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Book Review | Murder Curlers and Cream by Arlene McFarlane – A Valentine Beaumont Mystery Book 1

Date Published | November 8, 2016

Date Read | Aug 2021

Goodreads Rating | 3

Overall | This was labeled a cozy mystery on Amazon but it’s a hard-core romance. The story starts off very confusing where it sounds like this is book #2 in the series but it’s definitely book #1. The enitre town thinks she’s a mystery solving disaster because of some random incident they keep alluding to from before but never really describe so right away I’m confused and then she’s super fixated on how sexy the cop is and his package and his equipment which is great for a romance but doesn’t really make the novel feel cozy

Pros | It was funny if you’re from the 1980’s (which I am) but even then I wouldn’t say or think any of those things today

Cons | Cliche 1980’s style – flamboyant gay best friend + tons of fat-shaming + insulting. Making fun of others based on their appearance was the only source of humor in this book

Warnings | Lots of sexual innuendos + lustful main character musings. Gross humor. Not that I’m a puritan but if you go into this like I did thinking it’s a cozy mystery, you’re gonna be suprised

POV | First Person POV Past Tense

Will I Be Continuing With The Series | No

Description | Valentine Beaumont is desperate to revive her dying business. Trying to recover from an infamous incident where she defended herself with a perm rod to her attacker’s privates, the last thing she needs is another scandal. So when a wealthy socialite is strangled with a steamer cord while awaiting her facial, Valentine has no choice but to start combing through clues.

Battling a sexy, hard-headed detective who can’t tell pigtails from a pompadour, Valentine is convinced he’s pursuing the wrong suspect. And despite his warning not to meddle, the gutsy stylist vows to clear her name before the killer claims another client.

Can Valentine tie up the culprit before more lives are cut short?

Murder, Curlers & Cream is the first book in the hilarious Valentine Beaumont Mystery series. If you like ambitious heroines, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and unlikely romances, you’ll love Arlene McFarlane’s clever tale!

Seasoned with Murder by Catherine Bruns
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