Murder Can Depress Your Dachshund

Desiree Shapiro Mystery #14

by Selma Eichler

On the day before Jordy Mills was going to donate a kidney to save his brother Cornell's life, he was shot to death. Without donor, Cornell tragically committed suicide. Looking into the lives of these two brothers, Manhattan P.I. Desiree Shapiro has discovered that one's a saint, the other's a sinner, and someone wanted them both dead.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Dogs, Fiction, Cozy

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 6, 2007

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

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was quite enjoyable! This was a strange place to start this series, at number 14, but it just so happened to be the one I found secondhand first. I generally go out trawling the op shops once a month, and whatever is there is there, if you know what I mean. Now I'm going to have to hunt down more of these gems!

Basically the thing I liked most about this book was Desiree herself. She was just such a flawed individual; bitchy, judgemental, prone to eating two slices of pie instead of one. She reminded me of myself, in other words. The fact that she is so easy to dislike (and I know am I too, I'm not denying that) just endeared herself even more to my crabby heart. This is no dewy eyed investigator, she's been a PI for some time and knows the ropes.

I definitely want more now. This is obviously a great series and I look forward to Desiree's food and mystery adventures in the future. Five stars.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun all the way through, July 31, 2011
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Can Depress Your Dachshund (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #14) (Paperback)
This was my first Desiree Shapiro book for me. It had been recommended by one of my cozy mystery lovers online members...besides I am the proud owner of 2 rescue dachshunds and thought this might be a good choice for me.

This author brings her own sense of humor into her book from the first page. she hooked me on this series with this book. It was not only a good read, it was a fun read. I enjoyed it all the way through. I was actually happy to be reading this book and I plan on reading many more in her Desiree Shapiro series.

The characters were believable and I especially appreciate Desiree. She's not perfect as a matter of fact she's over weight. I like her niece, Ellen, and her needy ways.

Thank-you Selma Eichler for bringing a fun sense of humor into your cozy mysteries.

Ellen Rappaport
Largo, Florida

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a long period of time, our library is finally openish, with a big emphasis on the "ish" part. We can enter the main floor, circulate through a small stack of books, pick up a few magazines, if one is so inclined, and go through self-checkout. I look forward to when we can use our library in full force again, but I am reconciled that this setup is as good as it is going to get for a while.

Selecting this book was an exercise in speed-shopping. Given the setup, I just described one can not loiter in the library, or peruse potential books. Rather, the goal is to get in, and get out. This book was highlighted in the "new books" section. I rarely read mysteries and thought that a change of pace would be a good idea.

Unfortunately, this new book was released in 2007 and has unfortunately not aged well. The prime character is a private eye who eats and interviews her way through cases. The book contains details of restaurants and meals, as well as personal discussions with her niece, boyfriend, and the office administrator. The case is nicely wrapped up by the end of the book, but it is fairly clear that the main story is Desiree and her life.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The short little mystery was okay. A Manhattan PI travels to surrounding small town to investigate the murder of a man's son. The son was supposed to donate his kidney to his brother the next day. Twists, turns, and a lost PI lead us down the whodunit road.

I just never really connected with the characters. Jordy, the murder victim, was supposed to be amazing, but I felt he was too hollow for me to really dig into what happened. Desiree, the PI, well I just couldn't see us handing out together. And Tootsie, the dachshund in the title, just didn't get enough airtime.

It was written a while ago and there are a few places where it shows. But, the main thing for me is I just didn't really care.

[Tami Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the main character Desiree, she is not the perfect, size 6 woman, which is refreshing. Being a dog lover......was a little disappointed that the dachshund was only mentioned a few times through out the book.

[Aimy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best books but oddly compelling. Nice in that Rosemary and Thyme way..

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner with lots of twists and turns and lots of mystery and action to the very end of the book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selma Eichler does it again. I enjoy the Desiree Shapiro stories!

[Lydia Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the title (probably because I have 2 dachshunds). Desiree is no Kinsey Millhone, that's for sure. Light reading for tax day.

[Paige Kuether · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think she really wanted to write a romance novel but added some mystery,

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series (although knowing all the characters I skip the review info which is needed if you pick up the series somewhere after book 1 as they really can stand alone as well.)

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Desiree Shapiro novel I've read. To be honest, the reason I was attracted to the book in the first place is because Dachshund is in the title. I love those cute little doxies!
I enjoyed the book. I found the numerous remarks about her eating habits, her weight, her pants being too tight, etc a bit tedious, though. The only other comment I have about the book is that the characters were really well written. I mean each character spoke perfect English, as if they were all fastidious about proper grammar. I think that fact separated this book from being somewhat realistic and possible.
Other than that, it's an cute little read. If given the chance, I might read others in the series.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms Eichler gets two stars only because the characters, for the most part, are well developed. Entire chapters would go by with absolutely no sleuthing going on. Reading about a "detective" sitting on the cauch watching movies is filler, not an element moving the story along. As for the Dachshund--she's beside the point. Don't bother reading this one unless you have absolutely nothing else to read.

[Wiebke Kuhn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I will read more of the series -- the language may be charming to folks who are fond of New York, but I found it tedious, overdone and sloppy. The plot meandered about -- the most interesting piece for me was the insistence on recording meetings and the time spent on them that indeed finally breaks the case.

[Yakking Yogini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good mass market mystery if you need something light and fluffy to read after reading something heavy. This PI or private investigator, is a New York Jewess who is fat, loves to dine out, and bumbles her way to solving her cases by sheer luck! She is a delightful character!

[Mary Newcomb]

Desiree Shapiro found out who killed the universally loved Jordy Mills, just before he was going to donate a kidney to his despised brother Cornell Mills. And Desiree's personal life is taking an interesting turn as well.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly, this is the book in the Desiree Shapiro series I liked the best!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desiree Shapiro is a fun character. I always enjoy reading her latest adventures. And...she makes me homesick for NYC!

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting.

[Kim j · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first one I read & I got hooked. I love that she is not your typical PI-she is better in my book. Love the books I have read, sorry that the series has ended. Miss you Dez.y

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat tired and predictable (although I still didn't see who did it until it was pointed out). You can see the series is starting to show its age.

[Mikala · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a little for the story to get going and was not all that gripping. But an okay read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good