Book Review: The Brush-Off

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

[5 stars]

The Brush-Off Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Laura Bradley
Class/Genre: Mystery Romance Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth
Paperback, 5/1/2004, 342 pages, $6.50

Reyn Marten Sawyer owns a small hair salon attached to her house. Her mentor and friend Ricardo, who owns a large chain of salons, is found dead in his salon – stabbed with one of her hairbrushes!

Detective Jackson Scythe is very good looking. He calls and requests Reyn to come over to identify the body. Apparently she was the last person Ricardo called before dying. So she is at the top of his suspect list.

She begins investigating to uncover Ricardo’s murderer and to get her life back. She and her best friend and sleuthing partner Trudy Trujillo look for clues. Some of their methods are creative. They are quite surprised when they find that includes talking to drag queens as well as breaking and entering. Ricardo’s customers were high society ladies, but getting his list of clients does not prove easy. They have to visit a very strange psychic for help.

With her contacts in the business, Reyn is able to uncover quite a bit of information. Unfortunately Detective Scythe is dogging her every move.

Along the way, Reyn and Trudy find out a lot of hidden information about Ricardo’s life, but they aren’t sure if it will help them solve his murder.

Reyn ends up putting herself and others in danger. Scythe has his hands full trying to keep her safe. Reyn keeps trying to get out from under his care. This makes for a lot of trouble, but it is fun for the reader.

This is a delightful, funny mystery. Many times I found myself laughing outloud. Ms. Bradley has created a great set of characters. Reyn and Detective Scythe have lots of sexual tension. Trudy, her husband and his mother add a lot of laughs to this book. Trudy and Reyn get themselves in many interesting situations. The San Antonio setting is great, too.

I highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to read the next book.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com