Reviews

“We go back to at least 2000 or 2001 and I haven’t missed a book since. There’s a reason for that—these are really good books with a protagonist I like a lot and, unlike some amateur sleuths, Marla Vail has a brain.” Lelia Taylor, Buried Under Books

“This was an enjoyable story, well researched with great characters and a wonderful setting. I recommend it to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who enjoy family dynamics that add to the story.” Carla Johnson-Hicks, Carla Loves to Read

“This is well-paced with enough action to keep readers engaged and the story moving along. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone – though I’d recommend starting at the beginning to see how the relationships and characters evolve over time. All in all, if you enjoy cozy mysteries and female sleuths, you’ll enjoy Trimmed to Death. Besides, you get some recipes!” Christa Nardi, Christa Reads and Writes

“I love watching as Marla and Dalton get to the bottom of the people they’ve gotten to know in this book along with seeing what their daughter is up to now. This book had so much going on and I couldn’t put it down until it was over and the murder was definitely not who I had pegged for the crime. Such a great adventure to go on!” Paula Mitchell, Community Bookstop

“One thing that I love about the Bad Hair Day Mystery series by Nancy J. Cohen is that the main character helps the police in solving the cases and they actually appreciate the help…Marla is the main character and even though she owns a hair salon and day spa, she still finds time to help the local law enforcement agency with cases. How can she not…her husband is the lead detective and usually looks to Marla for insight. One cannot help but fall in love with Marla and her husband Dalton and even his daughter Brianna. Brianna has a way, like Marla, of getting into the cases and helps in a way only a teenager can help. This is a very close, loving, and caring family who make you want to know everything about them.” Missi S., Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

“The blend of mystery to family life is excellent, the pace is flawless and the characters are so appealing. The dialogue is spot on and the humor plays off the suspense at all the right times. This book was a fantastic read. The murder part of the story was all wrapped up but the family storyline continues and I truly cannot wait to read what happens next.” Lori Caswell, Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

“The dialogue is sharp, the eye for detail is masterful, and the narrative pacing is just right. Plenty of suspicious-seeming characters raise the tension. Even if you’re not yet a “Cozy” fan, you’ll have a blast. All this and recipes, too.” Phil Jason, Florida Weekly

“This sweet cozy mystery has an interesting cast of characters along with plenty of suspects to thicken the plot.” FS Brown, InD’Tale Magazine

“While I always enjoy Marla’s time in the salon, I really enjoyed the foodie focus of this one… There are a lot of threads in this murder investigation. The possibilities and suspects are many and each one seems as valid as the next. I enjoyed seeing where each lead went and how it fleshed out the story. Marla is a busy woman with all the leads she chases down as well as planning a fundraiser at her salon that sounded pretty amazing!…This is a fun cozy series with a well-developed cast of characters. The mystery was well done and I really love the hairdresser angle especially since it’s mixed with a police connection.” Katherine Pitts, I Wish I Lived In a Library

“Trimmed to Death is a well thought-out and executed cozy mystery with a gastronomy theme. A concoction of scary and bizarre ingredients of ulterior motives, hidden agendas and guilty secrets aplenty combined with a large measure of ill will make this a recipe for murder. The characters are well drawn with well-defined personalities. Our protagonist, Marla Vail, is a hairstylist with a penchant for ferreting out secrets and solving mysteries. She acts as muse for her husband Dalton, a police Detective…Nancy J. Cohen skillfully prepares a literary repast fit for the most discerning cozy mystery connoisseur and she includes some delicious recipes.” Author James D.A. Terry

“The Bad Day Hair novels can always be relied upon to deliver a satisfying mix of humor and moments of heart-breaking sadness. The impact of death is never taken too lightly, and the cost upon the mournful is shown in relatable and very moving ways. The laughs are more subtle than in previous entries, yet they continue throughout and are seamlessly blended into the mystery…Marla’s struggle to overcome her past has come into play before, but now she may finally learn to move beyond it and accept a new path in her life. The future looks very bright for the Vail family, and readers will have much to look forward to in this evolving, very unique series.” Cynthia Chow, KRL News & Reviews

“TRIMMED TO DEATH is a low-key cozy mystery featuring amateur sleuth and hairdresser Marla, who lives in South Florida with her homicide detective husband Dalton and his adolescent daughter Brianna. When a harvest festival at a local farm includes a suspicious death, Dalton has jurisdiction and Marla investigates in her own gentle way. There’s a number of people with possibly suspicious agendas, but Marla and her family persevere, even though eventually she will be endangered. The author juggles a fair number of characters and plot lines without giving away ‘the farm.’” Mallory A. Haws, Mallory Heart’s Cozies

