Poppy and the Desert Flowers Detective Agency (Poppy, Violet and Violet along with Matt and Wyatt) are back in their third case and it's easily as good as the previous two. Back in the 1980's Poppy had a career as a tv actress and now, just into to her 60's, she is combining her past career with her new career. Sounds like a perfect fit when Danika, a young starlet, comes to them asking them to protect her from a stalker. It soon goes sideways when Danika is murdered and thoughts of a past killer known as the Pillow Talk Killer come to mind.
The list of suspects is long enough to keep the reader guessing and there are clues and red herrings galore. The mystery is well crafted with well developed characters and lots of humor. Best read in order but not essential. It does work fine as a standalone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lee Hollis is the author of several cozy mystery series. These include the stories that follow Maya and Sandra, starting with Murder at the PTA; and those following Hayley Powell, beginning with Death of a Kitchen Diva. The series with Poppy Harmon is this author’s newest and Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer is the third in this series. The book can certainly be read without having started with title number one.

Poppy is of a certain age (something that I liked), was an actor and now enjoys her work as a private detective. She is based in Palm Springs, CA. In this novel, Poppy is on a set for the first time in many years. She is undercover and there to keep an eye on a young starlet, Danika, who is being stalked. But, uh-oh, Danika is killed in Joshua Tree National Park.

Readers can be sure that Poppy and her cohorts will solve the case. Will they find that it is connected with an earlier crime, that of the Pillow Talk Killer? Cozy lovers may enjoy solving this one right along with them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Poppy’s 1980s television career plays a major role in the third book in this cozy mystery series, Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer.

Poppy, Iris, Violet and Matt comprise the Desert Flowers Detective Agency in Palm Springs, California. Today’s case is unusual. Poppy and Matt are asked to provide security for Danika. Danika is the main star of a Netflix remake of Palm Springs Weekend but someone is stalking her.

When Poppy is recognized by the film’s director and cast in a supporting role, Poppy is less than thrilled. But Poppy is even more concerned when Matt is cast as Danika’s leading man. What will happen to the Agency if Matt returns to acting?

There is a lot going on within this book. The solution hinges on the Pillow Talk Killer, a serial killer active in LA in 1985, when Poppy was in her most famous role. This necessitates several flashback scenes. The murders stopped abruptly in the 1980s. The latest crime seems eerily similar to the original spree. Are the murders starting up again now? Where has the killer been for the last forty years?

Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer is a clear departure from the two earlier books in the series. This time it’s personal for Poppy. It was fun to spend some time back in the never-#MeToo sexist 1980s. Overall, more interesting than a standard cozy mystery. 4 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer: A Desert Flowers Mystery
By Lee Hollis
Kensington
March 30, 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

Although Poppy Harmon is returning to a film set for the first time in thirty years, it’s not to resume her role as a television actress. Once a lead on the hit 1980s private detective television show Jack Holt, Poppy and her two best friends transitioned in second careers to form their Desert Flowers Detective Agency. To sway those not trusting women of a certain age to run their own investigative business, Poppy, Iris Becker, and Violet Hogan installed actor Matt Flowers as the face of the agency. It’s why Matt is thrilled to be at the Sundial Luxury Resort, the shoot location for the Netflix remake of the 1960s frothy movie Palm Springs Weekend, now starring the rising starlet and influencer Danika Delgado. Danika wants to hire the agency to protect her against a stalker, although after seeing Matt she seems more determined to have him has her own personal bodyguard. When the director turns out to be a dazzled fan of Poppy’s, he convinces her to take on a small role that would also give her an excuse to be on set.

Although Danika initially found the random gifts of chocolate and flowers to be inoffensive and charming, they’ve recently taken a dark turn to become more threatening. After the impetuous actress attempts to fire the Agency after Matt is nearly killed and they name her co-star and boyfriend as a threat, Poppy the horrific experience of discovering Danika’s body smothered with a pillow in her trailer. Even worse for Poppy, it brings back memories of yet another series of murders thirty years ago. Three actresses had all similarly been killed in their beds, and Poppy’s interaction with one of the victims revealed just how close she came to becoming one herself. Now motivated to bring justice for all of the women, Poppy assigns the Dessert Flowers a mission to track down what could be the same killer. A Ronan Farrow-type reporter is following his own leads to the movie’s producer Hal Greenwood, an unappealing behemoth of power who gives off strong Harvey Weinstein vibes. Having had her own experiences dodging directors and seeing the exploitation of vulnerable young women, Poppy feels protective of the on-set actors and those unwilling to offend those in control. Fortunately Poppy’s besties Iris and Violet are always nearby for moral support, as is a handsome senior stunt pilot who may give Poppy’s friend Sam Emerson a run for his money.

This third in the series continues to ensure that it will be one of my favorite reads of the year, showcasing timely topics as well as the fascinating details of the film industry. With Matt’s relationship with Poppy’s daughter hitting the skids, it’s up to Poppy and Violet to take the lead in their own, more mature, romantic pursuits. That doesn’t mean that theirs are any less fraught with miscommunication, anticipation, or vulnerability, making their romances relatable for all. The humor in these books is always a standout, with much of it a result of the banter between the three Desert Flower friends. Poppy continues to be a compelling character, one who appreciates her past career as a well-known actress but has learned to move on and excel in her new one as an investigator. Sensitive topics are handled delicately and balanced out with lighter moments within the Agency, although what is ultimately at stakes is never forgotten. A health scare accelerates Poppy’s path towards a committed relationship, one which only needed a nudge to move forward. The entertainment business has never been so deadly, nor so much fun, as in this delightful romp of a mystery.

Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer by Lee Hollis is the 3rd book in A Desert Flowers Mystery series, and another fun addition. I have always liked Ms. Hollis's Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series, and I'm enjoying this one too. Poppy is a 62 year old widow who learns her husband left her broke, with the help of her two friends Iris and Violet they start the Desert Flowers Detective Agency. Poppy asks Matt Flowers, an actor, to be the front man of the agency. Poppy is also a former actress. In this adventure Poppy and Matt agree to protect a young actress on a movie set, and Poppy gets offered an acting job. I really loved this book, it was laugh out loud funny, and I like that the book features strong middle age women. I am looking forward to the next Poppy and friends adventure. I highly recommend this book/series, if you like fun cozy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love these books. They are so much fun to read and show the world that your life doesn't stop just because people see you as old.

This particular case for the Desert Flowers Detective Agency begins with a young starlet hiring Poppy and her gang to find a stalker in the Palm Springs area while the starlet is shooting a movie. It turns into hunting for a long ago serial killer and their new copycat. Can Poppy find the bad guy before the Pillow Talk Killer 2.0 strikes again?

Poppy and her friends are the best parts of this book. And Violet's grandson Wyatt. They are an enjoyable cast of characters and Iris' shenanigans always make for enjoyable reading. The book is full of red herrings but I was able to figure out whodunit without too much difficulty. However, that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.

I enjoy all of Lee Hollis' series and this one is no exception. I look forward to the next Poppy Harmon mystery.

Poppy and her "mature" friends have busy lives as amateur PIs but now, wow! Danika, a social influencer and actor, is worried about a stalker so Poppy is hired to keep an eye on things- and then she is hired for a role in the movie Danika is filming. Once an actor, always an actor! Regrettably, though, Danika is murdered, in much the same way as the victims of the Pillow Talk killer years ago. Not only that, someone is causing problems for Poppy's friend Matt. Of course, Poppy and her friends Iris and Violet (and Matt) take on the challenge of finding the villain. It's a classic cozy with fun characters - there's great interplay that is funny but doesn't go over the top. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This series is so refreshing. I love the older MC and her friends, rather than the typical 20 to 30 something. Poppy knows who she is and she's not ashamed of it. The investigations are smarter, with better techniques, primarily because she's a PI, but mainly because they work smarter, not harder. I enjoyed the film setting and the look back into her past. I highly recommend this series!

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#PoppyHarmonandthePillowTalkKiller #NetGalley

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Desert Flowers mystery series by Lee Hollis.

Here we are in book three and it is just as exciting and fun as the last book. I enjoy all the 80’s references to tv shows and actors of that time. I keep seeing Poppy as a cross between Della Street and one of Charlie’s Angels.

This episode we are introduced to an influencer who is staring in a movie and the director becomes so fascinated with Poppy that he casts her in a role. Later, Matt finds himself as the leading man.

