The Bad Hair Day Mysteries Series

Hairstylist Marla Shore gets drawn into a culinary caper that involves murder, sabotage, and fowl play in this delectable cozy mystery.   When hairstylist Marla Shore volunteers for Taste of the World, a fundraiser for her cousin's favorite charity, she quickly discovers that mixing scissors and sauté pans can be a recipe for disaster. First Chef Pierre's rum-soaked Bananas Foster erupts in his face. Then more chefs drop from the roster like overcooked soufflés and the nonprofit's attorney becomes the victim of fowl play. It's clear as a consommé that someone is stirring up trouble. With a cunning killer on the loose, Marla has a lot more to worry about than which canapés her chefs should serve.   She teams up with Detective Dalton Vail to untangle the clues. He believes someone from the nonprofit's board of directors might be involved, but Marla has her own suspicions. As she digs deeper, she realizes their upcoming gala could be more perilous than a hot stove. She'd better sift through the suspects to stop the saboteur before the entire event goes up in flames.   Nominated for a Reviewer's Choice Award by RT Book Reviews   "Curl up with Nancy Cohen's stylishly witty and chillingly suspenseful tale of murder on the Florida coast—Hair Raiser is a cut above." Joanne Pence, author of the Angie Amalfi Mysteries   "Hair Raiser kept me guessing until the very end. Hats off to Nancy Cohen and her engaging sleuth, Marla the hairdresser!" Laurien Berenson, author of the Melanie Travis mystery series

Hairstylist and southern sleuth Marla Shore goes undercover in a hair-brained scheme to catch a killer in this adventurous cozy mystery.   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  

Join hairstylist sleuth Marla Shore in unraveling a murder case with wacky psychics, bingo mamas, and ghoulish family keepsakes in this clever cozy mystery.   Hair shop rivalry comes to a head when hairstylist Marla Shore finds the body of her competitor behind their South Florida shopping center. Carolyn Sutton may not have been her friend, but Marla takes on the case for the sake of justice. And she's curious as to why a hank of Carolyn's hair is missing.   Her quest becomes personal when Wilda Cleaver, Carolyn's trusted psychic, insists that Carolyn's spirit wants Marla to solve her murder. Marla had better find the culprit fast, or someone she loves might get hurt. Carolyn's resentful sister, her bingo partner, her chiropractor, a mysterious benefactor, and a local lawyer fill the expanding list of suspects. With a hurricane approaching, Marla needs to untangle the snarl of clues before the storm hits and the murderer strikes again.   "Intrepid Marla Shore is up to her elbows in hot water when a rival salon owner turns up dead and shorn. Nancy Cohen has penned another follicle‑raising frolic with a wry twist of romance."  – P.J. Parrish, NY Times Bestselling Author

Join southern sleuth Marla Shore on another hair-raising adventure in this lighthearted cozy mystery.   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

Salon owner Marla Shore discovers a whirlpool of secrets when she joins a sports club and solves a nail-biting murder in this humorous cozy mystery.   Hairstylist Marla Shore joins a fitness club to get in shape but discovers a dead body instead of an exercise routine. Jolene Myers—a client at Marla's salon—has drowned beneath the frothing waters of the whirlpool. When Homicide Detective Dalton Vail determines Jolene's death was no accident, Marla decides to give her deductive skills a workout and help solve the case.   Jolene had few friends at the fancy athletic club. As Marla gets to know everyone, she wonders who might have targeted Jolene for a lethal soak in the hot tub. The shady pharmacist? The smarmy city councilman? Or maybe the vocal animal rights activist? The fitness club staff had no fondness for Jolene, either. How far would they go to keep their secrets? When another member turns up dead, Marla intensifies her efforts to nail the killer and wrap the case. If she fails, the next buff body on its way to the morgue might be hers.   "Marla Shore is a beguiling, very clever sleuth who teases out every clue. Absolutely delightful!" Jill Churchill, author of the Jane Jeffry & Grace and Favor mystery series.   "Cohen fashions her Bad Hair Day series with plenty of humor, snappy repartee and even a healthy helping of current events." The News Press   "Observations about makeup, hair, and apparel mix with humorous, sexy overtones. A solid series addition." Library Journal   "For the reader who enjoys the twists and turns of a tale by Mary Higgins Clark, Murder by Manicure is a must read!" Reader to Reader

