Women's Press 1996

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...
 

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

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

'Compulsive reading' Herald

'Funny and scary by turns, always sharp.' Daily Telegraph

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

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

'McDermid not only keeps you guessing but keeps you interested.' Sunday Telegraph

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

'Tough, exciting, moody and unpredictable.' The Times

'An ultra-cunning denouement.' The Scotsman

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

'Fun at all levels.' Evening Standard

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

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