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Domestic Equalizers #1
Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash
The strongest, sexiest, and sassiest debut contemporary romance we've seen since Rachel Gibson! The quality of Dixie's writing combined with the pure romance of the story guarantees that Avon Romance has just acquired a new star.
Debbie Sue Overstreet is still the best-looking gal in Saltlick, TX-and her ex-husband Buddy is still the best-looking sheriff. Thanks to a thriving gossip mill (also known as Debbie's hair salon), there isn't a thing in Saltlick that she doesn't know about before anyone else. That is, until somebody offs snooty Pearl Ann Carruthers. With Buddy on the case, the woman who has to know everything is stumped by not just one, but two questions: first, who killed Pearl Ann and why, and second, how on earth did she ever let Buddy Overstreet get away? Lucky for Saltlick and Buddy both, she means to find out the answers, no matter what it takes!
Debbie Sue Overstreet is still the best-looking gal in Saltlick, TX-and her ex-husband Buddy is still the best-looking sheriff. Thanks to a thriving gossip mill (also known as Debbie's hair salon), there isn't a thing in Saltlick that she doesn't know about before anyone else. That is, until somebody offs snooty Pearl Ann Carruthers. With Buddy on the case, the woman who has to know everything is stumped by not just one, but two questions: first, who killed Pearl Ann and why, and second, how on earth did she ever let Buddy Overstreet get away? Lucky for Saltlick and Buddy both, she means to find out the answers, no matter what it takes!
372 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
108 people are currently reading
2275 people want to read
About the author
Dixie Cash
17 books241 followersDixie Cash is the pen name of Texas-born sisters Pam Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan, a dynamic duo known for their humorous, character-driven novels set in the American South. Raised in rural West Texas among a colorful cast of cowboys, cowgirls, and larger-than-life personalities, the sisters blend Pam’s zany humor with Jeffery’s dry wit to create laugh-out-loud stories full of charm and heart. Deeply rooted in the world of country western music and small-town life, their collaborative writing brings Southern flair and comedic storytelling to the page. Pam lives in the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex, while Jeffery resides in a small town nearby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
May 27, 2018
Ok, first of all I think these books deserve an extra star because of the awesome titles! And second, they are fun to read. 📖
We enter this world with a well established back story. Our hero and heroine were married five years ago, but divorced because a horrific thing happened and changed their dynamics.
Now our hero is a police chief who dreams of becoming a Texas Ranger and our heroine is running a beauty salon with a desire to leave the small town they live in.
Enter a murder mystery and a cast of hilarious characters with a wonderful Texas background. Excellent beginning to the series!
We enter this world with a well established back story. Our hero and heroine were married five years ago, but divorced because a horrific thing happened and changed their dynamics.
Now our hero is a police chief who dreams of becoming a Texas Ranger and our heroine is running a beauty salon with a desire to leave the small town they live in.
Enter a murder mystery and a cast of hilarious characters with a wonderful Texas background. Excellent beginning to the series!
January 8, 2020
3,5 / 5
Eğlenceli kitap okumayı özlemişim 😆
Eğlenceli kitap okumayı özlemişim 😆
April 18, 2011
Debbie Sue and her ex-husband Buddy, the town's sheriff, still love each other, even 3 years after the divorce. When one of the local bigwigs is found murdered, Debbie Sue decides to investigate for herself so she can claim the reward money and get herself out of debt... and snag Buddy back along the way.
This is my first book by Ms Cash, and to be honest, I don't know if I'd go back for more.
At first I thought it was because, due to a hectic week, I could only pick up the book in small doses... then I realised that no, it actually WAS quite slow going to begin with. I had read almost a quarter of the book before it hooked me, and even then it seemed a very light hold.
For once, I find it hard to pinpoint exactly what it was about the book that didn't grab me. It wasn't that I didn't like the book, but it seemed like an amateur attempt, somewhat disjointed. There were a few moments if brilliant humour, where I literally laughed out loud, but they were interspersed with some incredibly bad dialogue and the plot felt aimless at times, as if the author herself didn't know where the story was going. I have nothing against writers just writing, and letting the characters and plot reveal themselves, but this felt like I was watching a bad impromptu skit, so that although it had funny moments, the overall effect felt quite 2 dimensional, with characters who, though likable and amusing, seemed as confused as the author.
Maybe I'm being overly harsh... Will have to find out for sure, but it felt like it might have been her early work..? Would be interested to know how her recent work is rated / reviewed.
As for this book, it's not one I would ever read again or recommend, but if I do find out this was a debut, I might be interested in trying one of Ms Cash's latest novels to see how the writing style may have improved... maybe.
This is my first book by Ms Cash, and to be honest, I don't know if I'd go back for more.
At first I thought it was because, due to a hectic week, I could only pick up the book in small doses... then I realised that no, it actually WAS quite slow going to begin with. I had read almost a quarter of the book before it hooked me, and even then it seemed a very light hold.
For once, I find it hard to pinpoint exactly what it was about the book that didn't grab me. It wasn't that I didn't like the book, but it seemed like an amateur attempt, somewhat disjointed. There were a few moments if brilliant humour, where I literally laughed out loud, but they were interspersed with some incredibly bad dialogue and the plot felt aimless at times, as if the author herself didn't know where the story was going. I have nothing against writers just writing, and letting the characters and plot reveal themselves, but this felt like I was watching a bad impromptu skit, so that although it had funny moments, the overall effect felt quite 2 dimensional, with characters who, though likable and amusing, seemed as confused as the author.
Maybe I'm being overly harsh... Will have to find out for sure, but it felt like it might have been her early work..? Would be interested to know how her recent work is rated / reviewed.
As for this book, it's not one I would ever read again or recommend, but if I do find out this was a debut, I might be interested in trying one of Ms Cash's latest novels to see how the writing style may have improved... maybe.
March 7, 2012
It's not very often that I abandon a book I've started reading, but this one falls into that category. I expected this to be full of humorous quips typical of Texas accents and lifestyles, but other than the title and maybe one or two other little things, I found it was not to be. Yes, there is a murder in the town which appears at first to be a suicide, but in the first 45 minutes or so that I listened to out of the 10+ hours of narration, the action and thoughts of the characters center around sex and sour relationships. By that, I refer to the main character who is divorced, but apparently still in love with her ex and extremely jealous of his interest in other females, which is portrayed in such as way as to make one think the woman is a 16-year-old rather than thirty-something. All of the characters presented in the initial 45 minutes were completely superficial and I saw no hope of redeeming qualities. There was not enough focus on the mystery to entice me to continue. Although the audiobook only cost me $4.95, I regret the waste of money.
May 5, 2019
Cute start to a mystery series with a lot of humor and a touch of romance set in West Texas. It's reminiscent of the Stephanie Plum series with quirky characters that only work in that setting and humorous off-beat situations. As the story opens, we meet Debbie Sue, still carrying a torch for her ex-husband Sheriff Buddy Overstreet, and her friends Ed (short for Edwina) and CJ (Carol Jean). They are drawn into solving the murder of the wife of a wealthy businessman, in part to save Debbie Sue's beauty salon. There are some fun side characters to provide comic relief.
It's cute, mindless fun - and the title! The titles (because there are more in this series) comes from Debbie Sue's mom who's an aspiring country music writer and comes up with titles that are guaranteed hits. It's not intense but it's just right for a little diversion while sipping some iced tea on the back porch on a summer afternoon.
It's cute, mindless fun - and the title! The titles (because there are more in this series) comes from Debbie Sue's mom who's an aspiring country music writer and comes up with titles that are guaranteed hits. It's not intense but it's just right for a little diversion while sipping some iced tea on the back porch on a summer afternoon.
February 22, 2025
New to me author this was a real surprise. After reading reviews I decided to give it a try anyway. I really liked it! Having been raised in the country with animals, horses and cowboys the humor was perfect for me. There is a complete story, backstory, mystery of sorts, murder and romance. It was all wrapped up in small town with gossip abounding - sort of Steel Magnolias vibe.
I don't know why all the negative reviews as this was a very entertaining book. It shows a lot of the difference between city folk and country folk in the way they think in real life not just in fictional books. These author's characters have a real-life feel as they know and have met people like them, so have I.
This book is about Debbie Sue and Buddy and the mystery murder of a rich man's wife. Animals are really important to Debbie Sue and her life, her old barrel horse, well yeah I totally get that as she will keep him till he dies. Buddy her ex is also special and with their past she can't get over him entirely.
Only thing I would have like changed is Debbie Sue's stupid plan at the very end to catch the killer. Yes, it added suspense but I don't think she'd have made such a dumb move.
I don't know why all the negative reviews as this was a very entertaining book. It shows a lot of the difference between city folk and country folk in the way they think in real life not just in fictional books. These author's characters have a real-life feel as they know and have met people like them, so have I.
This book is about Debbie Sue and Buddy and the mystery murder of a rich man's wife. Animals are really important to Debbie Sue and her life, her old barrel horse, well yeah I totally get that as she will keep him till he dies. Buddy her ex is also special and with their past she can't get over him entirely.
Only thing I would have like changed is Debbie Sue's stupid plan at the very end to catch the killer. Yes, it added suspense but I don't think she'd have made such a dumb move.
August 21, 2017
I'm sure this would be a great story, but I personally couldn't get past the language. Apparently I will miss some steamy bedroom scenes. I'm okay with that. I prefer a good story without gratuitous language and sex.
March 9, 2012
Cons: dropped plot lines, offensive portrayal of homosexuals, the mystery itself
Pros: the title
Pros: the title
January 12, 2019
Debbie Sue, who was left by husband, Sheriff Buddy, three years ago shortly after the death of their premature son, still loves him and it its obvious that he feels the same way, even though he is dating a teacher from Odessa.
After their divorce DS opened a salon called the Styling Station on the former gas station property once owned by Buddy's parents. When they had to clean up the site, DS fell deep into debt, even though Buddy sold nearly everything he had to help her out. It would have been expensive to remove the gas pumps, so DS and her friend Edwina (Ed) decide to dress them up in seasonally appropriate clothing and leave them.
When the self centered and unfaithful wife of a rich man is murdered, the husband offers a reward of $50,000 to find the killer. DS really needs this money to pay down her debts, so she and Ed set out to find the killer.
A rich rodeo star, Quint, is interested in DS, and even offers her a job where she would be travelling all over the country with him first class all the way. DS would love to be around the rodeo circuit again and leaving tiny Salt Lick, in west Texas, has great appeal. Buddy is jealous and this leads to a hilarious incident where he runs into the couple in an out of town restaurant, encourages them to drink too much, then drives them back to DS's place. When they wake up from their drunken stupor, they find Buddy has glued Quint's zipper closed and he has to cut off part of his expensive pants to pee. He uses a pink clothes pin to keep his pants on and DS thinks it resembles a tiny, pink penis sticking out.
This book is LOL funny and it makes us feel like we are living in small town Texas. After a satisfying ending in this book, where everyone is happy, i look forward to reading the second book to see where the storyline takes our characters.
After their divorce DS opened a salon called the Styling Station on the former gas station property once owned by Buddy's parents. When they had to clean up the site, DS fell deep into debt, even though Buddy sold nearly everything he had to help her out. It would have been expensive to remove the gas pumps, so DS and her friend Edwina (Ed) decide to dress them up in seasonally appropriate clothing and leave them.
When the self centered and unfaithful wife of a rich man is murdered, the husband offers a reward of $50,000 to find the killer. DS really needs this money to pay down her debts, so she and Ed set out to find the killer.
