Louise R. Innes

This was a fun start to the exciting new "Daisy Thorne" cozy mystery series. Someone has done in the diva and a precious Modigliani painting has gone AWOL! There's way too many people with motive for silencing opera sensation, Dame Serena Levanté, not the least of which is her cadre of ex-husbands. Her diva-ness is more than skin deep as she uses and discards people left and right. In walks hair salon owner, Daisy Thorne, as comforting best friend to the Diva's daughter, Floria Levanté. show more Daisy is also working on procuring her forensic psychology degree through a correspondence course. This comes in handy as she assists Detective Inspector, Paul McGuinness, of Surrey CID, in working out the clues of this mind-boggling mystery. There also appears to be a bit of a spark igniting between these two. Only time will tell.

Author Louise R. Innes spins a fun and at times humorous yarn. The writing flows evenly through the bulk of the story, ramping up to a fierce climax and quickly tapering off. For some, the ending may feel a bit rushed. Yet, it does quickly tie up the loose ends in a pretty little bow. I can't wait to see what Ms. Innes as in store next for Miss Daisy.

I am grateful to Kensington Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone. show less

Dame Serena Levante is an aging opera star, overcome with drinking, and her latest husband, Collin Harrison, is determined to leave her. Shortly after he leaves the house, Dame Serena is murdered. When her daughter Floria tells Daisy Thorne, her best friend, the news, Daisy rushes to Floria to comfort her. Also rushing to her side is her father, Sir Ranulf. But things are not what they seem. Dame Serena did not fall, she was murdered. And before the will is read, Floria discovers secrets show more that Serena has kept hidden all her life.

Floria knows her mother wasn't the best, pawning her off on nannies and au pairs -- but who hated her enough to kill her? And why keep secrets from her daughter? Now, Daisy, who is studying to become a forensic psychologist when she's not working at her salon -- at first becomes irritating to Detective Inspector Paul McGuinness, until he realizes he needs her help in figuring out which person had the most to gain. But when another tragedy occurs just after the memorial service, the stakes are raised and the killer needs to be pinned down -- and fast...

This is the first book in a new series, and while I am tardy in reading it (recovering from an operation gone wrong) I have to say that I am glad I was finally able to get to it. (My TBR file is large and constantly growing!).

Daisy is an admirable character: she's full of inquiry, more than curiosity, I think; she's intelligent, attractive, and knows what she's doing. Floria is very sweet, giving and generous; the DI is just as what you would expect - gruff and blunt, but fair and willing to listen. This is a perfect combination for a new series that I hope will go far.

The mystery itself is done extremely well; with writing that is both very good and very descriptive, giving us an insight into the characters and their lives without going overboard; and the death of Dame Serena at the beginning lures us into the story, as we learn more about her throughout. Saying that, we now have a plethora of suspects who many might have had a motive for her killing, but leaving room for us to decipher the clues on our own.

When we finally do come to the end and it gets to the point that the killer is revealed, we are both surprised and saddened by the reasons for the death. I do like the fact that I had to search for the clues, and discovered the murderer much as the same time as Daisy. It left me with a feeling of satisfaction and a want to read the next in the series to see where it takes her. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next. Highly recommended.

I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. show less

Death at the Salon by Louise R. Innes was an excellent, fast read. Some cozies seem to get bogged down a bit with the protagonist continually going over the suspects and clues again and again, and while there was a bit of that, Innes kept the page number down so it was perfect for me. As I’ve said before, I would rather read a shorter book that is well written then a longer one that is repetitive.

Innes really shines when it comes to the characters' interaction and dialogue. It read how show more people actually talk, and she was able to add the perfect amount of sass between the co-workers. Instead of the author just telling use that they are friends, she shows us by their actions and words.

And I want to give a shout out for the mystery itself. I read so many cozies and other genres of mystery that I often know who dunnit at least half way through the book, but not the case with Death at the Salon! I was totally caught off guard, but it made sense, and once I knew, I could look back and see that Innes had put the clues out there for the reader to figure it out. Unlike sometimes where the identification of the killer comes out of nowhere and it barely makes sense.

Death at the Salon is a wonderful addition to the cozy genre and the Daisy Thorne Mysteries are a series I hope you do pick up to read. show less

Daisy Thorne, owner of Ooh La La salon in the small town of Edgemead, Surrey, England, is preparing for the holidays along with everyone else. But with her salon booked up completely until they close for Christmas, she's finding it hard to make time for herself. But one day she decides to visit Holly Lodge with her best friend Floria, whose sister, pop star Mimi Fallon, has bought the place and plans to renovate.

While the workers are busy, the three women sit in the kitchen -- or what's left show more of it, currently -- as the old Georgian has sat empty for several years. But then a body is discovered in the chimney, and the man is dressed like Santa Claus. While the women are stunned, after DCI Paul McGuinness arrives, Daisy perks up and sets her sights on profiling the killer. While McGuinness doesn't seem to want her help, she knows he needs it since she has local contacts and he doesn't; and when it's found out that the man was a local named Tim Pierce, Daisy sets to work questioning her clients. Soon more information comes forth, and there's a real mystery as to what actually happened to him. With a few different stories drifting about, Daisy will have to decide who's telling the truth and who isn't -- even if it puts her in arms' length of a killer...

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all. I must say that this book, like the others, flows easily with crisp writing and lovely descriptions of what is happening around the characters. One can get a feel for actually being in Edgemead, (although I don't know about all the snow!); and we watch as Daisy puts her wits to use in figuring out who the culprit might be. Along with this, we have McGuinness, who at times seems frustrated with Daisy and at others grateful for her help, as he himself has to put the evidence together and cannot go with his gut feeling. It makes for a wonderful pair of characters who, in their own ways, depend upon one another to solve the case.

We also have the secondary story of Daisy wondering where, if anything, her budding relationship with McGuinness is going. She reasons that they both have jobs they love and are important to them, but on the other hand, Daisy is wanting to have a real relationship. She juggles her emotions with her instincts, and we can see that it isn't easy for her to do when it comes to herself.

But then another event occurs and the stakes are suddenly raised to find the killer and fast. When Daisy finally figures it out, it comes as almost a surprise and the reasoning behind it, much like most murderers, lets us know that unhinged minds are capable of anything. Then we have the lovely epilogue of Christmas day, and it makes one long for the holidays so we can celebrate ourselves.

Ms. Innes tells a wonderful tale, and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to read her books, and I await the next in the series eagerly. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. show less