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Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery #14
Grand, Death, Auto: Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series, Book 14
AN EPIDEMIC OF TEENAGE SUICIDES LEAVES A RURAL COMMUNITY GRIEVING—AND THE DEATH TOLL KEEPS RISING. CAN KIKI GO UNDERCOVER AS AN ART TEACHER AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TO HELP?
SHE SHOULDN'T.
To clear her calendar, Kiki must juggle multiple obligations and make a tough Can she trust her in-laws (including her alcoholic mother-in-law) to take an out-of-state vacation with her kids? To make everything work, Kiki must move in with her OTHER mother-in-law and that's enough to make Kiki want to commit suicide.
Once in place, Kiki suspects these are not just copycat deaths. There's another dynamic at work. Could it be that someone is encouraging vulnerable young adults to take their own lives?
Who would orchestrate something so evil? The perpetrator has to be someone inside the school. Where Kiki is. Alone. Defenseless. But who? And what if the mastermind realizes that Kiki is there to foil him . . . or her? As the body count rises, Kiki finds herself enmeshed in a high school culture full of secrets and crushed dreams.
Can Kiki figure out who is ordering the kids to die in time to save another teen's life? Or will she be the next victim on this cunning killer's hit list?
SHE SHOULDN'T.
To clear her calendar, Kiki must juggle multiple obligations and make a tough Can she trust her in-laws (including her alcoholic mother-in-law) to take an out-of-state vacation with her kids? To make everything work, Kiki must move in with her OTHER mother-in-law and that's enough to make Kiki want to commit suicide.
Once in place, Kiki suspects these are not just copycat deaths. There's another dynamic at work. Could it be that someone is encouraging vulnerable young adults to take their own lives?
Who would orchestrate something so evil? The perpetrator has to be someone inside the school. Where Kiki is. Alone. Defenseless. But who? And what if the mastermind realizes that Kiki is there to foil him . . . or her? As the body count rises, Kiki finds herself enmeshed in a high school culture full of secrets and crushed dreams.
Can Kiki figure out who is ordering the kids to die in time to save another teen's life? Or will she be the next victim on this cunning killer's hit list?
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Published January 16, 2024
443 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Campbell Slan
165 books861 followersNational bestselling and award-winning author Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 18, 2019
Grand, Death, Auto is absolutely awesome! Joanna Campbell Slan's series are among the few that I still reread. The mysteries are always really strong and the characters feel like friends. Kiki is far from perfect, but her friends call her own it when she gets too far out of line. While every book is unique, this one is the most distinct because she officially goes undercover to discover if there is someone behind the high number of suicides in a small high school not far from the Detweiller's farm. As intriguing as the mystery is, it is Kiki, her family, and her friends that ties me to this series. While her involvement in solving murder is unlikely, the books feel realistic. We get just enough daily life and interaction to feel that we know these people, and I for one can not keep from caring about them.
September 18, 2024
Not as much scrapbooking in this one, but enjoyable nevertheless.
June 11, 2020
Another solid work from a good author
A good story, highlighting the issue of teenage suicide. I like that this author uses her books to explore issues that otherwise might not be a focus for us. She brings the reader to awareness with an entertaining read that educates while it delights. Recommended.
A good story, highlighting the issue of teenage suicide. I like that this author uses her books to explore issues that otherwise might not be a focus for us. She brings the reader to awareness with an entertaining read that educates while it delights. Recommended.
Want to read
November 1, 2019DigitalBookSpot
September 13, 2022
Trigger warnings for this book include teen suicide, self harm, and predatory adults, alcoholism, among others. This was a series of disappointments for me. We are back to a copious amount of editing errors. I'm not sure how an author gets her own characters wrong. But at one point she actually refers to Chad's sister but names his first wife instead. That's just one of many editing blunders in this one. They are so frequent they become hard to overlook. The more pressing issue I have with this is the continued degradation of Kiki and Thelma's relationship. This seriously came out of nowhere and makes zero sense. Coupled with the fact that others are witnessing it, supporting Kiki's accounts and still neither Chad nor Louis see fit to take a stance and bring this to a conclusion it's just absurd.
