Laura Levine - Free Library Land Online

Deprecated: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in /www/libraryLand/subs/suspense/engine/classes/templates.class.php on line 232 Call Stack: 0.0004 407504 1. {main}() /www/libraryLand/subs/suspense/engine/rss.php:0 Laura Levine - Free Library Land Online - Suspense https://suspense.library.land/ ru Laura Levine - Free Library Land Online - Suspense DataLife Engine The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667696-the_dangers_of_gingerbread_cookies.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667696-the_dangers_of_gingerbread_cookies.html

A delightful holiday cozy mystery which originally appeared in the collection, Gingerbread Cookie Murder, is made available as an e-book single for the very first time!
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.

[Originally published in Gingerbread Cookie Murder]]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:51:25 +0200 Death by Pantyhose https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667695-death_by_pantyhose.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667695-death_by_pantyhose.html

I'm crazy about Laura Levine's mystery series. Her books are so outrageously funny. —Joanne Fluke
Freelance writer Jaine Austen has never been able to resist the siren call of an Eskimo Pie, just like she can't resist renewing her romance with Andrew, an old crush. With her bank account hitting new lows, she's also just agreed to write jokes for Dorcas, a stand-up comic who throws her pantyhose into the audience as a punch line.
Not only is Dorcas's act a bomb, she is heckled by Vic, a gorgeous fellow comic. Naturally when Vic is murdered with Dorcas's pantyhose and that same Dorcas is standing over his dead body, the police arrest. . .Dorcas. They figure it's an open-and-shut case, although Jaine figures no killer can be that dumb.
But when Jaine sets out to find the real culprit, she is distracted by one dating disaster after another with Andrew—and she may not see the dark side of comedy until she faces the business end of a gun and a cold, deadly grin. ....]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 21:51:24 +0200 The Dangers of Candy Canes https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667694-the_dangers_of_candy_canes.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/667694-the_dangers_of_candy_canes.html

In this holiday-themed cozy mystery from the acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist, freelance writer and long‑time Ben & Jerry's addict Jaine Austen discovers neighbors can be killer as she tracks down a murderer, with a little help from her snarky cat, Prozac, A treat for cat cozy fans and readers of Joanne Fluke, Miranda James, and Laura Childs.
When a wealthy suburbanite takes a lethal tumble off his roof while installing a giant candy cane, the roofing contractor being held responsible for murder asks freelance writer Jaine Austen to investigate. But solving this untimely holiday death means delving into the cutthroat Christmas decorating wars among scheming neighbors with dirty secrets in their stockings. It takes a fruitcake hiding a weapon and a stunning confrontation to expose the mastermind of this holiday murder.]]> Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:51:23 +0200 Jaine Austen 3 - Killer Blonde https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/624334-jaine_austen_3_-_killer_blonde.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/624334-jaine_austen_3_-_killer_blonde.html

]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:11:51 +0200 Death by Smoothie https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/630854-death_by_smoothie.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/630854-death_by_smoothie.html

Freelance writer and long‑time Ben & Jerry's addict Jaine Austen uncovers murderers on the mean streets of Beverly Hills, with a little help from her snarky cat, Prozac, in this witty mystery series from acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist Laura Levine—a lighthearted treat for cat cozy fans and readers of Joanne Fluke, Miranda James, and Laura Childs.
The Bewitched knockoff I Married a Zombie may have flopped in its day, but it's got a devoted cult following. Jaine is delighted when one of those rabid fans hires her as script doctor for his new play based on the show—until she reads the awful script and meets Misty, the actress who'll be playing Cryptessa's role. Misty has Audrey Hepburn's doe eyes but not a smidgen of her ability. Yet she can certainly act the diva, demanding a special smoothie every day at 3pm. Meanwhile, Jaine is grappling with another spoiled female—her uncooperative cat, Prozac, who's refusing to be...]]> Sun, 25 Dec 2022 20:06:02 +0200 Murder Gets a Makeover https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/603622-murder_gets_a_makeover.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/603622-murder_gets_a_makeover.html

Writer-for-hire Jaine Austen, living in L.A. with her cat, Prozac, appreciates one of the perks of working freelance—a wardrobe that's heavy on elastic waists. But her BFF, Lance, has a makeover in mind, and it's about to lead to murder . . .

Uber-stylist Bebe Braddock plans to juice up her Instagram feed, and thinks Jaine would make a perfect "Before & After" model. At Lance's insistence Jaine is ushered into Bebe's sprawling Brentwood spread to await her transformation. Yet, while the surroundings are glamorous, the atmosphere is toxic as Bebe bullies her team of assistants, and even her husband, into obeying her every whim.

Having earned the wrath of everyone in her orbit, few are shocked when Bebe is found strangled with one of her detested wire hangers. But Jaine's prints are all over the murder weapon, making her a prime suspect. The police, however, aren't the only ones showing interest in her—so is Justin, Bebe's very...]]> Tue, 21 Dec 2021 10:30:53 +0200 Death of a Gigolo https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/496642-death_of_a_gigolo.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/496642-death_of_a_gigolo.html

After a dry spell, freelance writer Jaine Austen's life is suddenly full of romance. For one thing, she's reconnected with her ex—though her cat, Prozac, isn't happy about it. And Jaine's also got a new ghostwriting gig, working on a steamy novel called Fifty Shades of Turquoise . . .

