Cover Image: Murder Gets a Makeover

Murder Gets a Makeover

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Member Reviews

A solid cozy mystery that is fun and a great way to rest your brain. There are lots of funny moments. And if you love cats, you will appreciate Jaine’s relationship with the cat who owns her, Prozac. I wasn’t shocked by the killer but I wasn’t disappointed either.

The only draw back is that Jaine is too obsessed with food. Lots of cozies deal with food but this is not healthy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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3 stars. It was a cute and quick read. I didn't realize it was the 18th in the series when I requested it nor when I read it. She did really good to give you glimpses of what had previously happened without relying on you to have read those books. Cozy mysteries are always a win for me

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The Jaine Austen books are always fun, fast-paced, light reading. They are perfect vacation and/or beach reads as they zip right along and are numerous and just plain fun. In this installment Jaine gets involved in a mystery when a stylist to the stars offers her a makeover, and is then found dead. The emails from Jaine’s parents, detailing the exploits at their retirement village, add to the humor. If you’re looking for something light and funny, this is a great choice.

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Jaine Austen proves Murphy’s law exists when her neighbor volunteers her for a makeover. Between being a suspect in a murder investigation, her father’s hilarious retirement community antics, her cat, Prozac, becoming a celebrity and dating a much younger man, Jaine sleuths her way through another crime. This series is always a humorous way to spend time. I highly recommend it.

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Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This latest installment in the Jaine Austen series sees Jaine herself being accused of the murder of a stylist from Hell. The entourage of the stylist is entirely comprised of people who would like to see her dead, and Jaine is not going to take the blame for someone else's bad deed. For readers of the series, you will find all the hallmark elements, namely Prozac being disastrous/adorable, Lance popping in and out of the story, and Jaine being a funny mess, although her food addiction is not as funny anymore (maybe it's because of my orthorexia). Nevertheless, I was thoroughly entertained by this book. I can't wait to see what will happen to Jaine next!

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Since this is number 18 in this wonderful cozy mystery I wasn't sure what I was in for. Not knowing the characters, what they are like, are they colorful or not and do they have a sidekick. Lets face it every mystery has their detective so to speak and their sidekick. Jaine Austin love the name gets a free makeover by a famous makeover artist who turns out to be a terrible human to everyone around her. Not only does Jaine go for this makeover with BeBe, she also finds herself in the middle of a murder and one of the top suspects in this case. Along with Jaine there are many many suspects that could have committed this murder, BeBe's husband Miles whom she lambasted every time the cleaning came back with wire hangers. Her seamstress Anna also her sister whom she pays a pitiful salary, Heidi her hair girl whom she is keeping from reaching her dreams of working for a top notch film studio. The list goes on and on and Jaine being Jaine must figure out who killed BeBe if not to just clear her name.
I mentioned her sidekick. Well that's her cat Prozac who finds herself becoming a hero in saving a little boy, or did she really??? Well Jaine and Prozac find themselves in a few hair raising moments while celebrating Prozac and trying to find a murder. What about Justin the twenty something cutie that curls Jaine's toes and makes her lose her mind with one kiss. Could it be him?
Laura Levine writes a refreshing story with fun loving, colorful characters. Making you wonder who really committed this murder. I have to say it kept me guessing up until the end. Ms. Levine is a new author for me and I will be sure to check out her other stories especially a Jaine Austin mystery. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC. Also thank you Laura Levine for introducing me to a new fun character.

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In Murder Gets a Makeover, freelance writer Jaine Austen gets the opportunity to get a makeover from a makeover queen-to-the stars named Bebe. This includes fittings for a whole new wardrobe and a complete new hairstyle. In true Jaine fashion, she barely gets started before stumbling over a dead body. Who just happens to be the makeover queen herself, Bebe. Also, since Jaine is the first to find the body, she is also the prime suspect! Unfortunately, finding who actually did kill her is made difficult by the fact that no one liked her, including Jaine herself. But that doesn't stop her from prying into everyone's lives and checking out their alibis to get to the truth. Of course, Jaine does her own thing and finds herself in some hilarious situations before finally getting to the truth. This a cozy and fun mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously.

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This time writer-for-hire Jaine Austen hasn't been hired to pen something ridiculous....instead her friend and neighbor, Lance, has volunteered her to be the subject of a makeover. As soon as she meets influencer Bebe Braddock, Jamie has second thoughts. Everyone on the woman's staff hates her. She's nasty, and overbearing, and before long Jaine finds Bebe strangled with a wire hanger and Jaine's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon.

