Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews
Page Four of SevenDeath Hits the Fan by Jacqueline Girdner
Berkley Prime Crime, April 1998.Hardcover, 279 pages.
ISBN: 042516148X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Amateur sleuth and entrepreneur Kate Jasper and her
husband are attending a science fiction author signing
at their favorite independent bookstore where three popular
authors are scheduled to speak and sign books. During Yvette
Cassell's interminably boring recitation about her main
character, an alien trapped on earth to solve crimes,
the elegant and successful Shayla Greenfree puts on a
bracelet left at her place -- apparently a gift from a fan --
and keels over, gasping out Kate's name just before
she passes out. The autopsy shows that she was poisoned,
apparently from needles rigged inside the mysterious bracelet.
Kate who is now a suspect in the murder sets out to
investigate the bizarre death and the possible motives
of the two other authors at the signing, fans in the audience
and various other
odd characters who hang around the Fictional Pleasures
Bookstore.
Death Hits the Fan is a hilarious mystery which continues the offbeat adventures of amateur sleuth and ardent vegetarian Kate Jasper and her long suffering significant other, Wayne. The characters are quirky and funny and the antics of the feuding SF authors are truly funny. A fresh and fun respite from the everyday world.
Misleading Ladies by Cynthia Smith
Berkley Prime Crime, Dec., 1997.Paperback, 257 pages.
ISBN: 0425161129.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Former attorney Emma Rhodes is a Private Resolver:
for $20,000 she will solve any private problem in two
weeks or she doesn't get paid. With her beauty, her charm and
a 100% success rate, she picks only those cases which
interest her. While on the way for some rest and relaxation,
Emma meets Juliet Bishop, a Baronet's daughter who
is on the verge of leaving her husband because of his
unbearable and unfounded jealousy. Emma's investigations will
take her to Europe and back to England as she sorts out the
complex family relationships (including two ex-wives) which
all center around Juliet's wealthy and somewhat mysterious
husband Sidney who insists on generously supporting his
former wives. When one of the ex-wives is murdered, it's up to
Juliet to save a marriage and save the remaining ex-wife.
As with all the books in this vastly entertaining series, Misleading Ladies is a treat to read. The beautiful, fashionable and irreverent Emma is a joy to tag along with as she jet-sets around Europe charming and bullying her way to the truth. A unique, fresh and absolutely delightful read.
Mystery Reviews
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