Wollie Shelley Mysteries

Los Angeles greeting-card artist Wollie Shelley is dating forty men in sixty days as research for a radio talk show host's upcoming book. Wollie is meeting plenty of eligible bachelors but not falling in love, not until she stumbles over a dead body en route to Rio Pescado-a state-run mental hospital-and is taken hostage by a charismatic "doctor" who is on the run from the Mob. Wollie fears that her beloved brother, a paranoid schizophrenic living at Rio Pescado, is involved in the murder, so rather than go to the authorities, she decides to solve the crime on her own. As she meets up with an array of small-time crooks and swaggering mobsters only slightly more sinister than the men she's been dating, Wollie realizes that to find true love she'll first have to avoid getting killed! "Kozak has written a finely calibrated story about a cheerfully seedy section of Los Angeles with characters of all ages-all very human and real…While there are many laugh-out loud moments in this novel, they come from sources other than a wisecracking heroine: gently goofy comments inspired by the personalities of likable characters; plot-specific, situational humor; and wry social observations that will appeal to both men and women." "Kozak has struck gold first time out with a wacky, high-octane plot and characters to match." "There's never a dull moment in this rollicking caper, an exuberant, fun-filled roller-coaster ride worthy of Stephanie Plum." "Lots of action, quirky characters, an engaging new sleuth who designs greeting cards, and a ferret named Margaret-what more could any reader want? Dating Dead Men is a superb debut." "Wollie Shelley, Kozak's entrepreneur extraordinaire, manages to deal with a murder, the Mafia, an appealing but mysterious love interest, and a killer who wants to see her dead, all with originality and humor." "Harley Jane Kozak fashions a doozy of a debut, starring cars, cads, clothes, and an L.A. gone hilariously mad." "Dating Dead Men is a page-turning romp alive with fresh, quirky characters and inventive situations that left me anxious for another date with Wollie Shelley, provided author Harley Jane Kozak is amenable next time around to a man who's still breathing."

When David Zetrakis, the producer of a popular soap opera, is found shot to death, Wollie Shelley finds herself caught up in the murder. Zetrakis was one of the many Mr. Wrongs in Wollie's career as a serial dater, and her friend Joey has emerged as the media's prime suspect. A hot-tempered celebrity who had dated Zetrakis and was fired from his show some years ago, Joey has inherited a million-dollar Klimt from him. But Joey is not the only potential suspect. Zetrakis left lots of nice bequests to the cast and crew of the show. And as the dating correspondent on a talk show called SoapDirt, Wollie, who's required to dine and dish with the stars, quickly discovers that the behind-the-scenes intrigues of television soaps are as highly charged as the on-screen shenanigans. "Dead Ex is a charming book with a well-done mystery and one of the most likeable heroines in the genre." "A Greek mythology twist and crackling insider insight into the fascinating soap opera world enhance this clever whodunit." "Fans of Jennifer Crusie's heroines are sure to like witty, well-meaning Wollie, who plays like a less-cynical version of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum." "For drama, wit and just plain fun, every life (and death) needs a little Wollie."

Wollie Shelley isn't happy about taking the job as a "social coach" at MediaRex, but the FBI makes her an offer she can't refuse. If she agrees to infiltrate the company, they'll guarantee that her schizophrenic brother will have a home at the federally subsidized halfway house he's come to love. So Wollie launches into teaching three foreign celebrities how to cope with the customs of Beverly Hills, improve their English, and become Oprah-ready. But when a coyote-chewed corpse appears in the MediaRex compound, Wollie realizes that her colleagues are concealing some serious secrets of their own. "Kozak keeps the laughs and chills in bewitching balance." "Kozak continues to mix well-developed characters and madcap action in this enjoyable series. Beautiful, six-foot Wollie is a natural for Stephanie Plum fans." "Strikes a balanced note-sharp and witty but heartfelt."