I am sad that the overall series seems to have taken a turn for the worse because honestly the characters are awesome and the loss are pretty decent. But the execution just keeps missing the mark and I find it hard to give them a better rating. I rounded up to 3 🌟 but honestly it's closer to 2.5 🌟 for me.
I am sad that the overall series seems to have taken a turn for the worse because honestly the characters are awesome and the loss are pretty decent. But the execution just keeps missing the mark and I find it hard to give them a better rating. I rounded up to 3 🌟 but honestly it's closer to 2.5 🌟 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
It has been a while since I visited with Kiki and her gang and I am so glad I did. This one was a very sad story line, teenage suicide. Kiki goes undercover as an art teacher to try and figure out the why. She is staying with her evil mother in law and Detweiler seems to be taking his mother's side.
Will they make it?
I love Kiki and her kids, Brawny, and Chad. This one was a little different since it didn't center around the shop as much but the gang from the shop still were characters which I was glad about. I loved this book even though the story line was a tough one to read about. The story was well written with great characters.
Will they make it?
I love Kiki and her kids, Brawny, and Chad. This one was a little different since it didn't center around the shop as much but the gang from the shop still were characters which I was glad about. I loved this book even though the story line was a tough one to read about. The story was well written with great characters.
November 22, 2021
This author hits all the timely issues . . .
. . . with delicacy, grace, and above all, honesty.
Slan, using the foil of Kiki Lowenstein's life, hits all the issues that matter, couching them in a lively tale that does not diminish their importance in any way.
You will enjoy Kiki's exploits; you will love her family - yes, even Thelma - and friends, but you'll be made to think as well. And really, that's always a good thing!
. . . with delicacy, grace, and above all, honesty.
Slan, using the foil of Kiki Lowenstein's life, hits all the issues that matter, couching them in a lively tale that does not diminish their importance in any way.
You will enjoy Kiki's exploits; you will love her family - yes, even Thelma - and friends, but you'll be made to think as well. And really, that's always a good thing!
February 16, 2022
enjoyable as usual
I do like the characters and seeing them develop. But editing seems to be more of a problem in this one. A couple of name changes (including the killer!), many typos, and extra words all contribute to distraction. I will keep reading the series, because I do want to keep knowing what happens.
I do like the characters and seeing them develop. But editing seems to be more of a problem in this one. A couple of name changes (including the killer!), many typos, and extra words all contribute to distraction. I will keep reading the series, because I do want to keep knowing what happens.
April 30, 2022
This is an excellent mystery. Kiki and her family are wonderful as always, with a nasty twist involving Detweiler’s mother. I was tired of Detweiler being clueless about his mother but Brawny and Clancy sure hit the nail on the head about dealing with her. Looking forward to reading #15. This series has gotten better as it has matured.
December 16, 2022
Author Joanna Campbell Slan takes on the difficult subject of teen suicide in her novel Grand, Death, Auto, as well as the complicated matters of family dynamics. The complex characters keep readers fully engaged as the intricate mystery unfolds. Readers will quickly look for the next book in this series.
July 24, 2022
Excellent
I think Joanna did an excellent job of addressing a current problem. The story was well told. There was a major development in Kiki and Chad's relationship. I am curious to see how it plays out in the future.
I think Joanna did an excellent job of addressing a current problem. The story was well told. There was a major development in Kiki and Chad's relationship. I am curious to see how it plays out in the future.
February 5, 2022
This is an excellent murder mystery. Kiki and her family are wonderful as always, with a nasty twist involving Detweiler’s mother. Don’t miss this one!
June 11, 2023
Comments
I had a hard time getting into this book. Once I got into it I enjoyed the contents. I feel tis would be a good book for all teenagers to read. It was very enlightening.
I had a hard time getting into this book. Once I got into it I enjoyed the contents. I feel tis would be a good book for all teenagers to read. It was very enlightening.
March 7, 2024
anticlimactic
Not even sure what happened. Love the story and the characters, but the plot conclusion is thin, like an afterthought.
Not even sure what happened. Love the story and the characters, but the plot conclusion is thin, like an afterthought.
