Hairstylist Marla Vail determines to learn the truth when her best friend is hurt in a suspicious car accident in this suspenseful cozy mystery. When hairstylist Marla Vail’s best friend is hurt in a car accident on New Year’s Eve, Marla assumes guardianship of her infant son. No sooner does she say, “Baby want a bottle?” than she’s embroiled in another murder investigation. Her husband, … investigation. Her husband, Detective Dalton Vail, determines the crash may not have been an accident after all. But then, who would want Tally—or her husband Ken—out of the way? As Marla digs deeper into her friends’ lives, she realizes she didn’t know them as well as she’d thought. Nonetheless, it’s her duty as their son’s guardian to ensure his safety even if it means learning the ugly truth. Can she protect the baby and find the culprit before someone else ends up as roadkill?
First Place Winner in the Chanticleer International Book Awards!
“You are always thinking and on your toes while reading this book. And when you get to the end and everything is revealed….it will blow your mind!” Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
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Hair stylist Marla Vail receives some very bad news…their friends, Tally and husband, Ken, have been involved in a serious car crash that the police ultimately determine was not an accident . This sends Marla on a path that will ultimately change her life in ways she cannot imagine. As Dalton and Marla oversee their friends’ personal and business affairs, they become involved in an investigation that has many suspects and motives, but nothing that seems solid. From Ken’s real estate business to Tally’s boutique to the ladies’ tea parties that Tally attended…everything seems suspicious as secrets are uncovered that Tally, her supposedly best friend, never shared with Marla . And of course, Marla is also trying to cope with taking care of Tally’s baby, Luke…when she herself has been trying to avoid motherhood entirely. The story moved at a nice pace and had enough clues and suspects to keep the reader guessing until the final surprise reveal. I enjoyed the relationship between Marla and Dalton, as well as her interaction with her staff, and of course, Luke. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this book.
Marla Vail’s best friend has been in a tragic car accident, putting Tally in a coma and claiming her husband Ken’s life. Marla and her husband are now guardian’s of their friend’s infant son Luke. Dalton determines that the accident is suspicious and begins to investigate. Soon, one death becomes three and they are still no closer at finding the culprit.
This is the 14th book in the Bad Hair Day Mystery series. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. I like the characters and find them to be well-written. Marla does seem to take more chances than your average hairdresser. The plot moved at a steady pace. This story is sprinkled with red herrings and a subplot that adds a little confusion. I have book 15 waiting to read. I recommend this book. This book could stand alone, but the series is worth reading from the beginning.
A suspicious accident occurs on New Year’s Eve killing Marla and Dalton’s friend Ken who is married to Marla’s best friend Tally. Marla is named guardian to their son Luke so she takes care of him while Tally is unconscious in the hospital. Marla and Dalton are investigating the accident. Lots of twists and turns, this story keeps you guessing. Government agencies are involved, Russian mob appears in this story as well. Very intense, realistic storyline. Taking care of baby Luke makes Marla realize she would make a good mother and has less reservations about doing so. I could not put this book down, I stayed up all night to finish it! On to the next book–I cannot wait to see what happens next! I love this series!!
Didn’t want to put it down.
This book is full of twists and turns. I loved it that you didn’t know who the killer was until the very end. Marla is a fabulous sleuth and sends us down a suspenseful trail of clues and red herrings. I especially enjoyed the relationship she has with Dalton and his daughter, her concern for her dear friend Tally and Tally’s adorable baby Luke. The baby brings out different side of Marla we haven’t seen before. I found it quite endearing and highly recommend this book.
“Hair Brained” earns 5/5 Suspects, Secrets, and Diaper Changes!
Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are enjoying their New Year’s Day gathering with friends and family, when Dalton receives a disturbing phone call. Marla’s BFF Tally and husband Ken had not returned home. Ken had a business emergency the night before, and Tally joined him saying they would get dinner, and if late, they’d stay at a hotel. But this morning…nothing, and the sitter is extremely worried; they weren’t answering their phones. Dalton has his partner checking into car accidents and hospital admissions, but until they get some news, they knew they were the emergency guardians for Tally’s and Ken’s new little baby Luke. Picking him up was first on the list, then…they discover Tally and Ken were involved in a major car accident, and law enforcement deems the accident not an accident. What? Why? Who? All questions needing to be answered, but as Marla and Dalton team up to find those answers, more questions appear. This puts everyone at risk.
This is the fourteenth book in Nancy J. Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mystery series and always a favorite of mine, but…wow, exciting just got an upgrade. Less gossip and mayhem out of the salon, this story has Marla with a more personal motivation than just being nosy to uncover the answers which makes Dalton a more willing partner in the investigation than the one trying to curb her energy to get involved. I had to put my book down just to catch my breath…my inner ‘Sherlock’ was greatly challenged: Accident not an accident? Questions about the real intended victim? Fraud investigations? Another body? All made this a real page turner! Characters are well written and dialogue and descriptions make this intriguing and engaging. Playing out in the background are some contemporary issues like the need for power of attorney, long term health insurance, and guardianship of minors along with Marla’s struggles dealing with her insecurities over the motherhood role with Tally and Ken’s little boy Luke. I have read a few of Cohen’s books, and newbies need not shy away because this is well into the series. It is a good standalone with enough information into the back story and character connections to keep you, too, on the edge of your seat.
*I Received A Free Copy For An Honest Reiew:
I love Nancy J. Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mysteries and Hair Brained is her newest release and I have to say I Loved It!!!!
Marla and Dalton’s friends Ned and Tally are involved in a car accident and named them Guardian’s of their 4 month old son Luke. Ned is killed and Tally is in a coma. Marla and Dalton have to figure out what caused their friends to have an accident? Also, while taking care of Luke does Marla change her mind on having children?
This is a well written and I love the fact that each book leads into the next book. I would love to be able to give you the name of the murderer and why the accident happened along with does Tally survive. The big question to be answered is does Marla decide to have a baby after caring for Luke? You have to read the book to answer these questions but I think you will be happy you purchased the book and the read the rest of the series.
When Maria’s best friend is involved in an accident she dives right in to find out what happened. The police think it could have been an accident with no foul play involved but that’s not how Marla and her detective husband Dalton see it. When did things start popping up about her friend Tally, Marla begins to wonder just how well she really knows her. While taking all this in Marla is also guardian of Tally’s baby son and is dealing with the pressure of maybe wanting a child of her own. I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn’t put the book down until I had all the answers to my questions. I loved how the author kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next and how many more surprised could Marla take. I look forward to finding out what comes next for Marla.