Teaser Tuesday: Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber

Michael spoke slowly and sternly, as if scolding an obstinate child. 

“Kate, let me be very clear about this. You will not continue this murder investigation, under any circumstances. I forbid it.” 

Michael’s words were unequivocal, not to be challenged. He was man. He was in charge. He expected no argument. 

He was an idiot.

Title: Murder Strikes a Pose
Author: Tracy Weber
ISBN: 9780738739687
Publisher: Midnight Ink/2014
Pages: 274

Kate Davidson is a Seattle yoga instructor. She is struggling to keep her yoga business intact. She is also fending off matching efforts by her best friend. One fine day she finds a homeless man selling newspaper in from of her yoga studio. It wouldn't have been so bad but his horse-sized German shepherd Bella scares everyone away. She befriends the homeless alcoholic George, and his best friend, Bella. The three of them form some kind of camaraderie and she learns that George has more to what he appears to be.

Then one day she stumbles over his body in the studio’s parking lot. Police treat it as just another drug related street crime but Kate knows that George was no drug dealer. She is determined to find his killers. Also she wants someone to adopt that big dog! No one willing and the dog has already adopted her.

Meanwhile the killer is moving on to her. She knows if she doesn't do something, she will end up as a permanent yoga pose of death!

The novel moves forward in a good pace. The relationship between Bella and Kate is very good. She wants the dog to be adopted but the dog wants Kate to be her master. The story has elements of murder, mayhem, humor, a bit of a romance and understanding and makes for a good cozy mystery. 

The characters are well developed and quite likable. The detailing is very good. And the dog is lovable! As I am an Indian and do yoga, I understood the yoga terminology and poses too well....

Dirty Little Secrets by Liliana Hart

"You gave me a scare, Jaye. I thought you weren't going to make it, "he said.

Title: Dirty Little Secrets
Author: Liliana Hart
ISBN: 9781481158640
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing/2012
Pages: 316

J.J. Graves inherits a mortuary business and also she is  the coroner for King George County, Virginia. She is none too happy with her lot. She had to leave her medical studies in the middle after both her parents died in an accident. She has no money, and no relationship and she is stuck in the small town of Bloody Mary. 

When a grisly murder happens, she being the coroner, finds herself in the middle of it. Fiona Murphy, was once a close friend of hers. Detective Jack Lawson, her best friend, depends on her to find out about the murder while doing postmortem.

A hunky Crime Fiction writer, Brody Collins arrives into the town and J. J. drools over him! Soon they are involved and Jack does not like it at all. Meanwhile, another murder happens. When Jack and J. J. go around investigating they find that Bloody Mary has some dirty secrets. it seems a doctor in the nearby town is a common factor to all those who have been murdered. Dr. Hides is not what he seems. 

With a nasty reporter, a hunky crime fiction writer, a serial killer and a jealous friend, Dirty Little Secrets makes an enjoyable read. Our coroner has a weird sense of humour and the steamy chemistry between her and Brody works towards our advantage! The ending was totally unexpected.

Death, Taxes and Green Tea Ice Cream by Diane Kelly

An ad in the construction section caught my eye. “Think I could handle a jackhammer?” It would be an awesome workout for my biceps. Plus, the thought of working out my frustrations on a piece of asphalt sounded enticing.

“A jackhammer would be loud. Wouldn’t that rattle your nerves?”

True. Any stress relief the jackhammer provided would probably be offset by the irritating noise.

Death, Taxes and Green Tea Ice Cream by Diane Kelly
ISBN: 9781250023087
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks/2013
Pages: 320

Tara Holloway, an IRS special agent, is fired from her job. She had shot a criminal four times on his leg. Everyone thinks she should have shot him dead when she had the chance. But it looks like as if she is being punished for sparing his life. The same criminal wants a ten million dollar assault case to be brought against her. Tara is low in finances, spirit and everything. Things can't get any worse. But they do. 

Her previous boss, Lu gets her job in some tame place where she can't get into trouble. But Tara is Trouble! Wherever she goes, she gets into the bottom of the things and that person/company is in trouble. Tara is gifted a new long range rifle by her dad and practices that. When things seem dull because of her new job, she consumes green tea ice cream to keep her going. He ex partner, now boy friend, Nick is very supportive of her. Their chemistry is "mind-blowing" (Tara's word, not mine!!). 

There is not a single dull moment. The novel is funny, rollicking and moves in a fast pace. The courtroom drama was well worth it. And Tara really is a great shot. She should have killed the criminal when she had the chance. We also love Tara's hairy-assed criminal defense attorney, Anthony Giacomo. He might be short in stature but stands taller than anyone in the court!

One Dead Cookie by Virginia Lowell

Olivia Greyson could feel his eyes watching her. She knew what was going on, and she refused to be duped. Olivia concentrated on the cardboard box next to her on the sofa. The contents glowed in the soft light from the lamp on the side table. Olivia lifted one of the objects, a shiny aluminium butterfly shape, possibly the last cookie cutter her friend Clarisse Chamberlaine had purchased. A few weeks later she'd been murdered. 

Title: One Dead Cookie
Author: Virginia Lowell
ISBN: 9780425260692
Publisher: Berkeley Prime Crime/2013
Pages: 293

Olivia and Maddie own a cookie shop, The Gingerbread House. Their baking is so good that all their cookies are eaten up in no time! They bake for any kind of theme parties. It is Maddie's engagement party and both are busy baking for that.

Trevor Lane, a soap opera star is found dead on the porch of The Gingerbread House. It seems he is not so popular with the people over there. He has too many enemies. When Olivia and Maddie's childhood friend Stacey's ex-husband is implicated, they know they have to find out the murderer. In the the midst of mad baking they surf the net and talk to people.

Both Oilivia and Maddie are very endearing. And so is Olivia's puppy, Spunky. OLivia tiny mother Ellie to is a memorable character. They solve the case on Maddie's engagement day. 

With mad going ons and weird stuff happening, this is one good cozy mystery. It is 4th in the series of the cookie cutter mystery but is a stand alone novel. Reading it one simply wishes to keep on munching decorated cookies. I learnt a lot about cookie cutters!