In this 12th mystery featuring New York's favorite full-figured private eye, a dashing pharmaceutical executive, who's convinced someone is trying to kill him, turns to Desiree for help. But before Desiree has a chance to question his enemies, the man is shot to death. Original.

"New York PI Desiree Shapiro, last seen in Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday, doesn't like to accept cases until after the victim is dead. But when the charming Gordon Curry shows up in her office claiming that there have already been two attempts on his life and he wants her to prevent the third, she can't say no, especially since he supplies her with his predator's name. Two days later, Curry is shot down on a quiet Chelsea street after a poker game, and Desiree learns that the man who Curry thought wanted him dead committed suicide two months earlier. Distraught, the plus-sized detective almost loses her appetite, but not quite, especially when she learns there were a slew of sordid secrets about Curry's life that he neglected to mention to her. With the help of a few colorful New York characters, including a curmudgeonly policeman, Desiree puts together a list of suspects and interviews them all in grand Hercule Poirot fashion, sacrificing sleep and other life necessities to do so. A hasty, underdeveloped ending doesn't do justice to this otherwise tightly constructed cozy. But tantalizing meal descriptions, old-school New York charm and even a touch of romance make this book worth gobbling up. Agent, Stuart Krichevsky. (Feb.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

P.I. Desiree Shapiro is a work of art-Rubens by way of Bloomingdale's. (Katherine Hall Page) Each new book is the Hagen Dazs of the mystery world. (Romantic Times)

Certain that someone is trying to kill him, a dashing ladies' man and pharmaceutical exec turns to Desiree for help. But before she has a chance to question his enemies, he's shot to death. And now the plus-sized P.I. has to polish off a killer-and a slice (or three) of pizza.

The 12th mystery featuring New York's favorite full-figured private eye.