Killing Cupid-Laura Levine

Killing Cupid Laura Levine Kensington, Dec 31 2013, $25.00 ISBN 9780758285034 When freelance author Jaine Austen received the job offer from Joy Amoroso to create a brochure and more for the latter’s Beverly Hills-based Dates of Joy matchmaking service, the writer was ecstatic with the upbeat work and the hope of finding happiness by Valentine’s Day. However, Jaine quickly becomes disillusioned with her termagant tyrant of a boss as Joy viciously rips her employees, misleads with net photos of “hired guns” (models), and makes empty promises of finding love to clients paying thousands for romance. When Joy hosts a Valentine’s Day singles mixer, someone murders her. Jaine knows she is one of many suspects among clients, workers, family and others. Since she has had success in solving homicides (see Death by Pantyhose and Death of a Neighborhood Witch), she investigates who killed the false Cupid. The latest Austen whodunit is an entertaining clever whodunit with an intriguing mystery somewhat distracted by too much sidebar humor including Jaine’s overindulgences. Still series fans will enjoy the heroine’s hunt for the truth (and Valentine sweets). Harriet Klausner