Melissa E. (Melissa1959) -
Helpful Score: 8
I loved this book, the first in Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series by Elaine Viets. Josie Marcus may not be living up to her full potential, but she's doing what she wants to do right now -- she's a mystery shopper who is able to spend quality time with her daughter and even her mother, who lives upstairs. Marcus' character is intelligent, feisty and darn funny. Surprisingly, the book also had a good plot that kept me guessing to the end. I think Viets has a good chance of making Viets into a best-loved cozy character.
Richard M. (algernon99) -
Helpful Score: 7
I like Elaine Viets' books. Really, I do. So bear that in mind while I complain a bit here.
First, as an experienced mystery shopper in today's world (I've done maybe a thousand shops over the last ten years for about 50 different mystery shopping companies), I have to tell you that this is not how mystery shopping works in today's world. This is pre-Internet stuff, the way it used to be done in the old days. It's much more streamlined these days. There may be a few of the old-line, local companies still in the business as described in this book; I have no way of knowing that. But the vast majority of mystery shopping now is done in a totally diffent way. (Viets says that her mother was a mystery shopper, and this is the way she did it. That's undoubtedly true.)
So I was disappointed to find that my favorite moonlighting job was not represented here.
My second disappointment was the that larger-than-life oddball characters just didn't ring true for me. The whole situation was over the top--for me.
I'm going to read the second one in the series and hope for some improvement in the plotline, but this one was a disappointment.
First, as an experienced mystery shopper in today's world (I've done maybe a thousand shops over the last ten years for about 50 different mystery shopping companies), I have to tell you that this is not how mystery shopping works in today's world. This is pre-Internet stuff, the way it used to be done in the old days. It's much more streamlined these days. There may be a few of the old-line, local companies still in the business as described in this book; I have no way of knowing that. But the vast majority of mystery shopping now is done in a totally diffent way. (Viets says that her mother was a mystery shopper, and this is the way she did it. That's undoubtedly true.)
So I was disappointed to find that my favorite moonlighting job was not represented here.
My second disappointment was the that larger-than-life oddball characters just didn't ring true for me. The whole situation was over the top--for me.
I'm going to read the second one in the series and hope for some improvement in the plotline, but this one was a disappointment.
Karen W. (ce-ce) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
1st in the series. Couldn't wait to get the next book.
Josie is a single mom who lives in the same apartment building as her mother. She is makes her living as a mystery shopper
Josie is a single mom who lives in the same apartment building as her mother. She is makes her living as a mystery shopper
A. J. C. (Bibliocrates) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was an entertaining read, quick and easy, but not the best cozy mystery series in the least! Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is funny, loved her. However, the plot and many of the sub-characters were a bit over-the-top for my taste.
Tim H. (Timbuktu126) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 479 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I LOVE Elaine Viets's Dead End Job series, but for some reason never got any books from this series. But I enjoyed it. I liked the mystery shopper behind the scenes info as well as the plot. Good ending too- I really had no idea "whodunnit"!
Helpful Score: 2
Great Book!
goddesslovingbookworm -
Helpful Score: 1
I used to think mystery shopping would be fun--thanks to this book, I certainly see some drawbacks to the occupation. The characters are funny and appealing, so I am quite glad this is the first of a series. Unlike some cozy series however, these won't be "keeper" material, simply because the shopping tips are mainly common sense (as opposed to culinary or craft mysteries that are often kept for the recipes or directions).
I will certainly follow Josie's exploits, but am just as interested in her mother Jane and hope the plotline begun about her was not just incidental. Perhaps because I am getting older myself, I find retirees make interesting subject matter...
I will certainly follow Josie's exploits, but am just as interested in her mother Jane and hope the plotline begun about her was not just incidental. Perhaps because I am getting older myself, I find retirees make interesting subject matter...
Sarah D. (bellachia) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A funny cozy mystery. I will be looking for other books by this author - this is the first one I've read of hers.
Helpful Score: 1
This was another good read from Elaine Viets. It started a little slow for me and her mother droves me nuts but overall it was good.
Chris H. (mom2boyz) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A fun mystery with a little romance thrown into the mix.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this and will be reading the others.
Darlene S. (dbs) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand-dollar snakeskin belts-and Josie is accused of the crime.
