"Zany, humorous mystery with wacky characters."

Nora Blackbird has a lot going on her life. Her sister, Libby, has just given birth to her fifth child and is embarking on a quest for her inner goddess; her dog Spike, whom she lovingly describes as a miniature Pit Bull, is a social terror; she misses her boyfriend, who may or may not have mob connections; and a local cop has a crush on her (or her detecting abilities) and is determined to find incriminating evidence against her boyfriend.

Now, Nora must figure out who killed dog food mogul Rush Strawcutter and left the youngest Blackbird sister, Emma, lying unconscious nearby.

Who killed Strawcutter? On the surface, he was a well-liked guy with no enemies. The cops are sure they have the killer, but Nora knows Emma is innocent. Determined to prove Emma's innocence, Nora delves into the underside of Philadelphia's high society, uncovering a blackmail scheme and a handful of suspects.

Martin's SOME LIKE IT LETHAL is a zany, laugh-out-loud mystery. Her sense of humor is evident throughout as she guides the reader through intriguing twists and turns, introducing a cast of wacky characters sure to entertain. It's time to add on to the bookshelf. The Blackbird Sisters are keepers!

Reviewed by Paula Myers
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted March 10, 2004

Summary

Just when I thought my life couldn't get any more chaotic, I'm proved wrong. My new dog, Spike, is a tiny terror. My demented sister, Libby, is dealing with the effects of recent childbirth by trying to locate the "goddess within" (whatever that is)—and my tough- guy boyfriend is gallivanting through Scotland on a fishing trip (or is he?). Oh, and one of Philadelphia's rich and infamous was just found brutally murdered. With all this going on, who has time to write for the society pages?

When Rush Strawcutter, the husband of a wealthy dog food heiress, is found bludgeoned to death in a horse stall at an exclusive hunt club, Nora Blackbird is as surprised as anyone. Her surprise turns to shock when her sister, Emma, is discovered nearby, unconscious and badly bruised. Worse still, the evidence points toward a devious blackmail scheme—with Emma as the main suspect. Investigating with the help of friend and foe alike, Nora inadvertently uncovers the scandalous secrets of some of Philadelphia's high-and-mightiest—and attracts the unwanted attentions of the real killer...