Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for providing me with a complimentary advance copy of Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis in exchange for an unbiased review. The book is populated with some characters who have the potential to become both interesting and humorous with additional development. While this book has potential, it is filled with some flaws that take the reader out of the story. The two-dimensional nature of the characters and setting were also frustrating as I attempted to become more engaged with the book, while at the same time I found parts to be interesting enough to make me think there is potential within this series. In short, I found myself speed-reading through parts so that the grammar was less distracting and would hope that more attention would be given in writing and editing if there is a follow-up book within this series

I received a free copy of Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis in exchange for an honest review. One part Golden Girls, one part Murder She Wrote, and one part Remington Steele. Poor Poppy finds out that her husband lied to her while he frittered away their savings and took out multiple mortgages on their house to support his gambling habit. Devastated, Poppy, now an “experienced” woman, has to find a way to support herself. Poppy, who starred as a sidekick and secretary on a detective show and who helped develop the scripts for the same show, decides to get her PI license. With her two friends, Iris and Violet, Poppy forms the Desert Flowers Detective Agency. However, when no one will take them seriously, Poppy draws from another detective show and hires an attractive male actor to be “the boss.” This story tracks the adventures and complications of Poppy’s first case, which involves retired actors, an aged songstress, an up and coming actor, a talentless actor, and several bad actors.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and am interested in Poppy’s future adventures.

#PoppyHarmonInvestigates #NetGalley

Poppy & Friends prove you can be 60+ and still overcome setbacks and have fun doing it.

Finding herself suddenly broke and homeless, Poppy Harmon with her BFFs, Iris Becker and Violet Hogan, pool their talents and resources to open Desert Flowers Detective Agency in Palm Springs CA. Their first case: to find and return the jewelry stolen from Shirley Fox, leads to staking out Palm Leaf Retirement Village and a discovering a dead body.

Characters are likable, complex enough to be real and their actions range from mean to cute, serious to funny and I hope they all return soon.

You will fall in love with Poppy Harmon, as I did, in this delightful, laugh out loud new cozy mystery. Poppy is a former starlet who was left broke when her longtime husband, Chester, died having gambled away their fortune. Poppy's biggest acting role was a three year run as the secretary to a detective, and while playing that role she discovered an ability to solve puzzles and suss out the solutions to the fictional crimes. So when she needed a job, Poppy and her friends Iris and Violet decided to form the Desert Flowers Detective Agency. But when no one would hire the three older women they recruited the handsome actor Matt, the boyfriend of Poppy's daughter Heather to be the face of their agency. They were hired for their first case, to find the stolen jewelry of Sylvia Fox, a long time singing star and once they are on the case mayhem and mystery soon ensue. This book was a true joy to read and I look forward to a long life for the Desert Flowers Detective Agency.

I have to say I loved this book! It started out with a bang, capturing my interest immediately with sudden suspense and an easy-conversational style. Poppy is not your ordinary cozy character. She is a former lady-who-lunches in Palm Springs, a recently widowed and 62 years old. She is vibrant, sassy and determined. After the death of her fourth husband, she suddenly finds herself penniless. What is a 60-something year-old Palm Springs widow to do? Why, get her private investigators license and open up the Desert Flowers Detective Agency, with the help of her two best friends, of course! Before they know it, the ladies find themselves involved in a dangerous murder investigation while dealing with the secrets Poppy’s late husband kept. Entertaining and delightful.