Swag Bags and Swindlers

Haley Randolph #8

by Dorothy Howell

Haley Randolph’s 25th birthday is just around the corner, and the full-time fashionista knows it might be time to edge into being an “adult.” All she has to do is ace the upcoming performance review for her hot L.A. event-planning gig, and she can finally quit her credit card-paying job at Holt’s Department Store. She just has to make sure absolutely nothing goes wrong with the big party she’s planning for a Hollywood retirement home... It really should be a fun bash—Hollywood Haven is home to a spunky group of retired actors, screenwriters, musicians, dancers, and other entertainers who have been in the biz for their whole lives. But when Haley finds Derrick Ellery, the home’s assistant director, sprawled on his bloody office floor, she sees her hope of keeping her job—not to mention the dream of owning a Sassy, the season’s hottest handbag—vanishing before her eyes. Quietly finding the killer is Haley’s only hope…but it turns out the list of suspects is longer than her last credit card statement. It seems Derrick made a lot of enemies and had somehow become wealthy far beyond what was possible with his salary—but how? To make matters worse, Haley’s kind-of-ex-boyfriend Ty is now a suspect in a different murder, and she just knows he couldn’t have done it. Solving two murders while planning the perfect party—and always keeping her sights on a Sassy—won’t be easy…especially now that there’s more than one killer ready to select Haley’s final outfit!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Dorothy Howell writes for two publishing houses, in two genres, under two names. She writes mysteries as Dorothy Howell historical romance novels under the pseudonym Judith Stacy.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Does Starbucks pay Dorothy Howell? Because they totally should. I drink my coffee black but every time I read a Haley Randolph Mystery her obsession with Starbucks's mocha fraps suddenly gets me seriously craving a mocha frap.
My chocolate consumption also heavily spikes.
This was a fun reminder of why I love this series so much. Haley Randolph and I would never make it as friends in real life (her work ethic still drives me bonkers) but I absolutely love how the author takes such a seemingly shallow woman and gives her inner drive and depth.
A fun mystery with some creative side characters and actually a fairy well hidden villain though I found the motivation a bit of a stretch. As I often say, crazy only goes so far.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Haley Randolph mystery, this time centering at a retirement home where Haley is in charge of the 50th anniversary gala. Haley seems to have grown up some in this book although I still don't get the Starbucks obsession. Good mystery, a surprising culprit and a cliff hangerish ending. I received an arc copy of this book from the author.

[Carol Beyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across the Haley Randolph series a couple of years ago. When I read my first Haley Randolph book, I was hooked immediately! Dorothy Howell has created an enduring character that cracks me up in every chapter she writes. Her antics to get our of work at Holt's Department Store are very creative and I adore Bella and her artistic hairstyles. The only bad part about this series is that I'm becoming addicted to purses and I always want to Google the latest purse fashion that Haley is determined to find.

Swag Bags and Swindlers was a fun read. Haley was very busy this book as she was trying to solve two murders and deal with some pesky protesters at the Holt's Store. (FYI: Yea Haley! for a brilliant solution to the protester problem!) If you haven't checked out a Haley Randolph book, do so! You will not regret it.

[Sallee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it amusing and irritating at the same time. The main character is who I found irritating and I sure wouldn't want to work with her. I don't see how she gets anything done as she avoids working as much as possible. She works two jobs but even then she only does so to allow her to buy designer purses which is her obsession. Some people may find this a fun thing but I didn't like it. Yes, I know this is a cozy so it can test the bounds of realistic living but this went too far for my tastes

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!

I didn’t know what to expect when I got this book, but I’m happy I did, because I liked it a lot. Excellent writing, fun characters, and a easy read. I gave it four stars only because I didn’t think the ending of the book was great. But other than that it was pretty darn good!

[Angela Verdenius · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many mysteries can Haley handle at once - especially when one is a shocker involving her Mum? Read and find out! And how many hot men can she juggle at once? Let's see...there's three. There was four,but now he's her hot friend and has a girlfriend he's really happy with, but that still leaves Haley with 3 hot men. I know which one I'd be choosing! So what happens? Read and find out! Love this series - fun, the heroine isn't perfect (but she does reveal a thoughtful side now and again which is endearing). Watching for the next in the series.

[Marcia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever given a book a 1 star til now. This to me is a poorly written cozy mystery. The author, to me, is insulting to older people when she describes them in the retirement home. Then after I stick with the book, she doesn't give it a ending. Guess I will never know if the main character gets back with her BF or not cause I will never read another one of this author's books.

[Linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The secondary characters were interesting. The plot was inconsistent and did not make sense.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of this book was the last 2 chapters. The rest took forever to read. These books usually take me 1 maybe 1 1/2 days to read. This one took 6 days.

[Nancy J. Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very compelling. I gave up about 75% through.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a real struggle when I don't like a main character. After landing her dream job, she spends more time working hard to avoid work and just hoping that things work out. I liked the story, and the other characters, but the main character is just off-putting to me.

[Cohern7287 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve can’t remember the last time I gave a one star rating to a book. I thought the main character was so absurd. I also got very tired of the writing with too many sentences containing hyphenated phrases! Once or twice is okay but employing it constantly was a real turn off to me.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this series.

[Amy Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a fun, quick read!

[DJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring and tedious

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors is Dorothy Howell. I love her Haley Randolph Mysteries series and was anxious to read Swag Bags and Swindlers as soon as it came out. This series has everything that I like in a book:1) a funny female sleuth, 2) "hot" looking guys, 3) quirky friends, 4) a mystery to solve. Howell makes it easy to read her books as stand alones by giving readers basic information without boring her regular readers. In this book, regular readers will get some answers to Ty's odd behavior and car accident in Palmdale. I thoroughly enjoyed Howell's latest edition to the series and I stayed up past one a.m. so I could finish reading it in one sitting! Every time I finish reading about Haley's adventures I feel the same way. I have Haley withdrawal and can't wait to read what happens to her next! Oh crap.........

[mandyfujita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haley Randolph is almost a permanent employee of L.A. Affairs. She will get a benefits package if she can ace her performance review. She not only has the 50th anniversary gala for Hollywood Haven to plan, but to solve the murder of Derrick Ellery, the assistant director at the retirement home for entertainers. Her ultimate goal is to quit her part time job at Holt's Department store so nothing will get in the way of that.

Haley and her best friend Marcie are also on the hunt for this season's must have bag, Sassy satchel. Crazy book with so many things going on that the reader would never be bored. Haley is 25 years old and maturing in front of us.

[Linda Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book, it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. I'd really like to give it 3.5 stars, but since that's not possible, I rounded up. If you are looking for a light, fun read, you have found it in this book. One thing I really enjoy about the series is how Haley has grown and developed. She is still a material girl, but cares about others.

This is a fun series and, while it is part of a series, it is a stand alone novel.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

I truly enjoy Haley Randolph! Yes she is young, immature, lazy, & self-centered a lot of the time, she can also be caring, mature, & loyal to her friends! She makes me smile & laugh. I don't think she has ever met a designer handbag she hasn't craved! She has 3 hunky guys who are all hot for her, too. I loved reading about her trials & tribulations at both Holt's & L.A. Affairs. Can't wait for the next installment of the entertaining series!

[Cindy Mink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

A fun quick read. A perfect beach book. What I like most about this book is that any age group could read it without worrying about any embarrassing situations. I will read more Dorothy Howell books.

[Nann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got yhe advance copy at the ALA conference. Not to my taste at all.

[Elizabeth Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read really enjoyed this entertaining book I recommend to anyone who likes mysteries hope to read more of her books in this series

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little wordy for my taste, an easy, fast read

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book series but this one just didn't get it for me ! it just seemed to drag on and on ..... Enough with the Starbucks too !

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just fun! I have a feeling I might start getting bored with it if things don't progress with her and Ty in the next book!

[Willette Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of the Haley Randolph mysteries so far. This one was just ok. Quick read but nothing that would wow you

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I like this very unlikeable character. In spite of the irritating main character and her shallow ways, there is another great mystery here.