Thugs and Kisses

December 17, 2007
California-based paralegal Odelia Grey is delightfully large and in charge in Jaffarian’s third entertaining romp (after 2003’s The Curse of the Holy Pail
). While Odelia’s wheelchair-bound beau, Greg, stays home nursing a cold, she’s escorted to her 30th high school reunion by attractive widower Devin Frye, a Newport Beach homicide detective with a crush on Odelia. When the night shapes up to be a repeat of Odelia’s most humiliating high school experience, her tormentor, Donny Oliver, unexpectedly ends up dead. The list of suspects includes every person who ever knew Oliver, including his wife. But Odelia’s investigation has barely begun when her stalwart boss, Mike Steele, vanishes right before a major trial. Partnering with a former high school archenemy, Odelia discovers other high school acquaintances with connections to the upcoming trial. Odelia puts her life and love life on the line as she races to thwart a gang of surprisingly enterprising evildoers. The double whammy of an ending will leave fans eager for the next installment.

Starred review from February 1, 2008
In her third sleuthing outing after "Too Big To Miss" and "The Curse of the Holy Pail", paralegal and world-class snoop Odelia Grey attends her 30th high school reunion, where the class bully who humiliated her at the prom years ago is murdered. Good thing her date is police detective Devin Frye, who gives Cordelia an alibi. Then her boss, Mike Steele, vanishes, and the head of her legal firm asks her to find him. This is the best title yet in a priceless series: the unstoppable Odelia never waivers in her quest to find Steele while involving herself in another murder investigation and juggling her up-and-down love life. Humorous asides and grown-up innuendo abound. A real treat for chick-lit and mystery fans who like feisty women.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2008
Odelia Grey, middle-aged, overweight paralegal and part-time sleuth, makes the mistake of going to her high-school reunion, where the class bully turns up dead. Oldelia is a busy girl. Not only is she trying to find out who killed her nemesis, shes also tapped by her law firmto discover how and why her boss has disappeared. Fortunately, these two mysteries are intertwined, saving some time but still requiring Odelia to put out great effort. Written with a light touch but a keen eye for detail, this satisfying entryin the Odelia Grey series also has room for a little romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)