Review: Death Makes the Cut by Janice Hamrick

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (July 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 125000554X
• ISBN-13: 978-1250005540

Book Description

 The first bell of the new school year hasn’t even rung, and Texas high school teacher Jocelyn Shore is already at the scene of a murder. Friend and fellow teacher Fred Argus has been found dead on campus, and it isn’t long before the annoying, albeit attractive, Austin police detective Colin Gallagher uncovers evidence that Fred might have been selling drugs to students. Shocked by her loss as well as the insinuation that Fred was a dealer who got what he deserved, Jocelyn starts asking the kinds of questions guaranteed to set fellow teachers, administrators, and parents on edge.

With the school serving as the setting for a big-time director’s latest film, her investigation could hardly have come at a worse time. Jocelyn, however, finds clearing her friend’s name far more important than the needs of a pesky movie crew and doesn’t care who knows it. But it’s only when she’s attacked while on set that she realizes someone is determined to make sure the secrets hidden by Fred’s death remain hidden no matter what the cost.

Humor, romance, and murder abound in Janice Hamrick’s follow-up to her Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award--winning debut, Death on Tour, and make Death Makes the Cut a charming addition to this outstanding new series.


About The Author

 Janice Hamrick is the author of two titles in her Jocelyn Shore mystery series. The first, Death on Tour, was the winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition, a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and a nominee for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best First Mystery. She lives in Austin, Texas.


My Review

Janice Hamrick is a new to me mystery author so I was very excited to read this book. You do not have to have read the first in the series, Death on Tour, to enjoy Death Makes the Cut.

This novel is set around the activities at the high school in Austin, Texas where Jocelyn works.  Jocelyn Shores, a teacher who loves her job, is plunged into a mystery at the beginning of the school year when a fellow teacher is murdered.  Complications occur in Jocelyn's personal life when she meets handsome detective Colin Gallagher.  Complicated because she is still involved with Dallas travel tour provider Allan.  Allan who is out of town is there to help Jocelyn like Colin is.

Jocelyn is attacked, her home ransacked and another teacher is murdered.  What is going on behind the scenes in Jocelyn's school?  This is a well written, enjoyable mystery.  It will be released in July....be sure to pick up a copy.