Dead-End Job Mysteries

Angela Richman, Death Investigator

Brain Storm (#1)

“[Elaine Viets’] complicated heroine deserves a return outing.”

Kirkus

“Angela’s endearing, spirited, and resilient humanity resonates on the page. Viets takes an entertaining detour from her usual cozy territory.”

Publishers Weekly

“There is certainly much to like about this first in series crime novel. The characters are well-drawn, from Angela Richman and her experience recovering from her strokes, to her close friend, pathologist Katherine Kelly Stern, who assists Angela with her investigation. The murder mystery storyline is intricately crafted, and with Angela not quite sure what is real and what is a consequence of her hallucinations, the reader is kept in the dark, guessing as to whodunit and why. A strong start to this series.”

Mysterious Reviews

Fire and Ashes (#2)

“Viets, best known for her lighter mysteries […] aptly handles the darker aspects of this series […] Viets includes the perfect amount of details about forensics and police and fire investigations to make FIRE AND ASHES credible without overwhelming the plot.”

The Roanoke Times

“I love this series and enjoyed the dramatic finale—the suspense was palpable.”

Mayhem and Magic

“[T]ightly woven with subplots that played off each other that helped enhance […] this tale […] This is an engagingly riveting read and I can’t wait to read the next book in this gripping series.”

Dru’s Book Musings

“Elaine Viets continues to grow as a writer, and this return to her more traditional mystery novels continues to surprise with its nuanced plotting and fearless topical explorations.”

King’s River Life Magazine

Ice Blonde (#2.5)

“As with all of the novels by Elaine Viets, this novella is sprinkled throughout with wry observations and sharp dialogue, all tied together by a plot that explores the hypocrisy of the very rich.”

King’s River Life Magazine

A Star is Dead (#3)

“This third in Viets’ Death Investigator series will satisfy both procedural and cozy fans who like a good puzzle.”

Booklist, Starred Review!

“Witty dialogue and well-defined characters, including plucky and intelligent Angela, lift this wry look at the trappings of celebrity. Fans and newcomers alike will be pleased.”

Publishers Weekly

“[A STAR IS DEAD] is an intriguing mystery featuring a character in the little-known job of death investigator.”

Library Journal

“What this series does so well is blend together the best aspects of forensic procedurals and cozy mysteries […] This continues to be a cleverly written mystery series that exposes the ugly underside of the wealthy elite and the pretenses money only superficially hides.”

Kings River Life

“Sharp dialogue and well-sculpted characters punctuate A STAR IS DEAD.”

Sun Sentinel

Death Grip (#4)

"Viets produces chills with a murder hunt turned on its head."

Kirkus

"The likable Angela and fluid plotting combine for a tidy story...Viets continues to show that Angela, a stroke survivor and widow, is motivated by her own loss. It’s easy to root for her growing relationship with Officer Christopher Ferretti and be amazed by the heavy workload she carries."

Sun Sentinel

"The dark humor of those whose business is death shines through, a tribute to the author’s research, the number of award-winning mysteries she’s written, and her own dry wit."

Kings River Life

"a compelling mystery."

Cozy Up With Kathy

Life Without Parole (#5)

"Colorful characters match the crafty plot twists. Viets consistently entertains."

Publishers Weekly

"Richly framed by details of death investigations from the moment the investigator arrives at the scene through the autopsy and the criminal case itself, this fast-paced series entry will appeal to fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs."

Booklist

"Viets’ fans should enjoy her latest corpse-filled outing."

Kirkus

"Viets delivers an entertaining story that delves into the culture of the elite, small-town politics and entitlement while showing an understanding of what motivates people."

Sun Sentinel

"Angela’s wry humor and wit make even the darkest of moments entertaining, and Viets has the ability to enrage readers with the unfairness of class structure without being preachy. A suspenseful conclusion has Angela putting together the puzzle pieces while risking her life and her job, but a happy future looks to be on its way for readers and our heroine."

Kings River Life

Late for His Own Funeral (#6)

"Angela’s usual snark and fondness for wine help propel the twisty plot. Viets reliably entertains."

Publishers Weekly

“Catchy hook [...] and a solution from out of left field.”

Kirkus

"Viets delivers a tidy plot as “Late for His Own Funeral” veers into privilege, blackmail and general bad behavior while keeping the twists on point. Viets, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, captures the nuances of her St. Louis hometown, basing Chouteau County on a couple of real neighborhoods. Angela’s thoughtful investigative skills are augmented by her lightly sarcastic attitude. Angela is the kind of character one would want to be friends with — and certainly on the case should anything happen."

Sun Sentinel

"This is a fascinating exploration of sex workers, high society, and the ways in which they feed off of one another."

Kings River Life

The Dead of Night (#7)

"Cozy fans will find plenty to like."

Publishers Weekly

"Allowing her heroine to be both methodical and intuitive should endear Viets to fans of feisty female sleuths."

Kirkus

A Scarlet Death (#8)

"Details of forensics and police procedure frame this compelling mystery with its well-defined characters... This engaging series will appeal to fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs."

Booklist

"Multiple puzzles keep up the suspense”

Kirkus

Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper

Death on a Platter (#7)

"Once you begin reading books in a series, you tend to fall in love with the people and the town and everything else involved"

Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

Collections

Deal With the Devil

“Within each short story characters are fully developed, with wry twists that prove to be as satisfying as unexpected. This is a stunning collection of fourteen well-crafted tales, and it guarantees that new fans as well as loyal readers will be left wishing for even more selections by a talented author.”

King’s River Life Magazine

Non-Fiction

Francesca Vierling Mysteries