Friday, July 17, 2009

Review: Dial Emmy for Murder & Giveaway

Summary: Tabloids and fans are stunned when daytime soap opera star Alexis Peterson leaves her show. She’s too busy with her new job as presenter at the Daytime Emmy® Awards to even notice. But when a co-presenter goes missing on award night, Alexis is determined to find who is killing Hollywood’s biggest and brightest before another burns out... -- Obsidian

I was looking for a light, quick read to take with me to the pool the other day, and I thought DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER by Eileen Davidson and co-authored by Robert Randisi sounded like it might hit the spot. I wanted an entertaining book that would hold my interest, but I didn't want to have to concentrate too much because I still needed to be able to watch my kiddos. DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER was ideal, and I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

When I was growing up, I was a huge fan of The Young and The Restless as well as Eileen Davidson -- I always loved Ashley Abbott. When I found out that Ms. Davidson was writing a mystery series and that it was getting some positive reviews, I knew I had to give it a try. It's a little embarrassing to admit this, but one of my main reasons for reading this book is that I wanted to learn a little bit about the world of daytime drama. DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER gave me that scoop, and it's apparent that Ms. Davidson's 25 plus years in daytime drama have made her an expert on this topic.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER. I used to read ton of mysteries and then I became more interested in other genres. While I don't pick up mysteries very often anymore, I still find that I like them when I do. DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER had all of the elements that make for an entertaining mystery. The story kept me guessing and was suspenseful, but it also had some likable characters. It didn't hurt that I found myself laughing a few times too.

While I enjoyed the story with its fair share of twists and turns, I think my favorite part of this book were the characters. Of course, that's probably the intention when an author sets out to write a series -- create likable characters so readers gets caught up in their story. I really liked Alex, a single mom and soap star, who also happened to be an amateur sleuth; and I found myself quite interested in her love life. I thought Ms. Davidson did a good job of keeping the book pretty clean (although there was some bad language) while also creating tension between Alex and Jakes, the investigating police officer (whom I really liked by the way.) I also thought Alex's best friend George was a hoot and added some humor to the story; and I'd actually like to see more of him in future books.

I also enjoyed the secondary storyline of Alex's ex-husband Randy. He decides to return to Southern California after years being MIA and suddenly wants a relationship with his daughter. Randy was actually kind of a mystery to Alex since he disappeared a few years ago, and she wasn't sure what his intentions were or what he was capable of. The book definitely leaves this storyline open-ended and I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more of Randy in the future --- kind of like a cliffhanger on a soap!

DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER is actually Ms. Davidson's second mystery book with these characters. The first book is called DEATH IN THE DAYTIME; and if it's anything like DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER, then I definitely want to read it too. The second book did give hints and references to the murder that occurred in the first novel; however, I definitely think it stands alone. Ms. Davidson has a third book in the series coming out DIVA, LAS VEGAS!; and there is a brief excerpt of the book in the back of DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER. I have a feeling that I'll need to get my hands on this one too based on the teaser.

If you think you'd be interested in winning a copy of DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me your favorite daytime soap. If you don't have one, that's okay too -- just let me know. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This contest is open until July 31st, and I will notify the winner the following day. Open to U.S. and Canada citizens only. Good Luck!

Thanks to Authors on the Web for sending me a copy of this book.

58 comments:

Beth F said...

This sounds like a fun cozy series. I love mysteries and I like cozies, so I'll have to keep this one in mind.

Kelly said...

I was a big Days of our Lives fan as a kid, great review! I think I'd enjoy this one!

bermudaonion said...

I've never watched a soap opera, so I don't have a favorite, but this book does sound like a lot of fun. Glad you enjoyed it!

Beth F said...

I forgot to mention that I don't want to be in the giveaway -- I have so many books piled up.

Debbie F said...

My fav soap opera is General Hospital! Been watching for years!

dcf_beth(at)verizon(dot)net

rosa said...

my favorite soap opera is all my children. i think i would enjoy this mystery. i love a good mystery!

Julie said...

I too loved The Young and The Restless growing up and still will watch it if I'm at home on a Friday while doing other things! I'd love to read something by "Ashley Abbott" :)

Marie said...

I love cozies and would love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks.

I don't watch soap operas anymore, but when I was a teenager I loved "The Edge of Night" and "Another World" (old ones that haven't been on for years).

mparke[at]mts[dot]net

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

I am a huge fans of Passions, unfortunately it was canceled. Please count me in.

Tweeted @iheartbkgossip

Blogged on sidebar

http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/

ChristyJan said...

This sounds like a a great summer read!
My favorite soap (the only 1 I have take time to watch) is DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

hawkes(at)citlink.net

holdenj said...

I didn't realize she had so much real-life experience in the soap world! How cool.

Long time GH'er. What can I say, watch long enough and all the old faves come back!

Thanks for the giveaway.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

chey said...

My favourite soap is GH.
This book sounds great!

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me-- I'm putting it on my TBR list as well.

I was a huge Y&R fan for years, but haven't watched soaps for a long time. I occasionally read an update somewhere, and am amazed by how much is still the same :-).

Anna said...

I thought that name sounded familiar. My mom would love this book!

I grew up watching pretty much all the soaps with my mom. Back then I enjoyed Days and All My Children. I haven't watched soaps in years, though.

I added the contest to my sidebar.

--Anna
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Diary of an Eccentric

Unknown said...

I love cozy mysteries!

