Fanny Packs and Foul Play (A Haley Randolph Mystery) (Haley Randolph Mystery Series Book 10)

I might have enjoyed this novel had the heroine not been the prototype for the words "shallow" and "superficial". Despite the fact that I found her to be supremely irritating, immature, and somewhat nasty, I doggedly kept on reading since the plot itself seemed interesting. But then I encountered the lawyer character who was just as trite and shallow, and even a wee bit cruel, as described in a passage in which he frightens and upsets the heroine as a joke. (Despite this sadistic behavior, she forgives him, based solely on his personal attractiveness.) I finally gave it up after innumerable reiterations of the word "hot" being used to describe the men in the novel (page 2, "hot, handsome", page 22, "hot private detective", page 23, "hot guy", page 33, "hot looking", page 34, "kind of hot"...well, you get the picture). Why not gorgeous? Attractive? Chiseled? Seductive? Or any of a dozen other perfectly good synonyms? Of course, the event-planner heroine has the apparent maturity of a 16-year-old and probably doesn't even know any of those other descriptive words. I just had to surrender by page 54. It might have been the best plot in the world of cozy mysteries, but I just couldn't get past these flaws. There are too many really great books out there to waste time reading a poorly-written book with trite characters.

Haley Randolph has managed to be a success at her LA Affairs job as a party planner, and still works part time at her dreaded job at Holts department store. (Although she doesn't spend that much time there in this book.) Her concerns in life revolve around designer handbags, avoiding her mother, investigator Jack Bishop-the hot hot guy with the Barry White voice, and of course her job.This time she is planning a Thanksgiving feast for a young couple who want to show their appreciation for the workers at the candy company the wife started with her grandmother's candy recipe. Unfortunately, within minutes of the arrival of the client's aunts and cousins from her home town, Haley discovers the woman dead from "falling" off the balcony of her bedroom.When Jack is in charge of the investigation, he asks Haley to help, and she digs right in. Along the way Haley and best friend Marcy search without finding, the new perfect designer handbag. Haley solves a mystery at Holts of pilfered food from the lunch room, and perfects the art of not listening to her mother's rambling phone calls concerning Thanksgiving dinner and setting her perfect sister up with a date.Since Haley and Ty (the owner of Holts) had broken up, she was always noticing hot guys and wishing for some boyfriend action for herself. Along the way she meets and resists repeatedly, a hot lawyer named Liam. I loved his character as he pursued Haley with Lawyer jokes! I also loved the surprise ending.This was a fun and well paced novella that made me want to read more. Fortunately I discovered another book I hadn't read yet! The series makes more sense and frankly is more fun if read in order. So if you are new to the series, congratulations! You have a lot of fun reading to do.

Yay! Another awesome Haley Randolph book - even if it is a novella, any Haley book is wonderful. Poor Haley is sooo not ready to party, not without a new handbag. Her tangled love life is getting more tangled everyday, especially when a hot lawyer with bad lawyer jokes is thrown into the mix. Again, she uses common sense and logic to solve the murder of her latest client. Marcia is there as always to back her up, Mindy is confusing herself again and Haley's mum's seating chart for Thanksgiving is more important than world peace. Yep, situation normal in Haley's world. Looking forward to the next full-length Haley novel :)

I really enjoyed this story. I will like the storyline if she develops a relationship between Jack and the lawyer. I just wish there had been a bit more drama leading up to the murderer instead of it just being blurred out by the murderer not as suspensful.

Dorothy Howell did it again. Love the new guy Liam. Loveable guy, cares for family and a lawyer, what could be better. I think he could be a great new addition to the books. He could give ol' Ty a run for his money and give Jack something to think about. This is a laugh out loud book and allowed at the same time the reader to see the unselfish side of Haley, the side that shows she isn't just a handbag addict, a side that not even her best bff sees. She's feisty, loveable, clueless and readers will love her antics. No one could get away with what she does at holts but Haley. Read the books as they are just plan fun with hot guys, killers, crazy families and kick ass handbags.

A cute cozy about a party event planner playing amateur sleuth to solve a murder – nice story but seemed awful immature to me – or the main characters were of a totally different generation then mine but, still cute, finished in a day! She was way too enamored with purses and fanny packs just don't hit it at all to me!

Amusing, light, and Haley's signature self-absorption (with coffee and handbags included), along with the human touch of thoughtfulness that creeps in when least expected. Loved it.

Blah. Not much revealed by investigation. Solved by bad guy stupidity with no real clues. More purse obsession than mystery.

Haley Randolph is a quirky and likable character and no doubt you will be charmed by her. Add to this some crazy antics, a murder and being a suspect and you have a great read. Whilst these novels can be quite formulaic they are always a good fun, easy to read and comforting as you know what you'll be getting. I'd happily recommend the series to anyone but do start at the beginning as there are often reference to previous books and even though brief explanations are offered it's better to have the history!

Very good well written.

have read all the authors books Perfect train or holiday reading

I love this series. Haley Randolph is very entertaining. She does come across as a little bit shallow sometimes, but I have found all the books to be a fun read. I just wish they were longer as I can't get enough of Haley and her adventures.

Haley is wonderful I preorder each book and wait very excitedly for it to arrive on my kindle