Title: No Way to Kill a Lady
Author: Nancy Martin
First published August 7, 2012
320 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780451237057 (ISBN10: 0451237056)
Rating: 4.02
Overview
The Blackbird sisters are back, and they’re in for a wild ride! Nora Blackbird has finally got her life together, but everyone around her seems to be falling apart. Her sister Libby is at the center of a sex scandal, Emma is expecting a love child, and her best friend Lexie is in prison.
To top it all off, her boyfriend Mick Abruzzo is under house arrest, but that doesn’t stop him from getting into trouble. When the sisters receive the news that their great aunt Madeleine Blackbird has passed away and left them her luxurious country estate, they’re ecstatic.
However, when they arrive at the mansion, they find that it’s in disarray, and all the treasures have been stolen. But that’s not all they discover.
The mansion is hiding a dark secret: the body of a woman who died there years ago. Nora, with the help of her sisters, Mick, and Aunt Madeleine’s stepson, dives into an investigation to find out what happened.
But the deeper they dig, the more complicated and dangerous things become. With twists and turns at every corner, the Blackbird sisters will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.
About the Author
Nancy Martin, a renowned author with 48 novels in genres such as mystery, suspense, historical, and romance, has released the eighth book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, titled “No Way to Kill a Lady.” The story is set in Philadelphia and follows three heiresses whose parents have vanished with their trust funds. After their aunt, affectionately known as “Madcap Maddy,” passes away in a volcano, she leaves her estate to the sisters, giving them a chance to recover their wealth.
However, Nora Blackbird, one of the sisters, discovers that all the treasures in Aunt Maddy’s house have disappeared, leading her to question whether her aunt’s death was as it seemed.
Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002, a series of mysteries about three heiresses who enjoy couture and crime, which has been compared to “Agatha Christie” meeting “Sex and The City.” Her first book in the series, “How to Murder a Millionaire,” was nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery in 2002, won the RT award for Best First Mystery, and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is working on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur.
In recognition of her contribution to mystery writing, Nancy received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. She lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime, and is a founding member of Pennwriters.
You can connect with Nancy on Pinterest and Facebook.
Editoral Review
No Way to Kill a Lady is a mystery novel written by Nancy Martin and first published on August 7, 2012. The book is a part of Martin’s ‘Blackbird Sisters Mysteries’ series and follows the story of Nora Blackbird, a society debutante turned amateur sleuth.
The book is set in Philadelphia and brings to life the high society of the city, with its intricate social codes and hidden secrets. The novel is a perfect blend of wit, charm, and suspense, making it an engaging read for lovers of the mystery genre.
The author’s writing style is lucid and engaging, and the narrative is set at a brisk pace, keeping the reader hooked until the last page. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and Martin does an excellent job of character development.
The book’s plot revolves around a series of murders in Philadelphia, which are committed in the guise of accidents. Nora Blackbird, who is inadvertently drawn into the crime, must solve the mystery before it’s too late.
The story’s setting is impeccable, with Martin painting a vivid picture of Philly’s high society and its dark underbelly. One of the book’s significant strengths is the way it explores the themes of family, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their reputation.
Martin paints a complex and nuanced portrait of the characters, and their motivations and actions are critical to the story’s development. However, there are a few areas where the book could use improvement.
The book’s pacing is at times a little slow, and the plot could have benefited from a tighter structure. The story also veers into melodrama at times, and some of the characters’ actions are not entirely believable.
Despite these flaws, No Way to Kill a Lady is a well-written and entertaining mystery novel that is sure to delight fans of the genre. While it may not be the most groundbreaking work in its field, it is a solid addition to the ‘Blackbird Sisters’ series and an enjoyable read.
For those who enjoy mystery novels, No Way to Kill a Lady is a must-read. The book offers an insightful look into the world of high society and its many intricacies.
The novel’s pacing, character development, and themes make it a worthy addition to any bookshelf. The book earns a rating of four out of five stars.