Dee S. (DeeinMT) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
New series by author Elaine Viets about Josie Marcus--a mystery shopper. I enjoyed the book...it was a little slow at first, but I attribute that to the fact that it's the first in a new series, and needed to set the scene. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next Josie Marcus mystery.
Kerry K. (mistysmere) -
Helpful Score: 1
Like this series almost more than the Dead End Jobs. Main character has a little more substance.
Helpful Score: 1
light and fluffy - good beach reading material
Helpful Score: 1
First book in a fun new mystery series.
Janet B. (JannyB) - , reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 162 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Intrepid mystery shopper Josie Marcus is sleuthing in the ritsy world of designer purses and assorted accessories - like $1000 snakeskin belts that might be used to strangle someone!
Brenda W. (brendao) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 351 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Josie Marcus is a "mystery shopper" - another of Viets' blue collar workers, but this time the locale is St. Louis. The book is entertaining and has great humor.
Helpful Score: 1
Very cute...easy read!
Jo L. (PIZZELLEBFS) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 331 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this one. It was a fast read and funny!
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand-dollar snakeskin belts-and Josie is accused of the crime.
Mystery shopper Josie Marcus's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand-dollar snakeskin belts-and Josie is accused of the crime.
Elizabeth H. (scrappygolden) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoy this author and her new series did not let me down! Looking forward to the next in the series.
Kristine S. (NHBookLover) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 293 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Josie Marcus is a single mom. She moved back home when she became pregnant and now lives in the duplex where she grew up. Her mother lives in the other apartment. Her mother is full of regrets; for her own marriage that didn't work out, for the life her daughter is living as a single parent, and because her daughter's job as a secret shopper, doesn't live up to her expectations. Josie likes the job as she gets to set a schedule that allows her to drop her daughter off at school and pick her up. She has a eligible bachelor neighbor, who doesn't live up to Josie's standards but meets all of Mom's criteria - stable job, good money, and just boring enough that he wouldn't leave Josie. In this book, Josie becomes a suspect in a murder after a pocketbook designer and her live in boyfriend are found murdered. She decides to prove herself innocent as she doesn't feel the police are looking beyond her.
Lisabeth W. (huhdragon) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Enjoyable light mystery with some humor, fashion and a mystery shopper protagonist. A fun quick read.
Deanna D. (Deedle) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
LOVED it! So funny, fast read, and entertaining!!!
Very easy read. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Keri (TXGrobanite) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 270 more book reviews
Cute book about a secret shopper turned detective. Something to read when you don't really want to concentrate on a novel. I finished this in a few days.
Debbie C. (DebbieC) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
Great story!
Lorrie B. (mallygirl) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 170 more book reviews
I love this series. I cannot wait to read the next one. This is a quick read!
Elaine R. (readingrat) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 74 more book reviews
Didn't really care for this one much. The hometown references were fun at the beginning. Besides that, there wasn't much character development, the plot was transparent and full of cliches. The fight scene at the end was well written though.
Sherri B. (sharalsbooks) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 259 more book reviews
OK story though quite predictable in parts.
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
Just fair. I can't say I'll ever buy another in this series.
Elizabeth W. reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
An excellent funny murder mystery -- if a little too judgemental about class divisions and religions -- still it has warmth, a great murder, and a plausible way the detective gets involved. And the mystery shopping is fun.
Karen M. (Kakkie) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 73 more book reviews
Great book. I love this series.
I enjoyed this book, I will be looking for others in this series.
A fun new series. Quick read!
Kristina P. (Luckistarr4) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 79 more book reviews
Chick-lit to a T. This had it all! A fun, quick beach read.
Josie Marcus mystery
Deneen S. (yarnsandmusings) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Fun read-
Ms. Viets has a knack of developing characters that hold your interest. The concept of a mystery shopper is a twist on the mystery genre. Well worth the read.
Stephanie H. (hochuli) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 72 more book reviews
This is the first book in a new series. Josie is a mystery shopper.
P.J. C. (mizPJ) reviewed Dying In Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, Bk 1) on + 172 more book reviews
Signed copy. Check www.reviewingtheevidence.com to see if they have posted my review of this book.