This book is light-hearted and fun. I look forward to each new book that comes out. The mystery is hard to figure out and keeps you guessing. And the characters all jump off the pages like you are reading about real people in the entertainment pages.

I highly recommend this series so much.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I was so happy to see a third book in the Poppy Harmon series. This is the best one yet, as it puts Poppy back "on stage" with a role in a movie, and gives Matt his chance to try his acting skills for real. In addition to the peek at what it is like backstage, there is plenty of romance and intrigue. This is the perfect cozy mystery with a cast of multigenerational characters.

Entertaining Hollywood tale. The story takes place in the Palm Springs, California, area, but it revolves around a movie being made. Timely topic. It was easy to picture the man recently convicted of taking advantage of his position to molest young women. Some fun action. Since I am familiar with the greater Los Angeles area, including Joshua Tree, the tale was even more appealing. Also enjoy the references to old movies and television shows and stars.

I was never able to connect to the characters. The mystery seemed interesting however.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest reivew.

Very smooth and cozy mystery with some action. The characters are believable, and the writing is very good.

I enjoyed this fast paced cozy mystery.
Poppy Harmon was an actress many years ago, and is currently running a private investigator agency with her friends Iris, Violet and Matt. They are called to the scene of a movie being filmed for Netflix by the lead actress, Danika Delgado. Danika is concerned about a stalker and wants Matt and Poppy on the set with her. Poppy inadvertently gets cast into the movie, which ends up helping her cover as an investigator.
A murder occurs, which is similar to murders that occurred in the 1960's, which the original movie being filmed was set in.
Love these characters and their banter, and was pleasantly surprised by the identity of the murderer.
Enjoy the series and looking forward to the next one.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Poppy Harmon was an actress in the 1960’s. Today, she’s a private investigator with her friends Iris, Violet, and Matt. Hired by a young actress, Danika Delgado, to find her stalker; Poppy is also cast in the movie which is great cover for her detective gig.

Tension, jealousy, and turmoil between the movie actors, crew, and management set the stage for the murder which is reminiscent of an 80’s serial killer dubbed The Pillow Talk Killer, who smothered his victims to death.

Poppy, Iris, and Violet sometimes remind me of three female stooges with the fixes they get into! There are so many suspects provided it’s mystifying at times as to whether the murderer is one person, or three. I enjoyed that the plot was action-packed. The main characters are likeable and smart. I was surprised at the killer identity—the author managed to keep them low on the radar to me. Great story!

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

This is the third in this series. I enjoy the characters as they are three retired women who open a detective agency in Palm Springs, CA. The other main characters are retired film stars from the same era as Poppy. This story has Poppy on a movie set filming a NETFLIX remake of the “Palm Springs Weekend” movie from the 1960s. A murder occurs that is eerily similar to three murders that occurred in the 1960s. The movie director is a thinly veiled copy of Harvey Weinstein. This had a nice ending that makes me look forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

I've loved the adventures of Poppy Harmon and the Desert Flowers Detective Agency since book one. The books stand alone, but if you haven't read the first in the series, I strongly recommend you check out Poppy Harmon Investigates. It's fast-paced, witty and has a terrific twist ending. Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer is full of delightful twists and turns. It's the perfect hat trick of mystery, humor and great characters. I just love the unique characters, realistic dialogue and plot twists in this series.

I enjoyed this book. It's a bit slow, especially in the beginning but it's worth it. It sucked me in and I was fully in the story by the end. It's got some interesting twists to it I liked the characters, you really feel like you get to know them. #PoppyHarmonandthePillowTalkKiller #NetGalley

This is the third book in the series, and my favourite so far.
The protagonist is absolutely delightful and with humor and some wonderful friends continues her new life as a private investigator.
The whodunit was well written and had twists that kept me enthralled until the very end.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I was so excited for another chapter in the life of Poppy Harmon. This series is a total treat. Poppy and her senior buddies come together and solve another murder. The story is full of twists and turns and funny interactions. This series has lovable female characters who start a detective agency, an adorable younger man who charms his way into everyone's heart in order to bring in new business for the group of sleuths and the brilliant young grandson of one of the ladies, who saves the day with his genius computer skills, all come together for a wonderful read. Every book in this series is well worth reading.