November 18, 2024
Grand,Death, Auto
Great book can't pull it down. I hated her mother in law. I was wonder if there is something wrong with her. I was a nice ending
Great book can't pull it down. I hated her mother in law. I was wonder if there is something wrong with her. I was a nice ending
May 27, 2025
This was an exciting story with lots of romance and angst in addition to a murder. I am really enjoying the Kiki Lowenstein series. The writing is excellent and the characters are fun.
October 7, 2025
good one, but I'm REALLY sick of Thelma
March 20, 2024
I generally love the Kiki Lowenstein books. The characters are well developed, and I truly feel like I know them. I was originally drawn to the books because Kiki was a scrap booker and crafter. However, this book went a step further with Kiki going undercover as a art teacher. As a retired art teacher, I felt the portrayal of Kiki's duties as an art teacher didn't come across as authentic. The way she would interact with the first class students seemed real, but she would have had 4 or 5 classes like that. The prep period was also ok, and she may have had a study hall like the computer lab. The other thing that seemed unreal to me was the portfolios the first period students were working on. An art portfolio should have been a collection of pictures and descriptions of art projects each student had completed. That brings up one other complication. How do you have an art class that never does hands on art projects? Totally unreal!
August 27, 2021
Suicide
Suicides happen every day. We don't know why people feel that is their only option but when a bunch of teenagers from the same school do this Kiki is asked to help. Read how she works to find the reason. Read!
Suicides happen every day. We don't know why people feel that is their only option but when a bunch of teenagers from the same school do this Kiki is asked to help. Read how she works to find the reason. Read!
October 19, 2019
This is number 14 in the series, and they just keep getting better and better.
The theme of this book is the role of the internet in manipulating teenagers into harming themselves. Unfortunately, the role of the internet in spreading harm and lies is something we all live with everyday.
The other theme is mother-in-law manipulation. My own mother-in-law tried to break us up for 33 years, and then, somehow lost the urge. She actually told me to drop dead, and mailed me five grave plots, one for me, my husband, and the three kids,
Kiki has one of the worst mother-in-laws to contend with, but fortunately has a wonderful support system to deal with the situation, three wonderful children, a former secret agent Nanny, Brawny, wonderful co-workers, other in-laws, and of course, a husband.
I have friends whose husbands are never on their side, practically bankrupting their families to make sure mommy dearest gets whatever she doesn't really need, but wants.
So, it's interesting to see how she handles the attempt to break up her husband's third marriage, and whether or not the woman wins again.
Joanna Campbell Slan has the ability to bring up real issues, actually the kind of issues many of us read to forget, but to make them compelling enough so you read as fast as you can to find out how things are resolved.
Loved the book. I admit, I never have made a scrapbook, I keep my photos in a drawer or on my phone, but I'm considering making one, just haven't gotten around to it.
My daughter is getting married. Her wedding was hijacked by her mother-in-law, along with attempts to take over every aspect of her life and keep control of her son, although she does it with over the top love, not invective. Still, I'm recommending she read the series.
The theme of this book is the role of the internet in manipulating teenagers into harming themselves. Unfortunately, the role of the internet in spreading harm and lies is something we all live with everyday.
The other theme is mother-in-law manipulation. My own mother-in-law tried to break us up for 33 years, and then, somehow lost the urge. She actually told me to drop dead, and mailed me five grave plots, one for me, my husband, and the three kids,
Kiki has one of the worst mother-in-laws to contend with, but fortunately has a wonderful support system to deal with the situation, three wonderful children, a former secret agent Nanny, Brawny, wonderful co-workers, other in-laws, and of course, a husband.
I have friends whose husbands are never on their side, practically bankrupting their families to make sure mommy dearest gets whatever she doesn't really need, but wants.
So, it's interesting to see how she handles the attempt to break up her husband's third marriage, and whether or not the woman wins again.
Joanna Campbell Slan has the ability to bring up real issues, actually the kind of issues many of us read to forget, but to make them compelling enough so you read as fast as you can to find out how things are resolved.
Loved the book. I admit, I never have made a scrapbook, I keep my photos in a drawer or on my phone, but I'm considering making one, just haven't gotten around to it.
