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judie0929's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dontmissythesereads's review
2.0
Book #27 read in 2011
I found the main character to be a bit ditzy. It was a quick read though.
I found the main character to be a bit ditzy. It was a quick read though.
kat2112's review
3.0
Maybe you've read my review of the first volume of Cohen's Bad Hair Day Mysteries, Permed to Death. Permed was fun yet awkward reading that left me somewhat satisfied with the story but rankled a bit with the characterization. Cohen had come up with a nice concept, and being a writer myself I tend to root for other writers, that future books will improve with time.
I'm happy to say Cohen tops her mystery debut with Hair Raiser and the return of South Florida hairstylist Marla Shore. Still recovering from the events of her previous adventure, Marla dives head-first back into life, volunteering as a coordinator for an annual food festival which benefits the maintenance of an area mangrove supervised by the Ocean Guard. Problem is, somebody doesn't want the festival to go down, as Marla discovers several area chefs are being threatened with blackmail and/or exploding rum bottles (you'll have to read the first chapter). When a member of Ocean Guard's board is murdered, Marla is on the hunt, much to the chagrin of Detective Vail. Marla's blossoming friendship with the disturbing David Newburg does little to soothe tension between the two, either.
Hair Raiser is superior to its predecessor in that Cohen's characterization of Marla is greatly improved; her knack for evaluating the hair and clothing of everyone she meets is amusing, and it appears in this story her relationship with Detective Vail is more believable. Even the introduction of a curious, animal-loving neighbor provides a few smiles. It will be interesting to see what Cohen has planned for Marla and Vail in the future, and I don't mean hairstyles.
I'm happy to say Cohen tops her mystery debut with Hair Raiser and the return of South Florida hairstylist Marla Shore. Still recovering from the events of her previous adventure, Marla dives head-first back into life, volunteering as a coordinator for an annual food festival which benefits the maintenance of an area mangrove supervised by the Ocean Guard. Problem is, somebody doesn't want the festival to go down, as Marla discovers several area chefs are being threatened with blackmail and/or exploding rum bottles (you'll have to read the first chapter). When a member of Ocean Guard's board is murdered, Marla is on the hunt, much to the chagrin of Detective Vail. Marla's blossoming friendship with the disturbing David Newburg does little to soothe tension between the two, either.
Hair Raiser is superior to its predecessor in that Cohen's characterization of Marla is greatly improved; her knack for evaluating the hair and clothing of everyone she meets is amusing, and it appears in this story her relationship with Detective Vail is more believable. Even the introduction of a curious, animal-loving neighbor provides a few smiles. It will be interesting to see what Cohen has planned for Marla and Vail in the future, and I don't mean hairstyles.
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