Shep Ladderback, the Philadelphia Press's aged obit writer, mentors the young Andrea (Andy) Cosicki, fledgling journalist and daughter of the late political fixer,Benny the Lunch Cosicki. Ladderback (who knows everything about everyone in the city) wants Andy to cover the death of a street fruit and vegetable salesman, which seems to him to be suspicious. But Andy has a date for lunch at the Loup Garu, a so-hot-you-can't-get-a-reservation-for-three-months restaurant with a new "culinary concept" (which seems to be horrible food combinations, trumpeted as Transylvanian-Caribbean-fusion) and turns him down. (Ladderback knows that Loup Garu means werewolf; Andy does not.) But Andy ends up in a big story anyhow, when one of the country's most notable food critics drops dead at her table.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Bill Kent is a writer, journalist, critic and author of three novels and two non-fiction books. His writing has appeared in more than 40 regional and national publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Magazine. He lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, with his wife and son.
In this complex, offbeat mystery, Kent's second (after 2002's Street Money) to feature N.S. "Shep" Ladderback, the agoraphobic obituary writer for the Philadelphia Press, Shep looks into a series of bizarre food-related deaths. First, local fruit and vegetable vendor Sidney "Weight" Wisnitz suddenly keels over at his stand spitting up blood. Next, restaurant critic Michelle Fragg (known as "The Angry Eater") drops dead in a similar fashion at her ex-lover Matt Plank's trendy new Transylvanian/Caribbean "fusion" restaurant, Loup Garou. Shep's assistant, Andrea "Andy" Cosicki, who witnesses Fragg's death, suspects foul play and traces both deaths back to an experimental appetite suppressor produced by Alixxir, a local pharmaceutical company that manufactures cheap knock-offs of brand name drugs. As Shep and Andy dig deeper into the matter, they find similarities with the recent death of Philadelphia mobster Carmen "Chickie" Marandola, whose body was dismembered and hidden all over town (only his pinkie finger was recovered). The truth behind the murders proves to be closer to the two journalists, and to their own pasts, than they could have imagined. Kent explores various notions of hunger-the craving for wealth, power, food and sex, among other things-in this literate, character-driven crime novel, which straddles the line between hardboiled detective story and thriller. Mystery fans of all stripes should go for it.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 5.49
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 48373729-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38391587-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 48373729-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Book Scouts, Sanborn, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. We're happy to combine shipping to save you some money. We're also always buying collectible book collections. Contact us for details. We're happy to provide pictures of any and all books for you, please just ask! SIGNED American first edition, first printing. Signed on the inside title page by author. Published by Thomas Dunne/Minotaur in 2003. Contains numberline 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Jacket is in Near Fine condition. Light bump to top corners. Jacket is NOT price clipped. Covers are clean and bright. Edges are sharp. The book itself is in Near Fine condition with very light bump to top corners. The binding is straight and tight. Remainder mark. ; Signed By Author.; Signed by Author. Signed. Seller Inventory # sku520001086
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Tangled Web Mysteries and Oddities, Kennebuunkport, ME, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: NEW. First Edition. Stated First edition, first printing, full number line starting with "1". Dust jacket intact and in very good condition with minor edgewear. Text block is clean, bright and tight, no marking noted. Providing superior service since 2001. Dropshippers heartily welcomed. Seller Inventory # 56746
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Reader's Corner, Inc., Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: USED_ASNEW. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. First Edition, Review Copy. This is a new hardback review copy with the review slip laid in. As new DJ in mylar protector. Seller Inventory # 014279
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Ziebarth Books, Coal Valley, IL, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. First edition, first printing, hardcover. 340 pages. Upper corner of pages 143/144 creased, else fine, in a fine, mylar-covered dust jacket. Second mystery featuring young, eager. six-foot-tall Andrea Cosicki and her brilliant, shabby mentor at THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Shep Ladderback. Seller Inventory # 004161
Quantity: 1 available