About the Book
Genre: Cozy Mystery, 4th in Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mystery Series
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (March 26, 2016)
Paperback: 242 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939816870
E-Book ASIN: B01ERVIAVS
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Former teen idol Sandy Fairfax is a guest panelist on a TV game show-and the first category is murder! When his kid brother, Warren, is framed for killing a college student, Sandy makes it his duty to track down the thug before the police move in. After all, Sandy did play a detective once on a hit TV show. Sandy will get right on the case-right after he visits his kids; fights with his ex; woos his hoped-to-be girlfriend, Cinnamon; and convinces his parents he should be the special entertainment at a black tie gala designed to raise funds for his father's faltering orchestra. All this while he and his biggest fan attempt to "Raise The Stakes" on a rigged quiz show where--wonder of wonders--the murder victim had recently been a contestant. Sandy's ready to pull out some of his long blond hair as the game points and the suspects pile up.
My Review
Former 60’s/70’s teen idol, Sandy Fairfax, is trying to keep his face in the public eye in the 90’s. So, he accepts a job on a quiz show called “Raise The Stakes”. It’s not really what he wants to do, but it’s better than nothing.
After a recent cruise where he got involved in a murder investigation, Sandy wasn’t expecting to be involved in another murder mystery. This one is closer to home with the prime suspect being his younger brother, Warren. One of Warren’s students is discovered dead and all fingers are pointed in Warren’s direction. Sandy can’t sit quietly by as his brother is arrested. Besides, in his younger days, Sandy played a boy detective. He puts his skills to good use to discover the real story behind the murder.
This is the fourth book in the series. I’ve only read one of them, which I loved. I feel that this book stands on its own, even if the previous book is mentioned. It doesn’t take anything away from this book at all. Although, after reading this one, I want to go back and read the two I missed.
Sandy Fairfax is a truly fun character. A bit of a satire of teen idols with a lot of heart. He’s the kind of guy you can care about and hope that his luck will change for the better. In this book, he begins to reconnect with his family – particularly his brother and father, as well as his children from a previous marriage. There’s even some romance in store for Sandy.
The author does an excellent job of giving the reader a taste of the celebrity life. She, also, blends mystery, romance and adventure to perfection. I was totally taken by surprise as to who the killer was – I didn’t see that coming at all. I loved every minute of this one and am looking forward to more Sandy Fairfax stories.
For reading challenges:
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2016
Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge 2016
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Sally Carpenter is native Hoosier now living in Moorpark, Calif.
She has a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. While in school her plays “Star Collector” and “Common Ground” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. “Common Ground” also earned a college creative writing award and “Star Collector” was produced in New York City.
Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do.
She’s worked as an actress, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain, and tour guide/page for Paramount Pictures. She’s now employed at a community newspaper.
The Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series is comprised of: “The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper” (2012 Eureka! Award finalist for best first mystery novel), “The Sinister Sitcom Caper,” “The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper” and “The Quirky Quiz Show Caper.”
She has short stories in two anthologies: “Dark Nights at the Deluxe Drive-in” in “Last Exit to Murder” and “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet” in “Plan B: Omnibus.”
Carpenter penned chapter three of the Cozy Cat Press group mystery “Chasing the Codex.”
To atone for her sins of killing fictional people, she also writes the monthly Roots of Faith column for the Acorn Newspapers.
She blogs at http://sandyfairfaxauthor.com and ladiesofmystery.com.
She’s a member of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles.
Find her on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/sally.carpenter.54
Purchase Links
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I read the cruise ship book and really enjoyed it. This looks just as fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review! I had just as much fun writing it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so fun! I'm a cozy addict and this is a new theme for one. A new author for me too!
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