In the latter stages of pregnancy, Juliet Applebaum is ready to buy a house.  No more two-bedroom apartments for her!  Convincing her husband is a little trickier, until their three-year-old son picks up a stomach bug and insists on sleeping with his parents.  With two children and a third on the way, he finally notices the severe lack of space and asks her to find something larger.

Thrilled beyond belief, Juliet calls up her realtor friend and they set off house hunting.  Juliet quickly finds her dream home, but it comes with one minor problem.  There is a murdered woman in the shower.  The victim is the homeowner’s sister, an actress.  With plenty of bit roles in her credits, the actress suddenly appears to have stopped working.  As a lawyer turned P.I., Juliet’s curiosity is piqued.

Not one to lose out on an opportunity, Juliet approaches the owner and asks if he will allow her to look into his sister’s death.  Hopefully, she’ll solve the case and get first dibs on her dream home.

The fifth book in the Mommy-Track Mystery series, MURDER PLAYS HOUSE makes an excellent stand-alone.  I have read the first two books in this series, but haven’t gotten to the last two, which are sitting on my shelf.  I didn’t feel as though I have missed a thing.  However, once you’ve met Juliet, you can’t help but want to read more.  She’s sassy and sweet, while her views on mothering have me rolling on the floor!  I so highly agree, especially with her thoughts on the last page.  I think it is the perfect ending to a delightful book!