Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Fiction Can Be Murder

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

"The charming heroine and the supporting cast shine in Clark's fun and funny solo mystery debut...which doesn't take anyone too seriously in the best way possible."—Kirkus Reviews

"Cozy fans should enjoy this funny and affecting view into a mystery writer's life."—Publishers Weekly

"Charlee Russo is my new favorite amateur sleuth! Wickedly witty author Charlee takes us along on her wild ride to prove her innocence in the murder of her literary agent, a murder based on the plot of one of her own books! Giving readers an inside look at the writer's life, Becky Clark pens a funny, clever page turner of a mystery and I can't wait for the next one in this terrific new series!"—Jenn McKinlay, bestselling author of the Library Lover's Mysteries

LIFE BECOMES STRANGER THAN FICTION WHEN CHARLEE'S LATEST NOVEL INSPIRES A REAL MURDER

Mystery author Charlemagne "Charlee" Russo thinks the twisty plots and peculiar murders in her books are only the product of her imagination—until her agent is found dead exactly as described in Charlee's new, unpublished manuscript. Suspicion now swirls around her and her critique group, making her confidence drop as severely and unexpectedly as her royalty payments.

The police care more about Charlee's feeble alibi and financial problems than they do her panicky claims of innocence. To clear her name and revive her career, she must figure out which of her friends is a murderer. Easier said than done, even for an author who's skilled at creating tidy endings for her mysteries. And as her sleuthing grows dangerous, Charlee's imagination starts working overtime. Is she being targeted, too?

Praise:

"Becky Clark wields a witty pen, writing about an author who is plunged into her own mystery."—Marty Wingate, author of the Potting Shed and Birds of a Feather series

"Becky Clark is a hilarious new talent in mystery fiction. With a mixture of humor and plot, Fiction Can Be Murder pulls back the curtain on the creative writing process and exposes the homicidal thoughts that take place while writing a book."—Diane Vallere, national bestselling author of the Costume Shop mysteries

"In Fiction Can Be Murder, Becky Clark gives us a fun and funny peek into the writers' life. Although in the case of her protagonist, the smart, likeable, and feisty Charlee Russo, that life includes the real murder of her agent. This clever mystery, first in a new series, is perfect for book lovers."—Vicki Delany, national bestselling author of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries

"Fresh, fast, and furiously fun, Fiction Can Be Murder packs one surprise after the next. Becky Clark writes with wry wit, a keen eye, and no shortage of authority on this particular subject. Charlee Russo is like a lot of authors I know—except most of them only dream of killing their agents."—Brad Parks, Shamus-, Nero-, and Lefty-award-winning author of Closer Than You Know

"This killer plot will take you on the literary ride of your life. In this new series, Clark has crafted an intriguing mystery that opens the door into the crazy world of literary agents, publishers, royalties, critique groups, and murder."—Cheryl Hollon, author of the Webb's Glass Shop Mysteries

"A promising series debut."—Booklist

  • Creators

  • Series

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      February 1, 2018
      A murder mystery comes to life when a literary agent is killed in the manner of her author's latest book.Beloved by none, Melinda Walter dies suddenly when her car careens off the road and into a tree. She's killed not by the impact but by the mercury gas someone's pumped into her car. While Charlemagne Russo naturally mourns her longtime agent (though her grieving is mixed with the same relief everyone in Melinda's life seems to feel), she has special reasons for being concerned with the manner of Melinda's death. It just so happens that Melinda was killed in the same way as the victim in Charlee's latest novel, and Charlee worries that the connection may spell danger for her. The police see it another way, a way that puts Charlee at the top of their suspect list. Charlee tries to get her cop brother, Lance, to vouch for her, but to no avail. Instead, she launches her own investigation into the people who read her latest novel: her writing critique group and volunteer beta readers. Armed with a list of potential suspects, she interviews those who could have had the means to implement the death sentence Charlee imagined, since Melinda was so unpleasant that Charlee thinks she's got motive covered. As she learns more about those she thought were closest to her, Charlee is surprised at some of the secrets they've been hiding in their daily lives. Nothing shocks her more than the revelation that her own boyfriend, Ozzi Rabbinowitz, believes she may be the one who killed Melinda. Now finding the killer isn't just her mission, but a matter of pride.The charming heroine and the supporting cast shine in Clark's fun and funny solo mystery debut (co-author: Marshmallow Mayhem, 2015, etc.), which doesn't take anyone too seriously in the best way possible.

      COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 19, 2018
      Set in Denver, this promising series launch from Clark (Banana Bamboozle with Ted Hardwick) introduces mystery writer Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo. When Melinda Walter, Charlee’s agent, dies an untimely death that bears a striking resemblance to a murder in her latest unpublished novel, suspicion falls on Charlee, given her growing dispute with Melinda over royalty payments, and she sets out to clear her name. Since only a handful of people have had access to the manuscript—including, most notably, the quirky members of Charlee’s writing group—she works through the suspects while fending off the police investigation. On the personal side, Charlee and her police officer brother, Lance, struggle with memories of their father, also a cop, who left the force in disgrace over a murky scandal. Clark does a good job of grounding the story in place and detail. Despite the overly large cast of characters and the too-neat finale, cozy fans should enjoy this funny and affecting view into a mystery writer’s life. Agent, Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

    • Library Journal

      March 1, 2018

      When literary agent Melinda Walter is murdered, even Charlemagne "Charlee" Russo's boyfriend questions the mystery author. Melinda was killed in the same method as the victim in Charlee's latest unpublished manuscript. Charlee may be the primary suspect, but at least 15 other people could have read that story, including the members of her writing group. Charlee fears for her own life, but she heroically attempts to exonerate her friends from the suspect list. Not only is the murder method outrageous, but there's an absurd solution with improbable motivation for the actual killer in this series launch by the author of Marshmallow Mayhem. Morever, the large cast of characters may be confusing at times. VERDICT Readers looking for a quirky cast in a humorous mystery may do better with Janet Evanovich, Tonya Kappes, or K.J. Larsen.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

      Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading