Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Big Brush-off (A Jake & Laura Mystery #4)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Big Brush-off

(A Jake & Laura Mystery #4)

Michael Murphy (Goodreads Author)

4.18 · Rating details · 104 ratings · 55 reviews

The irresistible Jake & Laura return in Michael Murphy's witty, fast-paced mystery series—perfect for readers of Dorothy Cannell and Christopher Fowler. In The Big Brush-off, the charming and indomitable duo heads to the Midwest to solve a chilling cold case of a young girl's murder.

Blackie Doyle is dying. That's what Jake Donovan's literary agent tells him. Sales are fal The irresistible Jake & Laura return in Michael Murphy's witty, fast-paced mystery series—perfect for readers of Dorothy Cannell and Christopher Fowler. In The Big Brush-off, the charming and indomitable duo heads to the Midwest to solve a chilling cold case of a young girl's murder.

Blackie Doyle is dying. That's what Jake Donovan's literary agent tells him. Sales are falling, and the rough draft of Jake's latest Blackie novel doesn't look promising. Maybe Jake has been distracted by a recent barrage of real-life homicides, or by his marriage to the beautiful up-and-coming actress Laura Wilson, now slated for a part opposite Clark Gable himself. Whatever the reason, Jake decides to return to his roots. Which is why he and Laura hop the next train to the small town in Pennsylvania where Jake once worked as a Pinkerton detective.

Ten years ago, the murder of a teenage girl interrupted life in quiet, God-fearing Hanover. The unsolved case has always gnawed at Jake, and it seems no coincidence that as soon as he starts digging up old ghosts, he's once again writing like a dervish. Nor is it surprising that some townfolk would rather see the truth stay buried—and maybe even Jake and Laura with it. But the glamorous crime-solving pair refuse to leave before sorting through a bevy of suspects—and at long last nailing the one who almost got away with the not-so-perfect crime.

Praise for Michael Murphy's Jake & Laura mysteries

“Glittering with a hint of Nick and Nora, Michael Murphy's 1930s Manhattan provides a witty setting for murder and mayhem.”—Mary Daheim, bestselling author of The Alpine Yeoman, on The Yankee Club

“[Jake and Laura] are fun, witty, and charming, and [All That Glitters] is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads

“The third installment in Murphy's series is just as much fun as the first. The mystery is full of twists with an ample amount of red herrings, suspects, and action.”—Mystery Please!, on Wings in the Dark ...more

Get A Copy

Kindle Edition, 237 pages

Published February 9th 2016 by Alibi

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Big Brush-off, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Big Brush-off

Lists with This Book

February 2016 Releases

72 books — 194 voters

Ο Διάβολος τραγουδούσε τα μπλουζ by Lilly Spantidaki

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd

Best Book Covers of 2016

67 books — 98 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.18 ·

Rating details

· 104 ratings · 55 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Big Brush-off (A Jake & Laura Mystery #4)

Dec 03, 2015 Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2015

Jack & Laura are back in a new adventure!

In this book, Jack and Laura travel to Hanover, Pennsylvania, because Jack needs somewhere where he can start a new Blackie Doyle book. His agent Mildred has strictly told him that he must write a really good book or less his contract won't be renewed. But Jack also has another reason for choosing Hanover as the town to stay as he writes his first chapters. Jack's last case for Pinkerton was in Hanover. And, the last case is a case that he has never forg Jack & Laura are back in a new adventure!

In this book, Jack and Laura travel to Hanover, Pennsylvania, because Jack needs somewhere where he can start a new Blackie Doyle book. His agent Mildred has strictly told him that he must write a really good book or less his contract won't be renewed. But Jack also has another reason for choosing Hanover as the town to stay as he writes his first chapters. Jack's last case for Pinkerton was in Hanover. And, the last case is a case that he has never forgotten because it was never solved. A young woman was killed and her killer was never caught. Could Jack after ten years finally find the killer?