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

Hairdresser Marla Shore is up to her roots in a big‑time beauty show that could make or break her career in this stylish cozy mystery.   Salon owner Marla Shore is eager to start her job as assistant hairstylist to a platform artist at a high-ticket beauty show. She's hoping her connection to Luxor Products will advance her career. That is, until company director Christine Parks is found dead in her hotel room, face-down in a foot bath. Suspect number one is Marla's former college roommate, Georgia Rogers. Since Georgia recommended Marla for the glamorous job, the least Marla can do for her in return is to clear her name.   As she launches her investigation, Marla learns that everyone who worked with Chris had a reason to hate her. From love affairs to blackmail to bad investment advice, she was a walking Bad Hair Day, and the list of possible suspects is longer than a pop diva's hair extensions. Behind the thumping music and staged-platform hair artistry at South Florida's hottest beauty show, something very ugly is going down. If Marla isn't careful, she may end up on the wrong end of the killer's sharp-edged shears.   "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

Marla's family reunion at a haunted Florida resort turns up dead bodies instead of fond memories in this spooky cozy mystery.   Hairstylist Marla Shore is eager to introduce her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, to her extended family over Thanksgiving weekend at Sugar Crest Plantation Resort. But that was before she found Aunt Polly suffocated in bed. Is it a coincidence that her aunt's father once owned the property? According to rumor, he met with two mysterious Cossacks who vanished right before his premature death. Their spirits are said to haunt the place, and Marla believes it when she feels a cold presence inside the hotel's rickety elevator.   Are ghosts at fault, or could politics be playing a part? A city council meeting is being held that weekend to determine the resort's fate. Tensions deepen when another body turns up on the nature trail. Whatever is going on at Sugar Crest, someone is willing to kill to keep it hidden. It'll take all of Marla's sleuthing skills to untangle the clues and root out the killer, even if it means exposing her own 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

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 Author

Snarky neighbors, sordid secrets, and community politics play a role in this madcap murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.   Newlyweds Marla and Dalton Vail are delighted by their new home, until their next-door neighbor erects an illegal fence between their properties. Marla's hopes for making friends are dashed by a resultant argument between Dalton and the man, who is president of the HOA. The situation becomes more tangled when their neighbor is found dead the following day.   Dalton, a homicide detective, suspects foul play, but he's removed from the case due to a conflict of interest. Now it's up to Marla to clear her husband's name and make the neighborhood safe again. Secretive neighbors, tribal protesters, religious zealots, and preppers top the suspect list along with a spurned lover and a greedy nephew. Can Marla unravel the clues and pin down the culprit before he targets her as the next victim?   Suspense Magazine "Best of 2014" Cozy Mystery!   "Marla is short for marvelous. If you like your mysteries 'cozy,' you're going to enjoy every minute you spend with her!" Joanna Campbell Slan, author of the award-winning Kiki Lowenstein mystery series  

Getting married can be murder…especially when the matron of honor is found dead under the cake table in this humorous cozy mystery.   Weddings always make hairstylist Marla Shore shed a tear of joy, especially when she attends her friend Jill's reception as a member of the bridal party. Marla's own nuptials are weeks away, and she's been busy juggling bickering relatives, building a new house with her fiancé, and expanding her hair salon.   She's following her to-do list just fine until she discovers Jill's sister Torrie—the matron of honor—dead under the cake table at her friend's wedding reception. Lots of folks aren't sorry to see Torrie go, especially since the bride's sister knew their deepest secrets. But when suspicion falls upon Jill, Marla wonders if her dear friend is truly innocent. She'd better untangle the snarl of suspects and iron out the clues before the killer highlights her as the next victim.   "Shear Murder is another stellar outing in Nancy J. Cohen's Bad Hair Day mystery series. Marla is a bridesmaid in her friend Jill's wedding, but when Jill's matron of honor--and sister--ends up dead with the cake knife embedded in her chest--hold the video! It's a wedding to forget--not remember."—Lorna Barrett, NY Times Bestselling Author  

Hairstylist Marla Vail determines to learn the truth when her best friend is hurt in a suspicious car accident in this suspenseful cozy mystery.   When hairstylist Marla Vail's friends are hurt in a car accident on New Year's Eve, she assumes guardianship of their infant son. But then her detective husband, Dalton, determines the crash may not have been an accident after all. Who would want Tally and Ken out of the way? As Marla delves deeper into their lives, she realizes she didn't know them as well as she'd thought.   Her sleuthing reveals that Ken's insurance agency was involved in a fraud investigation. Did someone mean to silence him to avoid exposure? Or could something in Tally's life have put her in jeopardy? She'd recently joined a tea ladies circle. Had she discovered secrets about the women that someone would kill to keep? Then again, maybe she'd been the target of a disgruntled employee from her dress shop. As the mystery unravels and Marla narrows the suspect list, she puts her own life at risk. Can she find the culprit before she ends up as roadkill?   First Place Winner in the Chanticleer International Book Awards   "You are always thinking and on your toes while reading this book. And when you get to the end and everything is revealed... it will blow your mind!" Cozy Mystery Book Reviews   "I found myself swiping pages as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next. And not only for the mystery but to see how Marla was going to handle being an instant mother… I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well-crafted cozy mystery." Open Book Society   "The action builds with a slew of twists, turns, and near nail-biting climactic tension." Chanticleer Book Reviews

