Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday (Desiree Shapiro Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: A treat
Review: She can really use a high profile, lofty fee case but when sixteen year old Vicki Pirelli comes to her office begging for help, New York Private Investigator Desiree Shapiro can't refuse her heartfelt request. Ten years ago her father was sent to prison for killing his mistress but after getting knifed by an inmate, he tells Vicky in a deathbed confession that he was innocent. Sometime between the moment he walked out following a fracas with his girlfriend and returned after taking a walk to cool his temper, someone sneaked into the apartment and killed her.

Vicky wants Desiree to clear her father's name and if at all possible find the person responsible. Desiree is so moved by Vicki's need that she takes the case even though she doesn't intend to bill the girl or the family who doesn't want old wounds reopened. Desiree finally manages to find the real perpetrator but she has no evidence and the culprit denies everything leaving the sweet private investigator stymied.

The protagonist of MURDER CAN BOTCH UP YOUR BIRTHDAY is short and pudgy but she is comfortable with herself and doesn't let other peoples' opinions of her bother her. Selma Eichler always writes a lighthearted, funny and upbeat private investigative novel where the heroine relies on brain power instead of violence to solve the crime. Watching Desiree in action is a treat not to be missed and the audience will look forward to reading more about this very special sleuth in the next installment of this long running series.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Addition to the 'Desiree Shapiro' Series
Review: Ten-years-ago, on Vicky Pirrelli's sixth-birthday, her Father was accused of murdering his eighteen-year-old mistress. Now, at the age of sixteen-years-old, Vicky has decided to enlist the help of a Private Investigator to clear her Father's name. The only problem, her Father was recently murdered in a jail fight, and there isn't much to go on. That's where Desiree Shapiro, the plus-sized private eye steps in. Desiree doesn't have much to go on at all, and the fact that her client can only pay her with saved-up baby-sitting money makes her quiver at the thought of not being able to pay her bills on time. But, alas, she takes the case, and comes up with a mere four suspects. Unfortunately, one of these suspects is her client's Mother. And, as if the case weren't enough to make someone blow a gasket, Desiree's love interest, Nick, is finally giving her some attention, but now his vicious nine-year-old son has decided that he wants his Father back with his Mother, and will do anything to deter Desiree from pursuing his Father any longer.

I have read two previous Desiree Shapiro novels in the past, and had enjoyed them both. Hence, I decided to purchase the latest installment in the series, MURDER CAN BOTCH UP YOUR BIRTHDAY, and I can honestly say that it was quite the birthday treat. Desiree's wit and humor is at an all-time high. As a teenager myself, I adored the role of Vicky Pirrelli, and would love to see her pop-up in another Desiree Shapiro mystery in the future, as far-fetched as that sounds. Overall, this was a fabulous addition to the mystery genre that will be loved by all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Rating:
Summary: Not nearly as good as usual
Review: This installment of the series had my interest up until the end...and then it just fell apart. It was too pat and convenient, without Desiree having to do any legwork or dig for the truth. Add that to the fact that we never found out the resolution to the "sub-mystery," and I finished this book feeling really disappointed, which doesn't usually happen with Desiree.

Rating:
Summary: Desiree Shapiro is at it again!
Review: This is a great cozy. It is a quick read. Very enjoyable!

Desiree Shapiro is a private investigator in New York City. She is not your stereotypical P.I. She is five-two and considers her best feature to be her glorious hennaed hair.

Teenager Vicky Pirrelli comes to Desiree's office to ask for her help. Her dad, Victor, was convicted of killing his mistress, Christina. Recently he told Vicky that he didn't do it. She wants Desiree to help clear her dad's name. The kicker is that the crime happened ten years ago and her dad died two weeks ago in prison. Vicky's only source of income is babysitting and working a few days a week at Frank `n' Burgers, but Desiree agrees to help her anyway.

When she begins investigating, she quickly determines there are four suspects, including Vicky's own mother. Victor's lawyer Blossom Goody is still around and is able to give Desiree some information for her case. Tony, Victor's brother and now Vicky's stepfather, is tough to pin down. When Desiree does finally meet with him, he isn't much help. Desiree has her work cut out for her. Then some strange things happen that scare Desiree. Can she find Christina's murder and clear Victor's name without putting herself in more danger?

Her personal life isn't going real well either. Nick's nine year old son, Derek, is not too happy his dad is dating Desiree and lets her know it. Will Derek turn Nick off to her?

This series is always so much fun. I like Desiree. She is the kind of P.I. I'd want to hire if I had to. I feel like she would be on your side pulling for you. She is also very competent and gets to the bottom of things. New York is a great setting for a P.I. novel.

There's even a recipe at the back of the book! I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Desiree Shapiro is at it again!
Review: This is a great cozy. It is a quick read. Very enjoyable!

Desiree Shapiro is a private investigator in New York City. She is not your stereotypical P.I. She is five-two and considers her best feature to be her glorious hennaed hair.

Teenager Vicky Pirrelli comes to Desiree's office to ask for her help. Her dad, Victor, was convicted of killing his mistress, Christina. Recently he told Vicky that he didn't do it. She wants Desiree to help clear her dad's name. The kicker is that the crime happened ten years ago and her dad died two weeks ago in prison. Vicky's only source of income is babysitting and working a few days a week at Frank 'n' Burgers, but Desiree agrees to help her anyway.

When she begins investigating, she quickly determines there are four suspects, including Vicky's own mother. Victor's lawyer Blossom Goody is still around and is able to give Desiree some information for her case. Tony, Victor's brother and now Vicky's stepfather, is tough to pin down. When Desiree does finally meet with him, he isn't much help. Desiree has her work cut out for her. Then some strange things happen that scare Desiree. Can she find Christina's murder and clear Victor's name without putting herself in more danger?

Her personal life isn't going real well either. Nick's nine year old son, Derek, is not too happy his dad is dating Desiree and lets her know it. Will Derek turn Nick off to her?

This series is always so much fun. I like Desiree. She is the kind of P.I. I'd want to hire if I had to. I feel like she would be on your side pulling for you. She is also very competent and gets to the bottom of things. New York is a great setting for a P.I. novel.

There's even a recipe at the back of the book! I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: a nice read
Review: When 16 year old Vicky Pirrelli begs private detective Desiree Shapiro to help prove that her father, Victor, did not murder his mistress, Christina Trent, what can big hearted Desiree do but agree? However, proving Victor's innocence will not be easy: to begin with the murder actually occurred 10 years ago. Which means that whatever evidence there was could well be non-exsistant now, and whatever eye witnesses there were to the murder (and any other viable suspects) could either have died or else simply disappeared. And there is the fact that everyone else under the sun, and this includes Victor's own mother and brother, believes that Victor had actually murdered Christina. Desiree, however, is determined to prove Victor's innocence for Vicky's sake. But as the list of suspects begins to shrink, so too does Desiree's hopes of achieving a happy result...

I have long been a fan of this series, mostly because Selma Eichler's wonderful creation, Desiree Shapiro. Desiree is sharp, funny, honest and kind -- these traits are what colours, shades and propels the books in this series forwards and onwards, thus making the books swift and enjoyable reading. And "Murder Can Botch Your Birthday" is no exception to the rule. The mystery subplot may not be all that suspenseful, but it defnitely is intriguing, and does possess a few surprises.So that if you're looking for a nice, light mystery novel to unwind with, "Murder Can Botch Your Birthday" will definitely do.