Nancy J. Cohen

While attending her family reunion at Florida's historic Sugar Crest Plantation Resort, Marla Shore, introducing her fiance to her family for the first time, is faced with murder, mayhem, ghosts, and greed, all of which are linked to centuries-old treasure. Reprint.

Dead Roots

Florida beauty salon proprietor Marla Shore discovers a unique talent for unraveling mysteries, when she sets out to investigate the shocking murder of one of her customers, a wealthy widow, in posh Palm Haven, Florida. Reprint.

Permed to Death

When a dead body, with excellent highlights, is discovered in her neighbor's home, all signs lead professional hair stylist Marla Shore to the Heavenly Hair Salon where, while trying not to drool over gorgeous Detective Dalton Vail, she discovers a link between the murder and the exotic pet trade. 12,000 first printing.

Highlights to Heaven

When Florida hairdresser Marla Shore joins the Perfect Fit Sports Club to lose a few pounds, she is thrust into the middle of a murder mystery when a fellow patron suspiciously drowns in a whirlpool, and teams up with Detective Dalton Vail to catch a killer.

Murder by Manicure

Not just your average South Florida beachcomber, Marla's now a volunteer for Ocean Guard, a coastal preservation group. She's even in charge of their upcoming Taste of the World fundraiser. But when chef Pierre Chevalier's flaming Bananas Foster results in a three-alarm fire, she can't help wondering: too much rum in the recipe-or sabotage? Something is beginning to smell fishy in sunny Palm Haven, and it isn't just the polluted shoreline. But even Marla is stunned when Ocean Guard's attorney, Benjamin Kline, is murdered. Not that she was crazy about the guy-in fact, nobody was. The victim had his share of enemies, though Marla's old friend, the irritatingly appealing Detective Dalton Vail, is convinced the culprit was one of Ocean Guard's esteemed board members. Now he's counting on Marla to untangle the clues. The suspects couldn't be more varied-or less likely-from likable businesswoman Babs Winrow to quiet, respectable banker Darren Shapiro. Even Digby Raines, the smarmy mayoral candidate himself, and creepy funeral director Stefano Barletti are on the ever-growing list. One of them snipped Ben Kline's life short, and Marla's determined to get to the root of a case that's anything but cut and dried. And with her own brush with death serving as a blunt reminder that a killer's still on the loose, Marla realizes that if she isn't careful, the next thing to wash up on the sand might not be mere medical waste... With her sassy style and flair for local color, Nancy J. Cohen has created another sleek page-turner that will leave readers eagerly awaiting their next appointment with the pert and plucky Marla.

Hair Raiser

Hairstylist Marla Shore untangles a snarl of secrets when she’s suspected of poisoning her client’s coffee creamer in this debut cozy mystery. Hairstylist Marla Shore is already having a bad hair day when one of her clients dies in the shampoo chair at her salon. Then Detective Dalton Vail accuses her of putting poison in the woman’s coffee creamer. Grumpy Bertha Kravitz might not have been Marla’s favorite customer, but she wouldn’t have murdered the lady. With her reputation at stake, Marla decides it’s up to her to unmask the killer. Combing the woman’s privileged world for clues, Marla discovers the town is crawling with potential suspects. Bertha’s son is resentful about being written out of her will. Her shady business partner has secrets to hide, and then there’s the niece, who inherits Bertha’s fortune. But Marla might have to look closer to home for the culprit. Her janitor has vanished without a trace, and one of her stylists leads an upscale lifestyle that doesn’t match her income. As the case grows more snarled, Marla determines to unravel the clues. She’d better hurry before the smart detective discovers her scandalous secret, or he’ll pin her with a motive and lock her away in a place where a bad hair day will become permanent. “Marla the beautician is a delight!”—Tamar Myers, author of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries

