Permed to Death cover art

Permed to Death

The Bad Hair Day Mysteries, Book 1

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Permed to Death

By: Nancy J. Cohen
Narrated by: Mary Ann Jacobs
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About this listen

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
Cosy Detective Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction

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

All stars
Most relevant

If you could sum up Permed to Death in three words, what would they be?

Funny
Sassy
Enjoyable

What did you like best about this story?

Marla jumping in before thinking. And realising her mistake afterwards!

Which character – as performed by Mary Ann Jacobs – was your favourite?

Lucille

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The conversation with the Santero.

Any additional comments?

This is a very good and funny mystery, well written, plotted. And well narrated by Mary Ann.

Having your hair done, could be murder!

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