How to Host a Killer Party: A Party-Planning Mystery
Product Description
Don’t let murder crash your party.
Presley Parker was just happy to get her party planning business off the ground. Now she’s gotten the gig of the year, planning Mayor Davin Green’s sumptuous “surprise” wedding for his socialite fiancée, to be held on Alcatraz.
But when the bride is found floating in the bay and the original party planner is found murdered, Presley becomes the prime suspect. If the attractive crime scene cleaner, Brad Mat… More >>
How to Host a Killer Party: A Party-Planning Mystery
A fun, intriguing, and satisfying cozy mystery. “How To Host A Killer Party” has all the elements: offbeat characters, humor, party tips and plenty of suspense. After thirty years living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alcatraz Island and Treasure Island still fascinate me. After reading Penny’s book, I’m heading back to both places for another visit. Maybe I’ll run into Presley Parker and her love interest, Crime Scene Cleaner Brad Matthews.
Now settle back and enjoy. The second in the series is on its way.
Rating: 5 / 5
At San Francisco State University, all part-time instructors were riffed due to budget cuts. Presley Parker was one of the first downsized by the school, but she rebounded quickly by opening up Killer Parties, an event planning firm. She mostly sponsors children’s galas, but her big break comes when Mayor Davin Green chooses her to host his surprise wedding for his fiancée on Alcatraz.
Before the nuptials, police detective Luke Melvin calls Presley asking her to come to the station so he can question her regarding the murder of the mayor’s previous event planner Andi Sax. She offers no information of use to the cop. Presley gets back to work on the wedding plan but is concerned since Melvin tells her that Andi left a message on her Blackberry that she had an appointment with Parker; a meeting she denies ever arranging or agreeing to have. When the mayor’s fiancé turns up dead of poisoning just like Andi, she becomes Detective Melvin’s number one suspect. Fearing jail time, Presley who reluctantly accepts the help of crime scene cleaner Brad Matthews begin to investigate even as someone breaks into her home and sets her office on fire.
The second Party Planner mystery with tips (see Dead Body Language) is a delightful whodunit due to a strong lead and the eccentric cast who bring a flavor of San Francisco to life (and death) and a horde of suspects (in her mind that is) with viable motives. The heroine is a curious mix of vulnerability and daring do, which endears her to readers and Brad, but drives Melvin to want to lock her away in Alcatraz. Although a lawyer might be a better choice than Brad, fans will enjoy this fun amateur sleuth mystery starring a charming party planner who fears her business will go bankrupt if she wears stripes.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 4 / 5
“A wonderful, fast, and funny mystery that takes place mostly on the streets of San Francisco. Presley Parker is an extremely likeable heroine…the book is full of San Francisco characters…really good tidbits about SF society. I really liked this book from beginning to end. The characters are funny and also believable. You can be sad one minute and falling off your chair the next. I highly recommend this book to all mystery readers whether you like cozy or not. It’s no wonder Ms. Warner is a bestselling author.” ~ Mary Lignor, Once Upon A Romance
Rating: 5 / 5
If you’re looking for a fun mystery, something on the light side with humor and fast-paced action and a cast of appealing characters, you’re gonna love “How to Host a Killer Party,” the first of Warner’s Party Planning mystery … at least, I sure did! Presley Parker (no relation) reminds me of a West-Coast (slightly more serious) version of Stephanie Plum. I liked Presley immediately and am looking forward to reading more about her — and her offbeat friends and family — in the next in the series. The San Francisco/Alcatraz Island/Treasure Island locations are great fun too. Treasure Island is particularly intriguing. As a Bay Area native, I drive past it all the time. AFter reading Warner’s mystery, I’ve decided I’ll have to do a little exploring on one of my Bay Bridge runs.
I recommend “How to Host” for when you’re looking for a good read to pick you up when the “real world” and all the noir out there starts to get you down…. A cuppa hot tea (or maybe one of Presley’s venti lattes), a comfy chair, and “How to Host a Killer Party” are an unbeatable combination.
Rating: 5 / 5
Presley Parker is delighted when the San Francisco Mayor asks her to plan his upcoming wedding on Alcatraz Island. The exciting venue and A-list guests guarantee a boost for her new event planning business. That is, until the people involved with the event, start getting murdered.
The lively plot twists and turns through the streets of San Francisco, with just the right mix of historical tidbits, sidesplitting laughs, and thrilling surprises.
As an added bonus, there are plenty of tips on how to turn your next party into THE entertainment event of the decade on a very limited budget.
I enjoyed every bit of it… I’m sure you will too!
Rating: 5 / 5