Product Description

The annual Historical Romance Writers of the World convention in New York City is calling to Jacqueline Kirby, a Nebraska librarian who desperately desires some excitement. But all is not love and kisses at this august gathering of starry-eyed eccentrics and sentimental scribes. As far as Jacqueline is concerned, the sudden "natural" death of a gossip columnist seems anything but. And when she's approached by a popular genre star who fears for her own life, the resourceful Ms. Kirby quickly goes back to work...as a sleuth. Because there's a sinister scenario being penned at this purple prose congregation. And when jealousy and passion are given free rein beyond the boundaries of the printed page, the result can be murder.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #523557 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 368 pages

From Library Journal
Librarian Jacqueline Kirby, wanting a tax-deductible excuse to vacation in New York City (and to leave the small town in Nebraska where she works at a small college), poses as a romance author in order to attend a historical romance writers conference in the Big Apple. She is soon caught up in masquerades, intrigues, and deadly goings-on. This light mystery with intriguing characters is capably narrated by Liza Ross, who produces a range of credible voices for persons both male and female, several with discernible regional accents. Jacqueline's wry tone is matched by Ross's light, never-too-serious inflection, making for a very pleasant listening experience. A good addition to mystery collections and wherever the author is popular.?Melody Moxley, Rowan P.L., Salisbury, N.C.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Creating the character of Hattie, irascible doyenne of the Romance writing world of the 1970s, Liza Ross uses a memorable Southern accent and realistic voice. Ross precisely enunciates every word but still doesn't achieve good character differentiation. The protagonist, librarian Jacqueline Kirby, never acquires a unique voice. Perhaps it's the perfect pronunciation, so rare in real life, that keeps some of the characters from achieving lives of their own in this competent production. D.T.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Ingram
Jacqueline Kirby attends a New York writers' conference and finds herself in the midst of a murder mystery and romantic entanglements. Hardcover Reprint.

Customer Reviews

Hilarious
This, the third in the Jacqueline Kirby series, is an absolute comedic gem. She rips up the commercialization of the bodice-ripper genre, and obviously has a great time doing it. Some of her characters were a little over-the-top, but much more enjoyable than her second installment in this short series. Enjoyable read.

Not as good as her others
I see that all the other reviewers just loved this book. I found it disappointing. I didn't really like any of the characters. Jacqueline is less appealing here than in the previous books in the series. None of the other characters are very well-drawn either. The part about the romance convention are very funny, but all the references to romance books are dated. Romances don't follow this old-fashioned plot any more. The identity of the killer wasn't much of a surprise either, and frankly, neither were any of the so-called "plot twists."

I really like her other series better, the ones featuring Amelia Peabody or even better, the Vicky Bliss books.

Must-read for anyone who has ever laughed at a bodice ripper
Set in the midst of a conference for romance writers, this mystery features my favorite Peters character Jacqueline Kirby, a librarian from Coldwater College of undetermined age. Eager to escape the rain in Nebraska, Kirby sets off for NYC to attend the Historical Romance Writers of the World conference because she thinks she can write off the cost as business deduction on her tax return(!). Sandwiched in between the clues of the exciting mystery plot are magnificent tongue-in-cheek looks at bodice-rippers and the industry that produces them. The satirical tone and Kirby's dry wit will have you laughing your way through the novel. At then end, you too may be inspired to try your hands at writing a romance novel- after all, if Kirby can write and sell a novel while solving the murder, why can't you?