📖 Overview
Dating Is Murder is the second book in the Wollie Shelley mystery series, following a greeting card artist who becomes entangled in a missing person case. The disappearance of a fellow dating service participant leads Wollie to investigate while juggling her job, her dating research project, and her complicated love life.
Los Angeles provides the backdrop as Wollie navigates through the worlds of reality TV, corporate intrigue, and the modern dating scene. Her quest to find the missing woman puts her in contact with FBI agents, television producers, and potential suspects while she maintains her contractual obligation to go on dates for a sociology research study.
The story combines elements of romantic comedy with traditional mystery conventions, building on the established quirks and relationships from the first book in the series. The investigation brings up questions about trust, authenticity, and the intersection of personal and professional boundaries in contemporary relationships.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a light mystery with humor and romance elements. Most enjoy the protagonist Wollie Shelley's quirky personality and her dating research assignment that leads to amateur sleuthing.
Positives from reviews:
- Fast-paced dialogue and comedy
- Romance subplot that doesn't overshadow the mystery
- Interesting details about greeting card art (protagonist's job)
- Los Angeles setting authentically portrayed
Common criticisms:
- Plot becomes convoluted in second half
- Too many secondary characters to track
- Some find the humor forced
- Romance feels predictable
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings)
LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (100+ ratings)
One reader noted: "The mystery kept me guessing but the constant quirky asides got tiresome." Another wrote: "Perfect beach read - not too heavy but smart enough to hold interest."
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 Author Harley Jane Kozak is also an accomplished actress who appeared in notable films like "Parenthood" and "Arachnophobia"
💝 The book is part of the Wollie Shelley mystery series, featuring a greeting card artist who designs dating cards while solving crimes
🎨 The protagonist Wollie (short for Wilhelmina) must date 40 men in 60 days as part of a research project for a radio dating show
🏆 The novel was nominated for an Agatha Award, named after mystery writer Agatha Christie, which honors traditional mystery works
📚 The story incorporates elements of the modern dating world with classic mystery conventions, blending romantic comedy with amateur sleuthing