"A fun Manhattan murder mystery"

In Manhattan, private investigator John Blake is stunned to learn that Miranda Sugarman was murdered on New Year's Eve on the roof of the Sin Factory, a strip joint. John thinks back to making love with Miranda the night before they graduated high school and she went off to Rianon College in New Mexico. He is further shocked to learn that Miranda was a stripper not a doctor as he always assumed would be.

Unable to resist and ignoring the plea of his "assistant" former cop Leo Hauser to butt out, John begins making inquiries at the club and at Rianon College. He runs up against volatile club manager Wayne Lenz and drug dealing owner Murco Khachadurian, two thugs who tell him to stay out of their affairs and their club. Even worse cretins warn John off with his only ally besides reliable Leo being stripper Rachel Firestone.

Though John's obsession seems too over the top for a sane person, fans will appreciate this solid urban noir mindful of the Barbara Stanwick movie. Once the reader moves past the why he is doing this, they will appreciate a fun Manhattan murder mystery. The key to this tale is the delightful cast (with and without clothing) in which even the miscreants have personalities, albeit nasty ones.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 28, 2003