Book Review: Dying to Meet You

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dying to Meet You     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jennifer Apodaca
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Samantha Shaw # 2
Kensington, May 2003, $22.00, 304 pp.

After her husband’s death, Samantha Shaw learns her deceased spouse was a two timing drug-dealing louse, who was planning to leave her and their two sons. Now Samantha is determined to make Heart Mates, her dating service, a success and never depend on a man for anything. She is involved in a relationship with private detective Gabe Pulizzi, but she is trying to do things her own way and though he doesn’t like it he understands her insecurities.

Murder is the last thing on Samantha’s mind when she goes to consult with her friend Faye Miller about some advertising brochures she is creating for Heart Mates. After being let into Faye’s hotel room, she finds her friend’s body holding a brochure advertising Heart Mate in her hand. The police think Faye’s estranged husband is the killer but after talking to him Samantha’s positive he’s innocent. He hires her to find the real killer and Samantha starts investigating, attracting the attention of the real killer who is determined to stop her any way he can.

DYING TO MEET YOU is a terrific cozy starring a heroine who is smart, sassy, and sexy. The romance scenes between the protagonist and her boyfriend are hot and steamy, making this romantic mystery a novel that will appeal to both genres. Jennifer Apodoca has her heroine jumping from one dangerous action scne into another while she is taking care of her business, her children, coping with her cantankerous mother and worrying about the antics of her grandfather. Readers who like a light mystery without any gore will want to read this exciting who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner