Dead Ex

Dating ad designer Wollie Shelley becomes entangled in a murder investigation when her ex-boyfriend David, a soap opera producer, is found dead. The Los Angeles Police Department considers her a suspect due to their past relationship and her presence near the crime scene. Wollie conducts her own investigation while juggling her career demands and participating in a federally-funded dating research project. Her search for answers leads her through the complex world of daytime television production and brings her into contact with suspicious cast members, crew, and rival producers. The story follows Wollie as she navigates relationships both old and new, including an intriguing connection with FBI agent Simon Alexander. She must solve the murder before becoming the next victim, all while meeting the requirements of her dating study and keeping her greeting card business afloat. Dead Ex combines elements of romantic comedy with murder mystery, exploring themes of trust, ambition, and the intersection of personal and professional lives in modern Los Angeles.

Readers found this mystery novel entertaining but lighter than standard crime fiction. Many appreciated the humor and romantic comedy elements mixed with the murder plot. Liked: - Fast-paced dialogue and witty banter - Strong chemistry between main characters - Los Angeles setting details - Balance of suspense and comedy Disliked: - Too many coincidental plot points - Some found the protagonist "ditzy" and unrealistic - Romance overshadows the mystery elements - Secondary characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (527 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (34 ratings) Review quotes: "A fun beach read but don't expect profound detective work" - Goodreads reviewer "The mystery takes a backseat to the romantic storyline" - Amazon reviewer "Wollie's antics made me laugh out loud" - LibraryThing review

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🔍 Author Harley Jane Kozak was a soap opera actress before becoming a writer, appearing in "Santa Barbara" and "Guiding Light" 📚 "Dead Ex" is the third book in the Wollie Shelley mystery series, following a greeting card artist who keeps stumbling into murder investigations 🎬 The protagonist's unusual name, Wollie, is short for Wolfram, which means "wolf-raven" in Old German 🌟 The book weaves together elements of the Los Angeles soap opera world and astrology, drawing on Kozak's own experience as a television actress 🏆 The first book in the series, "Dating Dead Men," won the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, and the Macavity Award for Best First Novel