"1950s fun film-noire fiction."

Paige Turner's married name and her occupation at Daring Detective magazine often allow people to think she's as kitschy as that combination. However, Paige is more than the only woman on a magazine that does little more than reproduce ad-copy.

In the Christmas season of 1954, all Paige should be worrying about are finding gifts for her boyfriend, Dan, her vivacious neighbor, Abby, and the only man she works with who doesn't expect her to get coffee, Lenny. Instead, an army buddy of her late husband dumps a case, as well as an oatmeal box full of diamonds, into her lap. Now she has to pacify her boss for her inadvertently late lunches, maintain enough money for rent and gifts, find gifts, research clues on a case deemed closed by the police and keep her investigation from her sweetie.

This book is a great example of fun fiction that uses much of the style of film noire without being trite and easily slips in brand names, stores, and people from the 1950s without being gimmicky. Paige is a clever, interesting heroine who's well-balanced by her Bohemian artist neighbor, Abby. This is an excellent book to read in any venue because it immediately transports the reader to New York in 1954.

Reviewed by Vicky Gilpin
Posted June 12, 2004

Summary

Spunky 1950s detective Paige Turner finds herself embroiled in a messy murder mystery with the killer hot on her heels. She'll need all her skills to track him down--before she becomes his next victim.