Murder Can Run Your Stockings

Desiree Shapiro Mystery #13

by Selma Eichler

Wisecracking New York detective Desiree Shapiro always offers queen-sized entertainment. This time, a client wants her to nab his old aunt's killer. But things get sticky as the suspects keep multiplying-and Dez's tepid relationship with her hot neighbor Nick starts to simmer.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

261 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 7, 2006

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

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ENJOYED THE MYSTERY IN THIS BOOK. AND THE CHARACTERS WERE AWESOME YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE THERE TRYING TO HELP FIGURE THE CRIME OUT WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER. LOVE THE WAY SHE FINALLY BEGAN TO PUT IT altogether. THIS MY MY FIRST BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR AND I FOR SURE WILL BE READING MORE OF HER BOOKS.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mystery. I did wish the ending were a little different, but hey life doesn't always happen the way you want either, right? I liked the author's writing style. Gave it more of a Sam Spade meets Harry Wild kind of feel.

[Elka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this and another book in the series at a used book sale, so at least the proceeds went to charity. There's simply not enough here for a whole book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always fun to read a Desiree Shapiro book. Selma Eichler does a great job!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun easy to read installment.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addicted to this series and loving it!, September 14, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Murder Can Run Your Stockings (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #13) (Mass Market Paperback)
On a flight back from a wedding in Minneapolis Desiree finds herself seated next to Ben Berlin, an attorney, on his way to his Aunt Bessie's funeral in New York. During their conversations Ben reveals his sorrow over the loss of his Aunt who apparently died after a fall down her basement stairs. Ben states that he had lived with his Aunt for sometime in order to finish school due to his parents moving out of state.
Desiree returns to her office to greet Jackie, her secretary,and to be informed that Ben was on the phone. Ben has reason to believe that his beloved Aunt Bessie may not have had an accidental tumble down the stairs afterall. That is, in Ben's opinion. Ben asks Desiree to take on this case and prove whether Aunt Bessie was pushed down the stairs (and who did the pushing) or was it an accident. Desiree listens to Ben's reasoning and takes on the case.

Soon Desiree begins to line up the usual suspects and schedules interviews. There is one in the line up that I picked up on from the get go...but where is the proof. In her quest to uncover the truth Desiree leaves no stone unturned.
This is my 13th Desiree Shapiro book in this marvelous series. There are several reasons why I continue to enjoy entering Desiree's world. Her life is realistic. She's the average woman with flaws and with a list of characters (family, friends and neighbors) that add to her life. #1 being Nick, Desiree's significant other as well as her neighbor living a floor above her. The problem continues to be TKFH. At long last Desiree is actually able to prepare and complete an entire homecooked meal for Nick without TKFH ruining it all with his repulsive presents.

Jackie is her usual budinsky self although a bit in the background on this entry. #2 Ellen, Desiree's sweet as apple pie, niece. They're related not through blood but rather through her late husband Ed. Ellen had been recently married to Mike, who is on his way to becoming an MD. Desiree is invited over for the usual dinner of take out Chinese from the Madarin Joy Restaurant as they go over the case of Ben's Aunt Bessie.
Although in this case I was able to find the murderer before getting to the end of the story,nevertheless, Desiree's step by step sleuthing in order to find some proof took me along on her journey.
I highly recommend this series to all cozy lovers.

[VJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read this book before...and barely remembered who did it, let alone how or why. It took me a few days to get through this book. I guess I just didn't really believe the main character as a licensed PI. The sharp amateur sleuths in most cozy mysteries are smarter and quicker and infinitely more interesting.

The only thing this PI has going for her is that she doesn't idiotically put herself in harm's way without packing heat.

I guess I just found the character too flat to waste any time reading any other books from this series. The only reason I finished it was because I couldn't remember how she finally figured it out (although I remembered halfway through the book) and I wanted to jog my memory.

[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.

[Kim j · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read most of the books in the series and this one was not one of her best. I agree with the others that the ending was flat. It just ended. It seemed like she spent to much time on characters that are well known,.even if read as a stand alone, to much background and not enough story. I only have 3left to read and I hope they are better because I love Dez. Before this book I would say, sorry you are not writing anymore but maybe Dez needs to retire.

Bye Dez, loved you when you were good & you.

[Bumbershootbears · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nice enough story with a pleasant main character. The ending left me very irritated. Everything was wrapped up abruptly in the last few pages and a number of questions were left unanswered. I even checked to see if pages were missing.... I bought this book used for a dime - and feel I about got my money's worth. Also - never did figure out how the title related in any way to the story - but I'm nitpicking now because I didn't like the end.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read one of these and while I liked the story I found some things really annoying with the characters. I still plan to read the last two entries in the series but this one didn't seem as good as other entries in the series.

[Margaret]

Enjoyable - my second read in this series. I thought the ending of this one was rather flat. I like the character of Desiree a lot though - she has the right mix of intelligence and humor and a little self-doubt which keeps her humble.

[Ronjoseph50 · Rating 2 out of 5]

and 1/2

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did make my stockings run.

[Mary Newcomb]

Desiree Shapiro is triumphant! She manages to solve the seemingly accidental death of her airplane seatmate's Aunt Bessie and turns a corner (with Nick!) in her personal life.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read... I finished it, so it kept me interested, but the ending fell way flat. I'm not running out to find the next book, if there is a next book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just enjoy this series.

[Andreia]

I just have 2 more books to go with this series, then I'll have to find a new one. Any suggestions?

[Debbie Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun murder mystery to read. Desiree Shapiro is a riot! However, I thought the ending was very uneventful was a let down.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and it's among the best Selma has written.