“One reason why Nancy J. Cohen is an award-winning cozy mystery author is that her stories are packed with personality, upbeat scenarios, and the solid pairing of a murder mystery with broader community entanglements. In this story, Marla isn’t just a sole proprietor operating independent of her world; she’s thoroughly connected to the community through her salon and work. Descriptions are thus nicely crafted and filled with atmosphere and detail that bring Marla’s world to life, sometimes with a touch of ironic observation…From fundraiser activity, culinary insights, and probes into Marla’s logic to recipes and romance which pepper the story line and embellish its twists and turns, readers who want a cozy mystery filled with atmosphere, intrigue, and adventure should settle a chair by the fire for a good evening’s read.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Trimmed to Death is a solid cozy replete with olive facts, dogs, small town rivalries, entrepreneurship, and killer recipes. Another entertaining read from author Nancy J Cohen. She kept me guessing to the end!” Maggie Toussaint, Muddy Rose Reviews

“It’s intriguing to watch Marla at work at her salon, which has expanded over the series. The family relationship is a warm, enjoyable one. The secondary characters, some of whom have appeared in earlier books, are finely drawn and seem like old friends to this reader. I always learn something new when reading one of Nancy Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mysteries. She obviously enjoys learning about different fields and, with a deft hand, incorporating her research into her story. Trimmed to Death is the fifteenth in its series. I have read all fifteen, but one can read this one first, then read others in any order. I am looking forward to trying the recipes that Cohen includes, and anticipating the sixteenth in this delightful series.” Stephanie Saxon Levine, Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore

“The characters are well developed and well rounded. I think Marla is a strong smart woman and she is pretty good at investigating as well as styling hair. Having a husband in law enforcement is a big plus and they make an interesting duo, which I appreciated. I liked the relationship between Marla and Tally; you can tell what good friends they are. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and I enjoyed getting to spend time with them. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery. It is funny, has great characters and a good mystery to solve, so what is not to enjoy?” Jerjen, Open Book Society

One of the best things about cozy mysteries is that you never know what you are going to learn in each book. The Bad Hair Day Mysteries is one of my favorite series. This book takes us away from the spa to a local food fair event and bake-off. The competition is rough but it is the behind-the-scenes grudges that are killer….Detective Vail has come to understand how valuable his wife’s instinct and intellect are to his investigations. He also knows he cannot keep her from snooping and trying to find answers. His main concern is her safety. Will Marla’s penchant for asking questions make her a target? Discovering the motive will make a huge difference in narrowing the suspect field. There is much going on and conflicting clues and evidence make it a difficult case to solve. Laura S. Reading, Laura’s Interests

“Marla has put her baking to the test after being convinced to enter her coconut fudge pie into the bake-off. When a scavenger hunt breaks out, Marla can’t resist joining the fun until what she finds is the body of a fellow contestant. Investigating the mystery draws her into the world of food and takes her mind off her recent decision to expand her family. With the help of her husband and her best friend, she explores the inside life of professional cooking where she uncovers shocking motives and a surprising discovery that puts her in danger…Trimmed to Death is a delightful and delicious mystery with humor, action, and suspense while Cohen provides plenty of surprises for longtime readers of the Bad Hair Day mysteries.” 5 Star Review by Liz Konkel at Readers’ Favorite

“The Bad Hair Day Mysteries are cozy mysteries, but cozy mysteries with a bit of an edge. Trimmed to Death is no exception. The plot is well-developed, the characters have depth and the mystery is complex. There are a lot of suspects at the beginning and a number of clues to help you try and solve the mystery along with Marla. Don’t be surprised if you can’t, because there are also a lot of twists and turns and surprises. Marla’s profession as a hair stylist adds the dimension of hair and fashion info, and her interest in food supplies delicious meal and recipe ideas.” Sally Schmidt, Sally’s Reviews

“This is another of my favorite cozy mystery series. I’ve always loved Marla as well as her family and friends. She’s such a strong protagonist who I’ve come to truly care about. With each book we see Marla continue to grow as do her relationships with her husband, step-daughter and best friend… The story is well-plotted and well-written. The characters are fully developed and vividly portrayed. It’s a light-hearted series that always makes me smile after the last page is turned.” Yvonne Hering, Socrates’ Book Reviews

“This is such a wonderful series filled with a solid cast of characters who I’ve grown to love with each new book. I feel invested in their lives and have enjoyed their progression throughout the series. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.” Taryn Lee, Taryn’s Reviews

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Excerpt

Chapter One

“Here they come. Look sharp,” Marla Vail said to her friend, Tally Riggs. The judges headed down the line in their direction. Marla’s heart rate accelerated as they got closer. Being the last two contestants might be a good thing. Tally and Marla’s entries would linger in the judges’ minds more so than the other ten, even if those included chocolate Kahlua cake, blueberry crumble, and plum almond tarts.

