How to Succeed in Murder
Married to Mystery Series, No. 2
by Margaret Dumas
Like its predecessor Speak Now, How to Succeed in Murder is big, appreciative
grin fun. In fact, it's an absolute romp. Take a bit of Nick and Nora's sparkling chemistry
and banter from the old Thin Man movies, add a dash of the secretive handsome hero from
the old Remington Steele TV series, sprinkle generously with quirky friends and relatives
(not to mention Flank, the not always inarticulate bodyguard), drop it all into modern
San Francisco with plenty of money but a furniture-free house (our heroine Charley has
these issues with commitment), add a murder or two, give a good stir, then just gulp it down.
Security expert Jack Fairfax brings his rich, new wife Charley with him to a business
lunch to provide a smokescreen about why he and Dotcom CEO Morgan Stokes are meeting.
Dotcom wonderboys are found all over San Francisco, leaving Charley decidedly unenthusiastic
about the idea, until Stokes arrives looking like a physical and mental wreck. His company's
problems now include murder. That piques Charley's interest. Enough that she's eager
to take on a real job for the first time in her life, so she can go underground at the
company to help investigate. With help from a few friends, including a wardrobe specialist
from her theatre company for acquiring role-appropriate business costumes, her vastly
rich and vastly annoying uncle for leverage, his bodyguard who's as handy as a supremely
intimidating parking spot holder as he is with a gun, and the finance wiz friend who speaks
business well enough to communicate with the natives in their own language.
Yes, some of the characters are a bit stereotypical and yes, little about Charley's life
resembles any reality you know. But I just didn't care. This doesn't pretend to be remotely
serious, much less a piece of gritty realism. It's just supposed to be a fun ride through
a world where bad things happen but people whose company you enjoy deal with it all with
plenty of wit and style. So just sit back and enjoy the ride. I sure did. Highly recommended. |
The Book |
Poisoned Pen Press |
May 30, 2006 |
Hardcover |
1-59058-260-8 |
Mystery - amateur sleuth |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Holiday book: Valentine's Day appears in the storyline.
First book in this series was short-listed for Britain's C.W.A. 2003 Debut Dagger Award |
The Reviewer |
Kim Malo |
Reviewed 2006 |
NOTE: |
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