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GIVEAWAY REVIEW Death Makes the Cut by Janice Hamrick @JaniceHamrick @MinotaurBooks

July 19, 2012 By Mary 38 Comments


Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2012 Series: Jocelyn Shore
The first bell of the new school year hasn’t even rung, and Texas high school teacher Jocelyn Shore is already at the scene of a murder. Friend and fellow teacher Fred Argus has been found dead on campus, and it isn’t long before the annoying, albeit attractive, Austin police detective Colin Gallagher uncovers evidence that Fred might have been selling drugs to students. Shocked by her loss as well as the insinuation that Fred was a dealer who got what he deserved, Jocelyn starts asking the kinds of questions guaranteed to set fellow teachers, administrators, and parents on edge. 

With the school serving as the setting for a big-time director’s latest film, her investigation could hardly have come at a worse time. Jocelyn, however, finds clearing her friend’s name far more important than the needs of a pesky movie crew and doesn’t care who knows it. But it’s only when she’s attacked while on set that she realizes someone is determined to make sure the secrets hidden by Fred’s death remain hidden no matter what the cost.

Humor, romance, and murder abound in Janice Hamrick’s follow-up to her Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award–winning debut, Death on Tour, and make Death Makes the Cut a charming addition to this outstanding new series.
 
About the Author

Janice Hamrick is the author of two titles in her Jocelyn Shore mystery series. The first, Death on Tour, was the winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition, a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and a nominee for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best First Mystery. She lives in Austin, Texas.

 Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (July 17, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 125000554X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1250005540

SOURCE:  AUTHOR
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Jocelyn is back in Austin, ready to start the uneventful school year as she has planned, teaching French and History.  Well, it doesn’t do according to her lesson plan when she finds her mentor and fellow History teacher, Fred,  dead in the school’s tennis office.  Enlisted to take over as tennis coach, she thinks the police aren’t doing enough to catch the killer, especially when the police suspect him of selling drugs.  Jocelyn thinks those drugs were planted by the killer and wants to clear his name.  The detective, Colin, assigned to the case, questions her and some of those questions become personal.  As Kyla, Jocelyn’s cousin notes, Colin is hunky and hot — my words not hers, but you get the point.  Since Jocelyn is now in a long distance relationship with Alan, Kyla thinks that Jocelyn needs to date someone local and Colin couldn’t agree more.  
Also, a famous director, Michael Dupre, is using the high school as a film site and rings in Jocelyn’s tennis team as extra which absolutely fries the drama teacher, Roland, since he would love nothing more than audition for the director to get his big break.  While the kids are filming, Jocelyn is attacked and ends up in the hospital and when she is finally released, she finds her home burglarized and trashed.  Colin comes to the rescue and puts her on surveillance.  As Jocelyn collects more clues to Fred’s murder, her best friend and fellow teacher, Laura,  finds a few suspicious things about the drama department and the school’s finances.  Jocelyn warns Laura not to get too nosy because of what happened to her and things don’t go well for Laura as she uncovers more dirt about the school accountant, Pat. 
My favorite line is the story is when Laura, described as tiny, tries to drag Jocelyn to see something in the school’s theatre:  “She tugged at me, trying to pull me after her.  It was a little like a dachshund trying to move a fully loaded Yukon sled.”  I bet you can guess why this is my favorite!  This is a fast paced and easy to read story, just perfect for the hot days of summer.  I love that Jocelyn is not perfect and just like a dachshund, she  tends to stay on scent, even though her logic knows she should just give up on the hunt for the killer.  Everything is believable and right down to the interactions with her cousin Kyla, students and other teachers just rings true.  I did have an ARGHHH moment at the end of the story where things are left up in the air with her love life.  I really hope there are more books planned for this series since I just adored everything about it.  





WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS *SIGNED* BOOK (ARC)? 
Complete the below form 


Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address 
Contest ends on 8.4.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org 
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by ME and ONE copy is available.


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Comments

  1. FABR Steph says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    I am so glad to have read your review. I just discovered this series when going through the new releases last week and added the first book to my TBR after reading your review. Thank you for the giveaway as well BTW.

    Reply
  2. holdenj says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    So jealous you’ve gotten to read this already, Mary! I read Death on Tour right after your review and giveaway a couple months ago and it’s a definite new favorite! Will be curious to see how life plays out back in Austin. Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  3. Bethie says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:36 am

    Thanks for the giveaway

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  4. holdenj says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Ah, no daily comment entry, forcing me to navigate the world of twitter!
    🙂 Which is good for me, I am overwhelmed and only follow 8! So, I re-tweeted your very convenient post about the giveaway this morning and then I also shared it via the link at the bottom of the giveaway post.

    Wasn’t sure which you prefer or is better?

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/226297128333496321

    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  5. molly.frenzel says

    July 20, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Great review! I’ve seen this book around and now I can’t wait to read it.
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/226369818494918657

    Reply
  6. Amanda Ray says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Definitely added to my TBR list! Looking for Death on Tour to read now. Great giveaway! Publicized on twitter and G+ with links as follows:
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nursebunny95/status/226387509972705283
    G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111511497374302053487/posts/hc5q2zELdxw

    Reply
  7. holdenj says

    July 21, 2012 at 11:07 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/226634223639994368

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  8. June says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I’ve added the first in the series–sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Reply
  9. molly.frenzel says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/226691429253128194

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  10. holdenj says

    July 22, 2012 at 10:11 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/226982285260517376

    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  11. GW says

    July 22, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    I have read the review and I’m anxious to read the book
    Glorwal64@gmail.com

    Reply
  12. molly.frenzel says

    July 22, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/227130344044912640

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  13. The Self-Taught Cook says

    July 22, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    posted giveaway @ http://www.facebook.com/tammycuevas/posts/480670058628469

    Reply
  14. holdenj says

    July 23, 2012 at 11:51 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/227369799649464320

    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  15. molly.frenzel says

    July 23, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/227520195227439104
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  16. holdenj says

    July 24, 2012 at 11:45 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/227730501593616384

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  17. molly.frenzel says

    July 24, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/227799381175332865
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  18. holdenj says

    July 25, 2012 at 11:54 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/228095155314520065

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  19. molly.frenzel says

    July 26, 2012 at 5:28 am

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/228360892948037632
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  20. holdenj says

    July 26, 2012 at 11:49 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/228456498152488960

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  21. holdenj says

    July 27, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/228825745584189440

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  22. molly.frenzel says

    July 27, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/228871513430966272
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  23. holdenj says

    July 28, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/229206452361887745

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  24. holdenj says

    July 29, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/229573749257691136

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  25. molly.frenzel says

    July 29, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/229612421675892736
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  26. holdenj says

    July 30, 2012 at 11:41 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/229903505656262656

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  27. molly.frenzel says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/229965688540893184
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  28. holdenj says

    July 31, 2012 at 11:43 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/230267093654851586

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  29. molly.frenzel says

    July 31, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/230356905980227584
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  30. holdenj says

    August 1, 2012 at 11:44 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/230629567684034561

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  31. molly.frenzel says

    August 1, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/230681368718364672
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  32. holdenj says

    August 2, 2012 at 11:43 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/230991365977280512

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  33. molly.frenzel says

    August 2, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/231082026541912064
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  34. Suz says

    August 2, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/SuzReads/status/231166211201830912

    Suz Reads
    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

    Reply
  35. holdenj says

    August 3, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/231375822492155905

    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  36. molly.frenzel says

    August 3, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    Daily entry and tweet: https://twitter.com/dg_molly/status/231400406473928704
    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  37. holdenj says

    August 4, 2012 at 11:41 am

    https://twitter.com/holdenj2/status/231715945058549761

    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  38. Mary BookHounds says

    August 6, 2012 at 12:04 am

    winner!

    Death Makes the Cut by Janice Hamrick

    Holdenj

    Reply

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