Set sail for murder and mayhem when hairstylist Marla Shore and her fiancé cruise to the Caribbean with a killer on board in this cruise ship cozy mystery.Hairstylist Marla Shore is looking forward to a romantic interlude with her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, on their first Caribbean cruise. Her excitement hits a snag when she discovers his parents have come along for the ride. It isn't how she might have chosen to meet her future in-laws, but she hopes they'll have smooth sailing ahead.The first sign of trouble is a mysterious note addressed to Martha Shore on her cabin door. Marla assumes the sender spelled her name wrong but is disturbed by the message. When she meets her dinner companions and learns they've received similar notes, she suspects something isn't kosher, and it's not the lobster on the menu. Moreover, Dalton's parents have been seated at another table by mistake. Is it merely a mishap, or something more?Their tablemates all seem to know each other as colleagues from an art museum, where an artist died recently under dubious circumstances. When her dinner companions start disappearing one-by-one, Marla realizes they're headed for stormy waters. If she doesn't find the culprit fast, she might end up with a one-way ticket to Davy Jones's locker."Delightful...The Love Boat meets Sex and the City. A charming heroine and a hero to die for, pick this one up posthaste!" MaryJanice Davidson, NY Times Bestselling AuthorKiller Knots was originally published by Kensington. This Author's Edition has been revised and updated with added bonus materials.

Killer Knots

Beauty salon owner Marla Shore is stunned when her former husband is arrested for the murder of his third wife, and he wants her to find the real killer. To do so, Marla goes undercover at an exclusive compound of one of South Florida's wealthiest families. Original.

Body Wave

Salon owner and amateur sleuth Marla Shore is no friend of beauty-competitor Carolyn Sutton, but when her rival turns up dead, Marla cannot help herself from trying to straighten out the tangle of clues surrounding the murder. Reprint.

Died Blonde

In the midst of cat fights and huge hairdos during Florida's hottest beauty show, salon owner Marla Shore must clear the name of Georgia Rogers when she is accused of killing Christine Parks, the company director of Luxor Products.

Perish by Pedicure

While hairdresser Marla Shore is attending her friend Jill's wedding, the bride's sister is found dead underneath the cake table with a knife in her chest, forcing Marla to sort through a number of suspects--including Jill, who looks more and more suspicious.

Shear Murder

Les salons de beauté sont réputés pour leur luxe, leur glamour, leur calme et leur volupté et ces meurtres de sang froid ne sont pas vraiment au programme. C'est pourtant ce qui se passe au Supreme Show quand la directrice de Luxor Products, Christine Parks, est retrouvée morte, ce visage baignant dans un bain de pieds. De toute évidence, Christine Parks n'était pas très populaire. Fous ceux qui travaillaient avec elle, avaient une raison de la haïr, entre mensonges en série, propension au chantage, menaces, procès, conseils empoisonnés en matière d'investissement et bien pire encore. Marla qui décide d'enquêter sur l'assassinat de cette femme détestable est confrontée à une liste de suspects plus longue que ces extensions d'une diva de la pop. De nombreuses questions tourbillonnent dans sa tête coiffée avec soin. Qui détestait Christine au point de la tuer ?. Qui est Ce meurtrier ou la meurtrière ?. Marla mène l'enquête avec soin mais, si elle ne fait pas attention, elle pourrait trouver sur son chemin un meurtrier aux mains très habiles

Meurtre au salon de beauté

"Writing the Cozy Mystery is a valuable instructional tool that will help you develop your characters, establish the setting, plot the story, add suspense, plant clues and sustain your series"--Page 4 of cover.

How to Write a Winning Whodunit

Writing the Cozy Mystery

Marla's joyous move to a new house with her husband, Detective Dalton Vail, is marred by their next-door neighbor who erects an illegal fence between their properties. When Dalton reminds the man of the local permitting laws, tempers flare--and worse, the neighbor is found dead the following day. Dismayed when Dalton is removed from the case due to a conflict of interest, Marla decides it's up to her to find the killer. Can the intrepid hairstylist untangle the clues and pin down the culprit before he strikes again?