A haunted house turns into reality when hairstylist Marla Vail finds a dead body on the estate grounds in this spooky Halloween cozy mystery novella.   When history teacher Bill Ripari offers his property for a Halloween school haunted house project, hairstylist Marla Vail volunteers to help put the scare factor into the place. She joins her stepdaughter along with other students, parents, and teachers to transform the wooded estate into a creepy attraction. She's busy creating decorations when a splash of red on the estate grounds catches her eye. Upon a closer look, she realizes the dark stain isn't fake blood meant to be part of the scene. The trail leads to the history teacher's dead body.   Worried about the kids, Marla puts on her sleuthing hat to investigate. She discovers that every one of the volunteers present that night had a possible motive. Between slacker students, helicopter parents, unexpected heirs, and a stonewalling school administration, Marla has her hands full in solving the murder and keeping her stepdaughter safe. Can she sift through the suspects and unmask the killer before Halloween fright night turns into reality?   Third Place Winner in the IDA Contest Finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards   "This standalone novella will keep you flipping pages wondering who done it until the end. For those of us who don't want bad dreams for Halloween, this entry into the Bad Hair Day series is an excellent alternative." Reader by Night   "This is a good cozy mystery that can be enjoyed by young adults on up. It was a pleasure to read this story." Readers' Favorite

Marla's honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch turns deadly when murder threatens to unhorse her new happiness in this thrilling cozy mystery.   Hoping for a romantic honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch, hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton arrive to find a series of mishaps plaguing the resort. A nearby ghost town is suffering similar problems. Is it mere coincidence that Dalton's Uncle Raymond owns both properties? When Raymond asks for their help in finding the culprit, Marla and Dalton eagerly accept, but the case quickly escalates into murder.   With sleuthing more natural to Marla than riding a horse, she delves into the investigation and discovers long-buried family secrets. Suspects include environmental activists, saguaro poachers, water rights advocates, and relatives closer to home. Marla has to saddle up, rein in the clues, and find the killer before she's forced to join the spirits on the haunted hillside.   Third Place Winner in the Arizona Literary Awards!   "Peril by Ponytail ropes in the reader in Nancy J. Cohen's captivating new tale, which deftly braids together deadly secrets, long hidden resentments, and romance on the range." Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion Mysteries

Salon sleuth Marla Vail determines to peel back the truth when a wealthy socialite has a fatal facial at her day spa in this stylish cozy mystery.   During the frenzy of the December holidays, salon owner Marla Vail finds herself in deep trouble when a client dies at her day spa after a facial treatment gone wrong. The unfortunate victim, Valerie Weston, was a major benefactor for a historic preservation society. Marla's stylists are scheduled to work backstage at their upcoming fashion show, but Val's demise might put a crimp in their plans.   Amidst the twinkling lights and festive cheer, Marla dives headfirst into the glittering world of high society. The stakes are higher than a well-stacked tower of towels as she vows to salvage her spa's reputation. With the body count rising and murder overshadowing hot stone massages, she gives her investigation the full spa treatment. She must comb through the tangled strands of Val's life to peel back the layers of lies and uncover her secrets from the past. Soon Marla realizes someone would kill to keep those truths buried. Can she expose the culprit before her holiday season hits another deadly snag?   Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist   "Take a twisty mystery, add a cast of amiable characters, a dash of family drama, and a pinch of South Florida during the holiday season—they all add up to the recipe for a delightful cozy!" —Lucy Burdette, bestselling author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries.   "The death of a philanthropist has Florida salon owner Marla Vail tearing her hair out." Kirkus Reviews   "Marla and Dalton solve a mystery that includes pirates and shipwrecks off the Florida coast. This is a fantastic standalone for anyone who might not have met this couple before." Suspense Magazine

