Shoot from the Lip

by Leann Sweeney

Book Overview

The thought of working with a hot-shot producer and her TV crew is about as appealing to Abby as sticking her hand in a bucket of leeches. But "Reality Check" is a program that claims to turn American dreams into the real thing, and Abby figures that if anyone deserves that kind of bonanza, it's Emma Lopez, who has been raising her three younger siblings since her mother disappeared. Abby is determined to help Emma realize her dream of a reunion-even...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 045122017X
• ISBN13: 9780451220172
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Texas mystery series!

Fourth in the Yellow Rose mystery series, we follow Abby on another investigation involving adoption and missing people. Abby is approached by a TV show about helping to find the missing baby sister of the family the TV show is doing a story on. Abby declines the contract with the show, but agrees to assist Emma Lopez, the eldest sister in the family, in finding out what happened so many years ago. When the skeleton of a baby is discovered in the remains of the house after it was demolished, the show goes from a good-will story to a criminal investigation show, Crime Time. When someone tries to kill Emma, Abby knows she has to get on the fast track to solving the mystery before someone else winds up on prime time. Emma Lopez has been raising her two younger brothers and sister since their drunkard mother took off for parts unknown without a word. When a television network receives a letter with details of Emma's history, and news that her home has been condemned and is about to be demolished, they decide to create a good-will story and reunite the family with the missing baby sister and mother while building the family a home and providing other monetary prizes. When Emma finds out about the network's knowledge of the missing baby, she wants nothing to do with it, but is bound by contract. She relies heavily on Abby once it is clear that Abby wants nothing to do with the TV show. During the case with Emma, Abby has her own familial problems - her twin sister has broken it off with her live-in boyfriend and has moved in with Abby, and Abby's boyfriend Jeff is on a mysterious trip, and is testing Abby's patience by asking her to wait for his return. Abby is, once again, not afraid to ask for help, knowing that her career as a private investigator is just beginning and she has a lot to learn. But after a few attempts on Emma's life, Abby definitely feels in over her head, and doesn't know if asking for help will be enough to save this family - or her own. Sweeney has created a wonderful and realistic private investigator with Abby Rose. Working as an adoption investigator makes for a unique protagonist in the mystery world, and Abby is a generous and loyal friend who wants to help others in a position similar to the one she and her sister experienced. I really enjoy the Yellow Rose mystery series - and not simply because it takes place in Texas. After having lived here a year it is great to read about places that I have been to visit and territory and cultures I am currently experiencing. There is some violence, enough to be not quite a cozy, but not so much as to turn readers off.

Love this series!

I just love Abby Rose, and the supporting characters in this series. Each book is unique, and keeps your interest. And I really love that Abby is smart --she doesn't do the stupid things that some heroines do, which end up ringing untrue for an otherwise intelligent woman. Great, interesting mysteries!

What a well written mystery!

I loved the characters, the Texas setting was great, the mystery was so well done and I was kept guessing right up to the end. It was difficult to put this book down long enough to take care of real life necessities. I totally enjoyed Shoot From the Lip and am hooked on Abby Rose, the main character. This was the first book I'd read in the Yellow Rose Mystery series, but I didn't really feel lost or that I'd missed out by starting with this book. I fully intend to read the first three books in the series after enjoying this book so much.

Reality TV and Murder

Reality Check is a TV program that claims to turn American dreams into the real thing. Abby Rose is not excited about working with the producer and crew for this show, but she does want to help Emma Lopez. She's been raising her three younger siblings since their mother disappeared. The show received a letter about this family and decided they should be the next makeover candidate. Their house has been set for demolition. Since the amount the city would give them to rebuild would not be enough Emma agrees to go on the show since they have promised them a beautiful new house. While Abby believes Emma deserves the new house and a break, she's skeptical on Reality Check's motives. The show, unbeknownst to Emma, has been told about a long lost sibling of hers, something they didn't disclose. The show plans to capitalize on the search which does not thrill Emma. Abby, and her psychologist sister, Kate, begin searching for her sibling. When the house demolition begins, baby bones are found. A homicide investigation has begun. Could these be the bones of Emma's missing sibling? Can Abby figure it out without putting herself in the middle of a dangerous situation? Abby is such a fun character. The idea of an adoption PI as a protagonist is wonderful. So different from any of the other cozy series out there. Her sister Kate, the psychologist, always helps with the investigations and really balances Abby. They work so well together even though they are different, they are twins. I like the story line of this book. There are so many reality tv shows out there now. It really is timely. Although I don't watch many of them, I do like ones like this where they are helping a deserving family. Of course, the show in this book has ulterior motives. I highly recommend this book and series.

Great Series

This series is fast becoming one of my favorites. The mysteries are well-written and leave you guessing until the very end. The regular characters are enjoyable and don't get on your nerves, and the supporting cast fits in well. I look forward to the next installment.