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Stable hand Dakota Green would rather compete in the Hunger Games than Aubergine's annual beauty pageant. But her late mother's last wish is about to see her trading her muck boots for Jimmy Choos – and uncover a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen.
Welcome to Aubergine, Virginia, where the mountains are blue, the air is sweet, and the beauty queens have secrets darker than last year's spray tan.
Armed with more sarcasm than sequins, Dakota reluctantly enters the cutthroat world of sashes and smiles to save her family home. But when the pageant owner vanishes faster than she can shimmy into an evening gown, suspicion lands on Dakota's beloved Aunt DeeDee.
Can this reluctant pageant star unmask a killer, clear her aunt's name, and claim the crown? Or will she be the next to disappear?
Hilarious and heartfelt, A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs. If you love the wit of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of Only Murders in the Building, and beauty queens with a penchant for trouble, this book is a must-read.
"Dakota, a spunky, modern sleuth, doesn't let high heels or outdated gender roles get in the way of her relentless pursuit of the truth and her quest to build a new life... a charming romp, featuring a quirky cast of characters with big hearts and witty humor, all set against the unforgettable backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab your sequins and tiara—this one's a sparkling good read!" Bestselling author Ellie Alexander
"THIS WAS PERFECTION... Totally recommend on your TBR!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery… The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes…The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me laughing one moment and gripping the edge of my seat the next! Dakota Green stands out as a refreshingly down-to-earth and empowered protagonist—an unexpected beauty queen-turned-detective who quickly wins readers' hearts." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed... !" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I loved this book, simple as that! As a southern gal, and growing up in a pageant town, I could totally relate to the characters. Hard to put this one down!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"...shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama... The female relationships in this book are strong and beautifully done." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"With a compelling mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, the story channels Miss Congeniality vibes in the best way... A must-read for fans of murder mysteries with a side of sass and sequins!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you love a contemporary murder mystery that is more Only Murders in the Building than Broadchurch, with a smidge of romance, I think you'll love this!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book sucked me in quickly! ... The plot is the perfect blend of backstory, the perfect amount of murder/thrills, and the perfect amount of mystery... leaving the ending an exciting read!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I was hooked from the first page... so wonderfully written with characters who I loved spending time with." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Full of quirky quips and was such a quick, fun read. I thought I had this one figured out but there was a twist at the end that got me! Super excited to read book two in this series!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Cracked Me UP! xD... Perfect weekend read!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