Spotlight Series: Jaine Austen

Laura Levine is a former sitcom writer (The Bob Newhart Show, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, Three's Company, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman). As an advertising copywriter, she created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. 

She and her husband live in Los Angeles.

I came across the Jaine Austen mysteries years ago, back when mystery only meant James Patterson or Agatha Christie to me. I found I loved the light, sort of fluffy tone to these books and the chick-lit feel of Jaine's dating life. This series was one of the ones that introduced me to cozy mysteries, which I've loved ever since.

Important Characters to Know
Jaine Austen - Freelance writer and occasional amateur sleuth.

Kandi - Jaine's best friend.

Lance - Jaine's next door neighbor.

Prozac - Jaine's cat.

Jaine Austen (in reading order, links lead to my reviews)

1. This Pen for Hire
2. Last Writes
3. Killer Blonde
4. Shoes to Die for
5. The PMS Murder
6. Death by Panty Hose
7. Killing Bridezilla
8. Killer Cruise
9. Death of a Trophy Wife 
10. Pampered to Death

If you like the Jaine Austen series, you should try:

The Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke

The Molly Forrester series by Sheryl J. Anderson

The Flower Shop series by Kate Collins

The Bad Hair Day series by Nancy J. Cohen

The Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier