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A Brandy Alexander Mystery #3
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
It's the New Year and puff piece reporter Brandy Alexander has the best of intentions to keep her life safe, sane and simple - but she is having one tough week!
It seems that everyone at her new job at TV station WINN hates her. Everyone - except for co-worker, Tamra Rhineholt, that is. But when their budding friendship is cut short by Tamra's apparent suicide, Brandy suspects foul play and (against the protests of her friends and family) sets out to prove it.
Soon Brandy is up to her neck in kidnappers, convicts and conspiracies--all the while battling her growing feelings for sexy mystery man, Nicholas Santiago. Of course the amorous advances of her hunky ex-boyfriend, Detective Robert DiCarlo, complicate matters even more.
Toss in a visit from her well-meaning but overbearing parents, her total denial of her own emotional exhaustion and the free lunches she'd been promised - but never quite materialized, and you have the recipe for the newest Brandy Alexander mystery!
It seems that everyone at her new job at TV station WINN hates her. Everyone - except for co-worker, Tamra Rhineholt, that is. But when their budding friendship is cut short by Tamra's apparent suicide, Brandy suspects foul play and (against the protests of her friends and family) sets out to prove it.
Soon Brandy is up to her neck in kidnappers, convicts and conspiracies--all the while battling her growing feelings for sexy mystery man, Nicholas Santiago. Of course the amorous advances of her hunky ex-boyfriend, Detective Robert DiCarlo, complicate matters even more.
Toss in a visit from her well-meaning but overbearing parents, her total denial of her own emotional exhaustion and the free lunches she'd been promised - but never quite materialized, and you have the recipe for the newest Brandy Alexander mystery!
313 pages, paperback
First published May 16, 2008
23 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 18, 2010
Well done mystery, good series of events, none of my pet peeves, lots of humor and laughing, great character creation.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is not a typical mystery. It’s creative, different, and interesting all the way through. Brandy solves the case in her “unique” and very entertaining way. This is the 3rd book in the series. Although you could read any one of them as a stand-alone, I think it’s better if you read them in order.
I read romance novels because they make me feel good. The first three books do not have a “romance ending,” but the stories have me laughing and chuckling so often that I get plenty of my desired dose of “feel good.” Although Brandy does not have a guy at the end, the endings are happy in other ways: she solves the mysteries, she’s surrounded by a number of people who care about her, and she cares about them. I enjoy being in her world. By the way there is a romantic happy ending in book 4 which was worth waiting for.
Right now Brandy loves two men: ex-boyfriend Bobby the police detective, and Nick the slightly dangerous Hispanic man with underworld connections and lots of women. Nick is incapable of “commitment” which hurts.
STORY BRIEF:
Brandy was recently hired as a fluff reporter for a local tv news station. Tamra, the station’s investigative reporter, invites Brandy to lunch. During lunch, Tamra receives a phone call from an angry man Richard. Her husband Jeff shows up at the restaurant – also angry with her. Some scary things happen to Brandy, and soon Tamra is found dead in her bathtub. The police believe it was suicide. Brandy and Tamra are similar in appearance, causing Brandy to suspect the attacks on her were meant for Tamra. She believes Tamra was murdered and begins her own interesting, creative, lucky, and amazing style of investigating.
DATA:
Story length: 313 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 1. Setting: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Copyright: 2008. Genre: humorous female mystery and potential romance to be continued.
OTHER BOOKS:
Following is the Brandy Series in order. You can read any book as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best if you read them in order. The first book sets up important things to know.
4 stars. No Such Thing As A Secret
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Ride
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is not a typical mystery. It’s creative, different, and interesting all the way through. Brandy solves the case in her “unique” and very entertaining way. This is the 3rd book in the series. Although you could read any one of them as a stand-alone, I think it’s better if you read them in order.
I read romance novels because they make me feel good. The first three books do not have a “romance ending,” but the stories have me laughing and chuckling so often that I get plenty of my desired dose of “feel good.” Although Brandy does not have a guy at the end, the endings are happy in other ways: she solves the mysteries, she’s surrounded by a number of people who care about her, and she cares about them. I enjoy being in her world. By the way there is a romantic happy ending in book 4 which was worth waiting for.
Right now Brandy loves two men: ex-boyfriend Bobby the police detective, and Nick the slightly dangerous Hispanic man with underworld connections and lots of women. Nick is incapable of “commitment” which hurts.
STORY BRIEF:
Brandy was recently hired as a fluff reporter for a local tv news station. Tamra, the station’s investigative reporter, invites Brandy to lunch. During lunch, Tamra receives a phone call from an angry man Richard. Her husband Jeff shows up at the restaurant – also angry with her. Some scary things happen to Brandy, and soon Tamra is found dead in her bathtub. The police believe it was suicide. Brandy and Tamra are similar in appearance, causing Brandy to suspect the attacks on her were meant for Tamra. She believes Tamra was murdered and begins her own interesting, creative, lucky, and amazing style of investigating.
