Bad Hair Day Mystery

Sassy salon owner Marla Shore is giving grumpy Mrs. Kravitz a perm when her client dies in the shampoo chair. If that isn't enough to give her a bad hair day, handsome Detective Vail suspects Marla of poisoning the woman's coffee creamer. Figuring she'd better expose the real killer before the next victim frizzes out, Marla sets on the trail of a wave of wacky suspects. Her theory regarding whodunit gels only after she looks for the culprit closer to home.

The first three books in the award-winning Bad Hair Day cozy mystery series! Meet Marla Shore, a Florida hairstylist and salon owner with a knack for styling hair and solving crimes. In her debut case, the brazen beautician unravels a shocking murder that's making waves all over Palm Haven, a small southern town where almost everyone has something to hide. A coastal fundraiser and a murder at a sports club round out this trio of fun, light reads. PERMED TO DEATH – Book 1Sassy salon owner Marla Shore is giving grumpy Mrs. Kravitz a perm when her client dies in the shampoo chair. If that isn't enough to give her a bad hair day, handsome Detective Vail suspects Marla of poisoning the woman's coffee creamer. Figuring she'd better expose the real killer before the next victim frizzes out, Marla sets on the trail of a wave of wacky suspects. Her theory regarding whodunit gels only after she looks for the culprit closer to home. "A terrific mystery debut for Nancy Cohen. Marla the beautician is a delight!" Tamar Myers, author of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries and the Den of Antiquity Mystery Series. HAIR RAISER – Book 2When South Florida hairstylist Marla Shore takes charge of a fundraiser for a coastal preservation society, she has to comb through a knot of suspects to determine who's sabotaging their gala event. Participating chefs are dropping off the roster like hot rollers, and it's only through a series of hair-raising exploits that she can tease the truth from a tangle of suspects. Too late to stop a murder, Marla must salvage the grand affair before she's moussed into oblivion. "Curl up with Nancy Cohen's stylishly witty and chillingly suspenseful tale of murder on the Florida coast-Hair Raiser is a cut above." Joanne Pence, author of the Angie Amalfi mystery series MURDER BY MANICURE – Book 3Hairstylist Marla Shore joins a fitness club to get in shape but discovers a dead body instead of an exercise routine. Jolene Myers-a client at Marla's salon-has drowned beneath the frothing waters of the whirlpool. When Homicide Detective Dalton Vail determines Jolene's death was no accident, Marla decides to give her deductive skills a workout and help solve the case. "Marla Shore is a beguiling, very clever sleuth who teases out every clue. Absolutely delightful!" Jill Churchill, author of the Jane Jeffry & Grace and Favor mystery series. Get started reading this humorous cozy mystery series now!

A southern sleuth investigates murder and sabotage in sultry South Florida in this humorous cozy mystery. When South Florida hairstylist Marla Shore takes charge of a fundraiser for a coastal preservation group, she has to comb through a knot of suspects to determine who's sabotaging their gala event. Participating chefs are dropping off the roster like hot rollers, and it's only through a series of hair-raising exploits that she can tease the truth from the tangle of suspects. With a killer on the loose, Marla has a lot more to worry about than which canapés her chefs should serve. She'd better catch the culprit before he strikes again and turns their festive event into a disaster.

Hairstylist Marla Shore joins a fitness club to get in shape but discovers a dead body instead of an exercise routine. Jolene Myers-a client at Marla's salon-has drowned beneath the frothing waters of the whirlpool. When Homicide Detective Dalton Vail determines Jolene's death was no accident, Marla decides to give her deductive skills a workout and help solve the case.Murder by Manicure was originally published by Kensington. This Author's Edition has been revised and updated with added bonus materials."Marla Shore is a beguiling, very clever sleuth who teases out every clue. Absolutely delightful!" Jill Churchill, author of the Jane Jeffry & Grace and Favor mystery series.

Hairstylist and southern sleuth Marla Shore goes undercover in a hair-brained scheme to catch a killer in this adventurous cozy mystery. In a story braided with unexpected twists and curls, salon owner Marla Shore takes on a role as nurse's aide for wealthy Miriam Pearl. While Marla snoops into the elderly matriarch's affairs, her boyfriend, Detective Dalton Vail, is afraid that the only affair she'll snag is with her ex-spouse, Stan. Juggling work at her salon, crime solving, and two amorously inclined males, Marla fights a race against time to save Stan before the dashing detective nails him for murder.

