A daring holiday heist, a cursed heirloom, and a sleuth whose life is already overflowing — Dreidels and Dead Ends blends humor, heart, and mystery into a cozy read that kept me turning pages.
About the Book
When hairstylist and salon owner Marla Vail agrees to speak at the local history museum’s gala opening, she expects applause — not chaos. Moments after she takes the stage, a thief steals a diamond‑studded antique hairbrush, injures a security guard, and leaves Marla’s curator friend desperate for help. With Hanukkah approaching, a pregnancy adding both humor and worry, and her already full life pulling her in every direction, Marla steps into a multifaceted mystery filled with suspects, secrets, and a hint of the supernatural.
Book HookUp Book Review: Dreidels and Dead Ends
Marla is a woman who tends to overcommit, but she still gets things done, and that’s part of her charm. In this installment, she’s a blend of stress, determination, and humor, especially as she navigates pregnancy. Her moments of needing to rest, feeling “huge,” or worrying about putting her unborn child in danger add both levity and emotional grounding to the story.
The holiday season brings its own juggling act. Marla is Jewish, her husband Dalton isn’t, so they celebrate both traditions — doubling her workload and doubling the humor. The holiday elements enrich the story without turning it into a holiday‑themed cozy; instead, they highlight Marla’s full, vibrant life.
The museum setting is vivid and engaging, and the cursed hairbrush adds an eerie thread that kept me curious. A tarot card arrives in the mail, a branch falls on a friend’s car, a museum employee dies — all feeding the question: is the curse real? No spoilers here, but the tension around the curse kept the pages turning.
The mystery itself is well‑layered. There are enough suspects to keep you guessing, and the red herrings are placed with skill. Marla’s active life gives her natural access to conversations, clues, and insights, and her partnership with Dalton is an extension of their marriage — supportive, steady, and believable. He cooks dinner, encourages her to rest, and joins her in sleuthing both together and apart.
Dreidels and Dead Ends is a multifaceted mystery with humor, heart, and a touch of the uncanny. A fun read from start to finish. I recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries featuring amateur sleuths with full, busy lives.
BookHookUp Content Note
✅Clean mystery.
✅Violence is present but not graphic.
✅No explicit language.
✅No explicit adult scenes.
✅Themes include pregnancy, holiday traditions, and mild eerie elements tied to the “curse.”
There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour.
Prize: An eBook copy of Dreidels and Dead Ends (Bad Hair Day Mysteries) by Nancy J. Cohen, and a Book Lovers Gift Set.
Note: Actual prize may vary from the photo. Physical prize for U.S. residents only.
👉👉Enter here 👈👈
***
I received a free copy of this book for review from Great Escape Book Tours. Opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Similar Books You May Enjoy
Hair Raiser by Nancy J. Cohen Another lively installment in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries, featuring Marla’s signature blend of humor, juggling, and sleuthing. Perfect if you enjoyed her full‑life chaos and clever crime‑solving.
Masked Intentions by Kara Lacey - Autumn settles over Stonebridge in a swirl of color and celebration, but beneath the charm of the harvest festival lies a mystery that pulls photographer Bobbie Brooks into danger.
About the Author
Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and the RONE Award, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook, have won the FAPA President’s Book Award, the Royal Palm Literary Award, and IAN Book of the Year. When not busy writing, Nancy enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World.