I haven't watched soap operas in years, but when I was a teenager I was obsessed with GH when Shaun Cassidy and Rick Springfield were in the cast!

jgbeads at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

I actually dont like soaps
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

blogged
http://throuthehaze.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaways-pt-8.html

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My favourite soap has to be 'the young and the restless'...have watched it for years.

Would love to read this book written by Ashley Abott...

Please enter me in your great giveaway. thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

abookinhand said...

My favorite was always All My Children. This book looks like a fun read.

Liz Mays said...

I really haven't watched soaps in a long time but I used to be a faithful viewer of All My Children.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

Liz Mays said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/blueviolet/statuses/2693780152
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

Liz Mays said...

I have your giveaway on my right sidebar
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

Sherry Ficklin said...

I love a good mystery! My fave daytime soap is General Hospital, BTW. I<3 Lucky...

Sherry Ficklin said...

Correction, my fav OF ALL TIME was Dark Shadows. Anyone else remember that one?

teabird said...

Ooh, Sherry beat me to it! Dark Shadows was so, so good! (The re-make was awful.) I also loved the soap spoof "Mary Hartman Mary Hartman" -
I'd love to enter the giveaway!
thanks -

teabird 17 AT yahoo dot com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Long-time Guiding Light fan, even though I haven't watched in almost ten years. I've still got a soft spot for the show.

Yes, babe! Go on and enter me for this one! (write the date down!)

Thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for ya.

Jenny N. said...

The only soap that I ever watched was Passions but NBC cancelled it so now I don't watch soaps anymore.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Days of Our Lives, old school style. ;)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Cheryl said...

I have this book on my wish list.

Ok I don't watch much soap operas but when I do I watch Days of OUr Lives

Thanks Cheryl K

clbstitch At yahoo dot com

The Tome Traveller said...

When I was little my babysitter got me hooked on General Hospital. I actually talked my Mom into letting me stay home from school on the day of Luke & Laura's wedding! So, I've been a fan for years, though I don't watch too often now. Maybe catch it a couple of times a month. Isn't it sad that, in the soap world, two days a month is more than enough to keep you current!

I would love to read this one, please enter me. :)

Julie said...

During college, I was a big General Hospital fan, not so much these days. I'd love to win this book, it sounds like fun-great review! Thanks:) I also put your giveaway on my blog.
http://julyso4463.blogspot.com/

KR said...

I don't watch soaps anymore. My favorites were The Edge of Night ans As The World Turns.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I haven't watched soaps in a long time, but this was how my day used to go: Young & the Restless, Bold & Beautiful, As the World Turns and Guiding Light.
This sounds like a great book and I would love to be entered.

sharon54220@gmail.com

tetewa said...

I don't really watch them anymore but I used to watch The Young and the Restless! tWarner419@aol.com

enyl said...

When I had time to watch soaps, my favorite was Capitol

Mozi Esme said...

The Bold and the Beautiful, though I haven't watched it in years... :)

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Belle said...

I watched a soap opera the summer I turned 17, but I can't remember the name! I think it might have been the Young and the Restless. Great review - this sounds like a nice cozy read.

Dawn M. said...

My favorite soap opera will always be Santa Barbara. Another World was my second favorite. I still miss those shows.

Thanks! :0)
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I am a subscriber and my favourite soap is General Hospital. I would enjoy reading this book.

Gaby317 said...

I don't have a favorite soap but I love cozies and would love to enter the contest.

gaby317nyc @ gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I actually haven't watched soaps in what feels like forever. But in college I would love to catch As the World Turns (is that still on?)

The book sounds great based on your review.
cabadov(at)hotmail(dot)com

Renee G said...

I don't follow any soaps at this time --- but grew up on As the World Turns. I love how I can still tune in occasionally and recognize characters that have been on there forever. This sounds like a fun book.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Sue said...

I've watched Days of Our Lives sporadically since I was 12. This book looks fun! Thanks for sharing~

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

scottsgal said...

I don't follow soaps anymore but in the day I couldn't get enough of General Hospital.
this sounds like a fun read

msboatgal at aol.com

Mozi Esme said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emma said...

This book sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway. I don't watch much television. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

minishoes1 said...

I watch General hospital. I would love to read this! I like a good mystery. thanks jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This one sounds fun.
I used to watch Guiding Light.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm not a soap kinda gal, but I do like cozies!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Aimee said...

Great review and I'd love to win the book! acirucci(at)gmail(dot)com.

LoveMyCoffee said...

I don't watch the soaps anymore, but when I did it was General Hospital...good ole Luke and Laura.
I'd love to read this book...

I subscribe by googlereader.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

Theresa N. said...

My favorite soap is ATWT (As The World Turns) but occasionally I watch Days of Our Lives. I was watching Days regularly when Eileen played on it, she was playing all these different characters and was really great at it. I also subscribe to Soap Opera Digest. I am such a soap junkie!!

Theresa N. said...

That's so like me to rant and rave about my soaps and forget to leave my e-mail (see above).
Theresa N
weceno(At)yahoo(dot)com

rubynreba said...

Sounds like a very good book. I don't watch soaps much anymore but used to be addicted to General Hospital.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Marie said...

This sounds like a great book, I like cozy mysteries the best.

I don't watch many soap operas nowadays but when I was in High School I loved Days of our Lives!

marielay@gmail.com

Michele said...

This is interesting! I used to watch The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, before I had kids. Since my boys arrived, not anymore! My mom and sister still watch The Young and the Restless.

Carol M said...

It's been a long, long time since I've watched a soap so I no longer have a favorite. I do remember that I enjoyed Days of Our Lives but I'm sure it's a lot different now.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Wanda said...

Days of Our Lives
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com