I can't remember the title or author and need help finding both

[Christine Mason]

About 18 months ago I read a series of "crime" books concerning a young woman PI who lives on the south coast. She runs a small "junk shop" on the side and lives in two adjoining bed-sits. She is very friendly with the rather scruffy, but rich, man who runs the Arcade at the end of the pier but her love interest is a policeman who has a lot of emotional baggage and their relationship blows hot and cold.
Although at the beginning of the series the PI (who I think has red hair) travelled her seaside town by bicyle, she ends up with a VW Beetle painted red with black spots, like a ladybird.

I have enquired at my local library from where I borrowed the books but have had no success in finding out who the author is. Can anyone help me please. I beginning to think I've dreamt the whole thing up - if so, I've got some brilliant story lines!!

[Christine Mason]

Doesn't ring any bells - can you give me a bit more information about Grace Smith and her exploits please?

[Christine Mason]

Thanks for trying but I'm afraid that the love interest (Det. Inspector or some such rank) was widowed as far as i can remember. One story was about a nun found hanging in a disused hotel, in another story our heroine was employed by the owner of a department store and she worked there over one Christmas - something to do with the old man's son, in another she foiled a robbery at the Amusement Arcade, hence Jack, the owner's, attachment to her.

It is so annoying having all this information but not being able to put a name or title to any of it.

[Julie Morrigan]

Hi Christine - I tried a quick, random Google search and got this: http://www.amazon.com/Pray-Jordan-Lacey-Stella-Whitelaw/dp/0727855921 Looking at the info about 'Wave and Die' I found a reference to a VW Beetle painted like a ladybird, so I reckon this is your gal. Hope it helps!

[Christine Mason]

Julie, you are an absolute star - that's the author and the series, I had a feeling "die or death" was in the title. Oh, what a relief. I just wonder why neither I nor the library girls could find it when we all did various Google searches.

Anyway, thank you again. We can all sleep peacefully again!!!

[minervaK]

I've always wished there was some sort of crime writers' directory that listed these things for easy reference... I wonder how hard it would be to create something like that?

MK
www.minervakoenig.com

[minervaK]

Booya! I knew somebody, somewhere had to have done this. Thanks for the link!