The first Friday of May. We are experiencing some cooler weather in our area (in the 70s which is cool for us this time of year). It is also Beverage Day! A day to relax and enjoy your favorite drink. In my case that is Pepsi! It is also an opportunity to try something new. It is also National Nurses Day (a part of Nurses Week). A day to honor those men and women who help us in our time of need. I know the nurses at my mother's various doctors are so kind and helpful. If you personally know a nurse, do something kind for them today. Did you know about the Chunnel? It is the under the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. People can cross on the EuroStar Train (instead of by plane or boat) in 30 minutes from England (Folkestone, Kent) to France (Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, near Calais in northern France). The train can go 99 mph. The Chunnel opened on May 6, 1994.
Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends by Mary McHugh is the fourth book in A Happy Hoofers Mystery series. This book is told in the first person from
Pat Keeler’s point-of-view (each book is narrated by a different Hoofer). Pat is a family therapist, who lives with her
partner, Denise as well as Denise’s son, David.
The Happy Hoofers (Tina, Janice, Gini, Mary Louise, and Pat) are heading
for a gig in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. They arrive and meet their translator and
guide, Maria Oliveira. She will show
them around Rio when they are not rehearsing or performing (or lounging by the
pool). Things are going well until Maria
is found dead in her room. Maria was
poisoned. Of course, the Hoofers have to
investigate. But this is just the
beginning of the deaths. The Happy
Hoofers enjoy the sights, music, and food of Rio in between their dancing and
investigating. They are getting close to
figuring it out when incidents start happening to Pat. The killer does not wish to be caught. Will the Happy Hoofers be able to find the
killer and make it back to New Jersey?
Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends was just too silly for words. There
is more on the sights and foods of Rio than the mystery. Then Pat ends up being kidnapped multiple
times in one day (it was just ridiculous).
It also seemed like everyone on the hotel staff was having an affair or
fling (it was like a bad soap opera).
This book can be a stand-alone because it does rehash what happened in
the prior novels (the first book in the series was the best one). I give Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends 2.5
out of 5 stars. It was over-the-top in
silliness. This was just not my type of
cozy mystery. I prefer more focus on the
mystery. One thing that I found annoying
was it seems that Janice Rogers (she is the actress) is some type of man
magnet. No matter where they go, she
attracts all the men and dazzles them.
If she is that good, why is she not in Hollywood (or married to a very
rich man)? We get to catch up a little
with the other Hoofers, but the main focus of the book in on Pat Keeler (who
despite being in a wonderful relationship is attracted to someone else while in
Rio). The next book has the Happy
Hoofers joining the Rockettes for their Christmas show and it will be narrated
by Mary Louse. Will I read it? I’m not sure.
I would like to see what happens with Mary Louise. Will she stay in her marriage or leave her
husband (who seems to stay on a couch)?
The other books in A Happy Hoofer Mystery series are Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses, Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities, and Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets. I received a complimentary copy
of Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends from NetGalley (and Kensington Books) in
exchange for an honest review of the novel.
I hope all of you have a delightful Friday (and an even better weekend). I am currently reading Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah Ladd. I am off to finally lay down and relax. My mother had a last minute little project for me this afternoon (it took much longer than expected). Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
No comments:
Post a Comment