It was great to return to the 30s and once again read another Jack & Laura mystery. For one thing, I love movies from this period and the fact that Laura is an actress that's working with some of the biggest names of the time is marvelous. And, that she seems to have a past history with William Powell is interesting. Now she is slated to star against Clark Gable, unfortunately, he was never in this book. But perhaps in the next book...

The mystery of a murdered teenager girl is tragic, especially since the killer has never been caught. And, now the time is running out for the girl's mother who is dying. But taking on this case is not easy for Jack, most of the townspeople want him to quit trying to find the killer and open up old wounds and he has a very important book to write. But he is not the one to give up.

This is the kind of charming adventure book I love to read. I do wish that it had been more Hollywood stars in this book. I love cameos from known actors. And, the one I'm most looking to see beside William Power is Humphrey Bogart. I know, Laura is going to star alongside Clark Gable, and that will be interesting. But. Bogart in this series, well wouldn't it be perfect when you think about what kind of movies he starred in?

One thing I really enjoyed was getting to know Mildred, Jack's agent, better. She has always been a tough dame, but learning more about her and her life really made me like her very much. This was a good book, I liked the case more than the last book, probably because it was more personal for Jack and also because it was not easy to figure out who the killer was.

3.5 stars

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2015 The Shayne-Train rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

Another amazingly-written home run for Michael Murphy.

This series does not lose any of its cool as it progresses. Jake and Laura are back with a vengeance, this time cleaning up some things Jake left unfinished from his old Pinkerton days.

I said in the review of book #3 that it doesn't matter where these books are set, that the characters bring noir excitement and thrilling whodunits with them where ever they go. I was proved o so very right by this installment, set in a small bucolic town, far ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: net-galley-reads, historical-mystery-suspense

I am so grateful to have this book pointed out to me or I might not have encountered this delightful historical mystery series involving the colorful and brilliant detecting pair, Jake and Laura. The author drew me in to their mid-1930's era world where this newly married pair brush shoulders with iconic historical figures of the time in their respective roles of best-selling writer and movie starlet making them even more exciting mystery solvers. Hard-boiled detective fiction meets cheeky roman I am so grateful to have this book pointed out to me or I might not have encountered this delightful historical mystery series involving the colorful and brilliant detecting pair, Jake and Laura. The author drew me in to their mid-1930's era world where this newly married pair brush shoulders with iconic historical figures of the time in their respective roles of best-selling writer and movie starlet making them even more exciting mystery solvers. Hard-boiled detective fiction meets cheeky romantic comedy in this superbly written series.

This was book four, but I had no trouble diving into this latest of Jake & Laura's adventures into detection. My only disappointment was having only just discovered them, but that can be fixed when I go back for the earlier books that cover the beginnings of their pairing as a couple and a detecting pair.

The story opens with Jake and Laura in NYC city while she is between films and Jake must meet his editor over his lack-luster start to the latest Blackie Doyle book. They are also there to rest and see old friends. Jake loves his wife and is so very proud and supportive of her as an actress who has achieved success, but he also is struggling balancing supporting her career while doing well at his own. His writing has suffered and now he is on the verge of losing his contract if he can't reconnect with his character and the world of his book. He is given an ultimatum from his editor.

Besides, Jake's need to focus on the latest book, he is approached by people from his past. His last case as a Pinkerton detective weighs heavily on him because he had to walk away to take care of his dying dad. The case was handed over to others, but remains unsolved ten years later. Laura knows him so well and determines that they will head to small-town Hanover, PA for Jake to write his book with less distractions and she can poke about to see what might turn up in the unsolved murder. Jake knows better than to tell Laura not to look into the young girl's murder and finds that his attention is divided between his book and the case.

I enjoyed this slow burn mystery that had a broader focus than a detective solving a murder. There is the ongoing story of Jake and Laura's relationship as they figure out how to find balance in their life together, reconciling the past, and immersing in the story surrounding the mystery. It was neat that Jake's writing of the Blackie Doyle hard-boiled detective stories wasn't just brushed over and that Laura's career situation had some limelight, too. They banter and are a charismatic pair. Loved Jake as the narrator and how he saw the world around him including his witty and beautiful wife.

