Dead Ex

by: Harley Jane Kozak

Published by: Doubleday

Reviewed by Kim Reis

When a Hollywood soap opera producer is murdered, the suspects are numerous. Wollie Shelly’s best friend, Joey, is painted by the media as the most likely killer. Several personal crises in Joey’s life add to that image, not to mention a painting worth $1 million that she inherited from the dead man.

Wollie’s new job as a dating consultant on a program called SoapDirt makes it easy for her to snoop around the set. Her assignment is to date soap stars and dish about them on television, complicating her blossoming romance with FBI agent Simon Alexander.

Though third in this series, this book stands well on its own. There are mentions of events and people from previous books but they are not too revealing and provide just enough information to keep up. My advice is to start with the first one and enjoy all of them. Each one is better than the last.

I love Kozak’s take on Hollywood. As an actor in movies and on soaps, she has an insider’s view of that lifestyle. Her characters and dialog ring true. I also find her laugh-out-loud funny. Be careful where you read her books. People are bound to interrupt you to find out what you are laughing about.

Armchair Interviews says: A book that will tickle your funny bone and your mystery-loving gene.

Author’s Web site: http://www.harleyjanekozak.com