I like Elaine Viets' books. Really, I do. So bear that in mind while I complain a bit here.

First, as an experienced mystery shopper in today's world (I've done maybe a thousand shops over the last ten years for about 50 different mystery shopping companies), I have to tell you that this is not how mystery shopping works in today's world. This is pre-Internet stuff, the way it used to be done in the old days. It's much more streamlined these days. There may be a few of the old-line, local companies still in the business as described in this book; I have no way of knowing that. But the vast majority of mystery shopping now is done in a totally diffent way. (Viets says that her mother was a mystery shopper, and this is the way she did it. That's undoubtedly true.)

So I was disappointed to find that my favorite moonlighting job was not represented here.

My second disappointment was the that larger-than-life oddball characters just didn't ring true for me. The whole situation was over the top--for me.

I'm going to read the second one in the series and hope for some improvement in the plotline, but this one was a disappointment.

I loved this book, the first in Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series by Elaine Viets. Josie Marcus may not be living up to her full potential, but she's doing what she wants to do right now -- she's a mystery shopper who is able to spend quality time with her daughter and even her mother, who lives upstairs. Marcus' character is intelligent, feisty and darn funny. Surprisingly, the book also had a good plot that kept me guessing to the end. I think Viets has a good chance of making Viets into a best-loved cozy character.

1st in the series. Couldn't wait to get the next book.
Josie is a single mom who lives in the same apartment building as her mother. She is makes her living as a mystery shopper

Intrepid mystery shopper Josie Marcus is sleuthing in the ritsy world of designer purses and assorted accessories - like $1000 snakeskin belts that might be used to strangle someone!

Great Book!

This was an entertaining read, quick and easy, but not the best cozy mystery series in the least! Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is funny, loved her. However, the plot and many of the sub-characters were a bit over-the-top for my taste.

A fun new series. Quick read!

I really enjoyed this and will be reading the others.

A fun mystery with a little romance thrown into the mix.

Just fair. I can't say I'll ever buy another in this series.

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Josie Marcus is a single mom. She moved back home when she became pregnant and now lives in the duplex where she grew up. Her mother lives in the other apartment. Her mother is full of regrets; for her own marriage that didn't work out, for the life her daughter is living as a single parent, and because her daughter's job as a secret shopper, doesn't live up to her expectations. Josie likes the job as she gets to set a schedule that allows her to drop her daughter off at school and pick her up. She has a eligible bachelor neighbor, who doesn't live up to Josie's standards but meets all of Mom's criteria - stable job, good money, and just boring enough that he wouldn't leave Josie. In this book, Josie becomes a suspect in a murder after a pocketbook designer and her live in boyfriend are found murdered. She decides to prove herself innocent as she doesn't feel the police are looking beyond her.

Very cute...easy read!

light and fluffy - good beach reading material

I used to think mystery shopping would be fun--thanks to this book, I certainly see some drawbacks to the occupation. The characters are funny and appealing, so I am quite glad this is the first of a series. Unlike some cozy series however, these won't be "keeper" material, simply because the shopping tips are mainly common sense (as opposed to culinary or craft mysteries that are often kept for the recipes or directions).

I will certainly follow Josie's exploits, but am just as interested in her mother Jane and hope the plotline begun about her was not just incidental. Perhaps because I am getting older myself, I find retirees make interesting subject matter...

Chick-lit to a T. This had it all! A fun, quick beach read.

Great story!

LOVED it! So funny, fast read, and entertaining!!!

OK story though quite predictable in parts.

An excellent funny murder mystery -- if a little too judgemental about class divisions and religions -- still it has warmth, a great murder, and a plausible way the detective gets involved. And the mystery shopping is fun.

I love this series. I cannot wait to read the next one. This is a quick read!

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