Curl Up And Die: A Cozy Murder Mystery

By S. Y. Robins

Things seem sweet for Carly; she's head stylist at her own beauty salon, she has great friends, a great career - and a great new hair color. Only problem is, no one else seems to appreciate her bright purple hair style quite as much as she does. That's the problem with small towns. Individuals stick out. At least Carly has her shop, Curl Up & Dye, and her best friend, Hans. Until, that is; disaster strikes. One of Carly's customers is dead. A carnival is in town, and one of the workers, a girl named Ruby, came into Curl Up & Dye for a new bright pink hair color. And ended up curled up and dead. Did Carly's hair dye cause an allergic reaction that killed the girl? Was Hans' carelessness to blame? Or do the answers lie at the carnival? Carly, determined to clear her and her best friend's name, sets off to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223285243

Book preview

1

Whoa, what have you done to your hair, girl? My co-worker, Hans, put one hand on his hip and eyed me up and down with skepticism.

I patted my new, lavender hair. What? I asked, eying myself in the mirror of my salon, Curl Up & Dye. I think it looks pretty good.

Hans raised an eyebrow and turned his attention back to rinsing off a pair of scissors. In this town? Girl, you are gonna stick out walking around with your hair looking like a cotton candy machine.

I'll actually fit right it; with the carnival in town this weekend. I stuck my tongue out at him. Besides, I felt like a change from boring blonde. Changing my hair color was certainly nothing new to me. The past year alone I'd already cycled through several shades of blonde, silver and golden brown. Purple was a new one though. Maybe Hans was right; in a small town I was gonna look like a bit of a freak show.

Hans sighed and looked out the window. This has got to be the slowest day we've ever had. Even for a Monday this is a new low. I sure hope your little friends down at the carnival are gonna bring in some business! Otherwise, we're gonna be looking for new jobs. He sat down and picked up a magazine. It was a Celebrity Hair Disasters edition. Geez Carly, some of these celebs have even worse hair than you.

I threw a hand towel at him. Oi! Remember who's in charge around here.

Don't worry, I remember, he murmured. Though I wouldn't put you in charge of my hair right now. He looked up. I hope you're not planning on treating any of our customers to one of your new hairstyles.

I picked up a set of hot rollers and sighed. What customers?

Good point.

Still, if any did actually turn up, I'd be more than happy to treat them to one of my new pastel shades. Secretly, I'd been hoping that my hair would work as something of an advertisement for the new range. That people would be so impressed by how fantastic my own locks looked, they'd be desperate for me to pour some dye on their own head. Hans had kind of knocked the wind out of my sails though. Maybe he was only teasing.

There was a jingle at the front door, and we both looked up.

A timid looking girl with pale blonde hair came walking in, looking around with trepidation. Are you guys open?

Oh, yes, I said, straightening myself up. Just a little slow today. Definitely open, I was quick to repeat, hoping that I might be able to force one of my new line of hair colors onto her.

Hans tossed his magazine on a coffee table and commented, Bit slow today sweetie, that's all. Hopefully some of those freaks from the carnival will come in soon though.

I'm from the carnival, she replied flatly.

Oh.

Hans! I hissed, glaring at him.

I turned back to the girl. So sorry about him. He has no manners. I pointed to my hair. "He's already told me that I look like a freak, so consider yourself in good