A Bad Hair Day Mystery

Hanging by a Hair

In this trio of cozy mysteries, hairstylist Marla Shore stays at a haunted hotel, works at a beauty trade show, and sails on a Caribbean cruise with a killer onboard. DEAD ROOTS Hairstylist Marla Shore is eager to introduce her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, to her extended family over Thanksgiving weekend at Sugar Crest Plantation Resort. Their festive turkey dinner turns into a serious bad hair day when she finds her aunt suffocated in bed. Aunt Polly isn’t the only ghost at this haunted hotel. Marla uncovers secrets and skeletons that should have stayed buried. It’ll take all her sleuthing skills to untangle the clues and root out the killer, even if it means exposing her family’s unsavory past. “Dead Roots has all the right ingredients for a great hair day, absolutely fun, winsome characters, a fast‑paced, wonderful mystery read!” Heather Graham, NY Times Bestselling Author PERISH BY PEDICURE Salon owner and amateur sleuth Marla Shore ends up fixing more than just hair at a Fort Lauderdale beauty show. When the much‑disliked director of Luxor Beauty Products is murdered, Marla finds herself investigating a quirky group of industry characters including a pompous celebrity stylist, an ambitious salesman, and a rival hairdresser. “Find your favorite beach chair and a tall glass of lemonade to enjoy another Marla Shore mystery amidst the fashionistas! The perfect read for a beach chair or under the hair dryer.” Nancy Martin, author of the Blackbird Sisters mystery series KILLER KNOTS Florida hairstylist Marla Shore hopes for a romantic interlude with her fiancé on a Caribbean cruise, but troubled waters lie ahead when their dinner companions disappear one-by-one. Then Marla learns a killer is along for the ride. Onboard art auctions, ports of call, and sumptuous buffets beckon, but she ignores temptation and musters her sleuthing skills to expose the culprit. She’d better find him fast, before her next shore excursion turns into a trip to Davy Jones’s locker. “Delightful...The Love Boat meets Sex and the City. A charming heroine and a hero to die for, pick this one up posthaste!” MaryJanice Davidson, NY Times Bestselling Author

Books 7-9

The Bad Hair Day Mysteries Box Set Volume Three

Psychic Mara Hendricks and Commander Deke Sage meet on a mission that takes them across the stars and into each other’s arms in this suspenseful science fiction romance. Psychic Mara Hendricks joins the rescue team after aliens from Yanura kidnap her best friend’s infant daughter. Not only will her special ability aid in tracking the baby’s location, but she’s also familiar with the Yanurans through her job as a cultural specialist. She runs into a snag when the arrogant mission leader accuses her of being too trusting, but she believes the Yanurans might have been set up to take the blame. Commander Deke Sage knows the aliens are hiding more than the missing child. There’s something fishy regarding their claims about an age-preserving drug made from seaweed, and he’s been ordered to investigate. Mara is too naïve to see the truth but too captivating for him to ignore. As their mission progresses, they realize there’s a bigger conspiracy than either of them suspected. They’ll both have to open their hearts and their minds to save the missing child. **** “Nancy captures you from the start, takes you on a fantastic ride, and doesn’t release you until she finishes the story. Captivating and wonderful!” Bestselling Author Janelle Taylor “If you enjoy a little science fiction, a little fantasy and a lot of romance, this book is a definite read.” The Literary Times “A futuristic romance both sensual and adventurous, Starlight Child is a captivating story of life and love in the vastness of space.” The Paperback Forum “Nancy Cohen has penned yet another brilliant and unforgettable tour de force futuristic romance.” The Talisman “The characters and the unusual settings stun the senses. The action is explosive and stimulating; the passion is torrid and sensual.” Rendezvous

Starlight Child

An escaped spy and a sultry temptress test the limits of their relationship as they flee their enemies on an outlawed planet in this fast-paced science fiction romance. Disguised as a trader, Lord Rolf Cam’brii travels to the slave planet Souk on a secret mission to establish contact with the resistance. But when his ship crashes during an ion storm, he’s captured and thrown into a forced labor camp. Here he catches the eye of the beautiful female overseer, Ilyssa. Ilyssa possesses the gift of siren song with the power to drive men mad, but no one realizes she’s a prisoner, too. Her parents are being held hostage by an overlord who uses her to control his enemies. Until Rolf’s arrival, she’s had no hope of escape. But now with his help, she could rescue her parents and leave the planet, if she can convince him to trust her. Although Rolf doubts Ilyssa’s story, he accepts her proposal. They flee the labor camp and embark on a dangerous cross-country journey to freedom. Along the way, their attraction to each other grows. However, Ilyssa’s gift comes with a price, and to succumb to passion means losing her gift of song. Dare she risk everything for love? **** “A well-conceived plot, great characters, enough future technology and aliens to satisfy the dedicated science fiction fan, and a sensual romance all come together in a terrific story that will appeal to romance and science fiction readers alike.” The Paperback Forum “An enchanting blend of futuristic romance and fantasy that lends itself to a totally immersive read.” Muddy Rose Reviews “Scintillating and heart-stopping! Ms. Cohen has proven herself a master of this genre.” Rendezvous “Nancy Cohen provides her readers with a swift-moving, thrilling futuristic romance. This tale, which could be sold as either a romance or a science fiction, will provide readers of either genre with a confectionary treat too sweet to resist.” The Talisman “Nancy Cohen has a visionary gift of writing about the future in a manner that makes it seem like it's happening today.” Affaire de Coeur