Daisy Kincaid is in her sixties and heiress to a fortune. Now she wants to make a name for herself as a romance author . . . with a little help from Jaine, that is. As Jaine labors away on love scenes, she gets to know the wealthy woman's gentleman friend, her household staff, and her social circle—every one of whom is horrified when Daisy falls under the spell of a much younger stud named Tommy, a rude, crude lothario who's made himself a fixture in Daisy's Bel Air mansion.

After Tommy and Daisy shock everyone by announcing their engagement, it doesn't take long for someone to stab him in the neck—with the solid gold Swiss Army knife that...]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2019 03:55:54 +0200 Jaine Austen 1 - This Pen for Hire https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/624333-jaine_austen_1_-_this_pen_for_hire.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/624333-jaine_austen_1_-_this_pen_for_hire.html

]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2002 14:11:50 +0200 Killing Bridezilla https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302313-killing_bridezilla.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302313-killing_bridezilla.html

Jaine's accepted her share of lame gigs to pay the bills, but rewriting Shakespeare's got to be an all-time low. The fiasco begins with a call from Jaine's high-school nemesis, uber rich uber witch Patti Devane. It seems Patti will soon be sashaying down the aisle with another former classmate from Hermosa High, and she'd like the exchange of vows to evoke Romeo and Juliet...except without the “downer” of an ending. Even worse than the assignment itself is dealing with Patti as a client. At least Jaine's not alone, as nobody can stand the demanding, spoiled, and incredibly rude Bridezilla from Hell. So it isn't a complete surprise when the erstwhile Juliet plunges to her death during her balcony scene. The loosened bolts that brought down the bride were clearly an act of sabotage—what's not so obvious is whom, among Patti's numerous haters, committed this murder most foul... ]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:00:42 +0200 Killing Cupid https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/303916-killing_cupid.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/303916-killing_cupid.html

When Jaine lands a job writing web copy and brochures for matchmaker Joy Amoroso, she's excited for a chance to help the lovelorn just in time for Valentine's Day - until she realizes what "Dates of Joy" is really all about. Joy is a ruthless taskmaster who screams at her employees for the smallest infractions, pads her website with pictures of professional models posing as clients, and offers up convincing but empty promises of love in exchange for inordinate sums of money. And woe betide anyone who lays a finger on her heavily guarded stash of chocolates. So it's no surprise when the chiselling cupid turns up dead at a Valentine's Day mixer. Aghast to find herself on the cops' suspect list, Jaine sets out to track down the killer. Who could it be? Joy's harried assistants, whose lives she made a living hell?
Her younger lover?
The handsome hunk of a client with a secret in his past?
Or the furious Beverly Hills widow who forked over the last of her savings for a Prince Charming who never materialized? Joy left behind a slew of enemies struck by her deviant arrows, so finding the culprit may prove harder than spotting that elusive caramel praline in a box of chocolates - and Jaine will have to flirt with danger to get to the truth...]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2013 22:49:10 +0200 Death of a Neighborhood Witch https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/173109-death_of_a_neighborhood_witch.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/173109-death_of_a_neighborhood_witch.html

Reprinted Edition"I'm crazy about Laura Levine's mystery series. Her books are so outrageously funny." --Joanne FlukeWhen Jaine Austen's beloved cat Prozac unwittingly scares to death a parakeet belonging to the neighborhood's resident curmudgeon, Jaine finds herself knee-deep in toil and trouble. The cantankerous Hollywood has-been once played Cryptessa Muldoon, television's fourth most famous monster mom. Now she spends her days making enemies with everyone on the block. So when the ornery D-lister is murdered with her own Do Not Trespass sign on Halloween night, the neighborhood fills with relief--and possible culprits. With a killer on the loose, Jaine hardly has time to fall under the spell of her yummy new neighbor, Peter. As the prime suspect, she summons her sleuthing skills to clear her name and soon discovers that everyone has a few skeletons in their closets. . ."Levine's latest finds her at her witty and wacky best." --Kirkus Reviews"Cozy fans will enjoy seeing how Jaine wiggles out of this one." --Publishers Weekly

Review

"I'm crazy about Laura Levine's mystery series. Her books are so outrageously funny." (Joanne Fluke)" ]]> Thu, 14 Nov 2013 15:42:55 +0200 Last Writes https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302319-last_writes.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302319-last_writes.html

]]> Sat, 20 Nov 2004 22:00:44 +0200 Death by Tiara https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/172168-death_by_tiara.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/172168-death_by_tiara.html

Freelance writer Jaine Austen thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she landed a gig working behind the scenes at a teen beauty pageant. But between the vicious stage moms, exacting judges, and trash-talking teens, she's not sure she's the woman for the job--especially when the catfights turn deadly...

Jaine has been hired by über-pushy stage mom Heather Van Sant to write lyrics for her daughter Taylor's song in the talent competition for the Miss Teen Queen America pageant. It's different from anything Jaine has done before, but if nothing else, she's looking forward to a free weekend in a swanky hotel and a chance to see what really goes on backstage at a beauty pageant. But the hotel is a dump, the cattiness is out of control, and Candace--the perfectly-coiffed, whip-cracking pageant director--is making even Jaine's life miserable.

When Candace's assistant Amy is found bludgeoned to death with a silver tiara, there are more suspects...]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:02:56 +0200 Killer Blonde https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302312-killer_blonde.html https://suspense.library.land/laura-levine/302312-killer_blonde.html

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:00:41 +0200