“The money raised by the bake-off goes to a good cause,” Tally reminded her. “It doesn’t matter if we win or not.” She stood next to Marla behind a table displaying her lemon bread pudding. Tally brushed a stray blond hair off her model-perfect face. Her tall frame made Marla’s five-foot six-inch height feel short.

“I know, but a ten-thousand-dollar business grant is hard to let go.” Marla wanted to add a bistro to her hair salon and day spa. Winning the prize would allow her to move forward with her plans. But she’d be happier if Tally won. Her widowed friend had yet to reopen her dress shop after the horrific car crash that had killed her husband and put her in the hospital. Despite having generous benefits from Ken’s life insurance policy, Tally could use the money to raise her son and rebuild her business.

“Look at the crowd,” Tally pointed out. “Ticket sales must be good.”

People gathered by the cluster of tables under white tent awnings. From the paper plates and plastic forks in their hands, they couldn’t wait for the judging to end so they could sample the goods. As instructed, both Marla and Tally had brought extra portions.

A strong breeze swept by, lifting the corners of their tablecloths. An early October cold front in South Florida made Marla glad she’d worn a sweater along with jeans and ankle boots. Dry grass crunched underfoot as she shifted her feet. The day had turned out sunny with clear skies for the fall harvest festival at Kinsdale Farms. Located at the western edge of Broward County, the produce farm hosted this event each year. Various businesses sponsored the competitions that entrants applied for months in advance.

One of the judges lingered at table number eight to speak to the caramel-skinned woman there. He must have said something that displeased her, because her mouth thinned and her eyes narrowed. Marla recognized the judge as Carlton Paige, food critic. His pudgy face and rotund figure were hard to miss. Rumor said restaurateurs cringed when he entered their premises. The lady’s response made his lips curl in a sneer before he moved on.

Now only two entrants separated the judges from Marla. She glanced at the women but they were strangers to her. She’d been busy setting up earlier and hadn’t met the other contenders, although Teri DuMond was a familiar face. The chocolatier ran tours at the factory where she sold artisan chocolates. Teri had waved a greeting to Marla before the judging began.

Marla’s breath came short as the judges neared. It was silly to feel so nervous. Nonetheless, she scanned the throng looking for her husband Dalton’s reassuring figure but spied him nowhere. He had entered his own competition for best homegrown tomatoes. That contest awarded a hundred-dollar gift certificate to a plant nursery.

“Number eleven, what is it you have for us?” said the sole female judge in a Southern accent. Marla’s attention whipped forward. The judge wore her bleached hair piled high atop her head like cotton candy. Her rosy lips formed a pout as she regarded Marla with an assessing glance. Huge gold hoop earrings matched the heavy chains around her neck.

“My entry is a coconut fudge pie. You must be Raquel Hayes. I watch your cooking show on TV. It’s an honor to meet you. All of you,” Marla amended hastily.

Tristan Marsh looked down his nose at her. The pastry chef from The Royal Palate made up the last of their trio. He had a thin face with a pasty complexion like the flour he used in his confections. From his slender frame, she surmised he had a fast metabolism, spent a lot of time at the gym, or didn’t taste too many of his own creations.

Carlton Paige, the food critic, picked up a plastic fork and a sample slice of her dish. “God, I hope this isn’t as awful as the last few entries. They tasted like cardboard,” he said in an annoying nasal tone.

Raquel grimaced. “I’ve had my fill of sweets for the day. This one had better be good.”

“None of them can equal my artistry,” Tristan announced. He put a piece in his mouth and rolled it around on his tongue before he chewed and swallowed. His face gave nothing away about his opinion.

“Oh, come on, you can’t expect these amateurs to do anything fancy,” Carlton replied. His brows lifted as he tasted her dessert. Marla took that as a hopeful sign.

“Marla might not be in the food industry, but she’s a great baker,” Tally said in Marla’s defense. “She used to experiment with rare fruit recipes. You’d love her lychee upside-down cake. I told her she had to enter this contest.”

Marla’s cheeks warmed. “Tally likes anything with chocolate. She doesn’t have to worry about her figure like I do. If I didn’t love her, I’d be envious.”