DATA:
Story length: 313 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 1. Setting: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Copyright: 2008. Genre: humorous female mystery and potential romance to be continued.
OTHER BOOKS:
Following is the Brandy Series in order. You can read any book as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best if you read them in order. The first book sets up important things to know.
4 stars. No Such Thing As A Secret
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Ride
February 22, 2014
Nicholas Santiago is my new book boyfriend.
I've grown to love the Brandy Alexander character while reading this series. The story lines are much richer than the Stephanie Plum series. The relationships have more depth and you learn more about them with each book.
There are annoyances with the Shelly Fredman's writing style. Brandy will be as poor as a church mouse, but yet still have money to stop at a restaurant to eat. It seems many days pass by in Brandy's story, but the world around her is traveling at half speed. Stray parenthesis at an incorrect location was prevalent in this book (of course that is book formatting and not her writing). The publisher needs to edit and clean it up. Overall, it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
I've grown to love the Brandy Alexander character while reading this series. The story lines are much richer than the Stephanie Plum series. The relationships have more depth and you learn more about them with each book.
There are annoyances with the Shelly Fredman's writing style. Brandy will be as poor as a church mouse, but yet still have money to stop at a restaurant to eat. It seems many days pass by in Brandy's story, but the world around her is traveling at half speed. Stray parenthesis at an incorrect location was prevalent in this book (of course that is book formatting and not her writing). The publisher needs to edit and clean it up. Overall, it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
June 9, 2022
Brandy's new job at the TV station is going swimmingly: most of her co workers don't talk to her or call her by the wrong name & her boss still hits on her. One shining light is her co worker new friend Tamra. Lunching together Brandy gets to meet Tamra's husband and there's a little trouble in paradise. A few days later Brandy finds Tamara dead by an apparent suicide. That's not going to fly for Brandy. There's no way that Tamra killed herself, especially with the big story she was working on. Brandy sets out to prove that Tamra was murdered and along the way she & the twins have some adventures, John has his first gallery show, & Brandy's parents are back to stay with her for a vacation. What could possibly go wrong. Delving further into Tamra's story, Brandy finds herself in a murky cesspool of car repair shops, suspicious doctors, dead therapists, & a long ago murder. More attempts on her life has her reaching for the safety and lust of Nick as he shares more of his life with her, and the old pull of Bobby who is now divorced and maybe wanting her back. Brandy is on emotional overload, lack of sleep, & a target for killers hoping she can make it alive.
September 14, 2010
This is the third book in Shelly Fredman's addictive cozy mystery series, Brandy Alexander.
The book starts very soon after the events of `No Such Thing as a Blind Date', the book in which Brandy was kidnapped and shot in her side.
When `Free Lunch' begins, Brandy is feeling the burn of her post-traumatic stress. She's not sleeping, with night terrors keeping her wide awake. She's jumping at every little sound and seeing danger in shadows. But Brandy is a good Catholic/Jewish girl and thinks that suppressing her issues is better than addressing them.
Adding to Brandy's stress is her new job as puff-piece reporter (and `C-grade' celebrity) for a local Philadelphia TV station. Brandy is outcast at work and struggling with her co-workers cold shoulders. Only one of Brandy's colleagues is half-way decent to her, Tamra Rhineholt, a hard-nosed investigative reporter. But Brandy notices a change in Tamra's temperament after the two have a disastrous lunch together. Tamra is jumpy and calling Brandy in the middle of the night with talk of a big story about to break... and then Tamra winds up dead. Police rule suicide, but Brandy suspects differently.
Still reeling from the events of `Blind Date', Brandy jumps helter-skelter into yet another dangerous investigation that sees her she snoop too close to the truth...
I *love* the `Brandy Alexander' mystery series, and Fredman's third outing hits the spot...
I love the fact that in this third book, Brandy is burnt out. She has been through so much, and whereas most cozy mystery authors would brush their amateur sleuth's near-misses under the literary rug and throw them helter-skelter into yet another investigation, Fredman actually takes the time to examine Brandy's fracturing psyche. A good portion of the book involves Brandy questioning her own sanity, and fighting her growing anxiety. Fredman doesn't turn Brandy into a `Debbie downer' by revealing her soft underbelly; she just succeeds in making Brandy all the more relatable and lovable. See, despite her night terrors and anxiety attacks, Brandy soldiers on. She gets to a point where she is *so* scared that she can do nothing but accept the fear and push through it. I was really cheering Brandy on in this book, for her loyalty to her dead co-worker, and also for overcoming her fear. Brave girl, admirable heroine.
