Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review and Giveaway--Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch

 

Today I'm participating in the Confessions of a Red Herring Blog Tour.  In this post you will find book and author information along with my review.

About the Book . . . 

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (May 29, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496716569
Digital ASIN: B075C8FDT5
 

 

Synopsis . . .

As a reporter, she’s used to covering the news.

Now she’s the headline.

Alex Vlodnachek has been a reporter for 12 years, a P.R. rep for three months, and a murder suspect for all of 24 hours. When her agency’s double-dealing CEO is stabbed, scheming co-workers cast the new redhead as a compelling red herring. The story is media catnip—especially her salacious nickname: Vlod the Impaler.

Even Alex has to admit she looks guilty.

Out of a job and under suspicion, Alex is running low on cash, when she’s visited by a second disaster: her family. Soon her tiny bungalow is bursting with her nearest and not-so-dearest. To keep herself out of jail—and save what’s left of her sanity—Alex returns to her reporting roots. She goes undercover to reclaim her life, break the story, and unmask a murderer. Pretty much in that order.

What she doesn’t know: The killer also has a to-do list.  And Alex is on it.

My Review . . . Former crime reporter (and redhead) Alex Vlodnachek anticipated different experiences when she changed careers, but never imagined a scenario in which she'd be accused of murdering her new boss, Everett Coleman.  Nevertheless, when the unscrupulous public relations firm partner is found stabbed to death, Alex's competitive co-workers launch a vigorous p.r. campaign to pin the murder on her--even though she is the least likeliest suspect.  Yes, Alex had a very public disagreement with the victim shortly before his demise, but there are plenty of others with stronger motives for murder.  The vengeful wife, the conniving mistress, the peculiar business partner, the unfulfilled twin adult children, and a number of disgruntled current and former employees--any one of them would benefit with Coleman out of the picture.

Unhappy in her role as the "red herring" of the murder investigation, Alex decides to put her reporter skills to work and conduct her own search for the killer. What ensues is a hilarious series of events beginning with Alex going undercover as a cleaning woman to gain access to her former office. Along the way, she is both helped and hindered by family members who arrive unexpectedly on her doorstep.  Alex must press on, relying on her resourcefulness to restore her reputation, survive the overprotectiveness and well-meaning actions of her family, and safeguard herself and them from danger.

Confessions of a Red Herring is an engaging murder mystery made more enjoyable by snappy dialog, laugh-out-loud scenes, and a cast of quirky, lovable supporting characters.  The close-knit and humorously dysfunctional Vlodnachek clan, headed by the intrepid Baba, family pup Lucy, and Alex's friends and neighbors in her Fordham, Virginia community add the vibrant ingredients readers expect to find in a successful cozy series.  In this first installment, Dana Dratch introduces relatable characters with promising future storylines.  I eagerly await the arrival of book two, Seeing Red, and Alex's next adventure.


Giveaway . . .  Enter for a chance to win a copy of Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch by visiting this link.
 

About the author . . .  Dana Dratch is a former newspaper reporter and current personal finance writer. When she’s not finishing Seeing Red—the next Alex Vlodnachek mystery—you’ll spot her byline on a host of top news sites. You can learn more about her mysteries at ConfessionsofaRedHerring.com.


 Purchase links . . .    Amazon    B&N   Kobo   Google Play    BookBub 

 

Tour Participants . . . 

May 28 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 29 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 29 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
May 30 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 30 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
May 31 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 1 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT
June 2 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 2 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 3 –  Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
June 4 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 4 – Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 5 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 5 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 5 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
June 6 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 7 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
June 7 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
June 8 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST
June 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
June 9 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 9 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 10 – The Mysterious Inkspot – REVIEW
June 10 – Laura’s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST


Note:  I received a complimentary advance copy of Confessions of a Red Herring from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review and Giveaway--Confessions of a Red Herring was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing on Google+ are appreciated.