Nip,
Tuck, Dead
A Pauline Sokol
Mystery
Lori Avocato
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-06-083704-7 (0060837047)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-083704-4 (9780060837044)
Publication Date: November 2006
List Price: $6.99
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Ex-nurse-turned-insurance fraud investigator Pauline
Sokol's willing to risk anything to put a bad doc out of
business—even her best friend Goldie's near-perfect
proboscis! Her cross-dressing compadre has agreed to get his shnozz
bobbed so Pauline can pose as his private nurse and gain entry into
Highcliff Manor—a posh plastic surgery "spa" making an
illegal killing with their repeat clientele.
But when a super-rich "frequent flier" is unexpectedly
widowed—and a receptionist who knows too much is given the
boot . . . off a nearby cliff!—Pauline realizes she's stuck
her own nose into something really nasty. Despite the pleasant
distraction of the hunky Dr. Neal—and the unexpected
appearance of her sexy cohort, Jagger—Pauline can't shake the
feeling she's being closely watched. And if she's not careful, she'll
be the next one who goes under the knife!
Review:
Pauline Sokol travels to the playground of the rich and famous, Newport, to investigate some irregular
insurance claims submitted by an exclusive clinic in Nip, Tuck, Dead,
the 5th mystery in this series by Lori Avocato.
Returning to her former profession as a nurse, Pauline accompanies her
roommate and best friend Goldie Perlman to the clinic; Goldie has
decided he's going to splurge and treat himself to a "nose job". Once
there, Pauline discovers a web of fraud and deceit that only she, in
her own inimitable way, can unravel.
The mysteries in this series are light, entertaining, and not meant to
be taken too seriously despite one or more dead bodies popping up every
so often. A generally implausible storyline is taken for granted. And
that's the great appeal of these books: they're escapist, fun reading.
But in Nip, Tuck, Dead,
the plot is exceptionally shallow and oddly a bit disturbing. If the
doctors at the clinic are suspected of submitting fraudulent insurance
claims (a felony), why would Pauline allow Goldie to risk surgery there
before ascertaining the truth?
Furthermore, it's more than a little suspicious that Goldie's elective,
cosmetic procedure is suddenly a medically necessary one (and
presumably covered by insurance) when he's diagnosed with a deviated
septum. The irony of the situation seems lost on Pauline who now
appears to be a party to the crime she's there to investigate.
The best part of the books in this series is the amusing way Avocato
depicts Pauline's relationship with her family, her friends, her
man-of-the-moment, and, of course, the mysterious Jagger. Nip, Tuck, Dead
does not disappoint in this regard.
Those who have enjoyed the previous adventures of Pauline will no doubt
be pleased with this one. But Nip,
Tuck, Dead is not a good introduction for readers new to
the series.
Special thanks to Book Trends for providing an ARC of Nip, Tuck, Dead for this review.
Review Copyright © 2006 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Mysteries in this series ...
A Dose of Murder
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2004
ISBN-10: 0-06-073165-6 (0060731656)
The Stiff and the Dead
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2005
ISBN-10: 0-06-073166-4 (0060731664)
One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2005
ISBN-10: 0-06-073167-2 (0060731672)
Deep Sea Dead
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2006
ISBN-10: 0-06-083700-6 (0060837006)
Nip,
Tuck, Dead
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2006
ISBN-10: 0-06-083704-7 (0060837047)
Dead on Arrival
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), 2007
ISBN-10: 0-06-083708-X (006083708X)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-083708-2 (9780060837082)
Omnimystery keywords for Nip, Tuck, Dead ...
Location(s) referenced: Newport, Rhode Island.
