This 18th entry in the series follows the pattern that has proceeded before it. Jaine's relationship with food borders on eating disorder. She has various dating disasters. Prozac continues to be a diva, the emails from her parents continue to be off-the-wall and Lance continues to morph into mean-spirited (honestly, I don't remember him being like this in the early books - but as time marches on, my memory fades).

Levine continues to give reads a multitude of suspects to work with, although the character development felt very light in the pants (again, 18th book in the series....). The baddie however is fairly obvious if you take Jaine's personal history into account.

This is one of the few (OK, only) series I continue to read strictly for "brain candy" purposes. I go into each new book knowing it won't change my life or rock my world - but instead it's a way to unwind from my day and turn off my brain for a while. On that score it works. But the series itself has always had problematic elements and will continue to do so unless Jaine sees a therapist about her binge eating.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this one the plot kept me interested until the end which is not easy, and the characters were engaging and believable. I highly recommend this book.

I always enjoy reading books from the Jaine Austin series because the adventures the character gets into makes me chuckle. This book was no exception! I love how all the characters intertwine and that the characters are like catching up with old friends.

Another fun story of Jaine trying to pull her life together while solving a mystery. It’s a quick enjoyable read perfect for the beach or a weekend.

I thought this book was an enjoyable addition to the cozy mystery series. The characters are always funny and entertaining. I would recommend.

Though late to the game on reading Levine's brand of cozy mysteries, better late than never! The narrator is funny and ensures that the book is a quick read. Characters are well written and approachable. Will read again.

Was not a huge fan of this one. I finished it, but just barely. The plot was okay, but the constant self-deprecating weight talk is tiresome and dated.

I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Murder Gets A Makeover from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Murder gets a make over by Laura Levine was the first book i read by Laura Levine and it will not be the last!! i loved it!

This is one of my favorite light cozy series. Jaine is getting a makeover from stylist Bebe which seems like a dream come true until Jaine actually has to work with Bebe. When Bebe is found murdered with Jaine's prints all over the murder weapon, Jaine finds herself working to prove her innocence. Add in the crazy antics of Jaine's cat Prozac and Jaine's parents for a great escape read.

I love Janie! Her antics are always hilarious. I love the emails from her parents, her wacky neighbor Lance. Once again, Levine wrote another hilarious cozy. It was a fast and fun read. I cannot wait to see what trouble Janie gets into next.

This is a series that I have read from the first book. We got to visit with Jaine and peek into the emails from her mom and dad. The mystery was interesting and we got to know her cat Prozac a bit better.

If you've enjoyed the previous ones in the series, you'll enjoy this one.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Are you in need of some chuckles if not outright guffaws. This series with Jaine Austen and her cat Prozac is a sure fire antidote for whatever ails you. I have enjoyed each and every one of her adventures as the zaftig writer for hire tumbles into one zany situation after another. I am picky about how whacky I like my characters. Too much and I groan. Too little and they are just not funny. Jaine and Prozac hit the sweet spot.

This time her friend, Lance, has arranged for a makeover for fashion challenged Jaine with stylist Bebe. Bebe would make Cruella de Ville blush: she is vile to everyone including her husband and sister. One would think the cops would have a huge slew of potential suspects from all the people who hated her. But when Jaine discovers her body, succumbed by death by metal hanger, she becomes the prime one. Naturally she is determined to find the killer before she ends up behind bars. She does have a few things competing for her attention.

There is the ever present series of emails from her parents outlining her father’s most recent exploits. The man is certifiable. Then there is Prozac who, mistakenly, is lauded for saving the life of a toddler. Not only is Jane aware the act was not one of heroism but gluttony, Prozac is becoming more of a diva than normal. She is hilarious. And then dividing her time further are the affections of a younger, much younger, man who likes older, well padded woman.

It all works out in the end and Jaine brings the killer to justice but not before much humour interwoven with the mystery. I did, by the way, figure out the villain. It is, as always, a delightful romp that I can recommend highly. Five purrs and two paws up.

Murder Gets a Makeover is the eighteenth book in A Jaine Austen Mystery series by Laura Levine.

