Dreidels and Dead Ends

A cursed family heirloom, a murder at a museum, and eight nights to solve the crime...


During Hanukkah festivities, hairstylist and amateur sleuth Marla Vail gets embroiled in another case when a legendary hairbrush vanishes from the local history museum.


“This mystery is both entertaining and heartwarming.” Jewish Book Council


“Newcomers with no prior familiarity with the haircutting detective will find the story easy to access, superior in its characterization, and invitingly fun.” Midwest Book Review


When South Florida salon owner Marla Vail agrees to speak at the local history museum’s gala opening for a new exhibit, she expects applause—not a catastrophe. But shortly after she takes the stage, a thief steals the featured diamond-studded hairbrush, leaving behind an empty display case and a badly injured security guard.


Marla’s friend, museum curator Becky Forest, begs for her help in recovering the prized heirloom before the mayor uses this scandal as an excuse to cut their funding. To make matters worse, the antique hairbrush comes with a curse, and suddenly bad luck is spreading through town faster than a botched dye job. As Hanukkah festivities begin, Marla would rather be lighting candles than chasing clues, but with Becky’s job at stake, she takes on the case.


Her trail leads to a knot of suspects including the hairbrush’s owner, his greedy cousin, shifty museum staff, and a reclusive collector of mystical antiquities. Instead of enjoying menorah lights and latkes, Marla discovers murder, lies, and larceny. She’ll need sharp wits and a holiday miracle to save the museum and to keep the truth from being brushed aside.


Reader Discussion Guide and Recipes included.


This title is the perfect gift for mystery fans, interfaith couples, and readers of holiday fiction who want something a bit different!