Another short e-book, “Laundry Day,” by mystery author Stacy Juba.
When Gregg accidentally discovers his neighbor’s lingerie collection drip-drying in her shower, he stares in fascination at a scene that looks like laundry day at the whorehouse. After his neighbor is found dead – strangled with her own fishnet stocking – the next victim might even be closer to home.
Actually, I found that the story is not a mystery in the traditional sense. Also not a character story (or at least not very strongly). Not a suspense story—well, not too much suspense, anyhow. Not a humorous story (unless you find other people’s embarrassing problems humorous), though with mildly humorous moments. Just a story. A cute read, with a bitter twist at the end. (Although on second thought, that’s a twist that Hitchock might’ve been proud of, and definitely makes the story re-readable.)
“Laundry Day” is a quick 2900 words, followed by The Stacy Juba Mystery Sampler, which includes short excerpts of the mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, Sink or Swim, and Dark Before Dawn. A good sampling of Stacy Juba’s work.
Here’s today’s snippet:
Julia blinked rapidly as Gregg described the corset, fishnet stockings, and other goodies drip-drying in Bridget’s tub.
“I can’t believe that happened,” she blurted. “How awkward.”
“Tell me about it. Did you know she had all that stuff?”
Her cheeks pinkened. “No. We don’t get that personal… This isn’t Sex in the City [sic]…”
“Well, you missed out on some juicy conversations. You’d look great in one of those outfits.”
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. I’m trying a variation on the mainstream “Teaser Tuesdays” concept. Instead of quoting two sentences from a random page in the book, I’m selecting a snippet that reflects qualities I find in the book.
-TimK