MYSTERY

Death & the Redheaded Woman: An Auction Block Mystery

by Loretta Ross
Midnight Ink. Feb. 2015. 264p. ISBN 9780738743936. pap. $14.99. M
COPY ISBN
Wren Morgan works for Keystone and Sons Auctioneers in East Bledsoe Ferry, MO, appraising and preparing houses for auction. She's come across some unusual things in her line of work, but finding a naked corpse in the old Campbell house is a first. While giving her statement at the police station, Wren meets private investigator and bounty hunter Death (pronounced Deeth) Bogart, who's bringing in a skip. Soon Death and Wren are working together to find some missing jewels rumored to be hidden at the Campbell house. They're not the only ones looking for the lost loot, though, and soon they're being shot at and held captive. Ex-marine Death's PTSD and damaged lungs make it difficult to thwart the thieves and protect Wren, yet he is determined to administer justice and get the girl.
VERDICT While Ross's debut looks like a cozy mystery on the surface, the off-color humor and a few sex scenes create a racier-than-average cozy. Death is meant to come off as a tough good guy with a heart and a sensitive side, but that depiction isn't entirely successful. With a little more charm and wit this could have been a strong Evanovich read-alike.
Reviewed by Melissa DeWild , Dec 01, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

The City Beneath Her
by Hahn, Beth
FICTION

To Catch a Thief
by Dodge, David
FICTION

The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne
by Currie, Ron
FICTION

Big Name Fan
by Knox, Ruthie & Annie Mare
FICTION

One Death at a Time
by Waxman, Abbi
FICTION

Serial Killer Games
by Posey, Kate
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?