Sheryl J. Anderson

This is a re-read of the first book in a series I have on my "will never part with" shelves. Probably the first murder mystery I'd read that was more "chick-lit" than cozy, I love this book. It's witty, funny, well-written and has a great mystery plot. Plus, a great start to a killer romance. :)

Molly is a journalist for a women's lifestyle magazine, writing the advice column. Of course she aspires to become a much more serious journalist, writing deep, thought provoking articles about things that matter, but she's not shallow "*sigh* I just know I can do better!" about it - she's working hard and looking for opportunities to advance her career in much the same way anybody in the real world would. She has her two best friends there to keep her grounded and cheer her on at the same time and doing both in the most delightfully witty, snarky way possible.

This book and the other three in the series are as much about the power of best friends than it is about anything else. I love all three of these characters and if I had to live the life of anyone in any of my books, Molly's life would be in the top three, and it would be more for her friends than for the hot detective (although there wouldn't be a huge gap between them). Although I'd have to pass on the shoes; I like my feet too much to torture them daily in 3-4 inch stilettos.

There is a fair amount of fashion and designer name dropping in this series, which annoys some people; I could take it or leave it, so I usually skim over it when it gets to be too much.

The mystery was really well done; even after multiple re-reads I don't have any plot holes screaming out at me, making the murderer unexpected. The chemistry between Molly and Kyle as she continues to investigate is sizzling without ever being graphic; this book adheres to cozy mystery conventions even if it is much more chick-lit in tone and theme.

This is one of those series I was hugely disappointed to see end. If Ms. Anderson ever self published Molly, I'd be the first in line with my e-reader in hand. I miss her and her friends quite a bit.… (more)

I'd rank this one in personal like-ability as #3 out of the four books.

Molly is finally assigned a feature article, instead of stumbling across a dead body and getting a story out of it. This time the body's been dead for weeks and she just has to write an in-depth story about the widow. Who's the prime suspect.

I cannot read this book without thinking of Robert Palmer's Simply Irresistible music video. The murder victim (who is killed before the story takes place, so a bit of a different spin on the typical murder mystery, where the murder takes place during the story) is an advertising executive at the top of his game. HIs secret to success? His harem. His top 6 executives are all women, and all, of course, are stunningly gorgeous. Hence the Robert Palmer flashbacks.

There are a lot of obvious reasons people would have wanted Garth dead, but Molly's research and interviews start revealing the more hidden reasons the man was such a blight and starts to put her relationship with her NYPD detective-boyfriend in jeopardy.

I am not afraid to admit that while reading these books (or re-reading them, as the case may be), I became emotionally invested in these characters. Molly, Kyle, Tricia, Cassady - all of them. So in some ways this book was as hard a read as the second book - Ms. Anderson doesn't shy away from painful conflict portrayed in a realistic fashion. It's not too heavy or angsty, but in Molly's world, there are consequences for the actions she takes and the decisions she makes.

I think I've only mentioned it two or three times, so I'll say it again: I'm really disappointed that Ms. Anderson stopped at four books. I'd have loved to see where these characters went over time.… (more)

::sniffle:: The last book in a series cut short before it's prime.

Molly's finally gotten her promotion, much to the deep irritation of her editor. She's also had her first assignment handed to her: a profile on the daughter of a famous music producer who has recently committed suicide. Only his daughter is adamant that he didn't. Of course. Otherwise, we wouldn't have a mystery!

She's learned a lot of lessons over the course of the last three books, some of them rather painfully, and she's determined to apply them to this assignment (and her life), lest she lose both of the things she wants most; her job and her relationship with Kyle.

A great mystery and I think a rather well-crafted mystery. The more I read the more I remembered, and the killer eventually surfaced from the depths of my memory. But as I've said before, this series' strength isn't just the well crafted mysteries, but the really well-written characters and the solid foundations of the relationships, even when those relationships are rocky. I really, really cared what happened to these guys (and gals).

If Sheryl Anderson had any web presence at all, I'd email her to let her know how much I miss reading about Molly and her friends. As it is, I can only look forward to future re-reads.… (more)

This second in a series of four (Boo!) was my least favourite of the bunch. I still loved it, but not as much.

Killer Cocktail finds Molly trying to please too many masters and leaving everyone unhappy. Her best friend Tricia's brother's fiancee (got that?) is murdered at their Southampton engagement party. Tricia wants Molly to find the murderer, Molly's maybe-boyfriend wants her to stay out of it, and Molly's editor wants a sensational expose about it (making Tricia regret her request).

The writing continues to be really well done - these are books that suck me in and keep me there. I can read all four books back to back (which I'm doing), not burn out, and mourn that there aren't more. Snappy dialogue, characters I want for friends, and a great mystery plot with a not-at-all obvious murderer. The only writing that pulled me out of the story were the fashion commentaries that ran a bit like an emcee at a fashion show: "Cassidy entered the room wearing a gorgeous skirt by XXX and a stunning blouse by YYY and ZZZ's ABC style of stiletto's with the little black bow". If you're a fashion lover, these commentaries will add to the colour and description of the scene; but since I know only enough about fashion to recognise stupid-expensive when I hear it, I tend to skim over them.

If you like well-written murder mystery that's fun, not completely shallow, and full of the power of friendship, I'd recommend this book (if you can find it) or any of the other three in the series. The series has a definite chick-lit air about it, but it adheres to the cozy rules: no overt sex (dammit!) and very little-to-no swearing.… (more)