Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair

Desiree Shapiro Mystery #9

by Selma Eichler

John Lander is heir to his dying uncle's considerable fortune. But one close call with a not-so-stray bullet, and he runs right to plump P.I. Desiree Shapiro for help. The roster of suspects includes a motley crew of the uncle's potential beneficiaries-all of whom have plenty to gain from the murder. "Tired of glamorous private investigators so svelte they could be fashion models? Has author Selma Eichler got a heroine for you." (Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

379 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Selma Eichler is a freelance writer who lives in New York with her husband. She is the creator of 'Desiree Shapiro', private eye in New York City.

Series:
* Desiree Shapiro Mystery

Reviews

[Lukas Kawika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one not expecting too much, having picked it out pretty much at random from a secondhand book shop just so I could walk out with something, but very quickly I realized that I was gonna like it a lot - and I did!

I love that it basically advertises itself like, "tired of sultry, suave noir detectives? check out Desiree Shapiro, who's average as hell" - and she really is a regular person! She gets overwhelmed, and confused, and ahead of herself, and all kinds of things that just make sense for someone trying to figure out this case. She's basically in our position from the reader's standpoint, and that's really fun to see since it's like we're exploring the case and figuring out the details together, at the same pace, instead of the Hercule Poirot special of "i thought about it for 5 minutes and i know exactly what happened".

I was wondering when the "affair" part of the title would come in, since that didn't happen until quite a bit later (although I suppose the way these stories go, if you're extra observant or have already read the story once before, you might be able to pick up on those hints when they're first dropped). But still, this was a fun ride! I'll definitely keep an eye out for more when my list is getting shorter.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars for MURDER CAN COOL OFF YOUR AFFAIR, #9 a quick reading Cozy Mystery series by Selma Eichler, published in 2002 (answering machines common, cell phones considered not quite essential).

MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY/CUTE; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

I originally read the Desiree Shapiro Mystery series when they were first published 20yrs ago and remembered them fondly. I decided to reread a few titles to see what I thought now and whether or not the stories have held up over time. Desiree Shapiro/protagonist is a 30+yrs full-figured woman, a widow and a NYC private investigator. Her deceased husband had been a police officer and practiced as a PI before his death. Now a practicing investigator herself, Desiree began her business with clients concerned about lost pets, missing persons, disputed car accidents and/or insurance claims. Recently, Desiree has solved one or two murder cases as well. In MURDER CAN COOL OFF YOUR AFFAIR Desiree has been hired to solve a murder and hopefully prevent another one from occurring - her client’s. While I believe this story is probably as enjoyable as it was when I first read it, it seems my tastes have changed to some degree over the years. I now prefer mysteries with rich background, complex characters and detailed settings (such as in many Classic, Historical and certain Procedural Mysteries). MURDER CAN COOL YOUR AFFAIR is well written - simply not my preferred style at this time. Readers who prefer Cozy Mysteries, Culinary Mysteries (similar to Diane Mott Davidson) and/or Cozy Mysteries set in/near NYC (like Laura Durham’s Annabelle Archer Wedding Bell Mysteries) may wish to check out MURDER CAN COOL YOUR AFFAIR and Selma Eichler’s other Desiree Shapiro titles.

READER CAUTIONS -
VIOLENCE - Not really - PG. This is a Cozy Mystery so someone has died. The killing happened before the book began and the specific details were minimal.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used occasionally.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable cozy mystery. I have never read a book by Selma Eichler and she has a wonderful sense of humor.
Desiree, the private detective, is asked to help one of the heirs of a large estate. Uncle Victor
is very rich and is dying. His main heir is murdered. John, another potential heir, hires Desiree to investigate a possible attempt on is life. he doesn't want a body guard, just someone to figure out who tried to kill him.
Desiree is a very interesting character and makes the book very enjoyable.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My antidote to some of the heavier books I read, is to read a fun and fast cozy mystery. I needed it after the last book I read before this one. This is a series that ended some years back, and I was unable to find anything out about either the author or other books she may written after this series. This series of books would have worked very well as a fun light hearted crime television series.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my least favourite Desiree Shapiro novels. She doesn't discover a body. She doesn't get entwined in some juicy crime details. She just has to figure out who's trying to kill off the family members who are in Uncle Victor's will. Kind of dull. And no love interest for her either.

[Laura Salas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The copy above describing this book is totally inaccurate--must be fore a different book in the series?

[Madelyn Flammia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great quick read. It is perfect escapist reading. The main character is very likeable. I enjoy the setting, too.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book following Dez around solving mysteries!!!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying this great mystery series about a widow who continues to run her late husband's PI business. Funny,well plotted

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light reading. First time I’ve read one of her books.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

[Lisa]

Looks like once again, I've picked it up out of order. Let's see if I'm lost, jumping in on book #9 of the series
Left off on p57. Not piquing my interest at this time

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair
~Signet
(8)
Always a pleasure to read a Desiree shapiro Mystery, April 21, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Murder Can Cool Off Your Affair (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #9) (Paperback)
I gave up counting how many Desiree Shapiro mysteries I've read...because I just keep on reading them. They add to my pleasure in cozy mysteries.

A multi millionaire, Uncle Victor, is dying and has made out his will. His fortune goes first to his favorite nephew, Edward. Unfortunately, Edward is murdered and the inheritance now goes to the next in line in Uncle Victor's family. The next in line appears to be Desiree's new client, John Lander.

Desiree bribes her way into Tim Fielding's office...or should I say his desk at police headquarters. Of course Desiree uses her wit and Fielding's favorite donuts to gain entrance. She soon learns that she and Fielding are at odds regarding who the murderer really is. Fielding is sure he already knows the true perpetrators identity while Desiree is continuously interviewing possible candidates searching for clues.
While Desiree's sleuthing techniques is going on Ellen, Desiree's niece, doesn't let up in her quest for the perfect wedding ensamble. Now that Ellen's wedding gown has been selected Desiree is coaxed daily into shopping for her matron of honor dress. Why Ellen is in such a frenzy to get this slection done asap is beyond Desiree since the wedding is more than months away.

At the same time Harriet, Desiree's neighbor, gets another visit from her father-in-law-Pop. Pop is the most obnoxious senior citizen yet-especially when going out to eat with desiree. This is exactly what she's been trying her utmost to avoid.

I really enjoy leaning back and getting into another Desiree Shapiro cozy. To me it's like visiting an old friend. Desiree's thoughts are delightfully fun. This is one series I intend to continue reading.

Hope you'll enjoy Desiree Shapiro as I do and get a kick out of these ridiculously fun titles.

[Avigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone whose private eye investigating has been heavily weighted toward finding missing pets, suddenly being called upon to find out who's trying to kill John Lander is more than a little nerve wracking. Desirée Shapiro suggests that a bodyguard might be a preferable choice, but John and his wife Trudie insists that she is just the person they need. While the police are skeptical about the murder attempt, Shapiro takes the report seriously. After all, John's cousin has just been shot to death, leaving John next in line to inherit a fortune-if he lives-and there are several other cousins who will benefit greatly if he doesn't. So the search begins, with Shapiro interrogating all the most likely suspects and seemingly getting no closer to her main goal, but discovering many family secrets in the process. Eventually, as one might expect, the pieces do fall into place. MURDER CAN COOL OFF YOUR AFFAIR is probably at its best in its descriptions of some of the fringe characters--the septuagenarian father of a friend, Shapiro's secretary, and others who don't figure in the main plot but who do add amusing asides to a generally entertaining novel.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desiree's most recent client, John Lander, is due to inherit his Uncle Victor's sizeable fortune now that the previous heir, Edward, is dead. After a close call with a stray bullet, John hires Desiree to solve two mysteries who wants him dead and who murdered his cousin Edward? Through persistent sleuthing, the food-loving detective pieces together a short list of suspects who might benefit from Edward's death, but she has no clear idea which is the assailant. The police have a hypothesis of their own. They believe John killed Edward and faked the attempt on his own life in order to paint himself as a victim, but Desiree is reluctant to admit that her client may be a murderer. You can't help but thoroughly enjoy Desiree ---she's just a loveable, comical character who just sometimes gets in her own way ----cute, enjoyable read!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[aimee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book because I liked the title (it seemed like it would be a witty book). I did like Desiree, the main character, but most of the other characters were boring in comparison. The exception was the old man down the hall that tries to get Desiree to date him. I knew whodunit by the end of the first chapter. Boring!

[Kim j · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not understand the negative reviews from Dez fans. She stays true to character & the characters grow. Not a Mickey Spillane novel but she does not try to be a big spy or take on the bad guys with guns, etc. She admits it & even wanted to refer out. Another fun read.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read - Desiree Shapiro is a hoot.