Fair warning, Brandy's romantic entanglements are infuriating in this third book.
The romantic pacing is a little bit off for me. Right when I want Brandy to pipe up and talk about her feelings, she remains silent. Or when Brandy/Bobby or Brandy/Nick *finally* decide to quit walking on egg-shells and have a heart-to-heart, they say too little. When it comes to relationship dialogue, Fredman seems to prefer scarce and pithy one-liners to long diatribes.... and I *hate* that! The perfect example is an exchange between Bobby and Brandy - a momentous event has just occurred between them and the character's sum it up in five short lines of dialogue. GRRR! I know it's realistic of Fredman to not have these character's expunging every little feeling they have, and spouting Dr. Phil rhetoric... but damn, as a reader I just want to put them in a room together and encourage `open communication'!
One thing that really bugs me is Brandy's disinclination to talk to Bobby about how much he hurt her four years ago. Bobby and Brandy were high school sweethearts, until Bobby broke up with Brandy and broke her heart four years ago. In the interim Brandy moved to LA and started a fluffy journalist career, and Bobby got a one-night-stand knocked up, resulting in his daughter, Sophia.
In the first book, `No Such Things as a Secret', Brandy seemed to have healed the wounds of her past, and she acknowledged that she didn't need to have a big all-out with Bobby over his past actions. But as a reader, *I* still need Brandy to address Bobby's past pain. It just irks me that Brandy has never really gotten overtly angry at Bobby for casting her aside... especially when, in this third book, Bobby makes his amorous feelings of reconciliation plainly known
Once again, I know it's Fredman erring on the side of realism, but by gosh I was gritting my teeth with the need to yell at Bobby on Brandy's behalf...
I did that a few times while reading this book, in fact. Sometimes I got so emotionally involved in Brandy's predicaments that I was literally sputtering through scenes. And how wonderful that a character can rouse that sort of vicarious-indignity in me. It's a sign of a truly good author and lovable character when readers get so invested.
And then there's the other man in Brandy's life, Nick Santiago... .ahh. Nick, Nick, Nick. Once again, as a reader and Brandy-fan I was really on the edge of my seat trying to decipher Brandy and Nick's changing emotions. I sort of love that Nick is such an enigma, to Brandy and readers alike. It's up to us to discern and dissect his words and actions, motives and motivations. As a reader I don't think I'm any closer to discerning Nick's feelings... but Brandy is likewise none the wiser.
Nick has been very honest with Brandy, telling her that he doesn't do monogamy and can offer nothing but friendship. Brandy has also seen first-hand evidence of Nick's voracious love life, after painful encounters with a few of his lady friends.
If Fredman hadn't done such a good job writing Nick as a sexy and mysterious `bad boy' with a heart of gold fans might be frustrated with Brandy's continual romantic martyrdom where he's concerned. But the thing is, Fredman has done such a fine job sculpting Nick into a drool-worthy darling that we *get* it. I may be concerned for Brandy's feelings, and sometimes frustrated with Nick's stone-walling emotions, but by golly I can't fault Brandy's hormones!
I still love the `Brandy Alexander' mystery series, three books deep. Fredman just keeps getting better and better, and despite jaw-clenching romantic tensions I can't wait to read what happens next in Brandy's crazy, muddled (love)life.
The book starts very soon after the events of `No Such Thing as a Blind Date', the book in which Brandy was kidnapped and shot in her side.
When `Free Lunch' begins, Brandy is feeling the burn of her post-traumatic stress. She's not sleeping, with night terrors keeping her wide awake. She's jumping at every little sound and seeing danger in shadows. But Brandy is a good Catholic/Jewish girl and thinks that suppressing her issues is better than addressing them.
Adding to Brandy's stress is her new job as puff-piece reporter (and `C-grade' celebrity) for a local Philadelphia TV station. Brandy is outcast at work and struggling with her co-workers cold shoulders. Only one of Brandy's colleagues is half-way decent to her, Tamra Rhineholt, a hard-nosed investigative reporter. But Brandy notices a change in Tamra's temperament after the two have a disastrous lunch together. Tamra is jumpy and calling Brandy in the middle of the night with talk of a big story about to break... and then Tamra winds up dead. Police rule suicide, but Brandy suspects differently.
Still reeling from the events of `Blind Date', Brandy jumps helter-skelter into yet another dangerous investigation that sees her she snoop too close to the truth...
I *love* the `Brandy Alexander' mystery series, and Fredman's third outing hits the spot...