Carlton gave Tally a smarmy onceover. “You’re not too thin, which is a good thing. A man likes a good handful, if you know what I mean.”

“Keep it in your pants, lover boy,” Tristan admonished him. He glanced at Raquel, who’d tasted Marla’s entry. “Well, how do you like it?” The pastry chef’s effeminate gesture matched his manner of speech.

“You know I can’t talk in front of the contestants. You’ll see after the tallies are done. Tally, you get it?” Raquel flicked a glance at Marla’s friend and chuckled at her pun. Her breasts jiggled with her movements.

Dear Lord, this trio of clowns is judging our entries? They seemed less than thrilled to be there. The publicity must be worth it. All of them would benefit from being in the spotlight.

“I don’t have a hope in hell of winning,” said the lady on Marla’s left after the judges departed. All the winners from the various contests would be announced later. “I’m Alyce Greene, by the way.”

Marla admired the woman’s white bomber jacket with silver trim decorating each sleeve. “I’m Marla Vail, and this is my friend, Tally Riggs. It’s our first time doing a bake-off contest.”

“I’m glad to see so many guests. Ticket sales must be brisk. That’ll be great for the Safety First Alliance.”

The non-profit organization educated the public against leaving children and pets in hot cars. Marla had signed up as a volunteer when she’d heard about their cause. “Yes, I understand eighty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the group,” she said. “I wish it could be more, but I suppose the sponsoring company has to make back some of their administrative costs.”

The contestants handed out dessert samples to the crowd that converged on their booths. The guests had each paid a dollar per ticket, which entitled them to one item. Some gluttons descended on the tables with handfuls of tickets.

“What would you two do with the prize money if you win?” Alyce asked Marla and Tally once the mob dispersed.

Each contestant had paid a fifty-dollar entry fee along with the submission of a business plan that included a food component. City council members had vetted the proposals and selected the entrants. Marla felt lucky to be chosen, although she’d entered more due to Tally’s urging than a desire to win.

“I own a salon and day spa,” she replied. “If I had the extra cash, I’d add a bistro menu to my services.”

“And I plan to open a boutique café,” Tally commented. “It’s a hot concept, combining a clothing store with food services. How about you?”

Alyce gave them a wry glance. “I don’t need the funds for myself. I write a popular food blog, and it’s monetized through affiliate ads. My husband owns a food truck operation. I’d pay off his starter loan so he could expand the business.”

“What’s this I heard about funds?” The contestant on Alyce’s other side wandered in their direction.

Alyce frowned at her. “I was just telling them about my food blog. Ladies, have you met Francine Dodger?”

Marla and Tally introduced themselves, while Marla noted similarities between the other two women. Both had brown hair and similar statures. Alyce’s eyes matched her brunette hair color, while Francine had green eyes, but otherwise they shared the same even features.

“I love your hairstyles,” Marla said. “Those pixie cuts look cute on both of you. Where do you get your hair done?”

“We go to the same stylist. It’s Karen at Salon Style,” Alyce replied.

“Are you related to each other?”

Francine darted a glance at Alyce before responding. “If we were, I’d convince Alyce to blog for my publication. I’m the publisher of Eat Well Now magazine.” She shivered in the cool air and wrapped her arms around her chest.

Without a sweater, Francine must be cold in her short-sleeved top. Its purple color along with her green eyes reminded Marla of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

“I’m a subscriber,” Tally said in an eager tone. “I love the Vintage Finds column. That’s my favorite section.”

Marla had heard of the periodical but hadn’t read it. “I like to cook, but my passion is doing hair. My reading tastes lean toward trade journals and hair fashion magazines.”

“What’s the name of your salon?” Alyce asked.

“It’s the Cut ’N Dye. May I give you my card?”

The other women reached into their purses, and they all exchanged business cards.

“You must be freezing in that skimpy top,” Alyce said to Francine. She took off her white bomber jacket. “Here, wear this. You’ll need it to stay warm during the game, but don’t get it dirty or you’ll pay for the cleaning bill.”

“Thanks, it’s colder than I’d expected today.” Francine accepted the jacket and threw it on. “Are you ladies joining the live scavenger hunt?”

Tally gaped at her. “Don’t tell me you’re Find Franny?”

Francine’s mouth split into a grin. “Yep, that’s me. The game is so much fun each year, and Kinsdale Farms has so many places to hide.”

Marla glanced at her watch. They had to load their supplies into the car before participating in other activities.

“We’d better get this stuff cleaned up,” she said. “The kids’ craft corner starts in twenty minutes, and I see the organizers eyeing our tables.”

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