One Hot Mess

by: Lois Greiman

Published by: Dell

Reviewed by Alex McGilvery

One Hot Mess is Lois Greiman’s latest mystery featuring Christina McMullen as the protagonist. Christina is dealing with a backed-up septic system and a heated-up relationship with Jack Rivera. She is enjoying the fact that he isn’t charging her with murder or trying to lock her up, but their relationship is still as explosive and unstable as nitroglycerin. When Jack’s father comes by to ask Christina to look into the death of a past associate, he provides the solution to the septic system but it may be too much stress on her relationship with Rivera.

She learns that everyone but her and ex-senator Rivera think the death was an accident, but just as she is ready to give up she finds another death. The underlying pattern begins to make horrible sense. To make matters worse she meets a handsome cop who makes no secret of his attraction to her. It might help her case, but it is doing no good to what is going on between Christina and Rivera.

One Hot Mess is a deft blend of mystery and romance. The characters of Christina and Rivera are strong and passionate, and more than a bit stirred up by their feelings for each other. The supporting cast–from Brianey Laney, a gorgeous actress and long-time friend of Christina, to her boyfriend Solberg, the self-declared “Geek God,” to a suave gangster from Chicago named D–are well rounded and quirky. There is plenty going on in this story but Lois Greiman keeps it working and moving forward.

One Hot Mess is a book for people who like romance, for those who like mystery, or for those who just like a good story filled with sympathetic and strong characters. The final bit of icing on the cake is the little quotes from the characters at the top of each chapter. Those alone are worth the price of admission.

Armchair Interviews says: Lois Greiman can always be counted on for good writing and storytelling.

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