I love the fact that in this third book, Brandy is burnt out. She has been through so much, and whereas most cozy mystery authors would brush their amateur sleuth's near-misses under the literary rug and throw them helter-skelter into yet another investigation, Fredman actually takes the time to examine Brandy's fracturing psyche. A good portion of the book involves Brandy questioning her own sanity, and fighting her growing anxiety. Fredman doesn't turn Brandy into a `Debbie downer' by revealing her soft underbelly; she just succeeds in making Brandy all the more relatable and lovable. See, despite her night terrors and anxiety attacks, Brandy soldiers on. She gets to a point where she is *so* scared that she can do nothing but accept the fear and push through it. I was really cheering Brandy on in this book, for her loyalty to her dead co-worker, and also for overcoming her fear. Brave girl, admirable heroine.
Fair warning, Brandy's romantic entanglements are infuriating in this third book.
The romantic pacing is a little bit off for me. Right when I want Brandy to pipe up and talk about her feelings, she remains silent. Or when Brandy/Bobby or Brandy/Nick *finally* decide to quit walking on egg-shells and have a heart-to-heart, they say too little. When it comes to relationship dialogue, Fredman seems to prefer scarce and pithy one-liners to long diatribes.... and I *hate* that! The perfect example is an exchange between Bobby and Brandy - a momentous event has just occurred between them and the character's sum it up in five short lines of dialogue. GRRR! I know it's realistic of Fredman to not have these character's expunging every little feeling they have, and spouting Dr. Phil rhetoric... but damn, as a reader I just want to put them in a room together and encourage `open communication'!
One thing that really bugs me is Brandy's disinclination to talk to Bobby about how much he hurt her four years ago. Bobby and Brandy were high school sweethearts, until Bobby broke up with Brandy and broke her heart four years ago. In the interim Brandy moved to LA and started a fluffy journalist career, and Bobby got a one-night-stand knocked up, resulting in his daughter, Sophia.
In the first book, `No Such Things as a Secret', Brandy seemed to have healed the wounds of her past, and she acknowledged that she didn't need to have a big all-out with Bobby over his past actions. But as a reader, *I* still need Brandy to address Bobby's past pain. It just irks me that Brandy has never really gotten overtly angry at Bobby for casting her aside... especially when, in this third book, Bobby makes his amorous feelings of reconciliation plainly known
Once again, I know it's Fredman erring on the side of realism, but by gosh I was gritting my teeth with the need to yell at Bobby on Brandy's behalf...
I did that a few times while reading this book, in fact. Sometimes I got so emotionally involved in Brandy's predicaments that I was literally sputtering through scenes. And how wonderful that a character can rouse that sort of vicarious-indignity in me. It's a sign of a truly good author and lovable character when readers get so invested.
And then there's the other man in Brandy's life, Nick Santiago... .ahh. Nick, Nick, Nick. Once again, as a reader and Brandy-fan I was really on the edge of my seat trying to decipher Brandy and Nick's changing emotions. I sort of love that Nick is such an enigma, to Brandy and readers alike. It's up to us to discern and dissect his words and actions, motives and motivations. As a reader I don't think I'm any closer to discerning Nick's feelings... but Brandy is likewise none the wiser.
Nick has been very honest with Brandy, telling her that he doesn't do monogamy and can offer nothing but friendship. Brandy has also seen first-hand evidence of Nick's voracious love life, after painful encounters with a few of his lady friends.
If Fredman hadn't done such a good job writing Nick as a sexy and mysterious `bad boy' with a heart of gold fans might be frustrated with Brandy's continual romantic martyrdom where he's concerned. But the thing is, Fredman has done such a fine job sculpting Nick into a drool-worthy darling that we *get* it. I may be concerned for Brandy's feelings, and sometimes frustrated with Nick's stone-walling emotions, but by golly I can't fault Brandy's hormones!
I still love the `Brandy Alexander' mystery series, three books deep. Fredman just keeps getting better and better, and despite jaw-clenching romantic tensions I can't wait to read what happens next in Brandy's crazy, muddled (love)life.
June 4, 2019
Best one yet because we're finally addressing some important things:
1) The fact that there's no way Brandy gets enough sleep to handle all of these cases. I mean, she lives purely on sugar and on sleeping three hours a night. That's rough. And unrealistic. She should have collapsed from exhaustion by now.
2) The Bobby/Brandy/Nick triangle. Finally finally finally, we get some progress on that front. Nick's cool and calm demeanor shows signs of wavering in this book, and we finally get Bobby to admit more openly on his feelings now that his ex-wife is out of the picture.
The mystery in this book is way more interesting than the last one. It flows into Brandy's day-to-day more easily because she's now an investigative journalist, rather than just a nosy snoop (and we have Bobby yelling at her every five seconds), it's a nice change.
