Ink Flamingos (and the end of a series)

Ink Flamingos
A Tattoo Shop Mystery #4
Karen E. Olson

Back Cover

Dee Carmichael, lead singer of the hot pop sensation, The Flamingos, has been 

one of Brett's most dedicated customers - or was. Allergic to red dye, Dee has 

been discovered  dead in her hotel room with a pink flamingo tattoo and 

surrounded by ink pots and needles - and a tall redhead was seen leaving 

the crime scene.  Now Brett has been branded as the prime suspect. 

This can't be good for business. . . .

Meanwhile, a blog has been showcasing Dee's deadly tattoo. Things get worse 

when 

pictures of Brett start appearing on the blog. Turns out someone isn't merely 

following her, but impersonating her all over town.  Brett must act fast to find 

out who's out to get her before the killer puts the dye in dying once again. . . 

I love Brett Kavanaugh.  She is such a colourful character with her fabulous tattoos, and as a law abiding citizen of Las Vegas it's amazing just how Brett seems to get court up and entangled in so many murders.  If I was her, I'd consider moving to another state!  Just kidding.

This time we find Brett having to deal with not only the death of a client, but a stalker who is taking pleasure in their devious plans to ruin Brett's life.  Who killed her client and made it look like she did it by posting pictures on a blog?  Brett needs the support of her brother, and all of her friends this time as the stalker not only invades her life, but also her home.

With help from her mates at The Painted Lady (minus Ace), and the ever mysterious Jeff, Brett is up to her red eyebrows in danger.  I loved seeing her really have to dig deep and soldier on.  There is such a charming mix of strength and vulnerability in Brett that I think draws readers.  Lets face it, if you didn't love her, you wouldn't keep reading the books.  And while I won't give away who did it, there was a little twist that made it quite a surprise.

I was sad to find out that this is the last of the series as the ending just set up a 5th book so wonderfully.  What happens with Brett and Jeff?  Does anything happen?  I would love to see another book with them trying to start a relationship, with their tattoo parlours, his mother, her family and murder getting in the way.  You could just do so much with it, especially if Dr. Hunk made a return visit trying to talk to Brett after his blink-and-you'll-miss-it performance.  And I really wanted to find out more about the mysterious Jeff as he doesn't really reveal too much about his past.  But sadly, I just don't see it happening so I'll have to use my imagination on that score.

Karen E. Olson has done such a wonderful, fabulous, and marvelous job with this series and I will find it hard not to look for another book in the future.

Mistake Corrected

Okay, yesterday I mentioned that I had a parcel of books delivered in the mail, but in said delivery was a lonely little interloper.  As I pawed over the shiny new titles, I noticed one of my books was missing.  There was no Touch of Frost!  That's right.  I could not begin my journey into the Mythos Academy.  So, what did they send in it's stead I hear you ask?  Well, it could not have been further from this genre.

What I found was a skinny a$$ book called Praying the Psalms.  So not my style, and so started the flurry of emails yesterday between myself and Book Depository.  I send a photo, plus other details, and they were great about it.  By early evening (AUS time), I am happy to report that the mistake had beeen corrected and my book should be on it's way ASAP.  Yah!  This is the third time in nearly 3 years that I've had a problem, and each time it's been dealt with quickly and professionally - and most importantly, in my favour - so I have nothing but good things to say about the treatment I've received from them.

Oh, and I'm going to give Praying the Psalms to one of my elderly aunts who I think would appreciate it.

Newest Arrivals

Just got some more books in the mail, and it feels like Christmas.  I love getting new books :-)  Even though eBooks are popular, there's just something about holding a nice, new book.

In this weeks post was;

• Dark Descendant - Jenna Black
• Ink Flamingos - Karen E. Olson
• Cast in Ruin - Michelle Sagara
• Green-Eyed Envy - Kasey Mackenzie
• Left Hand Magic - Nancy A. Collins
• Sparks - Laura Bickle, and finally
• Wicked As They Come - Delilah S. Dawson

I was supposed to receive Jennifer Estep's Touch of Frost, but someone screwed up and I got Praying to Psalms instead - a "wtf?..." moment for sure.  Seriously, so not even in the ballpark.  So I jumped onto the computer and shot off an email to Book Depository ASAP.  I've had great service from them in the past when there has been a problem with a book, so I expect it to be dealt with quickly and professionally.  But in the meantime, I'm left without a book I was eager to read... ggrrrrr.

Oh well, I'll just have to slow down and take more time to read the books I've already got until then.

What do you say to an Iron Druid?

Wow!  That's all I can say.  I just plucked this book off the library shelves as I was running out of time and it had a fantasy tag stuck on the spine - and I was running out of time - and I'm so glad I did.

Now, after starting it, I feel bad that it had sat neglected until now because truthfully, I usually don't enjoy male authors.  I know, that sounds really bad, but seriously most of my paranormal/urban fantasy books are written 99.9% by women and I like it that way.  Kevin Hearne however seems to be one of the few that I'll be making an exception for and adding to my bookshelves in the future.

Hounded is such a surprise.  A 2,100 year old Druid who looks and sounds like a 21 year old who happens to converse with Gods and Goddesses on a seemingly daily basis.  Added to that is his throwback Irish Wolfhound who can 'talk' to Atticus (our favourite Druid), a Vampire and Werewolf law firm, mean Sidhe and a much fought after sword and you can just tell it's going to be a wild ride.

So far I'm a little over half way through, but I was so delighted with this book that I just had to let everyone know about it, if you don't already that is - and if you did WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?  Now I'll have to scout the library and hope that books 2 and 3 are available.

I'm seriously considering ordering a signed copy!  Try it, if you like Jim Butcher, Kylie Chan, or Sherrilyn Kenyon's style, then I'm sure you'll enjoy the Iron Druid.

P.S - Hounded review still to come.