My daughter is getting married. Her wedding was hijacked by her mother-in-law, along with attempts to take over every aspect of her life and keep control of her son, although she does it with over the top love, not invective. Still, I'm recommending she read the series.
January 12, 2020
Kiki and Detweiler are making a good life together with Anya, Erik and baby Ty. A colleague of Detweiler’s from Illinois comes to ask for help investigating a string of suicides across the river. They don’t want to get involved but circumstances set a change of events in motion to change their minds.
Kiki fills in as an art teacher substitute at the high school and she, Detweiler, Brawny and Ty stay with the in-laws, Thelma and Louis.
Thelma causes real problems. Detweiler is put in a major case squad back in St. Louis and isn’t available. Kiki is frustrated by lack of progress.
This was a bit terrifying in regards to to evil behind the suicides or attempts. Kiki gets into real danger as she is trying to find answers.
There were some real clues in the details. I caught them and suspected the perpetrator just not the why.
I really love all the main characters in the Kiki Lowenstein mysteries. I could do without Thelma. I have read most of the main novels but only a few of the novellas that take place between books.
Joanna Campbell Slan is a creative storyteller and I definitely recommend the Kiki Lowenstein series.
Kiki fills in as an art teacher substitute at the high school and she, Detweiler, Brawny and Ty stay with the in-laws, Thelma and Louis.
Thelma causes real problems. Detweiler is put in a major case squad back in St. Louis and isn’t available. Kiki is frustrated by lack of progress.
This was a bit terrifying in regards to to evil behind the suicides or attempts. Kiki gets into real danger as she is trying to find answers.
There were some real clues in the details. I caught them and suspected the perpetrator just not the why.
I really love all the main characters in the Kiki Lowenstein mysteries. I could do without Thelma. I have read most of the main novels but only a few of the novellas that take place between books.
Joanna Campbell Slan is a creative storyteller and I definitely recommend the Kiki Lowenstein series.
January 29, 2020
A good story about a town high school that had a lot of student attempting or succeeding to commit suicide. Every parent was worried. Detwiler a cop and his wife Kiki were worried to because their oldest daughter said some students were saying they thought it was romantic how the one boy professed his love for one of the girls who died . Kiki decided to help and do some "undercover work" at the high school for the end of the year. Hoping to find out why the kids were doing this and who was pushing them to do this. Kiki also has a nightmare of a mother in law she dealing with too . The advice she gets from her nanny and best friend may help someone out in real life with the same issues. Kiki was insisting she was going to find our before the last day of school the what why and who of it all.
June 23, 2021
This book was written about a very difficult subject matter, teen suicide. However, these teen suicides weren't just a coincidence. A trusted teacher, Alex Bowman, had set up a "Blue Whale Challenge" where he targeted his senior students to complete 50 challenges and then kill themselves. Luckily, Kiki was able to help solve the suicide case with Brawny, Detweiler, and a few others.
The lead up to the conclusion was at a good pace. The actual conclusion was rather too fast for me though.
Other problems that Kiki faced was Thelma. I really don't know why Thelma has to be such a bitch, but she really is. Kiki also had to trust Sheila and Robbie with taking Anya and Erik on a vacation to Disney World and family friendly cruise. The kids had a great time, and I thought it was good for all adults involved for the trip to happen.
The lead up to the conclusion was at a good pace. The actual conclusion was rather too fast for me though.
Other problems that Kiki faced was Thelma. I really don't know why Thelma has to be such a bitch, but she really is. Kiki also had to trust Sheila and Robbie with taking Anya and Erik on a vacation to Disney World and family friendly cruise. The kids had a great time, and I thought it was good for all adults involved for the trip to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
Teaching a High School class two weeks before year end.
Kiki is the most amazing wife, mother, friend and business owner. She is spending two weeks at her mother-in-law’s home in order to do this teaching. There are suicides mounting in this School and Kiki becomes part of the team to try to find out who is behind this dreadful reality. As always Kiki’s heart and mind are engaged and she works well with the rest of the team. The answer is found and the culprit as well. Love the 14th book in the series.