1) The fact that there's no way Brandy gets enough sleep to handle all of these cases. I mean, she lives purely on sugar and on sleeping three hours a night. That's rough. And unrealistic. She should have collapsed from exhaustion by now.
2) The Bobby/Brandy/Nick triangle. Finally finally finally, we get some progress on that front. Nick's cool and calm demeanor shows signs of wavering in this book, and we finally get Bobby to admit more openly on his feelings now that his ex-wife is out of the picture.
The mystery in this book is way more interesting than the last one. It flows into Brandy's day-to-day more easily because she's now an investigative journalist, rather than just a nosy snoop (and we have Bobby yelling at her every five seconds), it's a nice change.
July 27, 2017
A very fun and entertaining mystery. Brandy Alexander doesn't have to go looking for trouble, it finds her. This zany gal and her colorful family and friends make this a book you just cant stop reading. You will find yourself laughing out loud as Brandy's friends try to help her solve the murder of her co-worker. Her handsome ex-boyfriend cop who still has feelings for her is trying to protect her, along with the very sexy and mysterious Nicholas who has captured her heart.
June 20, 2018
Love!!
I’m so in love with this series!! Brandy is the best at solving mysteries!! You fall in love with these characters!!
I’m so in love with this series!! Brandy is the best at solving mysteries!! You fall in love with these characters!!
June 18, 2019
The series is getting better. Still love the main character the back up characters are getting a little more developed and enjoyable. Good mystery really enjoyed it.
July 21, 2019
LOVE every one of these books!!!!!!!!
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February 27, 2025So much like the Janet Evonovtch books...wow. A cop boyfriend, a mysterious 'bad boy' boyfriend, wise-cracks and smart alecky behavior all the way.
June 26, 2008
Brandy Alexander, amateur sleuth and investigative reporter, has a new gig at her local television station in Philadelphia. Unfortunately every one at work resents her because she took the place of a beloved co-worker who was fired. While she tries to make nice with everyone, unsuccessfully, one person on the team reaches out to her. Tamra and Brandy have the beginnings of a decent friendship, until Tamra turns up dead. The cause is an apparent suicide but Brandy isn't buying it.
Despite the fears and nightmares she is still nursing from her previous life threatening ordeal, Brandy can’t let it go. She can’t be the person who turns her back on a friend in need, even if that friend is already dead.
I fell in love with this series last year and have since gotten my sister addicted to them as well. I have been waiting impatiently for the release of this third book and when it arrived yesterday I dove into it and put everything else on hold. Husband, kid, dogs… they were on their own while I visited Philly. When I finished the first two books, I absolutely loved them, there wasn’t a thing I would have changed or have had the author do differently. Yet somehow this one still surpasses the first two, I am wowed.
The mystery had me jumpy and scared, anxious and edgy. It’s a solid and suspenseful story, and I really had to fight not to cheat and read the end, my sister on the other hand called to tell me she lost that same battle. She had to peek at the end, she said, in order to relax and fully enjoy the story. Patience isn’t a strong suit in our family.
Brandy is uncovering clues and finding herself in more and more danger. All the while she’s getting help from the men in her life; her ex-boyfriend and police officer, Bobby, and her current infatuation and man of mystery, Nick, creating a healthy dose of sexual tension.
This book is a little darker than the first two, emotionally speaking, as Brandy is pretty much at the end of her rope. The incidences that occurred in the first two books are really starting to wear on her fragile psyche. Everyone around her is worried, but Brandy insists she is OK. She really has to face some harsh realities in this book.
Like the first two books in this series, mixed in with the riveting mystery, colorful characters, emotional drama and sexual tension, are some of the most hilarious scenes on paper. Books that make you laugh out loud, repeatedly, are so rare, yet Ms. Fredman has managed to write three of them.
What I like best about these books is that they are so well rounded; they have romance, humor and suspense and each aspect is done to perfection. Brandy Alexander has cemented herself as one of my all time favorite heroines, and Ms. Fredman as one of my all time favorite authors. These are books that you can read over and over again without losing any of the original pleasure. I think Ms. Fredman is a truly talented story teller and I long for the day when the rest of the world discovers what I already have. Highly recommended.
Cherise Everhard, June 2008
Despite the fears and nightmares she is still nursing from her previous life threatening ordeal, Brandy can’t let it go. She can’t be the person who turns her back on a friend in need, even if that friend is already dead.
I fell in love with this series last year and have since gotten my sister addicted to them as well. I have been waiting impatiently for the release of this third book and when it arrived yesterday I dove into it and put everything else on hold. Husband, kid, dogs… they were on their own while I visited Philly. When I finished the first two books, I absolutely loved them, there wasn’t a thing I would have changed or have had the author do differently. Yet somehow this one still surpasses the first two, I am wowed.
The mystery had me jumpy and scared, anxious and edgy. It’s a solid and suspenseful story, and I really had to fight not to cheat and read the end, my sister on the other hand called to tell me she lost that same battle. She had to peek at the end, she said, in order to relax and fully enjoy the story. Patience isn’t a strong suit in our family.
Brandy is uncovering clues and finding herself in more and more danger. All the while she’s getting help from the men in her life; her ex-boyfriend and police officer, Bobby, and her current infatuation and man of mystery, Nick, creating a healthy dose of sexual tension.
This book is a little darker than the first two, emotionally speaking, as Brandy is pretty much at the end of her rope. The incidences that occurred in the first two books are really starting to wear on her fragile psyche. Everyone around her is worried, but Brandy insists she is OK. She really has to face some harsh realities in this book.
Like the first two books in this series, mixed in with the riveting mystery, colorful characters, emotional drama and sexual tension, are some of the most hilarious scenes on paper. Books that make you laugh out loud, repeatedly, are so rare, yet Ms. Fredman has managed to write three of them.
What I like best about these books is that they are so well rounded; they have romance, humor and suspense and each aspect is done to perfection. Brandy Alexander has cemented herself as one of my all time favorite heroines, and Ms. Fredman as one of my all time favorite authors. These are books that you can read over and over again without losing any of the original pleasure. I think Ms. Fredman is a truly talented story teller and I long for the day when the rest of the world discovers what I already have. Highly recommended.
Cherise Everhard, June 2008
November 16, 2008
"It just wasn't a good time to die"
How does Brandy Alexander do it? Once again she's in the middle of an investigation, charging ahead with a little help from her friends. No Such Thing as a Free Lunch is the third book in author Shelly Fredman's entertaining series set in Philadelphia.
Back in her home town with some California TV credentials, Brandy has landed a job doing light pieces for local cable. Her only friend at the station is found dead in her bathtub and Brandy's sure it's murder; after all, Tamra WAS investigating a four-year-old crime and trying to clear the convicted killer. But who is the villain?
Brandy has some character flaws, which she freely admits. There's the junk food addiction, and the home girl wardrobe and hair. She's a klutz under pressure -- and her life is all pressure. She has trouble sleeping. She's no good at asking for help, except from the gorgeous bad-boy Nick Santiago or the wildly attractive cop Bobby DiCarlo. Oh, chalk up another character flaw: she's in love with two men.
The vivid cast of friends, relatives and pets enchanted me, as they did in the first two books of the series. Even the villains spring off the page. Brandy is confident in her ability to take care of herself but she can't stay out of harm's way and uses her "season pass" to the emergency room.
Like the other books in the series, FREE LUNCH is strongly plotted and the characters are zany but convincing. The use of Brandy's POV gives us a front-row seat for the action and the slightly haywire thinking behind it. When Brandy's not stalking or staking out her latest suspect, she's got plenty else going on in her life; her love life alone is as complicated as a soap opera. Here's hoping Brandy makes many more appearances for our entertainment. Highly recommended!
Linda Bulger, 2008
How does Brandy Alexander do it? Once again she's in the middle of an investigation, charging ahead with a little help from her friends. No Such Thing as a Free Lunch is the third book in author Shelly Fredman's entertaining series set in Philadelphia.
Back in her home town with some California TV credentials, Brandy has landed a job doing light pieces for local cable. Her only friend at the station is found dead in her bathtub and Brandy's sure it's murder; after all, Tamra WAS investigating a four-year-old crime and trying to clear the convicted killer. But who is the villain?
Brandy has some character flaws, which she freely admits. There's the junk food addiction, and the home girl wardrobe and hair. She's a klutz under pressure -- and her life is all pressure. She has trouble sleeping. She's no good at asking for help, except from the gorgeous bad-boy Nick Santiago or the wildly attractive cop Bobby DiCarlo. Oh, chalk up another character flaw: she's in love with two men.
The vivid cast of friends, relatives and pets enchanted me, as they did in the first two books of the series. Even the villains spring off the page. Brandy is confident in her ability to take care of herself but she can't stay out of harm's way and uses her "season pass" to the emergency room.
Like the other books in the series, FREE LUNCH is strongly plotted and the characters are zany but convincing. The use of Brandy's POV gives us a front-row seat for the action and the slightly haywire thinking behind it. When Brandy's not stalking or staking out her latest suspect, she's got plenty else going on in her life; her love life alone is as complicated as a soap opera. Here's hoping Brandy makes many more appearances for our entertainment. Highly recommended!
Linda Bulger, 2008
May 25, 2012
Why do I love this book? Let me count the ways:
1. I loved the author's writing style. It's easy-going and conversational, as if she's in the room with you relating a wonderful story.
2. I loved the heroine [Brandy Alexander]. She is portrayed as witty, determined, and vulnerable. Her personality was believable and sympathetic. I liked the fact that she could admit her shortcomings, but she was also feisty and passionate about her reasons for doing what she did. Plus, she has a great sense of humor; her dry wit had me cracking up the entire book. And the fact that she's named after a cocktail wasn't lost on me either!
3. I loved the action-packed storyline. Brandy constantly found herself in unpredictable situations where her life was at stake - but the story didn't feel contrived at all. All these mishaps added twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing as to who killed Tamra, a woman Brandy barely knew but felt compelled to learn the truth about.
This book was written in first person, which I really liked. It helped me to identify with everything the heroine was going through. All the characters were well developed with their own distinct personalities. One of my favorite lines in the book is about Brandy's crotchy old neighbor, Mrs. Gentile. She says, "My mother ascribes to the adage that cleanliness is next to Godliness, and she cleans as if God is moving in next door - which would actually be a nice change of pace from Mrs. Gentile. He's probably less judgemental."
The book is filled with witty sarcasm like this. And I guess that kinda makes me weird and sarcastic too, but I like it! I definitely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
1. I loved the author's writing style. It's easy-going and conversational, as if she's in the room with you relating a wonderful story.
2. I loved the heroine [Brandy Alexander]. She is portrayed as witty, determined, and vulnerable. Her personality was believable and sympathetic. I liked the fact that she could admit her shortcomings, but she was also feisty and passionate about her reasons for doing what she did. Plus, she has a great sense of humor; her dry wit had me cracking up the entire book. And the fact that she's named after a cocktail wasn't lost on me either!
3. I loved the action-packed storyline. Brandy constantly found herself in unpredictable situations where her life was at stake - but the story didn't feel contrived at all. All these mishaps added twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing as to who killed Tamra, a woman Brandy barely knew but felt compelled to learn the truth about.
This book was written in first person, which I really liked. It helped me to identify with everything the heroine was going through. All the characters were well developed with their own distinct personalities. One of my favorite lines in the book is about Brandy's crotchy old neighbor, Mrs. Gentile. She says, "My mother ascribes to the adage that cleanliness is next to Godliness, and she cleans as if God is moving in next door - which would actually be a nice change of pace from Mrs. Gentile. He's probably less judgemental."
The book is filled with witty sarcasm like this. And I guess that kinda makes me weird and sarcastic too, but I like it! I definitely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 2, 2012
Brandy Alexander has a new job as puff piece reporter for a local television station in Philadelphia. Brandy replaced a popular reporter who was fired for being too hefty and none of her coworkers likes her because of this with the exception of anchorperson Tamra Rhineholt who befriends Brandy. But their friendship is short-lived when Tamra is found dead, apparently of a suicide. Brandy thinks there’s more to it than that and is intent on proving her friend didn’t kill herself, which places her own life in danger. To the rescue are the two sexy guys in her life, ex-boyfriend and cop Robert DiCarlo and new friend and bad-boy Nicholas Santiago. It's bad enough someone's trying to kill her but to make matters worse, Brandy’s mother and father return to Philadelphia to attend the bar mitzvah of Brandy’s brother and Brandy’s still dealing with nightmares from her last life-threatening escapade.
Shelly Fredman’s Brandy Alexander No Such Thing As series offers readers humor, suspense, romance, and mystery, all delivered with great panache. Brandy is an endearing character, a somewhat klutzy woman who finds herself torn between her feelings for two men, one from the past, the other in the present and hopefully future. Her attempts at amateur sleuthing always get her in trouble but Brandy manages with each installment to land on her feet, ready to take on the world.
Shelly Fredman’s Brandy Alexander No Such Thing As series offers readers humor, suspense, romance, and mystery, all delivered with great panache. Brandy is an endearing character, a somewhat klutzy woman who finds herself torn between her feelings for two men, one from the past, the other in the present and hopefully future. Her attempts at amateur sleuthing always get her in trouble but Brandy manages with each installment to land on her feet, ready to take on the world.