Mix together a cocktail for murder, add a few salty suspects, toss in a dollop of sweet humor, and you have the recipe for a delicious cozy mystery.   Savvy hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Vail enters a charity bake-off contest at a fall festival sponsored by a local farm. While she waits to see if her coconut fudge pie is a winner, Marla joins a scavenger hunt where people playing character roles are the targets. Instead of scoring points with a live person, she finds a dead body planted face-down in the strawberry field. Who would want to cut short the life of food magazine publisher and fellow bake-off contestant, Francine Dodger?   As she investigates, Marla learns there's no shortage of suspects. A celebrity TV chef, food critic, olive oil importer, food truck owner, pastry chef, and cookbook author may be stirring up more than their next recipe. Can Marla unmask the killer before someone else gets trimmed from life? Recipes Included!   Finalist in the American Fiction Awards!   "If you enjoy cozy mysteries and female sleuths, you'll enjoy Trimmed to Death. Besides, you get some recipes!" Christa Nardi, Christa Reads and Writes

Hairstylist Marla Vail flushes out a killer when murder disrupts her mother's home renovation plans in this stylish cozy mystery.   When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there's a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn't part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company's staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?   Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla's stepfather, Reed, who's keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won't come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she's showered with suspicions, but nobody's willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again.   To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder? Recipes Included!   "Best of 2021" Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine Bronze Award Winner in the 2022 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in the 2022 American Fiction Awards Finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards   "A charmingly funny whodunit!" Woman's World

Hairstylist Marla Vail and her husband get tangled up in murder when their Fourth of July visit to a living history village ends with a bang—and a body.   Salon owner Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a Seminole battle reenactment turns up a real dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal with a tomahawk.   As Dalton gets involved in the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Her flare for uncovering secrets reveals that everyone in the village is a suspect. Instead of celebrating the holiday with red, white, and barbecues, she discovers secrets, lies, and false avenues. Did the marshal's murder have anything to do with a lost Confederate payroll, or did his plans to renovate the park light a fuse that he couldn't snuff out?   In a place where history comes alive, the dead bodies are piling up. Marla would rather be chilling and grilling, but somebody's mind is on killing. If she's not careful, her sleuthing might blow up in her face like a faulty firecracker and she'll become the next victim. Recipes Included!

A cat, a crook, and a confused neighbor cause mirth in this killer cozy mystery short story. Savvy hairstylist and super sleuth Marla Vail visits her friend Tally who just got out of the hospital after a serious car accident. Marla has been caring for Tally's baby and is sad but grateful to return him to his mother. She and Tally reconcile their friendship that had become estranged before the crash. Happy to have her friend back, Marla is about to leave when a knock summons her to the door. It's a distraught elderly neighbor who claims her cat is missing. Marla, unable to turn down a person in need, accompanies the lady home. But when Marla enters the house, she realizes much more is missing than a lost feline. The place has been ransacked, and when she calls the police, they inform her that the neighborhood has been beset by a series of thefts. Can she find the crooks before they cause another cat'astrophe? Note: This story follows Hair Brained, #14 in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries. Bonus One: An interview with Marla Bonus Two: 5 new recipes! Bonus Three: A sneak preview of Trimmed to Death "A fast-paced read with charming characters. It left me with a "feel good" type of feeling. It even includes a nice interview with Marla. It's a very nice touch and gives the reader even more insight into the character. I loved this book. It has an adorable cat in it, what could be better?" 5 stars! Socrates Book Reviews "A missing cat leads Marla on a caper to find a neighborhood theft ring. A fast-paced, albeit brief, visit with dear friends from the Bad Hair Day Series." Muddy Rose Reviews

Can a stylish sleuth pull a rabbit out of her hat to solve an Easter murder in this to-dye-for cozy mystery?   When hairstylist Marla Vail attends an Easter egg hunt at historic Tremayne Manor, she's only there to fix hair for a client, Bonnie "Blinky" Morris. But when she's asked to comb the grounds for leftover goodies, Marla discovers more than just a few dyed eggs. The dead body in the bunny costume is definitely not having a good hare day. And Blinky seems to have disappeared down a rabbit hole.   While trying to solve a murder, everyone needs a friend who's all ears. For Marla, that's her husband, homicide detective Dalton Vail. They make an eggcellent team. Dalton isn't the kind to leap to conclusions, but with his wife seven months pregnant, and knowing Marla finds crime-solving to be irresistible, he worries about her running off on another hare-raising adventure.   Marla's peeps are hoping for a happy ending, but she may have found a basketful of trouble this time. Can she crack the case before Blinky becomes the next victim? Recipes Included!   Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner!   "This story will fill your reading basket with entertainment, charming characters, plot twists, tasty recipes, and a cozy murder mystery to solve." Mason Canyon, Thoughts in Progress