends, the jobs that she gets hired to mystery shop, and the cases that she gets herself in the middle of. And the way that Viets ends the series will have readers feeling like they read a romance story with a fairy tale ending...... Thank you Elaine for the great stories allowing me to get lost for hours on end.
The Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper Mystery series follows Josie Marcus as she is a single mom living in the flat below her mother Jane. Josie is raising her daughter Amelia and the mystery shopping job allows her to work flexible hours so that she can be there for Amelia. As the series progresses Jane continues to get in the middle of murder investigations as well as do the best she can to raise Amelia. Luckily Josie meets Ted who is a veterinarian when he is called to look at Amelia's cat Harry. Ted and Josie fall in love and a few books back they got married. And in the ninth book, Fixing to Die, they bought a house and move in....after Josie solves a murder that took place in their new home.
So now in A Dog Gone Murder Josie is hired to look into a few doggy day care businesses and enlisted the help of her mom's dog, Ted's dog and her best friend Alyce's dog. Unfortunately on one of Josie's visits she goes to ask the owner of Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Camp a few questions on her mystery shopper questionnaire list but finds him unconscious on the floor of his office. Later that evening while watching the news she learns that Uncle Bob did not make it. And to make matters worst Frank, the man who moved into Josie's flat below her mother is taken in and arrested for the murder. Jane is beside herself and asks Josie to please prove his innocence. So Josie being the good daughter that she is begins to dig into Uncle Bob's past as well as his wife's, employees and a few of their clients. Unfortunately the suspect list gets longer rather than shorter and it isn't until Josie is face to face alone with the killer than she realizes her mistake. Luckily she has back-up in a way and the cops show up at exactly the right moment.
Readers will fall in love with Josie, her family and friends, the jobs that she gets hired to mystery shop, and the cases that she gets herself in the middle of. And the way that Viets ends the series will have readers feeling like they read a romance story with a fairy tale ending...... Thank you Elaine for the great stories allowing me to get lost for hours on end.
December 9, 2020
First, the appropriate celebration - I finished the series! And within a year! I started book one on Dec. 16, 2019 and I finished book 10 late on December 8, 2020. I do read a lot of books, but because I have a lot of read I can maybe at most get to a new book in a series once a month.
The good - Josie actually solves a case through actual detecting (so much so that it become a plot point!)
The bad - Oh the series editing is painful.
1) Previously Jane's age was determined to be 76 when Josie was 31 (Book 7). While this is not even vaguely believable, it was what was written. Now Jane is explicitly stated to be 67 (yes, younger) while Josie is 34. Josie aged 3 years while her mom is now 9 years younger.
2) Amelia is 12 (which she should be older according to her age in book 7) but she is stated to be 12. However, she's in 9th grade. Nope. 9th graders are 14 and 15. She's never skipped a grade, and is explicitly stated to be in the younger half of her age group, but age appropriate. Worse, the book is written as if she's a freshman not a 12 year old. But her age is constantly stressed.
3) Everyone but Justin ages. Justin should be 5 or 6 (maybe older.) He's still a toddler in diapers (so 1-2.)
I know it's nit-picky. But surely somewhere someone has a story board of these characters and should have noticed. It's just frustrating that such obvious issues were allowed to slip by.
The good - Josie actually solves a case through actual detecting (so much so that it become a plot point!)
The bad - Oh the series editing is painful.
1) Previously Jane's age was determined to be 76 when Josie was 31 (Book 7). While this is not even vaguely believable, it was what was written. Now Jane is explicitly stated to be 67 (yes, younger) while Josie is 34. Josie aged 3 years while her mom is now 9 years younger.
2) Amelia is 12 (which she should be older according to her age in book 7) but she is stated to be 12. However, she's in 9th grade. Nope. 9th graders are 14 and 15. She's never skipped a grade, and is explicitly stated to be in the younger half of her age group, but age appropriate. Worse, the book is written as if she's a freshman not a 12 year old. But her age is constantly stressed.
3) Everyone but Justin ages. Justin should be 5 or 6 (maybe older.) He's still a toddler in diapers (so 1-2.)
I know it's nit-picky. But surely somewhere someone has a story board of these characters and should have noticed. It's just frustrating that such obvious issues were allowed to slip by.
June 5, 2017
I've read 9 of the 10 books in this series, and in my opinion this installment was less light-hearted than the others. It dealt with animal abuse and alcoholism, which makes it difficult to still be funny and easy. I'm also disappointed that this appears to be the end of the series. This is my least favorite story in the series.
April 11, 2021
Josie the secret shopper gets her new family involved in a murder.
Josie with her tween age daughter and new husband get involved in rescuing her Mother’s renter from murder charges. Josie has to use her job as a secret shopper to find the clues. Very new age and deals with real life problems of families nowadays. Very well written and very intresting looking forward to more
Josie with her tween age daughter and new husband get involved in rescuing her Mother’s renter from murder charges. Josie has to use her job as a secret shopper to find the clues. Very new age and deals with real life problems of families nowadays. Very well written and very intresting looking forward to more
September 25, 2021
Mystery-shopper Josie Marcus gets to try out doggie day cares (something that matters more to me now than it did before). At the same time, Amelia is navigating mean girls in school, Ted's practice is taking off, Jane may have found true love and, er, said true love may be a murder. Thank heavens for Alyce's determination to keep Josie safe, and nosy neighbors everywhere!
September 30, 2024
Not only are we following Josie on another mystery shopping adventure and solving a murder, but we are getting so much more! Jane is dating again. Josie's friend is expecting her second child. Josie's daughter is dealing with mean girls at school, wild parties, and getting to go to her dream concert. Josie was offered a job as a PI; I personally think she should take it.
December 13, 2018
Another good book - by an author I enjoy. Looks like I've now finished both the Mystery Shopper series and the Dead End Job series. Unless she's written a new one recently in either, I'll have to check out "her darker side" books.
July 22, 2020
Loved this whole series, I have read every one of the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper books. Please tell me there is more coming, i hate to see this end. I love it. Gave all my books to my friend Debbie to read. Great story, fun fresh new ideas in here as well.
March 8, 2021
I hate it when a favorite series ends but this one went out on a strong note and wrapped up well. The mystery was good. I've always liked the characters in this series and this book made me like them even more and wish there were more stories to come.
February 27, 2022
Another amazing entry in the Josie Marcus mystery shopper series of books. Once again, she is able to solve the mystery of the murderer and this time, the attorney even suggests that Josie should become a private investigator. If there are more of these books to come, look forward to reading them.
November 18, 2022
This was such a good book to read. I enjoyed it so much!! And I hope it’s not the last one in this series. All the characters are headed in different directions, and there could be many more books.
May 3, 2021
I love this series. This is the last book in series
July 4, 2021
A Dog Gone Murder
What a wonderful story. These mystery shopper book have all been great bu for me this was the best. A cute boy next door really tops it off.
What a wonderful story. These mystery shopper book have all been great bu for me this was the best. A cute boy next door really tops it off.
December 5, 2021
I love this series. A well written mystery that sucks you in.
April 12, 2022
I am enjoying Josie & Jane's adventures. The plot was good & the story moved along quickly.
November 11, 2022
I loved it? I like all her books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews