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Blind Dates Can Be Murder
A Smart Chick mystery, No. 2

by Mindy Starns Clark



      Jo Tulip was left at the altar by Bradford six months ago. Her agent advises her to begin dating again, since her columns on that subject have been very popular. She and her friends sign up for the Dates and Mates, a local dating service. Her first date, Brock Dentyne, is not the tall, handsome young man she is led to expect. He is Frank Malone, short, fat, bald, unattractive and creepy, with an asthma problem. He drops dead after the main course is served. Her real date is found tied up in the truck of the dead man's car.

Her best friend, Danny Watkins, has been waiting for the right moment to tell Jo of his true feelings but she has complicated things by being involved again in a murder investigation. The dead date has a few business partners who think he gave Jo something before he died. Danny and Jo attempt to discover why Jo has been targeted, and in the ensuing investigation Jo is stalked, her house is bombed and demolished, and she is kidnapped. On Jo's trail is Lettie who is a master at stealing identities, and ultimately intent on freeing herself from the life of crime in which she is caught up. A meeting with Jo's grandmother leads to possible changes in Danny's future.

This is a delightful cozy whodunit. The characters are strong and realistic with Danny and Jo well developed and likeable. There is growing suspense, twists that confuse the reader, and a cliff hanger on the last page. The author gives a fascinating look into life in prison and life after the convict is freed. It is also a very funny and witty tale of online dating and identity theft.

A great example of a romantic suspense novel, and one that leaves the reader with hopes for more of Jo and Danny in the future.

Also included are a number of Smart Chick's household hints

The Book

Harvest House Publishers
March 15, 2006
Trade paper
0736914862
Suspense
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2006
NOTE:
© 2006 MyShelf.com