March 1, 2021
A TV host rushes to solve a murder case, afraid that she could be the killer. Dana Barry didn't dream of being a Shopping Channel host--she always wanted to be an actress. But when roles are hard to come by, she accepts a hosting gig and finds out that she's actually great at selling handbags, jewelry, and loungewear. The channel is struggling, and she thinks pivoting to skin care would be a surefire path to success. But when she attempts to pitch the idea to the company's lecherous CEO at a booze-filled party on the roof, he's only interested in her. Turning him down is the last thing Dana remembers clearly--she blacks out, and when she comes to, the CEO is dead. Someone clearly pushed him off the roof, and no one knows who did it. Dana's homicide detective boyfriend, Ari, is on the case, but he can't share any confidential info with her. Dana starts to wonder if she could be the murderer--after all, she has no idea what happened after she blacked out. Desperate to clear her name, Dana launches herself into a secret murder investigation using her Shopping Channel connections and her own sleuthing abilities. Will she be able to keep her job, save her relationship, and prove her innocence at the same time? Meister creates an engaging mystery in the unique setting of the home shopping world. It's as fun to watch Dana piece together the clues as it is to see the behind-the-scenes details of her life as a TV host. Dana juggles a relationship, family drama, and a high-profile job, making her likable and easy to root for. Meister imbues her (and many other characters) with a quick wit and plenty of laughworthy lines. While the murderer's big reveal isn't quite as satisfying as it could have been, the journey to get there is entertaining enough that it doesn't really matter. Perfect for readers who like their mysteries light on the murder but heavy on the humor.
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April 15, 2021
Flush with her continued success as Shopping Channel host, aspiring actress Dana Barry makes the biggest decision of her New York life: putting down a deposit on an airy two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Sure, her boyfriend Ari told her not to make a major decision without his input, but she knows she'll be able to convince him. Until everything falls apart. Picking up where Love Sold Separately (2020) left off, Dana, Ari, and the Shopping Channel crew return to untangle another mystery. When the channel's new CEO is pushed off the roof at a company party, accusations fly. More than a few motives are uncovered, and Dana starts to wonder if her fuzzy memories of the party are hiding something sinister. Charming and ensemble-driven, Meister's witty novel eliminates suspects while exploring the layers of Dana's ambition as she decides what's most important in her life. Fans of Janelle Brown's Pretty Things (2020), Julie Valerie's Village of Primm series, and Sonja Yoerg's Stories We Never Told (2020) will have a tough time leaving Meister's latest behind.
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