Helpful Score: 10
Oh my gosh. This book was hilarious and fast paced and clever and modern. What a fun cozy series. Jaine is a REAL character and works through her flaws. I plan on starting the 2nd book in this series soon. I actually laughed out loud on the train! Great cozy mystery.
LecClier K. (SierraK) -
Helpful Score: 7
This delightful cozy introduces us to Jaine Austin, a freelance writer in Los Angeles who specializes in writing things like resumes, personal ads, and brochures for plumbing companies. When Jaine is asked to write a love letter to sexy aerobics instructor Stacy Lawrence on behalf of geeky Howard Murdoch, she has no idea that Howard will end up being arrested for Stacy's murder. Jaine feels that Howard must be innocent, so she ensues on a hilarious tale of trying to find the murderer herself.
This book was laugh out loud funny. I can't wait to read the other stories in this series!
This book was laugh out loud funny. I can't wait to read the other stories in this series!
Helpful Score: 5
I couldn't get too far into this one - there's a certain kind of Cozy Mystery writer that is too "cutesy" for me, and this series fits the bill. I was so surprised to see that the book was written in 2002.it seemed dated and trite.
Helpful Score: 4
Cute. Frothy. Figured out who did it less than halfway through. Not Evanovich by a long shot, but a very easy beach read.
Helpful Score: 3
Nice quick light read. I laughed in many places but it was kind of predictable though. I will be checking out more in the series though. Would recommend!!
Shannon Y. (dolphinlover) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was hilarious to me! I look forward to reading more of her books!
Kristine S. (NHBookLover) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 293 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I love the Jaine Austen character. This is a fun series; I like the way that Jaine "says" things but doesn't say them. (Read these, you will understand. Fun reading, fast. You won't be bored.
Jaine is a writer. She ends up writing a letter for a "geek" to the woman of his dreams. In the letter she insinuates that he is related to a famous rich man so, of course, the woman agrees to go out with him. He gets there to find the door unlatched and her dead. Lots of possibilities for the murderer as she was not well liked. We know the "geek" didn't do it - but who did?
Jaine is a writer. She ends up writing a letter for a "geek" to the woman of his dreams. In the letter she insinuates that he is related to a famous rich man so, of course, the woman agrees to go out with him. He gets there to find the door unlatched and her dead. Lots of possibilities for the murderer as she was not well liked. We know the "geek" didn't do it - but who did?
Helpful Score: 2
This was a short, light, cute mystery. Nothing deep or serious about the characters or the story with lots of LA/show biz humor. There were a couple of plot points that weren't explained away, so it felt a little unfinished. The heroine is likeable, which I find is the most important thing in deciding to read more of a series, so I'll be looking for the next installment.
Joyce C. (joycesreadingroom) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. I also have read a couple more of hers and I like them just as well, especially when her parents e-mail her. Some humor.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a new author I just read and I enjoyed it so much I will order her other books now. It is my favorite genre amatuer female detective with a sweet and fun personality.
Richard M. (algernon99) -
Helpful Score: 2
I was reading this book and somehow misplaced it before I finished it, I thought. I found it several months later, under the bed. I wondered where I'd left off. Since I couldn't remember the details very well, I started it over. This time I read straight through, and when I finished it, I realized that I had actually finished it the first time!
Hmmm. What does this mean? Well, it's not terribly memorable, might be one conclusion. Another possible conclusion is that since I could read it twice in a matter of months, it must be pretty good.
My impression is that it is a funny book, with an amusing heroine who tries to live by freelance writing. Since I've done a good bit of freelancing, I can relate. (Boy, can I relate!)
Many of these chick lit mysteries irritate me greatly, as the ditzy heroine can't see the flaws in the men she takes up with. Others--the best of the genre is Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series--are just a lot of fun. Jaine did NOT irritate me, though I'm not sure why. I liked Jaine, and I'm looking forward to reading #2 in the series.
Hmmm. What does this mean? Well, it's not terribly memorable, might be one conclusion. Another possible conclusion is that since I could read it twice in a matter of months, it must be pretty good.
My impression is that it is a funny book, with an amusing heroine who tries to live by freelance writing. Since I've done a good bit of freelancing, I can relate. (Boy, can I relate!)
Many of these chick lit mysteries irritate me greatly, as the ditzy heroine can't see the flaws in the men she takes up with. Others--the best of the genre is Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series--are just a lot of fun. Jaine did NOT irritate me, though I'm not sure why. I liked Jaine, and I'm looking forward to reading #2 in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Very fun, quick read -- good mystery and a funny heroine. Will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Helpful Score: 1
Quick read, but really didn't like it. Very predictable, and while I wanted to know who did it - found the ending way to predictable.
Helpful Score: 1
Funny and enjoyable mystery!
Helpful Score: 1
A cute little fluffy mystery. Jaine is full of one-liners and snappy comebacks. Quick, enjoyable read.
Bobbie Jo C. (bobbiejo) -
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, the story was easy to follow and funny to the end
Helpful Score: 1
Not a bad first, but not great either. The main character got a bit annoying after a while. I'll read a few more and see if they get any better, but I won't hold my hopes up! Unless the author changes the personality of Jane then this series won't cut it for me. I don't see the point in reading a book where the characters annoy the heck out of you.
Helpful Score: 1
Jaine writes anything (personal ads, resumes, letters) for hire. When one of her clients is accused of murder, she decides she needs to prove he didn't do it.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved the first installment to this series! Read it in one day...
Sometimes I need to read something that is quick, kind of like a tv sitcom. This was funny and a quick read. I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
book was good, quick read
A funny mystery with an appealing heroine.
Entertaining and fun to read. Fast read.
Really cute story. At times stretched the imagination but a very quick read
#1 in the series - great start~
Great book. terrific start for the series. Great characters.
I'm still reading this book but I am enjoying it a lot. I read a novella by this author so find her a humorous writer. I enjoy humor in a mystery and Jaine Austen is definitely funny.
Couldn't get into this book. I found it very irritating. No real meat and potatoes but then I guess that's what Chick Lit is. If you like Chick Lit, this book is probably one of the better ones.
Mildly entertaining. Would be great for a vacation book.
Very quick read, and cute as a mystery story. The character of Jaine Austen is really quite funny, actually made me laugh out loud. Am looking forward to the next one.
Sari Lynn G. (sari-lynn) -
A light, humorous mystery, apparently the first of a series.
Steamy personal ads. Daring declarations of love. Writer-for-hire Jaine Austen has penned them all. But when one of the love connections she made is broken up by murder, Jaine finds herself freelancing free-of-charge - and uncovering more than she bargained for...
A writer who will write anything for money, including personal ads and love letters finds one of her clients has been killed. Of course she tries to solve the mystery herself. Just fun.
The first book in the Jaine Austen series. It's a light cozy mystery with a touch of humor.
Quite enjoyable reading: fast, engaging, funny (but not outrageous), and a good mystery, too. This is the first in the "Jaine Austen" series.
This was a quick read. I loved it! There were so many suspects that it made it impossible to pick the right one, and when you finally do pick one, your dead wrong! I look forward to reading more of this author!
Absolutely loved this book! It is full of laugh out loud one liners. Jaine Austin is a writer-for-hire with a sassy attitude.
No one seems to need her help more than geeky Howard Murdoch who wants Jaine to write a letter proclaiming his undying love for Stacy Lawrence.
Really good. Jaine is a likable realistic character. Want to read more.
A fun, lite mystery
A fun and Quick read.
fun mystery, I like the writing style, lots of humor
Entertaining romp!
Richard M. (algernon99) -
was reading this book and somehow misplaced it before I finished it, I thought. I found it several months later, under the bed. I wondered where I'd left off. Since I couldn't remember the details very well, I started it over. This time I read straight through, and when I finished it, I realized that I had actually finished it the first time!
Hmmm. What does this mean? Well, it's not terribly memorable, might be one conclusion. Another possible conclusion is that since I could read it twice in a matter of months, it must be pretty good.
My impression is that it is a funny book, with an amusing heroine who tries to live by freelance writing. Since I've done a good bit of freelancing, I can relate. (Boy, can I relate!)
Many of these chick lit mysteries irritate me greatly, as the ditzy heroine can't see the flaws in the men she takes up with. Others--the best of the genre is Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series--are just a lot of fun. Jaine did NOT irritate me, though I'm not sure why. I liked Jaine, and I'm looking forward to reading #2 in the series.
Hmmm. What does this mean? Well, it's not terribly memorable, might be one conclusion. Another possible conclusion is that since I could read it twice in a matter of months, it must be pretty good.
My impression is that it is a funny book, with an amusing heroine who tries to live by freelance writing. Since I've done a good bit of freelancing, I can relate. (Boy, can I relate!)
Many of these chick lit mysteries irritate me greatly, as the ditzy heroine can't see the flaws in the men she takes up with. Others--the best of the genre is Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series--are just a lot of fun. Jaine did NOT irritate me, though I'm not sure why. I liked Jaine, and I'm looking forward to reading #2 in the series.
Wonderful, easy-to-read mystery that doesn't end like you think it will! Not formula - and very funny!
Very humorous mystery novel! I can't wait to read the whole series. The "untrained" (to say the least) detective Jaine Austen has various misadventures as she tries to exonerate her client from a murder charge
Evelyn B. (grannydingdong) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 46 more book reviews
This is such a funny book. It is a mystery with a good plot, but is loaded with humor, from Prozac the cat, to the mother of the absent-minded crime sleuth.
The main character reminds me of a female version of the detective on that old t.v. show, Columbo.
This is a quick to read, very good book.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh out loud!
The main character reminds me of a female version of the detective on that old t.v. show, Columbo.
This is a quick to read, very good book.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh out loud!
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 885 more book reviews
Cute cozy mystery. Jaine Austen is a freelance writer who gets involved in a murder investigation. While she suspects first one person, then another - she is falling for a neighbor of the victim. Witty writing, but I just didn't get invested in any of the characters.
I love this series. The plots are cute. But two of my favorite parts are the by play of her parents. And what she says 'in her head' instead of out loud. I mean, who doesn't do that?!?!
Leanne D. (eclecticmusicmama) reviewed This Pen For Hire (Jaine Austen, Bk 1) on + 426 more book reviews
I loved it! Laugh out loud funny...easy to see where this author got her skills after writing for comedy shows such as Newhart.
Can't wait to get Book 2!
Can't wait to get Book 2!
This is a fun and easy read book. Jaine Austen makes the story (along with her sense of humor). There is murder, fun, nd interesting characters in this book. Love her cat Prozac. Jaine is a writer and one of her clients is accused of murder. She feels that he could not do it and starts investagating.
Good quick read with a few laughs.
I loved this book & the whole series. One of the few cozy series i keep up & cant wait for the next one. Fun characters & series.
