40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jaine Steals a Trophy from Another Killer, April 27 2010
By Mark Baker - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Death Of A Trophy Wife (Hardcover)
When Jaine accepts an invitation to brunch from her neighbor Lance, she meets Bunny Cooper, the young, beautiful, and spoiled wife of the Mattress King, a local mattress chain. When Bunny finds out that Jaine is a writer, she offers to recommend her to her husband, who just happens to be looking for a new advertising campaign. Desperate for cash, Jaine agrees, but her pitch meeting keeps getting postponed until Bunny dies at her own party.
Meanwhile, Jaine is fighting off the advances of Vladimir, her e-mail order groom from Uzbekistan, who shows up to win her hand in marriage. And her dad has decided to start cooking everything. Oh yeah, and the police zero in on Lance as their prime suspect. With her neighbor sure he's going to be carted off any day, Jaine begins questioning suspects, hoping to find the killer. Can she clear Lance?
These books are always a blend of the comic and the mystery. I must admit here I found the comedic sub-plots more engaging than the main mystery. While it did have some nice twists, it was a bit on the formulaic side.
But oh the comic sub-plots and scenes. Lance really plays a large part here, and I loved him. I laughed so hard at some of Vladimir's scenes. And Jaine gets a classic of her own as well. Of course, there are the fake conversations Jaine has with her cat as well.
All this humor makes for another fun, fast read. Jaine has yet to disappoint, and her fans will find this book is no exception.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Latest In a Delightful Series, May 3 2010
By Gloria Mundi - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Death Of A Trophy Wife (Hardcover)
Most of my reading involves historical mysteries and unsolved crimes. Much of history (as well as current events,) is grim and disturbing. That's why every reunion with the funny, intriguing, and intelligent Jaine Austen is an event to celebrate.
For anyone who is lonely, unhappy, or whose brain requires some exercise through complex puzzle solving, or anyone who simply enjoys pleasant, lively company, the whole Jaine Austen mystery series is the perfect solution. Not only does the author create hilarious, interesting situations, she has an uncanny ability to depict the relationship between people and the cats who own them. (This Prozac is an addiction that doesn't even require a prescription.) In any case, the book is worth buying just for the lessons Jaine teaches us all in How Not to Steal a Mattress Sample. (With an extra-credit tutorial: Destroying Bathrooms For Dummies.)
Levine often refers to the late, great P.G. Wodehouse. I can only add that since Plum writes no more, I'm glad we still have this author on the job.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jaine is a trophy!, May 1 2010
By Josephine Bolton "Josephine Bolton" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Death Of A Trophy Wife (Hardcover)
Another very funny Jaine Austen caper
I liked both the comedy parts and the mystery. Especially loved Vladimir Ivan Trotsky, the guy from Uzbekistan who tries to make Jaine fall in love with him with his bad love poems. Thought it was another very funny entry in the series. (And the killer came as a surprise, which is always a plus for me.)