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Synopsis:

‘Murder, she felt fairly sure, was not the kind of “Purpose of Visit” calculated to speed her through immigration.’ Why would anyone want to kill Penny Varnavides, bestselling author of the “Teen Dreams” series?

It couldn’t have been the freak accident it first appeared — Penny’s death was an exact replica of the murder method in her forthcoming book. Apart from Penny, only three people knew the plot: her literary agent, her editor and her ex-girlfriend Meredith.

In tribute to her friendship with Penny, Lindsay Gordon agrees to investigate. Reluctantly she leaves her Californian haven for the fraught world of London book publishing. And as her investigation reveals an incendiary mixture of soured relationships and seething rivalries, Lindsay must face the frightening truth. Someone in Penny’s literary or love life must have been driven to murder…

Reviews:

Times Literary Supplement
“The writing is tough and colourful, the scene setting excellent.”

Tribune
“Has the reader gripped from the first page, both moody and hilarious and thoroughly unpredictable.”

Herald
“Compulsive reading”

Daily Telegraph
“Funny and scary by turns, always sharp.”

Manchester Evening News
“The macho world of the whodunnit has never seen a sleuth like Lindsay Gordon.”

The Washington Post
“There’s a vividness and energy to this tale that makes it satisfying and convincing.”

Sunday Telegraph
“McDermid not only keeps you guessing but keeps you interested.”

The Independent
“There are wisecracks galore and the whole ends on a high note. This is terrific fun.”

The Times
“Tough, exciting, moody and unpredictable.”

The Scotsman
“An ultra-cunning denouement.”

Crime Time
“Full marks for plot, atmosphere, character, dialogue, politics, humour Oh hell, full marks for just about everything. I don’t know how Val does it, but I’m bloody glad she does.”

Evening Standard
“Fun at all levels.”

Publisher’s Weekly
“You don’t have to be a feminist to enjoy this well-crafted caper.”

Romantic Times
“McDermid excels at describing a world of jealousies and backbiting.”