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Synopsis:
Hairstylist Azalea March is looking forward to a wild weekend in Las Vegas with her friends. Oh, sure, they’re supposed to be there on business, attending the biggest hair show on the west coast, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little fun. But fun quickly turns to drama. On the first morning of the show, Dhane, the biggest celeb of the hair-styling world, is found dead. As it urns out Azalea’s friend, Vivian, not only knew Dhane, but the tale she weaves of how they met is faker than a showgirl’s uh… assets. When Vivian confesses to the murder and is arrested, Azalea knows there’s no way she could have done it and suspects Vivian may be trying to protect someone. But who?
Azalea now has to convince Alex, the sexy detective from her past, to help her prove Vivian’s innocence and comb through clues more twisted than a spiral perm. But the truth is stranger than anything found on the Las Vegas Strip, and proving Vivian’s innocence turns out to be more difficult than transforming a brunette into a blonde.
My review:
Dyed and Gone is the first book in the Azalea March Mystery series by author Beth Yarnall and let me say kicked this series off with a fantastic start! Funny, entertaining, suspenseful, and witty, this book was all that and more.
When hairstylist Azalea March packed up for a weekend away in Las Vegas for the biggest hair event of the year she had no idea that it would go from trying out new shears and blow dryers to trying to solve a murder. The reigning king of hair, Dhane, has been murdered and Azalea finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. Not only because she happens to be new friends with his inner circle but also because her business partner, Vivian, had a past with Dhane and that past would be called into question. Especially when Vivian confesses to the murder. A murder Azalea is positive Vivian didn’t commit. Now, Azalea has a bigger mess on her hands than if she forgot to wear gloves while dying a blonde to a dark brunette. Adding even more to the debacle is Azalea having to rely on her sort-of-ex-fling and detective, Alex, to help her and Vivian out of this pickle. And to think, Azalea’s biggest worry just days ago had been what shoes to pack.
When I say this book has it all, I mean it. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and there were parts that had me worried. Parts that had me fanning myself and parts that had my upset. I loved how much was packed into Dyed and Gone. The characters are wonderfully colorful and delightfully quirky with personalities that leap off of the page. The murder mystery had me guessing from the very beginning until the last few pages. I couldn’t put my finger on who I thought committed the crime and I loved that I was kept on my toes until the very end. I say “very end” because just when I thought I got my killer, BAM, we were treated to a great twist. Azalea is a smart and witty heroine that I can’t wait to read more of! I’m dying to see what adventures she has in store and if things heat up more with her kinda-sorta-ex/kinda-sorta-boyfriend Alex. He is so opposite Azalea in many ways and they really compliment each other well. Great chemistry that totally deserves exploring!
Overall, I loved this story and would recommend it to any reader whether a mystery fan or a chick lit fan. There really is something for everyone! Thank you, Beth, for Dyed and Gone. I can’t wait to read more!
Four Loves
About the author:
Best selling author, Beth Yarnall writes romantic suspense, mysteries and the occasional hilarious blog post. For a number of years, Beth made her living as a hairstylist and makeup artist and co-owned a salon with her very best friend. Somehow hairstylists and salons always seem to find their way into her stories. Beth lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their dog where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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