Living the Vida Lola: A lola cruz mystery

by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez and Melissa Bourbon

Book Overview

Dolores "Lola" Cruz loves shoes, kung fu, and her job as an underling at Camacho and Associates, a private investigation firm in Sacramento. After a year and a half on the job, her sexy and mysterious boss, Manny Camacho, finally assigns Lola her first big case--a woman's disappearance. If Lola gets it right, it could mean a big bump up the career ladder. But this is no grocery store stakeout. The woman turns up dead and the same thing could hapen...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312384025
• ISBN13: 9780312384029
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Living La Vida Lola?

More like Loving La Vida Lola! Fun, fast paced, I love this book and this character. I can't wait to read Hasta La Vista! Excellent, Ms. Ramirez! Bring it on!

Adorable book!

If you dig mysteries, you'll love this cheery, fun read by Misa Ramirez. The writing is bright and fast-paced, Lola Cruz is smart, witty and sexy. The story will lock you in until the last page!

Fantastic - a MUST read!!

Lola Cruz is assigned a missing person's file and this sassy P.I. takes finding Emily Diggs to heart. While investigating Emily's private journal, Lola finds Jack Callaghan's business card. Jack is a reporter for the Sac Bee, is Lola's high school crush, and can dance the salsa like nobody's business (Lola finds out first-hand!). Emily had contacted Jack about a story, but turned up DEAD before he could return her message. What Lola wants Lola gets, and she's determined to find out what happened to Emily -- even if she has to make a "purchase" at a tattoo parlor to do it! With a cast of characters you won't soon forget, this page-turner has got it all: Suspense, Humor, and Heart. I highly recommend this book for a great read and can't wait until Misa Ramirez comes out with another in the series!!

Lots to love

I like a mystery that's compelling but doesn't take itself too seriously, either. The main character of this book, Lola Cruz, cares about her clients, her family, and the guy she's had a crush on almost all her life. Work, love, and heat all combine to make this an entertaining, laugh-out-loud, knock-out first novel. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Ms. Ramirez has in store for Lola next. From her website, it looks like Lola's gotta face death--with a twist.

entertaining half boiled noir

In Sacramento Dolores "Lola" Falcon Cruz earns a living as a private investigator. Her current case involves a missing person, responsible forty-two years old Emily Diggs, who failed to pick up her six-year-old son Sean at his school. Everyone Lola spoke with who knew Emily insists she was a good mother who would never commit a negligent act involving her child especially with what happened to her older son. However, the inquiry turns ugly when Emily's body is found near the Riverbank Marina. Lola continues her investigation, but changes her focus to uncovering the identity of the killer. Sacramento Bee reporter Jack Callaghan informs Lola that a distraught Emily told him that her older son, Garrett died from wht the woman called a "heart infection" that she believed came from an unsanitary tattoo. Lola remains dedicated to catching the culprit using Jack's tip as a lead by looking perhaps first hand into tattoos and belly-button and other unmentionable body parts piercing. Never taking itself graveyard serious, this is an entertaining investigative half boiled noir with a touch of romance to spice up the proceedings. Ethical Lola is terrific as a literally and figuratively kick butt heroine who believes she owes her late client so continues her inquiry. You don't know Jack if you fail to understand that what Lola wants Lola gets, which is a killer, even if that mean a belly button or a nipple ring. Misa Ramirez provides a wonderful first case in what looks like the start of a delightful series. Harriet Klausner