December 22, 2011
Brandy Alexander is the Philadelphia version of the Stephanie Plum series without the juvenile slap stick and childish antics. Yes, There is a cop, with a child, there is an Alpha male bad boy, named Nick and of course Brandy has a history with both men. Brandy is in love with Nick, but Nick only wants to be friends. Nick is the person who bought her photograph at the gallery. And, yest Nick has a dark side and secrets. Nick is the man who rescues her from the killer doctor. Story centers around Brandy's co worker being killed, first thought to be a suicide. Her co worker investigating a four year old murder of a college student. The wrong man convicted and facing the death penalty. Brandy learns everyone involved in the case is dead, all suddenly having accidents. Yet, she unravels the truth and the half brother of the college student turns out to be the killer. This is a quick read, mindless story. It's amusing at times especially Brandy's thoughts and the times she spends with her girlfriends.
December 19, 2014
I loved it. Shelly Fredman takes us in to Brany’s world and makes it real. I appreciate that in each book she and her friends make advances in their lives and relationships. I was really glad Brandy and Bobby got some things resolved. These people have come to matter to me. I like that Brandy stands up for people who need it and that it seems to bring her closer to Nick. I laughed all the way through it despite the serious problems addressed.
Note: I seldom give 5 stars on Goodreads because I am comparing these books to the best I ever read. At other sites, rate just to how much I recommend a book. This is a 5 star recommendation.
Note: I seldom give 5 stars on Goodreads because I am comparing these books to the best I ever read. At other sites, rate just to how much I recommend a book. This is a 5 star recommendation.
December 22, 2012
If you like to be told a story, then this is the book for you. Shelly Fredman writes like Brandy is actually talking to you. Once you start reading this book, at least I felt like I was in Philly. I could smell the smells, and hear the sounds of the city of brotherly love. Brandy is quite a character. She kind of like a turtle. She has this hard outer shell, but is soft gentle and fulnerable on the inside. She makes you laugh, want to strangle her, feel her pain when she is emotionally or yes, even physically hurt. This book is a great new addition to my list of favorite authors.
February 16, 2015
really should be 3 1/2 stars....
This series is very similar to Evanovich's writing. I thought it was well written and the characters likeable. There is a police detective and the dark and dangerous friend Brandy is strongly attracted to who has saved her life several times. The plot focuses on a reporter who works with Brandy whose body is discovered and considered a suicide---by all except Brandy.
This series is very similar to Evanovich's writing. I thought it was well written and the characters likeable. There is a police detective and the dark and dangerous friend Brandy is strongly attracted to who has saved her life several times. The plot focuses on a reporter who works with Brandy whose body is discovered and considered a suicide---by all except Brandy.
September 28, 2009
Once again a great book leaving me wanting more. Cant wait for 2010 for the next book "No Such Thing As A free Ride"... The characters are funny and likeable. I laughed so loud at the "loverboy" comment. I hardly every find myself laughing loud at a book... That part caught me off guard. Just another great series that I look forward to reading!!!
November 17, 2011
I am so in love with this series, and the characters. The ending of this book made me wish that I had book four in my hands right now. I'm so totally in love with Nick that he's replaced Jamie from Outlander as my book crush.
I also have to say how nice and gracious the author is. I emailed her asking questions about the next book and she replied by the next morning.
I also have to say how nice and gracious the author is. I emailed her asking questions about the next book and she replied by the next morning.
January 12, 2016
Holy guacamole! I can't get enough of these books. I'm malt in love with Nick Santiago and I love the complex relationship between Brandy and Bobby. Just when you think the books are going the way of Stephanie Plum series, it steers in the complete opposite direction.
Quick, fun read. I'm picking up the next one now!
Quick, fun read. I'm picking up the next one now!
August 14, 2011
not something i would have picked up but a friend from my school years and neighborhood wrote this and another 2 books. she sent me two of them and the third i bought. they were a bit young-more for a teen but so was the hunger games and that was great.
January 31, 2016
Great beach or fun reading :-)
This series is certainly not brain food but its great brain candy. Since the first book, I've been hooked and hate to put them down. Brandy's adventures are only a little bit over the top and you can find reality in many of her situations.
This series is certainly not brain food but its great brain candy. Since the first book, I've been hooked and hate to put them down. Brandy's adventures are only a little bit over the top and you can find reality in many of her situations.
December 17, 2008
Reading book number three of this series will satisfy you as the others did but will have you salivating for book number four!
I just LOVE this series!!!!!!!!!!
I just LOVE this series!!!!!!!!!!
July 13, 2012
I'm so glad this book is part of a series, as I have some catching up to do. Author Shelly Fredman has created a character who's a cross between Stephanie Plum and Nancy Drew. This series rocketh!
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August 31, 2010 Task 10.2
April 11, 2012
oh boy Brandy just keeps falling into the mysteries and almost getting herself killed! the supporting characters are fun and you feel like they are old friends!
June 12, 2012
Fredman gets better with every new novel. #3 is the best so far. I'm already reading #4.
January 21, 2013
This series is fantastic to read! I don't want it to end!!
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