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Susan Cox
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The Man on the Washing Machine: A Mystery (Theo Bogart Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Susan Cox (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 119 ratings

When former party girl and society photographer Theophania Bogart flees to San Francisco to escape a high-profile family tragedy, a series of murders drags her unwillingly out of hiding. In no time at all she discovers she's been providing cover for a sophisticated smuggling operation, she starts to fall for an untrustworthy stranger, and she's knocked out, tied up and imprisoned. The police are sure she's lying. The smugglers are sure she knows too much. Her friends? They aren't sure what to believe.

The body count is rising and Theo struggles to find the killer before she's the next victim or her new life is exposed as an elaborate fraud. But the more deeply entangled she becomes, the more her investigation is complicated by her best friend, who is one of her prime suspects; her young protégé, who may or may not have a juvie record; her stern and unyielding grandfather, who exposes an unexpected soft center; and the man on her washing machine, who isn't quite what he appears, either.

Susan Cox's Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning novel is a charming debut with wacky, colorful characters and a delightfully twisted mystery.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Theo Bogart Mysteries
  2. Print length
    303 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Minotaur Books
  5. Publication date
    December 15, 2015
  6. File size
    3.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“When Theo Bogart's privileged London life turns into a national horror story, she flees to San Francisco, hoping for peace and anonymity, only to realize that one of her friendly neighbors is a murderer. Debut novelist Sue Cox writes with deft assurance. She has created an appealing cast of characters and an absorbing plot that kept me turning the pages well past midnight.” ―Margaret Maron

“A quirky, aromatic concoction of mystery, suspense, and humor. Theophania Bogart is a welcome addition to the cozy genre: A Brit with a mysterious past, intent on reinventing herself in San Francisco. Her adopted neighborhood includes a host of eccentric shopkeepers and engaging characters, including a teenage hoodlum with a big heart and a tubby dog named Lucy. Add a dash of romance, a dollop of humor, a gift for English understatement, and The Man on the Washing Machine makes for a heavenly-scented, fabulous read!” ―Juliet Blackwell

“A fast-paced page turner. Sue Cox's debut novel will delight mystery aficionados.” ―Carolyn Hart

“I adored this book. Get your hands on it as fast as you can, and open the door to Susan Cox's inimitable heroine, Theo Bogart. With an Englishwoman's wit, and a San Franciscan's grit, Theo plunges through more murderous turns and twists than San Francisco's famed Lombard Street.” ―Louise Ure

“What a terrific debut! No wonder this is a winner. It has just what I enjoy most in a mystery - pace, punch and nonstop fun.” ―Peter Lovesey

“Intriguing characters. Snappy writing. A San Francisco setting to die for. Reading The Man on the Washing Machine is like having a spa day with the wittiest woman in town.” ―Susan Dunlap

“The Man on the Washing Machine is perfect for anyone who loves a mystery with a twist of wry, an engaging, witty sleuth with a dark secret, an unusual setting and yes indeed, a man on the washing machine! I hope this exceptional debut is the first of many clever, murderous outings for the terrific Theo Bogart.” ―Gillian Roberts

About the Author

SUSAN COX is a former journalist. She has also been marketing and public relations director for a safari park, a fundraiser for non-profit organizations, and the president of the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Attractions Association. She considers herself transcontinental and transatlantic, equally at home in San Francisco and Florida and with a large and boisterous extended family in England. She frequently wears a Starfleet communicator pin, just in case. Her first novel, The Man on the Washing Machine, won the 2014 Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00Y7WCEQ0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (December 15, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 15, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250065801
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 119 ratings

About the author

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Susan Cox

Susan Cox

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I'm a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the British Crime Writers Association. My first published mystery novel, "The Man on the Washing Machine," was the winning entry in the First Crime Novel competition jointly sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America and Minotaur Books. The second Theo Bogart mystery is "The Man in the Microwave Oven."

At home in San Francisco and Florida, I'm both trans-Atlantic and trans-continental, with a large and boisterous extended family in England, where I also have a home.

I've been a journalist; marketing and public relations director for a safari park, and fundraiser for schools and non-profit organizations.

I'm a Star Trek geek. I have a Starfleet Academy decal on my car and wore a communicator pin on my graduation gown.

Perhaps inevitably, I have a small and prized collection of first editions, signed editions and otherwise interesting mysteries. Less inevitably, I also collect royal commemorative mugs, which are produced for the births, Christenings, marriages and coronations of the English Royals. I love them beyond reason, but they have no redeeming value whatsoever.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
119 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book enjoyable and highly recommend it for mystery lovers, appreciating how it keeps readers guessing throughout. The characters are interesting, and customers like the San Francisco setting. They describe the book as colorful and adorable.

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19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book extremely enjoyable, with one describing it as a surprisingly good page turner.

"...Highly Recommend for mystery lovers who appreciate stellar writing!" Read more

"...I also enjoyed the hint of romance in the story. Theo has an intriguing backstory and I can't wait to hear more about her and her neighbors in the..." Read more

"Liked the concept, but thought there were too many characters introduced at the beginning of the book to keep everyone straight...." Read more

"...a murder mystery where the body count keeps rising be terrifying and thrilling and even contain moments of side splitting humor?..." Read more

15 customers mention "Enjoyment"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this mystery book, finding it entertaining and full of surprises that keep them guessing throughout.

