Synopses & Reviews
Los Angeles writer Cece Caruso is thrilled that her biography of the legendary Dashiell Hammett is headed for the big screen. Even better, she's been hired to tutor Rafe Simic, the actor cast as the lead. Okay, so he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. At least he's easy on the eyes, and the money's good enough to feed Cece's addiction to vintage Yves St. Laurent.
But in the midst of her teaching him the ABCs of The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, the body of a woman is discovered and Rafe's picture is found among her effects. The woman was an old flame, and the facts and Rafe's alibi just don't add up. Cece, who makes her living getting into the minds of mystery writers, can't help but ask questions.
In a tale of thrills, suspense, and surprising twists that would confound even the best P.I., Cece sets out to find justice for the dead woman, even if it means pulling the plug on the movie assuming someone doesn't pull the plug on Cece first.
Review
"A girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do, even if it means ticking off her best guy by putting her life on the line....A midsized dash of Hammett spices Kandel's rollicking fourth." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"As befits a chick-lit mystery, there is plenty of humor here....Cece's love of vintage clothing and poking her nose into other people's business take the front seat in this frantically paced mystery." Library Journal
Review
"Stark, tantalizing prose, smart central plot...fascinating, little-known biographical and historical tidbits about Hammett and his era that add surprising richness and elegance..." The Los Angeles Times
Review
"Kandel can be cutting about the fakery of the movie business, but she takes mystery fiction seriously. And she shows real sensitivity for the tormented genius [Dashiell Hammett] who dug his own grave when he moved to Hollywood." The New York Times
Review
"These saucy, well-crafted mysteries are a lot of fun... Fans of the series will be pleased that her passion for vintage clothing never gets old, much like Cece herself." The Boston Globe
About the Author
Susan Kandel is a former art critic for the Los Angeles Times. She has taught at New York University and UCLA, and served as the editor of the international journal artext. She lives in West Hollywood, California.