Today’s book comes from one on my Kindle that I’ve been meaning to read for a while now. Missing Mabel is a Curl up and Dye mystery from Nancy Mehl. This is a cozy mystery and if you like cozies you will love this one!
Here’s the back cover copy:
Watch the tangled mess a Kansas hairdresser gets herself into when she reports to the funeral home that the body she is to work on is not the same as in her reference photo. Is she being punished when the director accuses her of stealing a diamond ring? Will Hilde Higgins’s former boyfriend help her unravel the issue or only bring more trouble to her life?
My take:
This is book #1 in Nancy Mehl’s Curl Up And Dye series, and I love her voice. Her heroine, named Hildegarde Bernadette Higgins by her mother (bless her heart) who had been inspired by the lives of two nuns, is a hoot! Everyone calls her Hilde, and she is a freelance hairstylist for the dearly departed.
Her career started when she thought Monsieur Maximilian had fired her, but instead, he sent her to a local funeral home to style a recently departed customer’s hair. She found her calling when she realized she brought comfort to grieving families.
Of course, her mother doesn’t understand her new career and that causes much conflict. It doesn’t help their relationship that her mother won’t tell her why she’s terrified of clowns and the color orange, either. It’s amazing how much trouble Hilde can get into in this job. And how many mysteries she tries to solve. In this first book, she discovers someone has switched the body she’s supposed to work on, and the deceased’s diamond ring is missing and the funeral director points the finger at Hilde.
An old boyfriend comes to her aid, but it’s Hilde all the way in solving the crime. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll love this book! Book two is on my TBR pile!
You can purchase Missing Mabel at:
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books – your choice. If you already have all my books, it would make a great Christmas present!
Comments 50
Awesome review! I do like a curl up cozy mystery every now and again .
Author
Nancy’s are the best, Jessica! I think you’ll enjoy her voice. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I enjoy cozy mysteries! And I like Mehl’s writing voice. Thanks for reviewing this one for us.
Author
Priscilla, this is the first of 3 and I’m looking forward to reading the other two! I like all of Nancy’s books. Thanks for stopping by.
How fun. I didn’t realize Nancy Mehl had cozy mysteries. Thanks for the chance!
Author
I didn’t either for a time, Mindy. But now that I’ve found them…thanks for stopping by!
This is my favorite Nancy Mehl novel. I loved the humor. I regret that I gave the book to someone to read who didn’t return it. I’d love to read it again.
Author
Christine, I’m glad I reviewed your favorite Nancy Mehl novel! It’s a great book. Thanks for stopping by.
Hilde sounds like quite a hoot! Sounds like the start of a good series.
Author
She is Diane! And I’m anxious to read the next two. Thanks for stopping by.
I will have to search out this book. I also didn’t realize Nancy wrote cozies! I love her other suspense books!
Author
So agree, Paula. I like all of Nancy’s books! Thanks for stopping by.
I like Nancy Mehl’s books & will have to look for this one! Thanks for reviewing it!
Author
Mary…sI think you’ll enjoy it. I loved the tone of this book, too. Thanks for stopping by.
That scenario is a hoot and when she finished my last hair cut, my stylist went immediately to a local funeral home to arrange the locks of two dearly departed–hmmm
Author
Lol, Delores! Yes, I knew Barbara did that for her clients. She’s a sweetheart! Thanks for stopping by.
I like Nancy Mehl’s books. She has a special touch when it comes to mystery.
Author
I so agree, Stella! Love Nancy’s book! Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for your review!
Author
Jackie, it was definitely my kind of book. Thanks for stopping by.
I have enjoyed several of Nancy Mehl’s books but have not seen this one. It sounds like quite an interesting tale.
Author
It is very interesting, Edward. I think you would enjoy it.
Looks like a good read.
Author
I think so, Ola! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
This sounds like it will be so fun to read! Nancy Mehl is a terrific author.
Author
It was a fun read, Elizabeth! And yes, she’s a terrific author!
sounds like a great book!
Author
Hi Shelia, and I hope you had a great birthday yesterday! I think you would like Nancy’s book! If you haven’t read her books yet, there are several on sale on Amazon. Thanks for stopping by.
I would love to read this book. It sounds so good! Thanks for the chance to win.
Author
Hi Faith! So glad to “see” you. It is good. And be sure to check back each day starting tomorrow…shhh, but I’m giving away one of my books each day. 🙂 It’ll be on the blog tomorrow.
I enjoy Nancy’s suspense books and actually already have this one on my wish list.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Gloria! Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
I love Nancy’s books. I didn’t know about the cozy mysteries. Thanks for the review. I loved your Logan’s Point series.
I’m a huge fan of INTENSE Christian Suspense….. you can’t get much more intense than Lynette Eason!
But I like a cozy mystery every now and then.
I have the Curl Up & Dye series on my TBR list.
Author
Absolutely, Erica! Love, Lynette’s books! And I like a cozy too. I’ve gotten where I read all over the place. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a good book to read.
Author
Hi Patricia! Nancy’s book is a good book. Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like something I’d be interested in! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy!
Author
I think you’ll like Nancy’s book, Lual! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my gosh…I think this book would be great fun to read! Thanks for the review 🙂
Author
Missing Mable is wonderful, Betti! thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a fun read. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Thanks for stopping by each week, Lucy!
We have all your books in the church library so if I win, Nancy’s book would be going into the library.
Author
That’s great, Janet!
I didn’t realize that Nancy has also written cozy mysteries! How cool it that 🙂 I love the hairstylist to the dead, what an interesting career choice! You’ve added so many more books to my want-to-read list, this one included. Thanks for your take, sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy.
Author
I think you’ll enjoy Nancy’s cozy mysteries, Trixi! And thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for the great review of Nancy’s book.
I really enjoyed it, Caryl!