Publisher: Orange Grove Press
Series: Bad Hair Day Mysteries, Book #7
Copyright: 2005
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Available Formats: e-book and paperback
Digital: 978-0-9985317-9-3
Paperback: 978-0-9985317-8-6
Amazon ASIN: B07PZBYD1P
A Thanksgiving family reunion at a haunted Florida resort turns deadly in this spooky cozy mystery.
Hairstylist Marla Shore is eager to introduce her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, to her extended family over Thanksgiving weekend at historic Sugar Crest Plantation Resort—until she finds her Aunt Polly suffocated in bed. Is it mere coincidence that her aunt’s father once owned the estate? According to rumor, he entertained two mysterious visitors who disappeared the same night as his untimely death. Some say their spirits haunt the grounds, which Marla tends to believe after experiencing an icy presence in the rickety hotel elevator.
But are ghosts to blame, or is something more sinister at play? With a heated city council meeting looming over the resort’s future, tensions are thicker than gravy. Added to the volatile mix are Marla’s relatives who have their own secrets to hide. Then another body is found on the nature trail, forcing Marla to intensify her efforts to expose the culprit. She’ll have to unravel her family’s twisted history even if it means digging up their roots and serving them on a platter to the police. Otherwise, if she allows her family’s unsavory past to remain buried, the killer will get away with murder.
“Dead Roots has all right the ingredients for a great hair day, absolutely fun, winsome characters, a fast‑paced, wonderful mystery read!” Heather Graham, NY Times Bestselling Author
“Well‑developed characters and an intriguing historical background enhance this winning cozy.” Publishers Weekly
“Ghost stories, secret passages, tales of gemstones and family secrets enliven this tale.” Oline Cogdill, Sun-Sentinel
“A mystery series to dye for.” Jay Macdonald, The News-Press
“Cohen once again blends colorful characters and an interesting setting into a fast‑paced, entertaining story. With just the right balance of romance, humor, and suspense, Cohen brings her winning characters and the fascinating world they inhabit to life in a mystery novel with plenty of twists and turns.” Michael Lister, Sunshine & Crime
“Sassy and spunky as ever, Marla sets out to save the day with her usual courage and tenacity.” Nancy Sapir, Kingston Observer
“You can count on a hairdresser to get to the root of things, and Marla Shore, owner of the Cut ‘N Dye, does just that in Nancy Cohen’s entertaining seventh Bad Hair Day mystery.” Ginger Curwen, Barnes & Noble
“If you like ghosts and ghoulies and things that go blink in the night, you’ll love this book.” Mysterious Women
“Condemned wings of the hotel, secret passages, and a gaggle of paranormal experts investigating the resident ghosts, all add up to a frenetic mixture of mirth and mayhem.” Manya Nogg, I Love A Mystery
“The setting, a Florida resort complete with ghosts, ruins and secret passages, makes a terrific site for a mystery. With Marla, Cohen has created a plucky heroine, and it’s great fun to watch her negotiate the investigation, her nosy relatives and her consuming attraction for her fiancé, Dalton.” RT Book Reviews
“Cohen constructs a dandy murder mystery with a wonderfully thought‑out story line that includes family secrets, historic preservationists, real estate developers, and some scary things that go bump in the night. Spend Thanksgiving with Marla and her family at the haunted Sugar Crest Hotel.” Sharon Katz, Reviewing the Evidence
“Dead Roots finds hairdresser sleuth Marla Shore taking her fiancé to meet her family. The situation is tense enough but tales of hidden jewels in the old hotel they’re meeting in followed by the death of her aunt bring things to a boil. An always enjoyable series.” Mystery Lovers Bookshop
“The main building of the resort is riddled with secret passages, a hidden floor and cleverly disguised entrances and exits to the passageways adding a gothic ambience to DEAD ROOTS. The deepening romantic relationship of Dalton and Marla adds a nice twist of spice to a cleverly crafted and well-designed who‑done‑it. This delightfully entertaining amateur sleuth tale is one of Ms. Cohen’s best in this long running series.” The Best Reviews
“If you love a good mystery with humor, this is for you.” Jackie Baumgarten, Armchair Interviews
