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
Have you read Nip, Tuck, Dead? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series ...
A
Dose of
Murder
Avon Books (Hardcover), October 2004
ISBN-10: 0-06-073165-6 (0060731656)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-073165-6 (9780060731656)
The
Stiff
and the Dead
Avon Books (Hardcover), July 2005
ISBN-10: 0-06-073166-4 (0060731664)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-073166-3 (9780060731663)
One
Dead
Under the Cuckoo's Nest
Avon Books (Hardcover), October 2005
ISBN-10: 0-06-073167-2 (0060731672)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-073167-0 (9780060731670)
Deep Sea Dead
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), April 2006
ISBN-10: 0-06-083700-4 (0060837004)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-083700-6 (9780060837006)
Nip, Tuck, Dead
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), November 2006
ISBN-10: 0-06-083704-7 (0060837047)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-083704-4 (9780060837044)
Dead on Arrival
Avon Books (Mass Market Paperback), July 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.
