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Dying in Style
Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper Mystery

by Elaine Viets



      Josie Marcus is a 31-year-old single mother living in St Louis, Missouri with her 9-year-old daughter, Amelia. She shares a house with her mother, Jane, who disapproves of Josie's occupation ( a mystery shopper) and wants her to have a steady career working in a bank.

Josie's boss, Harry, assigns her to a mystery shop: the Danesse stores for the Cresham conglomerate, which is considering buying the Danesse stores. Josie finds many faults in the various stores and submits an unfavorable report.

Danesse Celedine is a high profile local beauty who has made many charity donations. Her handbags sell for $2000 to $5000 each. With her Russian lover, Serge they shine on the local social scene. Danesse is incensed by Josie's report, which has an adverse effect on the purchase. In a confrontation in Harry's office there is a fierce verbal battle between Danesse and Josie.

When Danesse is found strangled with a $2700 snake skin belt Josie becomes a prime suspect. She had tried on the belt in one of Danesse's stores and her fingerprints are found on it. Josie must find the elusive Russian Amazon saleswoman Marina, who had handled the situation. The search for Marina and further investigations of Serge and Marina is assisted by her close friend, Alyce Bohannan.

Further complicating her life is her problems with her mother who has become an addict of the Home Shopping Network, and who keeps pushing Stan, their needy neighbor. Also she finds a growing attraction to Josh, the younger man who runs the coffee shop

This is the story about a capable independent woman who will go her own way while struggling to keep her life with her daughter and mother on an even keel. The action is even paced with characters you would like to know. The relationships between Josie and her mother, with her daughter, her friend Alyce and Josh are realistic and engaging. The story is a delight to read with clever dialogue and fast paced action.

The Book

Signet
Oct 2005
Paperback
0451216792
Mystery
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2005
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© 2005 MyShelf.com