Moonlight Rhapsody

Attorney Sarina Bretton is kidnapped from Earth to become the legendary Great Healer and save the galaxy in this award-winning science fiction romance. Attorney Sarina Bretton believes in facts, not fantasies of faraway planets. Then Captain Teir Reylock of the Coalition Defense League kidnaps her from Earth and whisks her to worlds she couldn’t have imagined. While she’s stunned at first, Sarina is even more astonished when Teir says he’s taking her to marry a member of the High Council. Through this union, she is destined to become the legendary Great Healer and save the galaxy from a devastating plague. At the capital city of Bimordus Two, Sarina discovers the wonders of an advanced civilization. She also awakens to her passion for Teir, who is assigned as her personal bodyguard. He returns her regard, but he’s sworn to duty. He must protect Sarina from the Coalition’s enemies and from his own desire. If Sarina fails to fulfill the legend, the law decrees she’ll be executed. The only way they can be together is to unlock the legend’s secrets and expose the hidden truth. Winner of the HOLT Medallion Award “This action-packed novel will excite and satiate fans of science fiction and romance works alike. Nancy Cohen is a tremendous talent whose novel will remind readers of the Star Wars trilogy.” The Talisman “Circle of Light is a well-constructed futuristic romance that will appeal even to die-hard Star Trek and general science fiction readers. Great plot, believable aliens, and interesting locations all make Nancy J. Cohen an author to keep your eyes on.” The Paperback Trader “Political intrigue, greed, and the machinations of the Return to Origins faction make for a complex, inventive story.” Sun-Sentinel “Nancy J. Cohen is a writer whose amazing talent propels readers into a universe filled with strange new worlds, amazing technologies, and unusual species that would have made George Lucas sit up and take notice.” Affaire de Coeur “Nancy Cohen sparks your imagination and melts your heart with her wonderful tale of galactic adventure and star-crossed lovers.” Marilyn Campbell, award-winning author of The Innerworld Affairs series

Circle of Light

In this trio of adventures, hairstylist Marla Shore helps her ex-spouse solve a murder, searches for her missing pet-loving neighbor, and stumbles across the body of a rival hairdresser. BODY WAVE - Book 4 In a story braided with unexpected twists and curls, salon owner Marla Shore takes on a role as nurse’s aide for wealthy Miriam Pearl. While Marla snoops into the elderly matriarch’s affairs, her boyfriend, Detective Dalton Vail, is afraid that the only affair she’ll snag is with her ex-spouse, Stan. Juggling work at her salon, crime solving, and two amorously inclined males, Marla fights a race against time to save Stan before the dashing detective nails him for murder. RONE Award Winner! “Ms. Cohen's plot has more twists than a French braid, and Marla is a shear delight.” Joanne Fluke, author of the Hannah Swensen mysteries HIGHLIGHTS TO HEAVEN – Book 5 Hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Shore lands a case close to home when her animal-loving neighbor—a man aptly named Goat—disappears, leaving his pets alone and a dead body in his master bedroom. Even more disturbing is the pattern of highlights Marla notes in the victim’s hair. She recognizes the signature technique of her former mentor, master stylist Cutter Corrigan. Soon she’s untangling clues that link Goat, Cutter, and the unsavory pet fur trade to her own past. Someone at her former beauty school has a hair-raising secret worth killing to keep. “Full of twists and turns, great characters, and an interesting setting. Who could ask for more?” Denise Swanson, author of the Scumble River mystery series DIED BLONDE – Book 6 Hairstylist Marla Shore stumbles over her rival’s body in the meter room behind their competing salons. When her boyfriend, hunky Detective Dalton Vail, asks for her help in solving the murder, she jumps on the case. The stakes rise when the victim’s trusted psychic warns her that someone she loves is in danger. Her investigation takes her to a smoky bingo parlor, a spooky town run by spiritualists, and sunny Delray Beach. But what scares Marla the most is her relationship with Dalton that takes a surprising turn. “Nancy Cohen has penned another follicle‑raising frolic with a wry twist of romance.” P.J. Parrish, NY Times Bestselling Author

Books 4-6

The Bad Hair Day Mysteries Box Set Volume Two

There is a high correlation between language impairment and a range of psychological disorders in children and adolescents. This book describes and discusses this relationship, its etiology and consequences for the child, and its treatment.

Nancy J. Cohen

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