30 Second Death (A Tobi Tobias Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Missouri
Lyrical Underground (July 11, 2017)
Paperback: 220 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1516102099
Kindle ASIN: B01MDN324Z
To help an old friend, Tobi Tobias gets a third-rate thespian a part in a commercial, and learns that in the advertising business, bad acting can lead to murder . . .
When Tobi Tobias opened her own advertising agency, Carter McDade was there for her every step of the way. A brilliant hairdresser, Carter has just landed his dream project: doing hair and makeup for a theatrical production of Rapunzel. But the dream turns into a nightmare when he runs into Fiona Renoir, a cruel, talentless starlet who won’t let Carter touch a hair on her head.
To get Fiona out of Carter’s hair, Tobi hires the difficult actress for a bit part in her latest commercial. But true to character, Fiona is a terror on set, and Tobi is starting to think she’s made the biggest mistake of her life. But things get even worse when Fiona drops dead in the hairdresser’s chair, and the only suspect is the man left holding the tainted hair dye, Carter McDade. And unless Tobi can prove his innocence, he’ll never do hair in this town again.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
All Tobi wants is to help her friend Carter, she never knew what a can of worms she was opening. Fiona was making hairdresser Carter McDade’s life miserable. She thinks she is a talented actress and he doesn’t agree and let’s her know it which gets him in hot water at the theater. Tobi decides to hire Fiona for a commercial to try and smooth the waters much to the displeasure of the person she had already promised the part. Fiona arrives on set and makes a horrible impression. When the actress is found dead after a break everyone on the shoot quickly becomes a suspect but Carter is the prime suspect especially when they learn the hair dye he was applying may be the murder weapon.
I was excited to visit again with my literary friend Tobi Tobias, she and I have a couple of things in common, like an unusual laugh and our diets. She has a huge heart and went way beyond the limits to help Carter this time. Not sure I would have done the same thing. Alive Fiona was a ticking time bomb that started to explode immediately when she tried to tell everyone how to do their jobs. Even if she hadn’t died she could have ruined the commercial and the reputation of Tobi’s firm.
On the romantic front for Tobi, what started looking hopeful in the first book really hit the skids in this one. Mary Fran is also having problems at her pet shop with a neighbor and she ends up with a huge surprise. So murder, romance drama and an upset neighbor. Tobi has her hands full. But my favorite part was Grandpa Stu returns to help clear everything up. These are a superb group of characters. It is so easy to become invested in their lives.
Ms Bradford presents a wonderful plot with an unusual murder weapon and one that hits very close to home for me. Had I been in Fiona’s position I would have been dead too. She gave a a plethora of suspects and they all had the means and after spending time with Fiona motive was spread around liberally. I was totally surprised when the real culprit was revealed.
I really enjoy this series because it gives me everything I want in a cozy mystery. She also includes those moments that make me laugh out loud and would have Tobi snorting as well.
This story is fast paced and a quick read. I do recommend that if you haven’t read Death in Advertising
About The Author
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend’s house more than thirty years ago, Laura Bradford (a.k.a. Elizabeth Lynn Casey) fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil. From that moment forward, she never wanted to do anything else.
Today, Laura is the national bestselling author of the Amish Mysteries
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Also by Laura Bradford
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Just stumbled across this, Lori! So glad you enjoyed 30 Second Death!
Love it!!!!!