Time was taken to introduce the old case when the young girl Katie was killed, the players that are all still around, and the setting. The small-town characters were well-drawn. I particularly enjoyed the dynamics of life at the inn where Jake and Laura stayed. Freddie the son of the proprietor was a hoot.

The mystery itself was a cozy one compared to others in the series since it's a cold case one. I found myself guessing at the solution until near the end. I enjoy it when I am kept baffled like that.

As to the time period, the authentic feel of setting, society, dialogue, and the fun inclusion of known figures was a definite plus.

All in all, this was an abso-fab introduction for me to a new series to love. I have already added the whole series to my list and look forward to finding time catching up on Jake and Laura from the beginning. I recommend this series to those who enjoy historical mysteries, but particularly those who enjoy following along with a charming, romantic detective team to solve them.

My thanks to Random House for providing the book in exchange for my honest review. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2015 Elaine rated it it was amazing

The brilliant writing continues by this highly talented mystery writer! This author has a witty, era appropriate writing style which draws the reader into the time and scenarios, making you feel as though you are there witnessing and partaking in events. There are references to people and events from that time (though not as many as in earlier novels) and it all blends superbly to make this a fantastic murder mystery that keeps you guessing.

In this story, Jake and Laura are married and Laura is ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2016 Marlene rated it really liked it

Originally published at Reading Reality

By this point in Jake and Laura’s life, and the Jake and Laura mystery series, our heroes have come a long way from their hard-knocks childhoods in Queens.

And while the fame and fortune is wonderful, it unfortunately also means that Jake Donovan seems to have lost his ability to channel Blackie Doyle, the struggling private eye who is the hero of his best-selling mystery series.

At the beginning, Jake was Blackie, a former cop and former Pinkerton detective ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2015 Debbie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, net-galley-books

Yay, Jake and Laura are back. There's not a lot of name dropping this time as the scene is set in a small town. They are the ones who's names are being dropped. This time, Jake's novels are becoming lackluster and he's being asked to look into a ten year old cold case. And no one in this small town wants a ten year old murder being brought back up.

Of course, Jake and Laura are their gracious selves, and conduct their lives inn the Hollywood way they've come to live by. Laura is being pestered to ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2016 Karen R rated it really liked it

The story takes place in the 1930’s during the days of gumshoes, dames, wise guys and broads, using a reliable formula in Ellery Queen fashion. My first foray into the world of Mike Murphy’s Jake & Laura Mysteries was an enjoyable one. Multiple suspects with plausible motives along with some red herrings thrown in kept me guessing until the end. Crime-fighting Jake and Laura make for unlikely team but turn out to be perfect partners as they race against time to solve a 10-year old cold case as ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2016 Linda Baker rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction, netgalley

Everything seems to be going Laura's way in her acting career. She has a couple of big movies under her belt and is in demand for even more prestigious projects. On the other hand, Jake's writing career is in danger. Despite several best-sellers his editor, Mildred, feels that Jake has lost touch with his gumshoe hero, Blackie Doyle. She has rejected his rough draft of the first few chapters of a new book and demanded a re-write. He has one chance to prove himself or lose his contract with Empir ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2016 Nancy rated it really liked it

A Hollywood Couple Solve a Small Town Mystery

Ten years ago, Jake left Hanover, Pennsylvania with the unsolved murder of a teenage girl behind him. His father had a stroke and needed him. Today with his writing career on the skids, Jake is faced with the mother of the girl. She's dying and wants him to come back and solve the case to give her closure.

Jake is undecided. Laura has just finished a film and needs to return to Hollywood, and he needs to work on his novel, but the desire to finish the ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2016 Lisa B. rated it really liked it

Shelves: all-things-netgalley, 2016

Jack is a former detective turned author. His writing career has hit a bit of a road block, and he needs to get his mojo back. Jake is married to Laura, an actress. Laura’s career has really taken off and she’s in hot demand. Jake’s publisher thinks he needs to escape the Hollywood high life in order to get his writing career back on track. To do this, Jake and Laura return to small town Hanover. Together they work to solve a murder mystery that Jake had to walk away from 10 years earlier withou ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2016 Barb rated it really liked it

Blackie Doyle's life is in danger and only Jake can save him. This latest installment in the Jake & Laura series finds them returning to Jake's roots in Hanover, Pennsylvania, where he once worked for the famous Pinkerton Agency. While he tries to close the books on an unsolved crime from years ago, Blackie's fate hangs in the balance.

I can't think of a better way to end the year than by reading more about one of my favorite literary crime-solving teams, and this year was no exception. I love t ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2016 PopcornReads - MkNoah rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction, relationships, teen, fiction, mysteries-thrillers, pinkertons, great-depression, marriage, small-town

You may recall that I read Book #2 in Michael Murphy’s Depression Era mystery series, All That Glitters, first and liked it so much that I went back and read Book #1, The Yankee Club. Now Book #3 is out, The Big Brush-Off, and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of shenanigans our ex-Pinkerton agent turned mystery author and Broadway-turned-Hollywood starlet would get into next. If you haven’t read Books #1 or #2, links to our reviews of those appear at the end of this article. If you like clever r ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 06, 2015 Jay Williams rated it it was amazing

Each of the Jake and Laura books is a great read, and this is one of the best. The scene shifts from the glamour of Hollywood to New York and rural Pennsylvania, Embedded in a great mystery surrounding a decade-old crime is an analysis of the relationship Jake has to the world and to Laura, as his convictions are tested. It is definitely a deeper insight into Jake than previous books in this series.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2015 James William rated it it was amazing

A Michael Murphy Jake & Laura mystery always takes me to a time when problems could be solved with a right cross or a quick wit.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 03, 2015 Katherine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Net galley!
Awesome! Please keep them coming Michael Murphy! Looking forward to what comes next for Jake & Laura!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 14, 2016 Steve rated it liked it

Shelves: read-on-kindle, first-read, read-in-2016, mystery

Though these books do not push any boundaries, they are fun to read. The characters are well-drawn and fit in perfectly to the millieu.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 17, 2015 Daniel rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5

Over the course of the last two years I've read and reviewed over 200 books. I would say that most of them have been better than average and I've read some that have really interested me in some new authors and/or series'. But one of my absolute favorites is the 'Jake & Laura Mystery' series by Michael Murphy. I will drop everything to read a Jake & Laura story.

But every series has its ups and downs. The mark of a true fa ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2016 Angie Boyter rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Best-selling mystery writer Jake Donovan has (at least) two problems. Ten years ago, in 1925, he had to leave his last case as a Pinkerton detective unsolved when he was called to the bedside of his dying father. The teen-aged victim’s mother is now terminally ill herself and asks Jake to resume investigating her daughter’s murder, which she says none of the authorities is interested in solving. In addition, Jake’s editor tells him that his series is getting stale; his sales are slumping; and th Best-selling mystery writer Jake Donovan has (at least) two problems. Ten years ago, in 1925, he had to leave his last case as a Pinkerton detective unsolved when he was called to the bedside of his dying father. The teen-aged victim’s mother is now terminally ill herself and asks Jake to resume investigating her daughter’s murder, which she says none of the authorities is interested in solving. In addition, Jake’s editor tells him that his series is getting stale; his sales are slumping; and the publisher is not willing to offer him a new contract unless he shows them a manuscript with promise. Jake and his movie-star wife Laura (who is facing some important career decisions herself) visit Hanover, PA, to give Jake a quiet environment in which to write and to take another look at the unsolved mystery.
Having read The Yankee Club, the first book in the Jake and Laura series, I was very pleased to see that The Big Brush-off seemed to capitalize on the elements of the first book that I liked but eliminated what I had not enjoyed. Book one was appropriately described as a “noir” detective mystery, and the nasty violence in it, even from Jake, turned me off. The violence was missing from this book, which had almost more of a “cozy” mystery feel, especially the setting in a small town with a limited number of characters. I had enjoyed the characters in the first book, and personalities were explored more in The Big Brush-off. Jake and Laura’s love is very clear, as they each worry about the other’s challenges as well as their own and make plans for future family life. They come across as decent folks. Jake may be a tough-minded writer and detective, but he can still say things like, “as a boy, I always placed priests on a pedestal, and the older I got, many of them met my expectations.” There are also enjoyable portrayals of the citizens of Hanover, like teen-aged Freddy, son of the owner of the Hanover Inn, who seems to observe a lot that goes on in his town.
Murphy depicts the 1930s era very well. Obviously, there are sobering examples of the hardships people experienced during the Depression, but there are also nice small details that flesh out the picture. I especially noted the reference to the “simple mahogany dresser” in the murder victim’s bedroom, which put me in mind of the mahogany furniture throughout my grandparents’ homes and so many other homes of the period.
I was enjoying the characters and the setting so much that I realized the book was about half over and there had not been a lot of progress in the investigation. Murphy soon rectified that situation, however, and delivered a much more plausible situation and resolution than he did in The Yankee Club. I correctly identified the killer but not so early that it spoiled the book, a good device for a writer---to make the reader feel smart but not cheated.
Since I did not yet read books 2 and 3 in the series, I do not know what they were like, but based on the changes from Book 1 I can’t help but wonder whether we have a situation of an author writing what he knows---in this case an author rejuvenating a series that is going stale. If so, I can happily report success for both Jake and Michael.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an objective review.
...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 09, 2016 Bree Garcia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction

I know I say this every time (maybe it's just in my head or to my cat), but this was my favorite one. Everything has been going easy for Jake and Laura, and that was so hard to take, especially since these are written during the Great Depression. But neither of these two have had easy lives, so I didn't begrudge them having a good life now. Honestly, they've been living in a whirlwind of love and celebrities, so their happy existence was kind of background noise.

Until this one.

Jake gets the memo I know I say this every time (maybe it's just in my head or to my cat), but this was my favorite one. Everything has been going easy for Jake and Laura, and that was so hard to take, especially since these are written during the Great Depression. But neither of these two have had easy lives, so I didn't begrudge them having a good life now. Honestly, they've been living in a whirlwind of love and celebrities, so their happy existence was kind of background noise.

Until this one.

Jake gets the memo that his books are dying because he's out of touch with Blackie Doyle. Laura is on the brink of becoming the next Hollywood starlet. Through this, Jake is asked to come back to a town he never thought he'd see again, a place where a young girl was murdered, a place that holds an unsolved murder case.

I think what I really loved about this story is that it felt like an old-fashioned mystery: who did it? Of course, the rest of the Jake and Laura mysteries have been like that, but this one had so many characters and I don't know how many times I said, oh, this person must have done it! It was so much fun unraveling the mystery alongside Jake and Laura, and even though I was WAY wrong, it just made the surprise that much sweeter.

What I super enjoy about the writing is Laura. She could be the stereotypical Hollywood girl, but she's not. She demands respect from everyone she encounters, because they usually think that she's just some "dish" and not worthy of their time. She surprises a lot of people (mostly men...okay, all men), and reading about their reactions toward her are some of the funniest scenes in these novels. The respect she demands is well earned, too, because she is just as smart as Jake and uses everything she has in order to help. Even though she's probably concerned with her career (who wouldn't be?), she puts it aside to help Jake because she knows what he's going through since she went through it herself, albeit not in the writing realm. She also stands up for herself when she thinks she's been wronged, and even though sometimes it's not what she thinks, her stubbornness is truly something to be admired. I might be saying that because I would react the same way, but still. She's worked hard for what she has and she makes sure that everyone knows it. She doesn't want people to think that she only made it on a pretty face.

Jake, obviously, is awesome, as always. Cool, calm, and collected...well, for the most part.

Seriously, if you haven't jumped on these books, do it now. I'm not begging; I'm demanding. They're so much fun and a quick read, but there's so much to them. Jake and Laura have this relationship that is simultaneously adorable and enviable, and they work together so well. These mysteries are true in every sense of the word, complete with red herrings, suspects, and plenty of action. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 06, 2016 Eustacia Tan rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

A writer and a mystery? Yes please!

The Big Brush-Off is billed as a "Jake and Laura mystery". It's also book four in the series, which explains how some things about the relationship between Jake and Laura felt like there was previous history the reader was expected to know. However, the plot itself can definitely stand alone.

Basically, Jake has had his latest manuscript rejected, and has to deliver a completely new, fantastic couple of first chapters before he can think about getting another co A writer and a mystery? Yes please!

The Big Brush-Off is billed as a "Jake and Laura mystery". It's also book four in the series, which explains how some things about the relationship between Jake and Laura felt like there was previous history the reader was expected to know. However, the plot itself can definitely stand alone.

Basically, Jake has had his latest manuscript rejected, and has to deliver a completely new, fantastic couple of first chapters before he can think about getting another contract. So, he and Laura (Hollywood star) head over to Hanover, a small town which holds an unsolved murder that Jake regrets. Despite telling himself that he's here to write a novel and attend a memorial service, he still ends up investigating the case.

This was a fun and easy read. The chapters pretty much flew by, and I finished this book in a day (probably because it's not very long - about 200 pages on my kindle). Jake and Laura are fun characters, and the town of Hanover is pleasingly complicated - there's the sheriff, who Jake remembers as a good law enforcement officer, but some have pegged as the murderer, and there were the three prime suspects, all of whom seemingly want him to solve the murder.

At one point in time, I even wondered if this was going to be a Murder of Roger Ackroyd scenario, with Jake as the real murder (hence the unsolved case). But, this wasn't the case.

Sadly, the denouement lacked a bit of punch. The actual arrest scene was exciting, but the way Jake realised who the murderer was lacked excitement. I think it's because Jake came to this mostly through a hunch, rather than by discovering any new evidence, or finding inconsistencies in something someone said. Perhaps I'm too used to the mysteries of Ace Attorney and Agatha Christie.

Overall, this was a fun read. Jake and Laura are a charming couple, and I loved reading their adventure. Plus, it's fun to have a writer as a character - I just wish I could churn out chapters like he did (and not just during NaNoWriMo)!

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2016 Jennifer Ritter rated it it was amazing

The Big Brush-off is number four in Michael Murphy's Jake and Laura mystery series. Although this is a part of a series it is a stand alone with enough information to understand continuity but not so much as to be redundant for a series enthusiast.

In this tale, it is 1935 and we find mystery writer Jake Donovan and his movie starlet wife Laura Wilson in New York City where Laura is just wrapping up shooting on her latest movie. While in New York, Jake is meeting with his publisher, Mildred, to d ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 27, 2015 Scott Parsons rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adventure, dtetective

I enjoyed Michael Murphy's first Jake and Laura mystery noir, The Yankee Club. I was less impressed by the next two because it seemed like Jake was floating through the foppery of Hollywood and the glitter of Hawaii. He seemed to have lost the substance of the character in the Yankee Club.

In The Big Brush-Off Jake and Laura have returned to New York for a little while. In a meeting with his editor, Jake is told he is about to lose his publishing contract unless he re-energizes his detective Blac ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 03, 2015 Bill rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

1935. The Great Depression and massive numbers of Americans are still out of work despite Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal recovery programs, and Jake’s writing career may join the breadlines as well.
Of course his wife’s – Laura’s – film career is booming with an offer from the hottest Hollywood producer of the time.

And then Jake meets his past. Ten years before, he left his last Pinkerton case unsolved as he hurriedly left at news of his dad’s stroke to care of him – this unsolved case, a recurrin ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2016 John Purvis rated it really liked it

"The Big Brush-off" was published in 2016 and was written by Michael Murphy (http://mjmurphy.com). Mr. Murphy has published several previous books. This is the 4th of the books in his "Jake & Laura Mysteries".

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The setting of this Mystery is a small town in 1935 Pennsylvania. The primary characters are Jake Donovan, former private investigator and ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 01, 2016 Robert D rated it it was amazing

Perhaps one of the best Jake and Laura books. This is a must read if you enjoy the Thin Man movie series or the Boston Blackie movie series.

Things have been going great since Jake Donovan reunited with his one true love, Laura Wilson. His writing career took off, Laura's acting career has made it big, occasionally he's had to solve a mystery or two that have cropped up. But overall, life could not be better for the two, they have money and fame during the depression. Then Jake's editor tells him ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2016 Brenda rated it really liked it

An enjoyable read set in 1935.

Prohibition has ended, the Depression is devastating the country and Amelia Earhart has just flown solo from Hawaii to the US West Coast.

As a successful author of the Blackie Doyle PI series, Jake Donovan’s latest book is rejected by his publisher. Mildred says he’s lost touch with his character now that his wife Laura Wilson’s acting career has made her a Hollywood name.

While in NYC Mary Caldwell, whose teenage daughter Katie’s murder was never solved, asks Jake to ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2016 Betty rated it liked it

Shelves: e-books, arc

This was a new author for me. Jake Donovan's career is at a low ebb. His publisher has declined to offer a new contract for his mystery series. Laura's career is at its peak and she has it make. She is looking at a contract with a well-known leading man. Jake wants a quiet place where he can resurrect his character. The Duo selected Hanover, Pennsylvania, a small town where Jake left his last case unsolved. It is a murder of a teenager. The suspects are the boyfriend, a teacher and the priest. T ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2016 Susan Johnston rated it it was amazing

I've enjoyed all the books of the series but this one is my favourite so far. Laura and Jake are back in NYC as she finished her latest film and Jake teeters on the brink of losing his career.
Ther latest Blackie Doyle book wasn't up to snuff and the new manuscript he has submitted is rejected by his editor. Jake is ready to quit but Laura understands what he has forfeited to support her career and is determined to help him find his muse.
Oddly enough, it comes to him when his is involved again in ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2015 Pia rated it really liked it

Shelves: src-winter2015, mystery, netgalley, usa

This book is such a good read!
It has all of the elements I like: a lovely and beautiful detective couple, a good murder, interesting characters and lots of glamour. And to top it off, there's the name dropping. Joan Crawford, Clark Gable or Dashiell Hammett, anyone?

Book 4 in the Jake and Laura series, set in the dazzling 30's, the book tells the story of Jake, a writer who is in a slump while his actor wife Laura is on her way to the top.

When an old cold case returns to haunt Jake's life, they ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2016 Nancy Neumann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-reads

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy for review.

I have enjoyed the Jake and Laura Mysteries from the very beginning, but, I think that this entry was probably my favorite. In the past, I've felt that the brushes with celebrity often intruded upon the plot and, sometimes, the relationship between Jake and Laura. Michael Murphy chose to remove most of the celebrity element from this story and, as result, we see Jake at his gumshoe best aided by his ever capable partner, Laura.

Jake revisits an old case a ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Mystery Lovers!: Jake and Laura are back!	1	12	Feb 09, 2016 09:38AM
Barnes & Noble Nook: Book Release Day	1	7	Feb 09, 2016 09:35AM
Pulp Fiction: Book Release Day	1	10	Feb 09, 2016 09:17AM
Goodreads Authors...: Release day!	1	4	Feb 09, 2016 09:15AM
The Mystery, Crim...: Jake and Laura are back!	1	8	Feb 09, 2016 09:10AM
NetGalley Readers: Book cover	3	36	Dec 15, 2015 08:57AM
Goodreads Librari...: Please combine	6	21	Dec 08, 2015 11:35AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Mystery

10 users

Mystery > Historical Mystery

3 users

Historical > Historical Fiction

3 users

Mystery > Crime

2 users

See top shelves…

About Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy

131 followers

Journey back to the bright lights and dark alleys of Prohibition-era New York City, in the first Jake and Laura mystery, The Yankee Club. http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/boo...

If you'd like to get to know Jake and Laura better, take a sneak peak.

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/#!/mmurfy86

TWITTER PAGE
https://twitter.com/mmurfy68

LINKEDIN PAGE
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?...

GOOG ...more