In this trio of adventures, Marla solves a murder at her day spa in the midst of the December holidays, investigates her best friend's suspicious car accident, and enters a bake-off contest at a farm festival where she discovers a dead body in the strawberry field. She even saves a neighbor and her pet from a cat-astrophe in a bonus short story. FACIALS CAN BE FATALDuring the frenzy of the December holidays, the last thing salon owner Marla Vail needs is a dead body slathered in a green facial mask at her new day spa. Hoping to salvage her reputation, she determines to track down the killer. She'd better prepare for a body count that has nothing to do with hot stone massages and everything to do with murder. Gold Medal Winner in the Readers' Favorite Book Awards "Take a twisty mystery, add a cast of amiable characters, a dash of family drama, and a pinch of South Florida during the holiday season-they all add up to the recipe for a delightful cozy!" Lucy Burdette, bestselling author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries HAIR BRAINEDWhen hairstylist Marla Vail's best friend, Tally, is hurt in a suspicious car accident, Marla assumes guardianship of her infant son. The crash takes an ominous turn when Marla's husband, a homicide detective, determines it may not have been an accident after all. Marla launches an investigation while praying for her friend's recovery. Can she find the culprit before someone else ends up as roadkill? First Place Winner in the Chanticleer International Book Awards "Readers will become immersed from page one. You'll hang on every word as the twists and turns of the mystery are revealed." Suspense Magazine HAIRBALL HIJINKS (Short Story)Southern sleuth Marla Vail agrees to help find a neighbor's missing cat. As she follows the trail of the lost feline, she's surprised to find more than the pet missing from the elderly woman's house. The lady's valuables are gone, and according to the police, it isn't the first incident in the neighborhood. Can Marla outwit the crooks before they cause another cat'astrophe? "A fast-paced read with charming characters." Socrates Book Reviews TRIMMED TO DEATHSavvy hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Vail enters a charity bake-off contest at a fall festival sponsored by a local farm. While she waits to see if her coconut fudge pie is a winner, she finds a dead body planted face-down in the strawberry field. As Marla investigates, she learns there's no shortage of suspects. Can she unmask the killer before someone else's life is cut short? "The dialogue is sharp, the eye for detail is masterful, and the narrative pacing is just right. Plenty of suspicious-seeming characters raise the tension. Even if you're not yet a 'Cozy' fan, you'll have a blast." Florida Weekly

Join hairstylist sleuth Marla Shore in unraveling a murder case with wacky psychics, bingo mamas, and ghoulish family keepsakes in this clever cozy mystery. Hair shop rivalry comes to a head when hairstylist Marla Shore finds the body of her competitor behind their South Florida shopping center. Carolyn Sutton may not have been her friend, but Marla takes on the case for the sake of justice. And she's curious as to why a hank of Carolyn's hair is missing. Her quest becomes personal when Wilda Cleaver, Carolyn's trusted psychic, insists that Carolyn's spirit wants Marla to solve her murder. Marla had better find the culprit fast, or someone she loves might get hurt. Carolyn's resentful sister, her bingo partner, her chiropractor, a mysterious benefactor, and a local lawyer fill the expanding list of suspects. With a hurricane approaching, Marla needs to untangle the snarl of clues before the storm hits and the murderer strikes again.

Marla's family reunion at a haunted Florida resort turns up dead bodies instead of fond memories in this spooky cozy mystery. Hairstylist Marla Shore is eager to introduce her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, to her extended family over Thanksgiving weekend at Sugar Crest Plantation Resort. But, that was before she found Aunt Polly suffocated in bed. Is it a coincidence that her aunt's father once owned the property? According to rumor, he met with two mysterious Cossacks immediately before his premature death. Their spirits are said to haunt the place, and Marla believes it when she hears a bell tolling outside and feels a cold presence inside the hotel's rickety elevator. Are ghosts at fault for the strange goings-on, or could politics be playing a part? Sugar Crest is slated for demolition, although some folks would profit if it was remodeled instead. The city council meeting is being held that weekend to determine the resort's fate. Tensions deepen when another body turns up on the nature trail. Whatever is going on at Sugar Crest, someone is willing to go to great lengths to keep it hidden. But, the killer doesn't count on Marla, who determines to learn the truth even if it means uprooting her family's unsavory past.

Salon owner Marla Shore is eager to start her job as assistant hairstylist to a platform artist at a high-ticket beauty show. She's hoping her connection with Luxor Products will advance her career. That is, until company director Christine Parks is found dead in her hotel room, face-down in a foot bath. Suspect number one is Marla's former college roommate, Georgia Rogers. Since Georgia recommended Marla for the glamorous job, the least Marla can do for her in return is to clear her name. As she launches her investigation, Marla learns that everyone who worked with Chris had a reason to hate her, and the list of possible suspects is longer than a pop diva's hair extensions. Behind the thumping music and staged-platform hair artistry at South Florida's hottest beauty show, something very ugly is going down. If Marla isn't careful, she may end up on the wrong end of the killer's sharp-edged shears.

