Last Writes

This series always makes me cackle with laughter for Jaine Austen’s zany antics. Fresh off of her gig writing for plugged toilet companies, she’s now got a job as a screenwriter on a small Hollywood comedy set. Of course, things are not quite as glamorous as her mother would have all the neighbors believe. When someone is murdered on set, Jaine has to leap into action to find the killer and get one of her friends cleared of charges. I really enjoy the mix of cat jokes (Prozac the cat is one of my favorites), Jaine with her hilarious single girl who can’t resist food that tempts her life, and the amateur sleuthing.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

Jaine Austen is thrilled to find herself in the world of comedy television - the world of writers, actors, script re-writes, sets and read-throughs. She has been lucky enough to have her script - Cinderella Muffy - accepted, and is anxious that it be well-received. If it turns out that her episode is full of laughs she may even be offered a permanent job as a staff writer!

Unfortunately when actor Quinn Kirkland is poisoned on set during a live taping, Jaine's friend Kandi is taken off for questioning as the prime suspect. Not only was she seen in the prop room just before the poisoned prop donuts were sent to the stage, but she had been carrying on an affair with Quinn who had cheated on her with busty teenage actress Vanessa Dennis. show more Motive and opportunity! And so Jaine feels compelled to do some sleuthing to prove her friend's innocence.

I'm glad that I decided to continue with this series despite not being overly excited by This Pen for Hire. Levine has gained my respect by mixing it up a little, and not simply sticking with the same formula as last time. Although there are some familiar characters, such as Lance her nosy neighbour, and the lovable gang of senior citizens that Jaine teaches writing to, the setting is completely different. Levine is clever to take us out of Jaine's apartment and into the world to meet some new characters. I hope that future instalments of this series follow a similar path.

Levine also introduces a clever subplot involving her parents which is very reminiscient of Brigid's parents in Brigid Jones' Diary. Not original, but pleasantly entertaining none the less.

I don't really find the Jaine Austen Mysteries satisfying. I'm looking for a little more in the books that I read. A little more mystery, a little more romance (sadly lacking!), a little more thought-provoking, a little more challenging. I think of these books a little like junk food, only to be consumed sparingly because they don't really provide any nourishment.

If you need something for the bath, or a short trip on a plane, train or bus, then this is your book. And I really hope that Jaine gets lucky soon! show less

This didn't seem to be as laugh-out-loud fun as the first in the series, This Pen for Hire, but it was fun nonetheless. It's also refreshing to read a novel featuring an amateur detective where the police don't just consider her a nuisance or worse, but perhaps as someone who might actually provide them with useful information.

Well done Laura Levine for writing such a good story. It was different from the first book, 'This Pen For Hire'. And they both were excellent, and I'm glad I was stubborn enough to experiment and diversify in non culinary cozy mysteries. Now I have this series, plus another, to look forward to. The solution to this book's mystery was brilliant, as was the path the heroine chose to conduct her inquiry. The much dreaded climax failed to materialize and suddenly I found myself face to face with a perfect cozy mystery. I cannot imagine how the writer is going to outdo herself a third time. Even the title, 'Last Writes' works on different levels. Boldness and imagination coupled together makes for a great alloy and Laura Levine's got it amply.

If you are reading this book during breakfast, avoid the donuts! That is what the killer used to poison one of the Muffy and Me stars Well, that and rat poisoning. This time Jaine must solve a murder to save her friend.

I love Levine's sense of humor. Murder is a laugh a minute when reading her books!

I had previously read the first in this series and I enjoyed this one, the second, just as much. A well written light, humourous and entertaining cozy that doesn't strain the mind.

The "no I didn't really say that" shtick got old really quick. The lack of self-control over food got old. Both used too many times in one book.