Kiki is the most amazing wife, mother, friend and business owner. She is spending two weeks at her mother-in-law’s home in order to do this teaching. There are suicides mounting in this School and Kiki becomes part of the team to try to find out who is behind this dreadful reality. As always Kiki’s heart and mind are engaged and she works well with the rest of the team. The answer is found and the culprit as well. Love the 14th book in the series.
September 17, 2019
It’s another Home Run
I have read all of the Kiki stories and love them all. The characters are three-dimensional and have lives I can relate to. I’m a therapist who works with teenagers and many of them are suicidal and/or self-harm. It is a national issue and I think it’s getting worse. I liked the way Joanna explores this issue and agree that we need to do more to help our children with this issue. It breaks my heart to think of the pain they suffering. Thanks for writing this story.
I have read all of the Kiki stories and love them all. The characters are three-dimensional and have lives I can relate to. I’m a therapist who works with teenagers and many of them are suicidal and/or self-harm. It is a national issue and I think it’s getting worse. I liked the way Joanna explores this issue and agree that we need to do more to help our children with this issue. It breaks my heart to think of the pain they suffering. Thanks for writing this story.
September 3, 2019
I love Kiki. And I admire author Joanna Campbell Slan for her always being socially relevant. This mystery focuses on teen suicide, and Kiki goes undercover as an art teacher at the high school where there has been a rash of suicides. Meanwhile, her relationship with her husband’s mother becomes unbearable, and I am eager to see how that gets further resolved in Slan’s next Kiki book. And could we all please have a Brawny to help us through life!
January 4, 2024
Quick read
Another great story involving Kiki. It wrapped up too quickly at the end for me. I wanted a bit more on Thelma and what Chad is going to do but still enjoyable.
I preordered but didn't get the corrected version. I tried everything, even emailed Sally for help but didn't hear back. It made it especially difficult to read which kind of soured me in this one but I'm sure it would have been great had I been able to get the corrected version of the book.
Another great story involving Kiki. It wrapped up too quickly at the end for me. I wanted a bit more on Thelma and what Chad is going to do but still enjoyable.
I preordered but didn't get the corrected version. I tried everything, even emailed Sally for help but didn't hear back. It made it especially difficult to read which kind of soured me in this one but I'm sure it would have been great had I been able to get the corrected version of the book.
January 31, 2020
Review of Grand, Death, Auto
Span has portrayed her main character very nicely. As I had a mother-in-law just like she does, it made her a very sympathetic character. A business owner, a mother of three, one an infant, then volunteering to go undercover in a high school to find out why a rash of suicides are happening, makes her life a veritable whirlwind! All of that while having to stay at her hateful mother-in-law"s!!! Pandemonium ensues.
Span has portrayed her main character very nicely. As I had a mother-in-law just like she does, it made her a very sympathetic character. A business owner, a mother of three, one an infant, then volunteering to go undercover in a high school to find out why a rash of suicides are happening, makes her life a veritable whirlwind! All of that while having to stay at her hateful mother-in-law"s!!! Pandemonium ensues.
February 5, 2020
Great
I would like to read the entire series. The author lets the reader get to know the characters and they become very real. The ending was a complete surprise! There are a few problems with the book,mostly that it needed some editing. It was also fairly long for a cozy mystery. The whole nursing part could have been left out without changing the book in any way. Most of it didn't make sense anyway, so it was a put off. I would still read more by this author.
I would like to read the entire series. The author lets the reader get to know the characters and they become very real. The ending was a complete surprise! There are a few problems with the book,mostly that it needed some editing. It was also fairly long for a cozy mystery. The whole nursing part could have been left out without changing the book in any way. Most of it didn't make sense anyway, so it was a put off. I would still read more by this author.
September 23, 2019
Thoughtful and provocative
This series gets better as it goes along. #14 is not only a good mystery, it also is enlightening on the subject of teen suicide — a timely topic right now. I was riveted by the subject matter and I love the characters and their lives develop in each installment.
This series gets better as it goes along. #14 is not only a good mystery, it also is enlightening on the subject of teen suicide — a timely topic right now. I was riveted by the subject matter and I love the characters and their lives develop in each installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews