Permed to Death

The Bad Hair Day Mysteries, Book 1

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Narrated by: Mary Ann Jacobs

Hairstylist Marla Shore untangles a knot of secrets when she’s suspected of poisoning her client’s coffee creamer in this debut case.

Hairstylist 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, Detective Dalton Vail suspects Marla of poisoning the woman’s coffee creamer. With her reputation at stake, she decides it’s up to her to unmask the killer.

While combing Bertha Kravitz’s privileged world for clues, Marla uncovers a tangled web of suspects. There's the resentful son excluded from his mother's will, a shady business partner, and a niece who inherits a substantial fortune. But Marla might have to look closer to home, especially when her janitor vanishes without a trace and she discovers one of her stylists is living a lavish lifestyle.

With the detective tightening the net, Marla races to decipher the clues before her own secrets are exposed. If she doesn't solve this case fast, he’ll pin her with a motive and lock her away in a place where bad hair days will become permanent.

“Marla the beautician is a delight!” Tamar Myers, author of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries

“Fast-paced and jaunty.” Publishers Weekly

“A plot with more tangles than an uncombed perm.” Kirkus Reviews

©1999 Nancy J. Cohen (P)2026 Nancy J. Cohen

Critic reviews

"Permed to Death is a beauty of a read. The characters are believable, the mystery is well-plotted, and the suspense is a real manicure-ruiner." I Love a Mystery

A good twist on a cozy.

Permed to Death is a every well researched and well written book. I really liked all the twists and turns the story takes and I will read the next book. If you are looking for a cozy mystery with a little something different, then this book is for you.

Great Murder Mystery

I received this audiobook for free for an honest review. I thought Nancy Cohen did a great job with this mystery. She developed the story thoroughly. I was trying to guess what who done it throughout the whole story. When you least expect... The characters were very colorful and detailed. However, could have done without a couple. Got confusing with so many people and how they fit into the story. It also had a bit of comedy to keep you on your toes. I really enjoyed this and will look for more books by Nancy J. Cohen.

Reddish gold revenge!

So much I enjoyed..here are few :
Didn't realize this book was from 1999 , it reads like new present day. Mary Ann Jacobs- I haven't heard much that she has narrated but form listening to her voice. She had me. I felt like we're we friends reuniting and she was telling me what she's been upto. What I mean is , she was a great choice, her voice was comforting and it maid Marla come to life for me,as her. I loved that the "action" of this story happened fast and then as you continue it builds each of the scenarios and the other characters in line with Who Killed Grumpy Mrs Kravitz"
I enjoyed the subtlety between detective Vail and Marla. It didn't cask the familiar shadow of an over worked under sexed suspect and detective, all the while maintained momentum.
Determined to prove her own innocence, Marla character wasn't flaky rather naive.
I really loved how the writing showed that all the while having you eager to discover
"Who dunnit"

I have been given this book in exchange for my honest review

Fun new cozy mystery series

I thought this was a fun little cozy mystery. I love cozy mysteries, and the setting of this one, revolving around a hair salon, is a little different than the ones I usually read. Contrary to many of the other reviews, I actually enjoyed all the description and the author's word choice for things like colors. I thought the characters were interesting, though there were a lot of them, and I found myself confusing characters or not remembering who they were as the book progressed. I listened to the Audible audio version of the book and enjoyed the narration by Mary Ann Jacobs. Her voice is really pleasant on the ear (I wish I sounded like her), and her reading is very comfortable and effortless. Overall, this is an enjoyable book, and I would be interested in reading others in the series. If you like cozy mysteries, you might very well enjoy this one.

A charming cozy!

I have to agree with another reviewer who said that you would never know this book was written in 1999! It still read well & every part of the story/plot fit naturally.

I really enjoyed the plot, it had depth & intrigue and the twists weren't at all expected. I also liked that the murder occurs right off the bat as soon as the book opens. This quickly leads off the plot in which Marla is thrust into solving a murder because she just so happens to be the prime suspect! An effort to clear her name leads her down a twisted path that gets dangerous at times. As the story continues we together pieces of Marla's life, and start to learn about her relationships, and her past.

This story has a little bit of everything.. Murder, attempted murder, secret admirers, secrets from the past & romantic banter. A true cozy through & through. The narration was also perfect, it was a soothing listen & I plan to check out more of her work!

I hope there will be more books from this series available in the future. This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.