"Susan Cox has created a unique mystery that at first seems like a cozy mystery filled with all sorts of well drawn quirky characters but then knocks..." Read more

"...who live around Fabian Gardens in San Francisco are colorful and fun! I also enjoyed the hint of romance in the story...." Read more

"...If you like quirky characters, a hint of romance, and a fun mystery, this is the book for you." Read more

"This is an extremely enjoyable and well-written story full of suspense. The characters are realistic, developed, and adorable...." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters interesting, with one noting that Theo is witty.

"...at first seems like a cozy mystery filled with all sorts of well drawn quirky characters but then knocks you in the head with a more traditional..." Read more

"...a protagonist with a delightfully quirky sense of humor, a cast of unusual characters and a host of red herrings, Ms Cox keeps readers guessing..." Read more

"...The characters are fun to meet and three-dimensional. Theo is witty and at least knows when she's doing something stupid even if she goes ahead and..." Read more

"...The characters are realistic, developed, and adorable...." Read more

4 customers mention "San francisco setting"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the San Francisco setting of the book.

"...The writer has truly captured the feeling of San Francisco and it made me nostalgic for the time I lived there. Highly recommend...." Read more

"...The Man on the Washing Machine is a lively, entertaining read, set in San Francisco which is always interesting...." Read more

"What a fun read, could not put the book down. Love the San Francisco setting and the twists & turns in the charming plot...." Read more

"The characters were interesting and I really liked the San Francisco setting. I look forward to her next book." Read more

3 customers mention "Color palette"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's color palette, describing it as colorful and adorable.

"...of characters who live around Fabian Gardens in San Francisco are colorful and fun! I also enjoyed the hint of romance in the story...." Read more

"...The characters are realistic, developed, and adorable...." Read more

"Theo Bogart is a charming, interesting protagonist. I would like to be her friend...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • MB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully crafted mystery. A joy to read!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Susan Cox has created a unique mystery that at first seems like a cozy mystery filled with all sorts of well drawn quirky characters but then knocks you in the head with a more traditional mystery storyline — a happy surprise. The beautiful descriptive writing is a pleasure to read. The author shows the reader what she sees as she brings the environment of Fabian Gardens to life and the setting almost becomes another character. Highly Recommend for mystery lovers who appreciate stellar writing!
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  • lowkey.bookish
    4.0 out of 5 stars This was an excellent start to a witty and fun mystery series!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book as preparation for the next book in the series. This was an excellent start to a witty and fun mystery series.

    The cast of characters who live around Fabian Gardens in San Francisco are colorful and fun! I also enjoyed the hint of romance in the story. Theo has an intriguing backstory and I can't wait to hear more about her and her neighbors in the next installment in the mystery series.
    Helpful
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  • Judy Schmitz
    3.0 out of 5 stars Liked the concept
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Liked the concept, but thought there were too many characters introduced at the beginning of the book to keep everyone straight.
    Thought it was a good first attempt and look forward to reading her second book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • NHM
    5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting read that will keep you guessing
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    How can a murder mystery where the body count keeps rising be terrifying and thrilling and even contain moments of side splitting humor? Somehow Sue Cox manages to achieve this intoxicating cocktail in The Man on the Washing Machine. And yes, protagonist Theo Bogart (no relation) does indeed surprise a man standing on her washing machine.

    Creating a protagonist with a delightfully quirky sense of humor, a cast of unusual characters and a host of red herrings, Ms Cox keeps readers guessing until the final pages, as Theo gets into a whole host of trouble, most of it all on the same night.
    Yes, it kept me up all night, so be warned, you won’t see it coming. I can’t wait to read the sequel and spend some more time with the funny whimsical and complicated Theo and her unusual San Francisco friends.
    Helpful
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  • Kathy's Books
    2.0 out of 5 stars One of Those
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    One of those mysteries where you really end up not caring who did it and the next day you can't remember or care.
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  • Diane L
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky characters in a fun San Francisco mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Theo Bogart lands in San Francisco to escape the tabloid coverage of murder in her upper class family back in Britain. She finds a substitute family of eccentric characters in a SF neighborhood. She opens a boutique soap store with a partner and has begun to make her place when disaster hits the neighborhood. Theo is suspected by the police and tries to clear her own name and help her friends. She just keeps getting deeper into the mystery.

    I recommend this book. The characters are fun to meet and three-dimensional. Theo is witty and at least knows when she's doing something stupid even if she goes ahead and does it anyway. I love the San Francisco setting and the neighborhood.

    It's a first mystery for Cox and she has committed what feels like a beginner's mistake of having too many overlapping secrets (I can't explain more without spoilers). But I look forward to her next book when some of these wonderful characters can just be Theo's friends and not so involved in the crime.

    If you like quirky characters, a hint of romance, and a fun mystery, this is the book for you.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Jody D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Fast, and Full of Surprises!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is an extremely enjoyable and well-written story full of suspense. The characters are realistic, developed, and adorable. The writer has truly captured the feeling of San Francisco and it made me nostalgic for the time I lived there. Highly recommend. Can't wait for more stories to come from author Susan Cox. Hoping for a sequel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bookworm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice first try
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was going to make it five stars for that lively tale with a host of fascinating characters. Unfortunately the author tries to ties all loose ends hurriedly at the end, and it does not work. Still it was fun reading -until the ending. And there is more thn a hint of a second book to follow.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • sue c
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book for my dad to read as we know the author Sue Cox, her dad & mine worked together many years ago & our families became good friends. I also downloaded it to my Kindle & I’m loving it. I just think I’ve figured it all out but then another twist happens. Sue is currently writing her 2nd book & I can’t wait for it to be published.
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