The Parlor PI's discussion
Scared Stiff, Part one, Chapters 1-18
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Well, I'm not very far into the story but so far (other than a few bits) I'm liking it. And those trick or treaters finding the Halloween display all too authentic looking. That's one they'll never forget.
Straighten me on one (non spoiler) thing, gang. Mattie's separated from hubby or divorced? His mistress girlfriend died? I had too much time between reads and lost track. Onward!
I'm on chapter 14 and will be caught up by the end of the day - I'll chime in then!
Mattie's separated from her husband. The girlfriend (with whom he was cheating) died and her murder was the focus of the first book in the series, Working Stiff. I read the first 3 books eons ago, but can't remember anything so it's all new to me!
Mod
Thanks for that, Nicole. Add to that, the recent vic was separated pending divorce. Yikes. Does anyone stay married in that town? lol
Mod
And Nicole, thanks for catching us up on the previous book(s). Were there three? From the jacket, it sounded like there was just one. Are the previous worth a read?
This is the second in the series, I think it’s up to 10 or 11 now. :-)
And, yes, if I recall correctly it’s worth a read!
I'll need another week to get started but go ahead and I'll catch up!
Mod
Mark Pghfan wrote: "When we were talking about Leslie Meier's Haunted House Murder, I put a hold on it at the library. It looked like a zillion people ahead of me and that I'd never get it in time. Well, its here! Are..."I'd be happy to! I've already read it but will skim through again if we decide to read it. :-)
Mod
PI's, I've read it and since passed it on but wouldn't mind discussing, LM's Haunted House Murder! Anytime is fine with me. Can't get enough autumn, fall, Halloween!
Mod
Aww, poor William-not-Bill. :-(
Tina wrote: "Yikes. You PI's probably have reached the slice and dice segment (author does a great job of it) of this story. In the eye? Eek! Very Halloween-esque. lolAww, poor William-not-Bill. :-("
Yes, some of the descriptions find me looking for something to distract myself with while reading, lol.
Mod
Aww, poor William-not-Bill. ..."
LOL, Same here, Nicole. Had I read no further than first few pages, I might've set the book aside. Glad I stayed with it.
Mod
I am through this first section and just as Mattie appears to have been hit by a car and knocked out...
I'll start part two early next week, if that works.
Mod
I'm on chapter 13. Going in, I don't feel the cover art fits the story. This book, IMHO, is not a cozy. Not saying it's a bad read, just that the cover had me thinking I'd be in for some Leslie Meier, Kathi Daley etc. fare.
Mod
Mod
Spoiler Alert --
I didn't see tumbling into the crime scene coming. Yuck! Pghfan, I was wondering the same. Why? What's the purpose of this and does it contribute to the mystery, move story line along? Yes, the story is a mystery (usually w/unpleasant doings) but this shock material doesn't fit a mystery. Maybe more for horror.
Is it okay if I listen in? (I was invited, I swear!) I'm immune to criticism at this point in my career (though I do sometimes take such comments to heart for future projects) so please don't let my presence stifle anyone. And to answer the gore question, I never wrote the books in this series as cozies and didn't pitch them that way. But the publisher chose covers and marketing that tied them to that genre. So, sorry to those who were expecting one thing and got something else. The later books, after #7, aren't marketed as cozies.
Annelise wrote: "Is it okay if I listen in? (I was invited, I swear!) I'm immune to criticism at this point in my career (though I do sometimes take such comments to heart for future projects) so please don't let m..."Hi Annelise! Although I'm not a big fan of gore in general I love your books and well, kinda hummed my way through the maggots, etc..., lol! I read the first three in your series years ago when they were first released but somehow lost track after book 3, and even though I already have them on my Kindle, I picked up this on on Audible for this discussion - the narrator does a great job! I agree that they're not really cozy, but they're not really hardcore either (if that makes sense...). I've lost track of the amount of times I've laughed out loud while listening. Thanks for being a part of our discussion! :D
Mod
Mod
Annelise! Hey, welcome by all means. No fading into the wall paper for you. You get our guest wing back chair and are invited to listen and opine. Love your books and we'll let the decomp goo slide. lol
Who's the tall gal that you know so much about? I'm 5' 11" and can only afford one size of clothing so I have to keep my weight in check. Oh, not quite a 12 shoe...not that there's anything wrong with that but neither would I fare well with size 5 kicks.
Love that you joined us. Thanks!
Mod
Tina, I am also 5' 11", and in high school one of my best friends was six feet tall, though she always told everyone she was 5' 12" because she thought it sounded shorter. I only wear a size 10 or 11 shoe, but my feet are EEE wide--it's like having my own flippers all the time and they make me a very good swimmer.
Mod
LOL on friend. Actually, I love being tall. Was shooting for 6 ft. but got shorted by one inch. My SO is 6' 2" so I'm good there. lol My problem is clothes. Nothing's long enough. I rely on Levi's for jeans. :-)
I’m halfway through the first section. I had to quickly read book # 1 in the series to be caught up. Glad I did! I love Mattie’s humor and her friendship with Izzy is great. Looking forwards reading more!
Mod
Wow, fast reader, you. Way to go, NicoleG! :-)
Mod
Mark Pghfan wrote: "I had to read this book pretty quickly as it was from the library and there is a waiting list, so I can't renew it. The other books in the series are interesting me, though."Mark, I finished this one and am already on the fifth, lol. ;-)
So far, I am enjoying the book, though I'm not all the way through this first section yet.
Our heroine is Mattie Winston and Deputy Coroner of a small town in Wisconsin. On Halloween night, dressed is a huge poofy dress, she gets called to the site of a murder, the somewhat delayed finding of a neighbor's bloody body. Accompanied by her gay friend and boss, Izzy, she gets to be first on the site (other that the poor kids who found the body), along with the probably future boyfriend, the hunky homicide detective, Steve Hurley.
There are a lot of Mattie's observations, which may be clues to the murder. There is a bit of tension between Hurley and Mattie, from a previous book in the series (this seems to be only the second book.)
Some funny prose and enjoyable characters make my happy!