Wash and Die

Charlotte LaRue Mystery #7

by Barbara Colley

In the seventh in Barbara Colley's engaging mystery series featuring the formidable Charlotte LaRue, an unexpected guest invites murder into Charlotte's home.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Barbara Colley is an award-winning author whose books have been published in sixteen foreign languages. A native of Louisiana, she lives with her family in a suburb of New Orleans. Besides writing and sharing her stories, she loves strolling through the historical New Orleans French Quarter and Garden District, which inspired the setting for her Charlotte La Rue mystery series.

Reviews

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's just something about this series . . . maybe it's the setting. New Orleans is a place I've never visited that has a unique culture. Some of that comes through in the characters. Maybe it's the older protagonist combined with my own advancing years. This particular installment (#7 in the series) I found to be very readable, entertaining, and a bit more suspenseful. I enjoy spending time with Charlotte LaRue!

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The job of a maid is sometimes thought to be quiet, hard work and mostly boring -- not so for Charlotte LaRue, owner of Maid for a Day cleaning service in New Orleans, LA.

While the work can sometimes be long hours and strenuous, Charlotte’s days are far from boring.

Having survived Hurricane Katrina and looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, Charlotte is soon swept up in the turmoil of a jewelry theft ring, hired killers, a murder and her beloved parakeet Sweety Boy disappears.

This all begins when Charlotte’s kind heart got the better of her and she allowed Joyce Thibodeaux to stay in her guest room a few days. Joyce, fresh out of detox, soon shows her dark side. A gold watch goes missing and before Charlotte can confront her, she finds Joyce dead in her living room and the place is ransacked.

‘Being a person of interest’ in the murder, Charlotte decides she has to find the killer on her own, while also searching for her lost bird. Charlotte’s quest for justice soon puts her in harm’s way as she pieces together the mystery that brings her face to face with the killer.

Charlotte’s rescuer will surprise and amaze you.

Barbara Colley has created a heroine in Charlotte like no other. This heroine is a hard working, middle-aged woman on her own. She is a person readers can relate to and even see themselves in how she handles family, friends, her business, and a life in general.

“Wash and Die” is the seventh installment in the Charlotte LaRue Mystery series. Check out the other titles - Married to the Mop, Maid for Murder, Death Tidies Up, Polished Off, Wiped Out, and Scrub-a-Dub Dead.

Coming in January Charlotte returns in “Dusted to Death.” When Hollywood comes to New Orleans Charlotte gets caught in the middle of another murder.

Charlotte has a front row seat to the drama behind the camera as the film crew uses the home of one of Charlotte’s best clients, Bitsy Duhe. Bitsy only agrees to the shoot as long as Charlotte takes care of her home during the filming.

When the dust settles, what kind of mess will Charlotte find herself in this time?

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
This woman sleuth is intelligent, resourceful, and persistant. Her exploits in investigation are very entertaining.

It is a clean read, stands on its own from the series, and cleans up with an HEA.

It wasn't outstanding, but I really liked it. This series is well worth reading.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte finds her nest door neighbor's ex-wife on her porch asking for help. Not wanting to help Charlotte does help and unknowing has trouble coming. Loved the story and didn't want to put the book down!

[Donna Maeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read, a wonderful cozy, set in New Orleans. I'll look for more by this author.

[Karen D. Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Charlotte LaRue Mysteries. They are some of Mrs. Colleys best work in my opinion. Dont miss this Series!

[Bridget's Quiet Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not a lot I can say about this book. It took me a while to finish it because I had lost interest in reading for a couple days or so..but not because I didn't enjoy it...I just didn't feel like reading. I really enjoyed most of the characters, especially the main character Charlotte. This is the seventh book in a series, but I was able to go into it without an issue and stay up with what was going on. Situations from other books were hinted at, but not to the point that it lost you. This was a cover pick up for me at the library...although I was in the mood for a mystery, this cover is what made me pick it up. So glad I did. I'd be willing to pick up at least one or two other books to see if I like those as well.

[Erika Barney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished reading this book because I hate to leave a story undone, but I had to push myself. The main character, Charlotte LaRue, is a New Orleans maid who happens to solve murder mysteries. A cute premise. This is maybe the 5th or 6th book in the series. Unfortunately, it was very predictable. Also, much of the characters' descriptions in the book were in the form of references to previous books. It seemed as though there was, perhaps, no new character development in this one at all. A very easy read and pleasant enough for an afternoon.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pleasant simple read. Good for waiting in a Dr.s office. Nice mystery and not badly written.
It was slow to get into (just not my kind of mystery) but did get me hooked about midway through. Perfect for a rainy day.

[Mary Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, I dislike these "cosies" where the civilian goes in & solves the crime by doing completely stupid stuff, like the nitwit in this book who poses as a substitute cleaner in a hospital - in the psych ward, no less. Come on!

[Michael crage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of Barbara Colley's books I have read. The pace of the writing is good, but a lot of her occurrences are not very believable. But it was interesting enough that I will read more of the Charlotte LaRue mystdery series.

[Darlene Chisholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte has done it again; she got herself mixed up in a mysterious death but this time at her own home front. I enjoyed how a previous character was at the heart of the mystery which of course took on multiple layers. Great ending too, leaving room for the next great adventure.

[Debbie Mccollum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clean sweep

I have enjoyed all the Charlotte LaRue Mysteries, this one had me going in all directions. She is always in trouble with her niece and she almost gets put in jail. Another winner.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I wouldn't normally rate this book more than four stars, BUT, it's the FIRST clean work of fiction I've read in a very long time. So FIVE stars it is!

[Pam]

07/26/08 rec via bookmooch

[Rose]

F Col

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun quick read. It's fun to go back into stories with characters you know, and care about. Sure fun!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 easy reading

[Dancing Flamingo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable, but not much of a plot.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the series. Wish there were more.

[Robin Resch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the series. This one was the one I liked the most. The one thing that disappointed me was a few things in the book were never answered. Can't wait to read more of Barbara's books.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a modern cozy that actually deals with the murder. I enjoyed it.

[June Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, fun! Grab this book and enjoy!