Rating: 
Summary: Laugh Out Loud Funny
Review: I just finished reading this book and was sorry to see it end. I can't wait for the next in the series. I love a good mystery that has humor. Very entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - Great Fun
Review: I love books that can make you laugh and Laura Levine does just that with her Jaine Austin series. I hope this is a long run series and she can write them fast.
Rating:
Summary: What fun!
Review: I read a lot of thrillers but wanted something light and funny. That's exactly what I got in This Pen For Hire. Jaine Austen was so likeable and I laughed out loud many times. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Lively and Entertaining
Review: I read a review of this book in the a magazine but wasn't sure what to expect as their rating system is extremely unreliable. I was intrigued by the story line and thought I'd give it a try - and I am so glad I did. This book was excellent. It was a fast, fun read that hooked me from the beginning and never slowed down.
I enjoyed the first person voice of the heroine as it kept me laughing throughout the book. She was enjoyable and very engaging. The mystery wasn't too obvious and there were plenty of suspects to keep you guessing.
Overall, I thought it was well-written, funny and very entertaining. Worth a second read - a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and quick read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I was on vacation and read it in one day, and was sorry when it ended. I hope it's not too long before Ms. Levine graces us with another Jaine Austen mystery. It is a laugh out loud, fun book, and I like the fact that a person who is not really a detective, trying to solve a crime, seems like a person who is not really a detective. Mistakes and all! Read it and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read
Review: I think this is the funniest humorous/mystery I have ever read. Jaine Austen is a freelance writer, writing brochures and resumes - whatever clients wish. A nerd contacts her one day and wants her to write a hot blonde areobics instructor a letter asking her out on a date for him. She does, and the blonde accepts! But when the guy goes to pick her up, he finds her dead - or so he claims. Jaine feels responsible for the whole mess, feeling her client could not have murdered anyone, so she begins to play detective to find out who the real killer is. The plot is good, the characters are good, the climax is good. It's a fast read because it's so entertaining. Ms. Levine has an incredible sense of humor. I think on the cover it says it's laugh-out-loud comedy. Sure, I've read that before. But this time it's really true. Nearly every page is filled with fresh, on the mark, humor. Treat yourself.
Rating:
Summary: laugh out loud enjoyment
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Laura Levine's first Jaine Austen mystery. The story kept me interested from the first sentence to the last. But it was Jaine Austen herself who made me want to continue reading. She is so very funny and easy to relate to. I can't wait to read the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Sheer Fun
Review: Jaine Austen is a freelance writer. No, she doesn't write articles for COSMO about dating, she pretty much sticks to one subject. Writing steamy personal ads. Of course, business has been a little slow, until Howard Murdoch calls on her for assistance. The geeky guy is looking for someone to write a love letter to an aerobics instructor, so Jane agrees. Success. Unfortunately, the excitement from the success is short-lived, for Howard finds the instructor dead on the night of his big date, which just happens to be Valentine's Day. She's been murdered with a thigh master, and Howard is the prime suspect. Now Jaine has to try to find out who the real murderer is, before she goes crazy from a bad-conscience.Levine has created an extremely likable character in Jaine. Her antics and personality are crazy, yet extremely entertaining. THIS PEN FOR HIRE is a quick-read that all mystery lovers will enjoy. A must-have. Erika Sorocco
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Series Debut
Review: Jaine Austen runs a (mostly) successful freelance writing business. In between promo material for commercial companies, she gets a request to write a love letter. Geeky Howard Murdoch has a crush on Stacy, one of the instructors at his fitness center. Jaine figures Stacy will never agree to the date and is shocked to learn that her letter actual was successful. But the biggest shock is when Howard arrives for their date to discover Stacy bludgeoned to death with her thigh master. The police are sure Howard did it, and Jaine feels responsible for getting him in this mess. So she starts digging into the case herself. She finds no shortage of suspects, but can she figure out what's happening before something happens to her? This series debut was an absolute delight. The story is well plotted, and the pace never lets up. The main characters are fleshed out well. What sets this book apart, however, is the humor. Written in the first person, the pages drip with wit and sarcasm in all the right places. I constantly had a grin on my face, and several times found myself laughing out loud. Yet, it never looses sight of the fact that it's a murder mystery first; the humor never gets in the way of the story. Anyone looking for a light, fun mystery for a relaxing weekend or trip need look no further. I've already added this series to my favorites and look forward to Jaine's further adventures.
Rating:
Summary: Did she write a letter that caused murder?
Review: Jaine Austen runs a writing service out of her apartment, in Los Angeles, called This Pen for Hire. She writes resumes, letters, brochures and personal ads - lots of personal ads. She shares her apartment with her cat Prozac. Jaine's neighbor Lance Ventable is constantly telling Jaine to be quiet. He must live with his ear on their adjoining wall. He even complains that Prozac is too loud! Howard Murdoch hires her to write a love letter to Stacy Lawrence, the aerobics instructor at his gym. Much to Jaine's surprise, Stacy agrees to go out with Howard. Then Stacy is found dead, bludgeoned to death with a Thigh-Master. Howard is arrested, but he says he didn't do it. Detective Rea feels they have the right person in jail. Jaine decides to look into it. She feels responsible because, if she hadn't written the letter, Stacy wouldn't have agreed to go out with him and Howard would be arrested. In the course of her investigation, Jaine meets Cameron Bannick, a major hunk, who knew Stacy but had an iron clad alibi. She is very happy about this when they start dating. She can't believe her luck. Jaine uncovers quite a few people who weren't too sad that Stacy was dead. Some even had possible motives to kill her. In the course of her investigation, the killer begins to catch on and in the end, Jaine finds herself in a lot of danger. I truly enjoyed this book. Jaine is such a likeable character. She is very much a three-dimensional character. The additional characters in the book are all well written and the plot is well crafted. I highly recommend this book and the series. The 2nd book Last Writes has been published and is another terrific book!
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