This short mystery novel is fast paced and funny. In addition to solving the murder, Jaine is trying to recover her beloved Cuckoo for Coco Puffs T-shirt, to deal with her cat who just went viral for rescuing a toddler, and to navigate a new relationship with a much younger man.

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Another great hit! I love all of the books in this series and this one is no exception. It’s fun! .

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I haven't read any other books in this series, but this made sense as a standalone novel, but it might be more enjoyable to read them in order to get a better appreciation for the characters/development. It's a fun, lighthearted mystery. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, which is always a good thing, though the ending wasn't a surprise. I

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I didn't release when I picked this book up that it was the 18th in a series. That being said it really didn't distract to much from the story as the author made sure I knew who was who and what was going on.
This book was a really fun and quick read and really is what a cosy mystery should strive to be. There is nothing to serious in this book and at times that is exactly what you need. I was also pretty easy to guess who did it - which actually works for me, there were no last minute clues that where never mentioned.
This book is exactly what it claims to be and that is refreshing. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC

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Makeovers, becoming a "cougar", losing her beloved Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs t-shirt, watching Prozac become an star and trying keep Daddy-O from stalking Lydia Pinkus is all in a day's work for Jaine Austen.- advertising jingle writer and amateur sleuth!

Where to start? Jaine' sleuthing is at her best trying to prove she's innocent of the murder (by wire hanger) of Makeover/Influencer queen, Bebe Braddock. Her romantic life is blooming with a relationship with Justin, Bebe's young assistant. The descriptions of Jaine and Justin were hilarious. Prozac "saves" a toddler and is a star. As always the emails from Jaine's Mom and Dad are a hoot! Poor Lydia! So much happens in these mysteries, that turning a page is an adventure for Jaine and the reader.

If you want a fun mystery with humour and a lovable character, this series is the perfect fit!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Thank you NetGalley , Laura Levine and Kensington Books for the ARC of Murder Get a Makeover. This is my personal review.
I have been a fan of this series from the very first book. Jaine Austin never fails to give me a great time with all her adventures. Prozac, her cat, adds so much to the story with us being able to hear what Prozac is thinking! Makes me giggle every time.
This time the mystery happens when Jaine is offered a free makeover. This was supposed to be a great thing for her when of course she gets involved in a murder. The mystery is fun to try to figure out and with the twists and turns I did not see the result coming.
I enjoy reading the emails Jaime gets from her parents. These add humor to the story, too.
I am excited for the next book in the series.

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Laura Levine has such a fun writing style. I have loved all her books. They literally make me lol. It's easy to fall in love with the characters. I highly suggest all her books.

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I am always excited to read the newest Jaine Austen adventure and Murder Gets a Makeover by Laura Levine did not disappoint. Jaine finds herself getting a make over at her best pal Lance's insistance. Bebe may be a good stylist but it soon becomes clear she is not a good person. When Jaine later finds Bebe murdered, her prints are on the weapon and she sets out to find out who murdered Bebe.

Jaine also needs to find her beloved Cuckoo For Cocoa Puffs shirt that Bebe demanded be destroyed, in between dates with the young and handsome Justin. Between searching for her shirt and dating a younger man, Jaine keeps up with Daddie-o's escapades as he tries to prove Lydia Pinkus is carrying on an affair.

This was another great addition to the Jaine Austen series and I am already looking forward to the next.

Thank you so much to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read another great book.

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Always a fun quirky romp through the story. Her wicked sense of humor and down to earth style always makes it a treat.

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I love Jane. She is such a smart and funny heroine. I wish she was a real person so we could be friends. Give her a chance. You will be happy that you did.

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I have never read a Laura Levine 'A Jaine Austen Mystery' and I quickly figured out I have been missing a lot of fun. Jaine and her cat Prozac are delightfully penned, as well as are her fabulously funny parents living across the country from her. It was fun to be taking to haunts of my youth in the West Side and the Valley. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud. Jaine is the chief suspect in a murder and her attempts to clear her name are creative and hysterical. I was surprised by the reveal of the true murderer. All in all this is a fabulous book, and I intend to go search out the earlier ones in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this gook from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Fun, Fast, Furious…
Spicing up an Instagram feed with a makeover is one thing but when it leads to murder it’s quite another. Things turn murderous in this eighteenth book in the Jaine Austen series of mysteries featuring writer Jaine and her feline companion Prozac. A fun, fast and furious cosy mystery to keep the reader on their toes and a worthy addition to this long running series.

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Another fun, cozy mystery in the Jaine Austen series.
Love the characters, and in this one Jaine's cat, Prozac, seemed to take center stage. The emails from her parents had me chuckling. Lots of fun moments, and this mystery had lots of possible suspects.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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