Product Description

The promise of discretion and pampering - and a longer overdue reconciliation with her mother - draws Caroline Blessing, the young wife of a newly elected congressman, to the fancy Phoenix Spa. But after her first night in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Caroline wakes to find the rich and famous guests in turmoil and under suspicion: the spa's flamboyant and ambitious owner has been murdered. As the secrets come out - and the body count rises - can Caroline keep herself from becoming the next victim? In the tradition of such collaborative classics as NAKED CAME THE MANATEE and THE FLOATING ADMIRAL, each chapter in this serial novel is written by one of today's most talented mystery novelists. NEVADA BARR's ninth and latest in her Anna Pigeon series is BLOOD LURE. J.D. ROBB is the New York Times bestselling author of the futuristic romantic suspense series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Her most recent titles include BETRAYAL IN DEATH and JUDGMENT IN DEATH. NANCY PICKARD is the author of the popular Jenny Cain mystery series. LISA SCOTTOLINE is a New York Times bestselling author of legal thrillers, most recently THE VENDETTA DEFENSE and MOMENT OF TRUTH. Author of five New York Times bestselling novels, PERRI O'SHAUGHNESSY is really two sisters, Pamela and Mary, who collaborate on a series of legal thrillers and short stories. J.A. JANCE writes two police procedural series: twelve books featuring Detective J.P. Beaumont and nine with Sheriff Joanna Brady. FAYE KELLERMAN is the New York Times bestselling author of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. Her most recent novel is THE FORGOTTEN. MARY JANE CLARK is a producer and writer at CBS News and the author of three media thrillers, including LET ME WHISPER IN YOUR EAR. MARCIA TALLEY is the author of UNBREATHED MEMORIES and the award-winning SING IT TO HER BONES. She is also the editor of NAKED CAME THE PHOENIX. ANNE PERRY, author of the acclaimed Victorian Series starring William Monk and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, has written over thirty novels, including THE ONE THING MORE. DIANA GABALDON's THE FIERY CROSS, fifth in the Outlander series, is due to be published late this year. VAL McDERMID has published fifteen novels and one work of non-fiction and has won the Gold Dagger and the Grand Prix des Romans d'Aventures. Her most recent novel is A PLACE OF EXECUTION. LAURIE R. KING writes two crime fiction series as well as stand-alone novels, most recently FOLLY.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2364632 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-10
• Released on: 2004-06-10
• Formats: Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .55" h x 5.42" w x 7.54" l, .22 pounds
• Binding: MP3 CD

From Publishers Weekly
An all-star lineup of 13 women mystery authors has produced one madcap, murderous tale in the same serial fashion as Naked Came the Manatee (1996). To some extent, position determines each contributor's role, but each author has ample opportunity to display her unique talents. Nevada Barr, who leads off, deserves credit for introducing heroine Caroline Blessing; her surprising mother, Hilda Finch; and several more of the zany inhabitants of Phoenix Spa, snuggled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. J.D. Robb, in the number two spot, wastes no time shifting the plot into gear with the murder of the spa's flamboyant owner, Claudia de Vries. Those who follow (Nancy Pickard, Lisa Scottoline, Perri O'Shaughnessy, J.A. Jance, Faye Kellerman, Mary Jane Clark, Marcia Talley, Anne Perry, Diana Gabaldon and Val McDermid) each get a crack at muddying the waters or putting a new spin on an already dizzy character or in some cases, adding a new victim to the growing pile. Lucky 13 Laurie King dazzles by weaving a prettily finished quilt from the motley patches created by her comrades. Readers will relish the resulting comic soap-opera murder mystery, taking especial pleasure in watching these pros deftly recast a scene, a clue or a character to keep the story rollicking along. (Aug. 13)Forecast: Together these women command a huge fan base, and if enough of them are willing to promote, this collaborative effort could rack up strong sales.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Picture a gaggle of glamorous and formerly glamorous characters at an exclusive spa in Virginia. Two of them, pretty protagonist Caroline, wife of a freshman congressman, and her newly widowed mother, Hilda, discover the body of the spa's owner shortly after their arrival. It soon transpires that all the suspectsanorexic model, alcoholic film producer, aging rock star, etc.were invited to the spa for reasons known only to the dead owner and that all, save Caroline, have motives. With slightly exaggerated details, soap opera chapter endings, shifting focus, stereotypes, and classic situationsall a bit tongue-in-cheekthis collaborative effort by Nevada Barr, Anne Perry, Laurie King, and others provides steady diversion.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This latest variant on the serial-novel formula established in 1969 with Naked Came the Stranger brings together 13 well-known female crime novelists, who offer a chapter-by-chapter version of the childhood game where one person writes the first line of the story and the next person writes the next and so on until "and they lived happily ever after." Nevada Barr leads off, introducing Caroline and her mother, Hilda, guests at the exclusive Phoenix Spa. Rest is the last thing Caroline gets after the spa's owner is found dead in one of her renowned mud baths. All the guests are at once suspects and potential victims, and the talented pool of writers, including Lisa Scottoline, Faye Kellerman, J. A. Jance, and Anne Perry, deftly develop a story that's silly yet captivating. The cast of characters, including a waiflike model and her producer, a washed-up rock star, a movie starlet, and a well-published psychic, keep this lighthearted whodunit fast paced and fun. With such a popular group of contributors, expect demand. Mary Frances Wilkens
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