Dead Ex

By: Harley Jane Kozak

Narrated by: Deanna Hurst

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

When David Zetrakis, the producer of a popular soap opera, is found shot to death, Wollie Shelley finds herself caught up in the murder. Zetrakis was one of the many Mr. Wrongs in Wollie's career as a serial dater, and her friend Joey has emerged as the media's prime suspect. A hot-tempered celebrity who had dated Zetrakis and was fired from his show some years ago, Joey has inherited a million-dollar Klimt painting from him. But Joey is not the only potential suspect.

Zetrakis left lots of nice bequests to the cast and crew of the show. And as the dating correspondent on a talk show called SoapDirt, Wollie, who's required to dine and dish with the stars, quickly discovers that the behind-the-scenes intrigues of television soaps are as highly charged as the on-screen shenanigans.

Make another date with amateur sleuth Wollie Shelley in Dating Is Murder.

©2007 Harley Jane Kozak (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"A Greek mythology twist and crackling insider insight into the fascinating soap opera world enhance this clever whodunit." (Publishers Weekly)

Funny and makes you want to keep listening!

I have an hour commute to work each way and this book made the drive so fun. Very light, funny, and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next.

Surprisingly enjoyable

I like Wollie. I really do. I like her friends and the way she keeps getting into zany adventures. While the first book started off quickly, this one starts much slower. The pace in the first half was a little slow and by the time the plot begins to move faster in the second half I had lost interest in it. Fortunately, the characters are strong, and that helps keep the entire book interesting. Kozak's writing is energetic, intelligent, witty, and entertaining. For that reason I will listen to the next book. I do wish Doc and Ruby would return.

Boring

I found this book boring, hard to follow and the ending totally unbelievable. Sorry I wasted a credit on this one.

Compelling

This is a interesting listen. I enjoyed the characters and plot, with lots of twists, although I'm not sure I'd compare it to Evanovich, which I have seen several times.

The writing kept me engaged, and the narrator was fine.

I'd also like to point out that this is the third book in the series, with the first book: Dating Dead Men not yet available at Audible. I was slightly confused and listened to this last book first.

Off to listen to Dating is Murder now...

a fun read

Would you consider the audio edition of Dead Ex to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. I did enjoy the audio version and I thought the narrator did a good job with the characters, especially the main character, Wollie.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead Ex?

There were several memorable moments, but without any spoilers, I will say that I enjoyed many of the zany characters and the way Wollie interacted with them.

Which scene was your favorite?

The car ride with her uncle Theo, her brother and Apollo.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some tense moments, but most of the book made me smile.

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was fun and enjoyable. I agree with the comparisons to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, although I think Wollie seems more down to earth and relatable than the Stephanie Plum.

Wolly strikes again

Wolly and her friends are back and better than ever. After reading Dead Ex I wanted to go back and re-read the previous two books.
If you have not read Dating Dead Men, do so.
Wolly, her brother and Uncle are a good time.

vapid

Maybe I'm not understanding the trend in mystery towards romance, but I just don't see what the protagonists relationship with her FBI boyfriend had to do with the story line at all except as a way of interjecting sex into every chapter. One would think that such a person in the story would be able to figure out a way to either help his new girlfriend out of her predicaments, or remain mysterious and shadowy while really pulling the strings behind the scenes. But no, hes just window dressing for intimacy, commitment issues and middle aged thigh clenching (yuch) that get in the way of what could actually be a great story line and well loved characters.

I think this author will soon outgrow her genre and actually write something thought provoking. I could tell it was there under a surface of Dolce and Gabana, Hollywood-isms and vapid man-rating.

Fun and exciting!

What made the experience of listening to Dead Ex the most enjoyable?

Deanna Hurst's portrayal of all the different characters

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely enthralling - I listen in my car, and found myself staying there to keep on listening!

Which scene was your favorite?

BelAir Hotel scene with Wally, Apollo, etc. running around and causing mayhem

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was a bit long for that.

Not the best in the series but good

Like the other books in the series, this book is funny, witty, and light hearted. Once again, Wolly is pulled into an investigation. This time it is to save her best friend Joey. Making Joey the prime suspect in the murder forced and some of the scenes were unrealistic at best. At times in the book the plot dragged. All in all it is an entertaining story. I will probably buy the next in the series.

Chapter announcement is so annoying!!!

Love the sorry and the reader isn’t that bad…the Segway with the chapters, however, is horrendous! “Blah blah blah blah blah CHAPTER 50!” Nothing 5 snap you out of the story than someone just reading with no pause and announcing the chapter like it’s part of the story.