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Gretchen Birch #2
Goodbye, Dolly
Gretchen Birch is at her first major doll show (and only her flighty Aunt Nina there to "help"), praying she doesn't botch any repair job. But glue-gun glitches turn out to be the least of her worries when a sleazy reporter is found dead with Gretchen's craft knife stuck in his back. Then someone begins sending her boxes of Kewpie dolls with cryptic, threatening messages hidden inside. Now she must watch her step, or else she'll end up needing more than a few repairs.
221 pages, Nook
First published September 4, 2007
26 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Deb Baker
30 books228 followersBestselling, award-winning author Deb Baker writes the hilarious Gertie Johnson mystery series set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 16, 2012
I enjoyed all the kewpie doll information. I notice that the ones on the cover are the later ones without wings, the ones we used to be able to get at the exhibition and that's the only part they didn't explain, the connection between the two. I got a little mixed up over the diamonds, but it made sense. I lost track of the guilty party somewhere along the line and would have to go back and trace him, but I don't care enough to bother. I've never heard of the Ginny dolls but will look them up. I think I read this kind of mystery more for the information than for the mystery.
December 15, 2019
Book thats all about doll collectors and murders. I love that the heroine has spunk and is an artist. And what a lovely way to understand doll collecting as a hobby and serious business. lots of historical snippets in the book on dolls. Its a cosy read and the writing is crisp.
January 7, 2025
Another great book by Deb Baker, I am so sad that there are only 3 of them. I will be reading the third one soon. But if you want a really good trilogy about murder and doll collecting and fixing, this is the series for you.
September 7, 2019
Great book loved it cant wait to read the next one in the series.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
May 24, 2013
Recently relocated to Phoenix from Boston, doll restorer Gretchen Birch is a bit nervous about attending her first major doll show without her mother - she doesn't want to mess anything up. So when she bids and wins a box of Ginny dolls but ends up with Kewpie dolls instead, she is understandably upset. She is even more upset when someone is hit and killed by a car during the auction. But what is really upsetting is when a sleazy reporter is murdered and Gretchen's ex-boyfriend is one of the suspects. Gretchen has many questions, including who is following her around and who is sending cryptic notes inside of Kewpie dolls. Gretchen hopes to figure this all out before she herself becomes a victim.
"Goodbye, Dolly" was an okay cozy mystery. The strong point is the characters in the book, especially Gretchen. Devastated after her boyfriend cheated on her, she is determined to make a new life for herself in Phoenix. Her aunt Nina, who claims to be psychic and see auras, is also well written if a bit stereotypical. The addition of homeless people, Daisy especially, adds a lot to the story. The doll collecting and restoration aspects are well done and interesting. Where the book didn't work for me is the mystery elements. The mystery isn't all that well plotted. Author Deb Baker tries to throw in a red herring as to the killer's identity throughout the book, but it just makes it obvious who the killer is not. And, near the end of the book, she has one minor character give a major clue in an obvious and poorly written way. The identity of who was following Gretchen around was a nice twist, but Baker cheats on who the killer is. Part of the fun of reading cozy mysteries is trying to figure out who the murderer is. It's pretty easy to figure out here, but Baker takes the easy and lazy way of picking the killer.
"Goodbye Dolly" has some good moments, but could have been better plotted.
"Goodbye, Dolly" was an okay cozy mystery. The strong point is the characters in the book, especially Gretchen. Devastated after her boyfriend cheated on her, she is determined to make a new life for herself in Phoenix. Her aunt Nina, who claims to be psychic and see auras, is also well written if a bit stereotypical. The addition of homeless people, Daisy especially, adds a lot to the story. The doll collecting and restoration aspects are well done and interesting. Where the book didn't work for me is the mystery elements. The mystery isn't all that well plotted. Author Deb Baker tries to throw in a red herring as to the killer's identity throughout the book, but it just makes it obvious who the killer is not. And, near the end of the book, she has one minor character give a major clue in an obvious and poorly written way. The identity of who was following Gretchen around was a nice twist, but Baker cheats on who the killer is. Part of the fun of reading cozy mysteries is trying to figure out who the murderer is. It's pretty easy to figure out here, but Baker takes the easy and lazy way of picking the killer.
"Goodbye Dolly" has some good moments, but could have been better plotted.
February 7, 2017
Just as satisfying as book #1 in the series, and it was fun to see so many of the same characters reappear. I can't wait for book #3!
June 11, 2009
I like the mystery portion of the story but here character descriptions leave something to be desired. She seems obsessed with body images rather than personalities and such. I'm still working through this but I'm losing my interest in the story because of her poor description of the characters. I'm not sure how many times you have to say someone is fat, skinny, athletic or whatever to make your point. I hope the other two books are better descriptive wise or I just won't bother reading them.
Finally finished this book, very slow read because it's not a big book but it was not a can't put it down book either. The character descriptions were really bothering me. I mean how many times does she have to say how fat April is? I did think she did well with the homeless people descriptions and did good at making the friendships seem real. Putting the character descriptions aside, I love the mystery part of it. She did a good job keeping you guessing until the end. Although you kind of knew who the killer wasn't, it was hard to determine who it was.
Finally finished this book, very slow read because it's not a big book but it was not a can't put it down book either. The character descriptions were really bothering me. I mean how many times does she have to say how fat April is? I did think she did well with the homeless people descriptions and did good at making the friendships seem real. Putting the character descriptions aside, I love the mystery part of it. She did a good job keeping you guessing until the end. Although you kind of knew who the killer wasn't, it was hard to determine who it was.
May 18, 2014
I read the first book a while back and decided to add this one to my Spring Challenge read. I must say I liked it more than the first book! The mystery is amazingly worked out! I had no idea how everything fitted together.
It all happens as Gretchen has to do her first auction alone without her mother present. She buys a box of Ginny dolls but accidentally gets a box of Kewpie dolls. At the auction the first murder happens. Yes, the first because there is more to come. To make matters even worse, the Boston Kewpie Club is also there.... Together with Steve, Gretchen's ex. I won't spoil how and what further, but this book was great!
Next to Gretchen, also her aunt Nina and her purse dogs are present, the gals from the doll collector club and her friends from the street Daisy and Nacho. All of them try in some way to help Gretchen find out what is happening and who the criminal is.
It all happens as Gretchen has to do her first auction alone without her mother present. She buys a box of Ginny dolls but accidentally gets a box of Kewpie dolls. At the auction the first murder happens. Yes, the first because there is more to come. To make matters even worse, the Boston Kewpie Club is also there.... Together with Steve, Gretchen's ex. I won't spoil how and what further, but this book was great!
Next to Gretchen, also her aunt Nina and her purse dogs are present, the gals from the doll collector club and her friends from the street Daisy and Nacho. All of them try in some way to help Gretchen find out what is happening and who the criminal is.
January 14, 2010
Gretchen is supposed to bid at a doll auction, but when she does, she gets a box of worthless Kewpie doll imitations instead of the valuable dolls she purchased. Then the auctioneer's assistant is killed in a road accident. An obnoxious journalist is murdered at a doll show that takes place soon afterward, but Gretchen is too busy trying to get rid of her visiting ex-boyfriend to pay much attention--until she learns that her knife was used in the killing.
March 12, 2010
This was a very interesting book from the standpoint of the mystery/murders to the world of doll collecting. The information regarding a certain type of doll was very interesting. I never knew there were several 'types' of this doll. Also, I learned alot about Doll repairing. Very interesting.
The mystery was tight and well written. I highly recommend reading the series.
The mystery was tight and well written. I highly recommend reading the series.
October 25, 2008
I gave up on this one several months ago... (murder-mysteries are really not my favorites). I did want to resume reading it to find out the identity of Ronnie's murderer, but I just couldn't force myself to complete it. Ronnie was such a sleaze ball and his murder seemed ... well, justified (?)
July 11, 2011
Gretchen Birch attending at her first big Doll Show on her own, well if you don't count the dog in her purse and the quirky cast of characters all with a passion for doll collecting and Curves! Quirky characters and laughs makes for an enjoyable cozy read.
January 9, 2009
Very entertaining mystery . . . I also enjoyed how the author gave real faces and personalities to the homeless.
April 17, 2009
I'm an avid doll collector/researcher, and was quite pleased that the doll information in the book was correct and in the proper spirit......
February 27, 2012
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy series - and, I'm not reading in order and not having problems following along!
October 31, 2013
I didn't figure the motive in this one. It was pretty fun and easy to read. Not sure who to trust.
October 18, 2014
A fun and gentle cozy about a doll repair lady. A fascinating insight into the world of collectible dolls. Good with nice twists.
January 19, 2017
Enjoy the Gertie series better.
April 11, 2017
A fun cozy. Good to read about some nice murders after some very grim books.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews