Evidence against groom Grant Parker piles up, leaving Nichelle wishing a hostile bridesmaid was still her biggest worry as she tries to fend off Richmond’s favorite TV reporter—and her own scheming publisher. At odds with the cops, her beloved editor, and the ticking clock, Nichelle races to uncover the truth and save the day before this perfect wedding turns into a funeral.
Books in the Headlines in High Heels Mystery Series:
•FRONT PAGE FATALITY
(#1)•BURIED LEADS
(#2)•DATELINE MEMPHIS (novella after BURIED LEADS in
HEARTACHE MOTEL
)•SMALL TOWN SPIN
(#3)•DEVIL IN THE DEADLINE
(#4)•COVER SHOT
(#5)•LETHAL LIFESTYLES
(#6)
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MY REVIEW
I was introduced to LynDee Walker's "Headlines in High Heels Mysteries" with #4 Devil in the Deadline, in early 2015. It was the start of my 'sophomore year' as a book reviewer, but I had never come across a cozy heroine who was a reporter, or one so enamored of designer shoes. I became a fan of Nichelle Clarke in those days and even softened my snarky disdain for designer shoes. (To the point that if they ever start designing flat or low-heeled shoes, and I ever win the lottery, I may actually get a pair or two!)
In the newest book in the series, Lethal Lifestyles, Nichelle is back in all her investigative, high-heeled (make that eggplant Manolo's) glory. Plus, she has added in the 2nd job (or is that 3rd-reporter, investigator and) wedding planner for some friends of hers - Mel and Grant. The course of true love does not run true for the couple, as a corpse turns up at the rehearsal weekend. To make things worse, Grant becomes the main suspect ... apparently not for the first time. This one needs to be wrapped up quick, the wedding is supposed to be next week!
While the wedding locale is outside Nichelle's usual coverage neighborhood, she draws on her considerable skills (journalistic and investigative) to help in bringing the right person to justice. And she does it with a lot of humor. (I'm still chuckling at her early on Hulk impersonation.) Being the cozy heroine that she is, Nichelle also ticks off of a number of people in this story - the local LEO's, the competing news outlets, and of course the murderer.
I'm all of a sudden reminded of a line from Ginger Rogers ... that she did everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in heels! Well, Ginger has nothing on Nichelle. That woman's got (stylish) game. I'd want her in my corner if ever I got into serious trouble.
The only thing that ticks me off is that I didn't catch up on the series between then and now. Well, a temporary aberration, because that will be remedied before the next one comes out (oh please! oh please! oh please!)
I really should give a nod to the author here. Ms. Walker has created a wonderful heroine and done it in grand style (no fashion pun intended..but hey, if it works....) I've read some books over the years where authors seem to 'dumb down' their words, which as a reader ticked me off. I've read other books that ... oh maybe confused fiction writing with writing for academia. Ms. Walker gets it just right.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
(2013).The newest book in the series, LETHAL LIFESTYLES
, will be published on September 27, 2016.Before she started writing mysteries, LynDee was an award-winning journalist. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the U.S.
She adores her family, her readers, and enchiladas. She often works out tricky plot points while walking off the enchiladas. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is either playing with her children, working on her next novel, or admiring beautiful shoes she can’t wear.
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GIVEAWAY!!!
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Click on the banner to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of Lethal Lifestyles by LynDee Walker. You can also find out how to become a blog host for future book tours!
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.)
Wow, thanks so much for the kind words, LuAnn! I'm so happy you enjoyed Nichelle's new adventure—and I wish you happy reading if you're going back to catch up on the earlier books! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a super fun series. I loved hearing your thoughts and hope you get to catch up on the books you have missed in the series.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing giveaway too! WOW!
~Jess