This is one of my favorite series as it is a perfect blend of mystery and humor, interspersed with life wisdom lessons.
Jaine is hilarious, but not silly, a woman of certain age and in certain situation that many of us can relate with. She gets herself in all kinds of misadventures while sleuthing but is never brainless and doesn't put herself in danger deliberately.
Story was well presented, clues clearly laid out for readers to follow should they wish to solve the mystery together with the heroine.
Characters both new and recurring are well thought out and depicted.
Emails from her parents are as always a high point of the book. I think it would be great if they were to investigate a case together once.
These books can be read out of order, it will not spoil anything.
Highly recommended.

This is book 18 in the Jaine Austen mystery series. All your favorites are back but you can read it as a stand alone if you somehow missed the first 17. Lance has arranged for Jaine to get a clothing/hair/etc makeover for free with famous Bebe. She's an obnoxious jerk who thinks Hollywood can't survive without her but someone doesn't care and kills her. Jaine finds the body and with the help of her cat Prozac helps the police find the killer since she's their main suspect. A quick easy read. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a pretty good cozy mystery that was light hearted and funny in places but I didn't really feel like there was anything special about it. It was an easy read, it has good characters and nice dialogue. The mystery was well done and the pacing was good. I think starting with book one and really getting to know the characters is necessary for this series.

Everyone's favorite free-lance writer/fashion victim/amateur sleuth is back and once again involved in a murder investigation. When her neighbor and friend Lance decides Jaine is in dire need of a fashion makeover, Jaine gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a dead body and becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. In an effort to clear her name, Jaine dives head first into the investigation and hilarity ensues as she blunders her way through the large pool of suspects.
Murder Gets a Makeover is the eighteenth book in the long standing comical mystery series featuring free-lance author Jaine Austen. The series is known for its light hearted take on the genre and the newest addition is no different. Bursting at the seems with hilarious antics from her cat Prozac, who has suddenly gone from feline diva to internet sensation overnight, to the over the top email from Jaine's father who is set on stalking his arch rival Lydia Pinkus and her mother's attempts to stop him. The mystery itself was full to bursting with suspects which kept this mystery reader guessing for quite some time. I highly recommend Murder Gets a Makeover for readers looking for a comical slightly zany cozy mystery.

Although Murder Gets a Makeover by Laura Levine is the 18th book in this series it was the first one I've read. I didn't even realize it was that far along in the series and I didn't find myself feeling lost with the characters and the back story. The mystery follows freelance writer Jaine Austen who lives in L.A. with her precocious cat Prozac as she partakes in a free makeover from a celebrity stylist. The stylist Bebe is not exactly likeable or easy to work with and when she ends up dead Jaine must help track down the killer before she's the one arrested. Crazy antics ensue and I did find this cozy a lot more zany and fun then most, especially Prozac!
I did see the killer's identity coming, but I still found the book a fast and fun read.

This is one of my go-to authors for a great, light-hearted read! With her signature mix of comedy and murder mystery mayhem, one can't go wrong with Laura Levine and her Jaine Austen series.

To see my full review please go to FreshFiction.com.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

Murder Gets a Makeover by Laura Levine is the 18th book in Jaine Austen Mystery Series, and is another wonderful book. Jaine Austen is a writer and part-time semiprofessional private investigator who always seems to be around when a murder occurs. Jaine is talked into a makeover by Uber-stylist Bebe. When Bebe is found dead, and Jaine is the prime suspect, the sluething begins. Not only is this book really funny, it has a great mystery. There are twists and turns around every corner. I laughed out loud several times. The emails from her parents were also amusing. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love humorous cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Murder Gets A Makeover promises to be a funny murder mystery that fans of Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs and Miranda James would love.

This is the eighteenth book in the series which without reading the previous installs may have helped this book fall flat for me.

I found the majority of characters unlikeable including the cat! 🤷‍♀️ the only redeeming characters are Jaine’s parents. The author should have ditched the makeover murder and focus on the ongoings with her parents.

Where’s the funny sleuthing, the hilarious escapades of a wanna be detective? Where’s the awkward interaction between wanna be detective and the detective?

With so much going on, unlikeable characters and to be honest it not going anywhere fast I ended up DNF at the 50% make.