Florida hairstylist Marla Shore hopes for a romantic interlude with her fiancé on a Caribbean cruise, but troubled waters lie ahead when their dinner companions disappear one-by-one. Then Marla learns a killer is along for the ride. Onboard art auctions, ports of call, and sumptuous buffets beckon, but she ignores temptation and musters her sleuthing skills to expose the culprit. She'd better find him fast, before her next shore excursion turns into a trip to Davy Jones's locker.

Meet Marla Shore, a southern sleuth with a knack for styling hair and solving crimes. In this trio of adventures, Marla discovers the matron of honor stabbed to death under the cake table at her friend Jill's wedding. She gets married and moves into a new house with a dead body next door. Her honeymoon at a dude ranch turns dangerous when ghosts from the past stir up more trouble than the horses. SHEAR MURDERHairstylist Marla Shore is weeks away from becoming a bride when she walks down the aisle as a bridesmaid at her friend Jill's ceremony. Things take a turn for the worse when the matron of honor ends up dead under the cake table. Lots of folks aren't sorry to see Torrie go, especially since the bride's sister knew their deepest secrets. But when suspicion falls upon Jill, Marla wonders if her dear friend is truly innocent. She'd better untangle the snarl of suspects and iron out the clues before the killer highlights her as the next victim. "Shear Murder is another stellar outing in Nancy J. Cohen's Bad Hair Day mystery series." Lorna Barrett, bestselling author of the Booktown Mysteries HANGING BY A HAIRMarla's joyous move to a new house with her detective husband, Dalton, is marred by their next-door neighbor who erects an illegal fence between their properties. When Dalton reminds the man of local permitting laws, tempers flare-and worse, the neighbor is found dead the following day. Before her husband's investigation can begin, he is removed from the case due to a conflict of interest. Now it's up to Marla to clear his name and make the neighborhood safe again. Suspense Magazine "Best of 2014" Cozy Mystery "Marla is short for marvelous. If you like your mysteries 'cozy,' you're going to enjoy every minute you spend with her!" Joanna Campbell Slan, bestselling author of the Kiki Lowenstein Mysteries PERIL BY PONYTAILMarla and Dalton's honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch veers from dangerous to downright deadly faster than a horse headed to the corral. With her husband's uncle-the resort owner-on the suspect list for murder, Marla races to prove his innocence. She hopes her blind trust isn't misplaced, especially when she learns Uncle Ray has secrets he'd rather keep buried. With her new family in jeopardy, she'd better saddle up her sleuthing skills to figure out who's adding to the spirits at a nearby ghost town before someone she loves gets hurt. Third Place Winner in the Arizona Literary Awards "Peril by Ponytail ropes in the reader in Nancy J. Cohen's captivating new tale, which deftly braids together deadly secrets, long hidden resentments, and romance on the range." Ellen Byerrum, bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion Mysteries

Getting married can be murder...especially when the matron of honor is found dead under the cake table in this humorous cozy mystery. Weddings always make hairstylist Marla Shore shed a tear of joy, especially when she attends her friend Jill's reception as a member of the bridal party. Marla's own nuptials are weeks away, and she's been busy juggling bickering relatives, building a new house with her fiancé, and expanding her hair salon. She's following her to-do list just fine until she discovers Jill's sister Torrie-the matron of honor-dead under the cake table at her friend's wedding reception. Lots of folks aren't sorry to see Torrie go, especially since the bride's sister knew their deepest secrets. But when suspicion falls upon Jill, Marla wonders if her dear friend is truly innocent. She'd better untangle the snarl of suspects and iron out the clues before the killer highlights her as the next victim. Bonus Content Includes: Reader Discussion Questions Explanation of Wedding Customs Author Interview Excerpt from Hanging by a Hair Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Bestseller List "Shear Murder is another stellar outing in Nancy J. Cohen's Bad Hair Day mystery series.

Snarky neighbors, sordid secrets, and community politics play a role in this madcap murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Newlyweds Marla and Dalton Vail are delighted by their new home, until their next-door neighbor erects an illegal fence between their properties. Marla's hopes for making friends are dashed by a resultant argument between Dalton and the man, who is president of the HOA. The situation becomes more tangled when their neighbor is found dead the following day. Dalton, a homicide detective, suspects foul play, but he's removed from the case due to a conflict of interest. Now it's up to Marla to clear her husband's name and make the neighborhood safe again. Secretive neighbors, tribal protesters, religious zealots, and preppers top the suspect list along with a spurned lover and a nephew eager for his inheritance. As Marla learns more about them, she discovers ugly truths that were meant to stay hidden. Can she untangle the clues and pin down the culprit before he targets her as the next victim? "Marla is short for marvelous. If you like your mysteries 'cozy,' you're going to enjoy every minute you spend with her!" Joanna Campbell Slan, author of the award-winning Kiki Lowenstein mystery series Bonus Content:Reader Discussion GuideFive Easy RecipesPeril by Ponytail Excerpt Suspense Magazine "Best of 2014" Cozy Mystery Night Owl Reviews 5 Stars Top PickMurder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Bestseller Hanging by a Hair was originally published by Five Star Publishing (Gale/Cengage). This Author's Edition has been updated with added bonus materials.

Marla's honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch turns deadly when murder threatens to unhorse her new happiness in this award-winning cozy mystery set in the perilous west. Hoping for a romantic honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch, hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton arrive to find a series of mishaps plaguing the resort. A nearby ghost town is suffering similar problems. Is it mere coincidence that Dalton's Uncle Raymond owns both properties? When Raymond asks for their help in finding the culprit, Marla and Dalton eagerly accept, but the case quickly escalates into murder. With sleuthing more natural to Marla than horseback riding, she delves into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she discovers skeletons hidden in the family closet. Someone means to drive Raymond out of business, and the reason may be linked to his past misdeeds. But Raymond isn't the only one with secrets. The trail leads Marla to environmental activists, saguaro poachers and water rights advocates. She'd better saddle up, rein in the clues, and find the killer before she becomes the next spirit inhabiting the haunted hillside. "Peril by Ponytail ropes in the reader in Nancy J. Cohen's captivating new tale, which deftly braids together deadly secrets, long hidden resentments, and romance on the range." Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion Mysteries Third Place Winner in the Arizona Literary Awards Peril by Ponytail was originally published by Five Star Publishing (Gale/Cengage). This Author's Edition has been updated with added bonus materials.

As a new stepmother, hairstylist Marla Vail hopes to win brownie points by helping her daughter with a school haunted house project. All goes well until Marla stumbles over a corpse on the spooky estate grounds. Between slacker students, helicopter parents, unexpected heirs, and a stonewalling school administration, Marla has her hands full in solving a murder and keeping the kids safe.Third Place Winner in the Suspense Short category of the 2017 IDA Contest

Salon sleuth Marla Vail determines to peel back the truth when a wealthy socialite has a fatal facial at her day spa in this stylish cozy mystery. During the frenzy of the December holidays, the last thing salon owner Marla Vail needs is a dead body slathered in a green facial mask at her new day spa. The victim, Valerie Weston, had been a major donor for Friends of Old Florida, a nonprofit historic building preservation society. Marla's stylists are scheduled to work backstage at their upcoming gala fashion show, but Val's demise might put a crimp in their plans. Hoping to salvage her reputation, Marla determines to track down the killer. Although Val had been well liked by most people, she may have stumbled onto secrets that others would kill to keep. Soon Marla is unraveling clues involving historic buildings, family journals, pirates, and shipwrecks off the Florida coast. She'd better prepare for a body count that has nothing to do with hot stone massages and everything to do with murder. Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist "Take a twisty mystery, add a cast of amiable characters, a dash of family drama, and a pinch of South Florida during the holiday season-they all add up to the recipe for a delightful cozy!" -Lucy Burdette, bestselling author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries Facials Can Be Fatal was originally published Five Star (Gale/Cengage). This Author's Edition has been updated with added bonus materials.

When hairstylist Marla Vail's best friend is hurt in a suspicious car accident, Marla assumes guardianship of her infant son. No sooner does Marla say, "Baby want a bottle?" than she's embroiled in another murder investigation. Her husband, Detective Dalton Vail, determines the crash may not have been an accident after all. But then, who would want Tally-or Ken in the car with her-out of the way? As Marla digs deeper into her friends' lives, she realizes she didn't know them as well as she'd thought. Nonetheless, it's her duty as their son's guardian to ensure his safety, even if it means putting her own life at risk. Can she protect the baby and find the culprit before someone else ends up as roadkill?

Savvy hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Vail enters a charity bake-off contest at a fall festival sponsored by a local farm. While she waits to see if her coconut fudge pie is a winner, Marla joins a scavenger hunt where people playing character roles are the targets. Instead of scoring points with a live person, she finds a dead body planted face-down in the strawberry field. Who would want to cut short the life of food magazine publisher and fellow bake-off contestant Francine Dodger? As she investigates, Marla learns there's no shortage of suspects. A celebrity TV chef, food critic, olive oil importer, food truck owner, pastry chef, and cookbook author may be stirring up more than their next recipe. Can Marla unmask the killer before someone else gets trimmed from life? Recipes Included!

Hare today, dead tomorrow... Can a stylish sleuth pull a rabbit out of her hat to solve an Easter murder in this to-dye-for cozy mystery? When hairstylist Marla Vail attends an Easter egg hunt at historic Tremayne Manor, she's only there to fix hair for a client, Bonnie "Blinky" Morris. But when she's asked to comb the grounds for leftover goodies, Marla discovers more than just a few dyed eggs. The dead body in the bunny costume is definitely not having a good hare day. And Blinky seems to have disappeared down a rabbit hole. When trying to solve a murder, everyone needs a friend whose all ears. For Marla, that's her husband, homicide detective Dalton Vail. They make an eggcellent team. Dalton isn't the kind to leap to conclusions, but with his wife seven months pregnant, and knowing Marla finds crime-solving to be irresistible, he worries about her running off on another hare-raising adventure. Marla's peeps are hoping for a happy ending, but she may have found a basketful of trouble this time. Can she crack the case before Blinky becomes the next victim?

A dead body in her mother's bathroom during a home remodel leads hairstylist Marla Vail to flush out the clues and nail the killer. When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there's a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn't part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company's staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings? Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla's stepfather, Reed, who's keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won't come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she's showered with suspicions, but nobody's willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again. To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder? Recipes Included!

A cat, a crook, and a confused neighbor cause mirth in this killer cozy mystery short story. Savvy hairstylist and super sleuth Marla Vail visits her friend Tally, who just got out of the hospital after a serious car accident. Marla has been caring for Tally's baby and is sad but grateful to return him to his mother. She and Tally reconcile their friendship that had become estranged before the crash. Happy to have her friend back, Marla is about to leave when a knock summons her to the door. It's a distraught elderly neighbor who claims her cat is missing. Marla, unable to turn down a person in need, accompanies the lady home. But when Marla enters the house, she realizes much more is missing than a lost feline. The place has been ransacked, and when she calls the police, they inform her that the neighborhood has been beset by a series of thefts. Can she find the crooks before they cause another cat'astrophe?

A remodeling project gone awry, a deadly Easter egg hunt, and a Fourth of July murder at a living history village make for a sparkling cozy mystery collection. EASTER HAIR HUNTAn Easter egg hunt at historic Tremayne Manor leads hairstylist Marla Vail to discover more than just dyed eggs. The dead man in the bunny suit is definitely not having a good hare day. Marla's husband, homicide detective Dalton Vail, knows she finds solving mysteries to be irresistible, but she may have found a basketful of trouble this time. Can Marla use her egg-cellent sleuthing skills to crack the case? Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner "This story will fill your reading basket with entertainment, charming characters, plot twists, tasty recipes, and a cozy murder mystery to solve." Thoughts in Progress STYLED FOR MURDERWhen salon owner, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there's a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn't part of the home remodel plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had a shady reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company's staff are among the suspects, but Marla is more concerned about her stepfather's connection to the victim. Reed is keeping secrets and he won't come clean about what he knows. Can she flush out the clues and nail the killer before he strikes again? Suspense Magazine "Best Cozy Mystery"Readers' Favorite Bronze Medal Winner "A charmingly funny whodunit!" Woman's World Magazine STAR TANGLED MURDERHairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a battle reenactment turns up a dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal. As Dalton takes charge of the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Soon it becomes clear that every one of the villagers is a suspect. Instead of spending the holiday chilling and grilling, somebody's mind is on killing. Marla needs to find the culprit before she becomes the next victim. FAPA President's Book Awards Silver Medal Winner "Star Tangled Murder shines with excellent plotting, lots of twists and turns, and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended." Suspense Magazine

Join southern sleuth Marla Shore on another hair-raising adventure in this light-hearted cozy mystery. Hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Shore lands a case close to home when her animal-loving neighbor-a man aptly named Goat-disappears, leaving his pets alone and a dead body in his master bedroom. Even more disturbing is the pattern of highlights Marla notes in the victim's hair. She recognizes the signature technique of her former mentor, master stylist Cutter Corrigan. Soon she's untangling clues that link Goat, Cutter, and the unsavory pet fur trade to her own past. Someone at her former beauty school has a hair-raising secret worth killing to keep.