A rich rodeo star, Quint, is interested in DS, and even offers her a job where she would be travelling all over the country with him first class all the way. DS would love to be around the rodeo circuit again and leaving tiny Salt Lick, in west Texas, has great appeal. Buddy is jealous and this leads to a hilarious incident where he runs into the couple in an out of town restaurant, encourages them to drink too much, then drives them back to DS's place. When they wake up from their drunken stupor, they find Buddy has glued Quint's zipper closed and he has to cut off part of his expensive pants to pee. He uses a pink clothes pin to keep his pants on and DS thinks it resembles a tiny, pink penis sticking out.
This book is LOL funny and it makes us feel like we are living in small town Texas. After a satisfying ending in this book, where everyone is happy, i look forward to reading the second book to see where the storyline takes our characters.
June 6, 2018
I picked this book up at a book sale simply because of the title. I mean, could you really have a better title?! I was immediately taken with the story telling and the candid back history of the main characters. I came to really feel as if I was apart of the ladies' families. I also loved this book simply because the dialogue was soooo funny and witty!! I was laughing on the first page... how many times does that truly happen?!
August 25, 2020
Love Dixie Cash's books. Light murder mysteries, good fun.
Read
July 27, 2011This has got to have one of the best titles in fiction history, but it is not really related to the story, unless the murder victim in this romance/mystery is the trash, but I don't think the authors are that clever.
This is the story of Debbie Sue, a hairstylist in Salt Lick, Texas (great town name!) whose life has taken a turn for the worst. Her marriage has failed, she in debt upto her eyeballs and her best customer has turned up dead as a result of an apparent suicide.
Debbie Sue knows that given the work that Pearl Ann Carruthers had just had done to her hair and nails, she would never kill herself, especially witha bullet to the head. So Debbie Sue sets out to prove that her client was murdered. Of couorse, the $50,000 reward doesn't hurt her motivation.
This novel is funny and silly at times, but the authors (a sister team) can't seem to decide if this is a mystery, a romance or a comedic novel. Those genres have been better blended in other works. Had the authors done a better job, this book would have been a keeper. As it is, it is a throwaway peice of brain candy.
This is the story of Debbie Sue, a hairstylist in Salt Lick, Texas (great town name!) whose life has taken a turn for the worst. Her marriage has failed, she in debt upto her eyeballs and her best customer has turned up dead as a result of an apparent suicide.
Debbie Sue knows that given the work that Pearl Ann Carruthers had just had done to her hair and nails, she would never kill herself, especially witha bullet to the head. So Debbie Sue sets out to prove that her client was murdered. Of couorse, the $50,000 reward doesn't hurt her motivation.
This novel is funny and silly at times, but the authors (a sister team) can't seem to decide if this is a mystery, a romance or a comedic novel. Those genres have been better blended in other works. Had the authors done a better job, this book would have been a keeper. As it is, it is a throwaway peice of brain candy.
November 12, 2010
Debbie Sue and Edwina are two best friend that run a beauty shop out in Saltlick, Texas. Sheriff Buddy Overstreet is Debbie Sue's ex-husband whom she's still very much in love with. So when Debbie Sue's best customer, or should I say richest, is found murdered, she and Edwina set out to find the culprit. This putting Buddy right back in the middle of her life.
I really truly enjoyed all of the characters in this book. Every one of them seemed to have their own unique personalities that made it seem to come to life. There was a lot of dry wit that keeps you laughing and very strange Southern sayings. I thought with my being from Texas, I would have heard a lot more of them.
I listened to the audio book version and the narrator took some getting used to, with her doing an over the top Texas accent. But once I did, I loved it. I had never read Dixie Cash before this book, and what drew me to it was the comments that if you enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews you would love Dixie Cash. And I did. I will definitely be continuing the Domestic Equalizers series.
I really truly enjoyed all of the characters in this book. Every one of them seemed to have their own unique personalities that made it seem to come to life. There was a lot of dry wit that keeps you laughing and very strange Southern sayings. I thought with my being from Texas, I would have heard a lot more of them.
I listened to the audio book version and the narrator took some getting used to, with her doing an over the top Texas accent. But once I did, I loved it. I had never read Dixie Cash before this book, and what drew me to it was the comments that if you enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews you would love Dixie Cash. And I did. I will definitely be continuing the Domestic Equalizers series.
February 15, 2011
Wow, it didn't take long for me to hit the "never mind" button on this one. I can handle a little romance with my murder mystery. What I have NO interest in is a novel that is a Romance (yep, capital R) with formulaic misunderstanding and foolish pride that pretends to be a murder mystery.
If you're a Romance reader, knock yourself out. I have no idea if the mystery was a good one or not. Mystery readers, even those with a love for cozies or "light" plots, be aware.
If you're a Romance reader, knock yourself out. I have no idea if the mystery was a good one or not. Mystery readers, even those with a love for cozies or "light" plots, be aware.
June 23, 2008
This book is sweet and an honest love story about a couple who get it wrong then get it right. Plus it's quite funny. The friendship between the heroine and her best friend is a hoot.
September 10, 2014
Cute, funny romance/mystery set in small town Texas
August 13, 2016
Cute southern humorous whodunit charmer. Perfect beach read!
January 20, 2016
It's just ok. More chick lit and I swore I would never read it again. The title got me LOL
July 5, 2016
My mom would have liked this book.
June 29, 2017
Similar to Janet Evanovich, with a West Texas flavor. This being the first book in the series, it was just okay. I've heard the second and third books are much better. I'll see if that's true.
February 13, 2018
What a hilariously fun story! I was hooked from beginning to the very end. I loved all the character's in this book. I felt like I was a part of their little town. Read this! You will love it!
December 18, 2017
Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash (Domestic Equalizers #1)
by Dixie Cash, read by Peggity Price
Dixie Cash is actually two sisters that write together. There's some down-home Texas humor and items are mentioned that I'm guessing people outside of Texas wouldn't know what they are (I didn't). It's a solid story, I only skipped a couple of parts.
Sometimes the main female character - Debbie Sue, acted a little too dumb for me.
The reader is both good and awful. Peggity Price handles all the voices really well and the accents. But her timing and cadence will make you want to pull your hair out, or stop listening. Read a line, stop, pause, read another line. This book was recorded back in 2004 and hopefully she's gotten much better since then.
I'm a maybe on recommending this book. I'll probably try another one by Cash although my library doesn't have any others in audio.
by Dixie Cash, read by Peggity Price
Dixie Cash is actually two sisters that write together. There's some down-home Texas humor and items are mentioned that I'm guessing people outside of Texas wouldn't know what they are (I didn't). It's a solid story, I only skipped a couple of parts.
Sometimes the main female character - Debbie Sue, acted a little too dumb for me.
The reader is both good and awful. Peggity Price handles all the voices really well and the accents. But her timing and cadence will make you want to pull your hair out, or stop listening. Read a line, stop, pause, read another line. This book was recorded back in 2004 and hopefully she's gotten much better since then.
I'm a maybe on recommending this book. I'll probably try another one by Cash although my library doesn't have any others in audio.
October 30, 2017
I listened to about 4 chapters and gave up. The book didn't seem to be going anywhere. She'd do something, tell her ex about it, then tell her friend about it. It wasn't especially funny, and I didn't care who killed the woman. The writers seem to want to be Janet Evanovich, but are failing.
The audio book was poorly edited, with weird unnatural gaps. The narrator was fine, but the editing was very distracting. If I'd liked the story better I might have stuck with it, but the combination of lack of plot, annoying characters and odd audio quality just finished it for me.
The audio book was poorly edited, with weird unnatural gaps. The narrator was fine, but the editing was very distracting. If I'd liked the story better I might have stuck with it, but the combination of lack of plot, annoying characters and odd audio quality just finished it for me.
November 8, 2018
Funny
5 stars
Occasionally you might get a good laugh in a book BUT 3 times I laughed so hard that I could barely breathe! I never expected such real humor.
I usually read technical books or reread classics, so I just wanted a bit of fluff. Wow! I got one of the top 3 funniest books that I have ever read. (I read about 2 books a week). I was so happy that I went to bed and slept like a baby.
I won't spoil this evaluation by giving away the funny parts....but look for the zipper part.
5 stars
Occasionally you might get a good laugh in a book BUT 3 times I laughed so hard that I could barely breathe! I never expected such real humor.
I usually read technical books or reread classics, so I just wanted a bit of fluff. Wow! I got one of the top 3 funniest books that I have ever read. (I read about 2 books a week). I was so happy that I went to bed and slept like a baby.
I won't spoil this evaluation by giving away the funny parts....but look for the zipper part.
March 8, 2019
3.5 Stars.
This book falls more into the romance and chick lit genre than a cozy mystery. The mystery part does keep you guessing, but the romantic angst totally overshadows it. I liked Debbie Sue and Edwina. The majority of the book was about the girls' backstory and their relationships with the men in their lives. I understand why so much time was spent on this aspect because this is the first book in the series. But, at about the halfway point, no progress had been made in the mystery and I was bored. I will probably continue to read this series, but not anytime soon.
This book falls more into the romance and chick lit genre than a cozy mystery. The mystery part does keep you guessing, but the romantic angst totally overshadows it. I liked Debbie Sue and Edwina. The majority of the book was about the girls' backstory and their relationships with the men in their lives. I understand why so much time was spent on this aspect because this is the first book in the series. But, at about the halfway point, no progress had been made in the mystery and I was bored. I will probably continue to read this series, but not anytime soon.
July 24, 2022
I have been looking for this book for many years. Thanks to the wonderful people on reddit, I was able to find it. I enjoyed it. Buddy and Debbie Sue are in love with each other even though they are divorced. The whole time you are rooting for them to get back together. I wish we were able to see more of the conversation between Buddy and Debbie Sue about his past relationship. That part seemed a bit rushed. Overall, I still liked the book. If you love murder mysteries and romance together, read this book.
December 6, 2023
I gotta admit the title drew me in !!!!
This is labeled as a romance but I found it to be more a mystery romance. I absolutely loved this and cannot wait to read the rest in the series.
Debbie Sue is determined to win the reward money for solving the murder of the nastiest woman in town.
She is not going to let her ex husband Buddy, the town sheriff, stop her.
With the help of friends, she solves it but almost becomes a victim. She and Buddy realize they are meant to be together and get remarried.
This is labeled as a romance but I found it to be more a mystery romance. I absolutely loved this and cannot wait to read the rest in the series.
Debbie Sue is determined to win the reward money for solving the murder of the nastiest woman in town.
She is not going to let her ex husband Buddy, the town sheriff, stop her.
With the help of friends, she solves it but almost becomes a victim. She and Buddy realize they are meant to be together and get remarried.
November 26, 2018
Hilarious
What a great story! The characters are hugely entertaining, from the hero and heroine, the Maudeen, who can't buy cocaine on her senior citizen fixed income. The story is a mixture of romance and mystery and the final result solves the mystery and has a good ending for our couple. Great read.
What a great story! The characters are hugely entertaining, from the hero and heroine, the Maudeen, who can't buy cocaine on her senior citizen fixed income. The story is a mixture of romance and mystery and the final result solves the mystery and has a good ending for our couple. Great read.
December 9, 2018
3:5 stars This was my first for this author and it was lacking some of the heat or devotion that other second chance books have that I like. It was hard to believe that Buddy still loved her when he was in a year long steady relationship with another woman. Debby Sue's lovesickness was more believable. The reuniting was weak and disappointing.
July 27, 2019
This was a promising start to the series...but I could not get into it for some reason. I mean it had all the makings of a good story that I would really like it enjoy. But I just wasn’t feeling it. I might very well try the next story in the series just to see. It might have just been my mood who knows…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews