Come Hell or Highball: A Mystery (Discreet Retrieval Agency Mysteries, 1) - Softcover

Chance, Maia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1250104645 ISBN 13: 9781250104649

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2016

Synopsis

31-year-old society matron Lola Woodby has survived her loveless marriage with an unholy mixture of highballs, detective novels, and chocolate layer cake, until her husband dies suddenly, leaving her his fortune...or so Lola thought. As it turns out, all she inherits from Alfie is a big pile of debt. Pretty soon, Lola and her stalwart Swedish cook, Berta, are reduced to hiding out in the secret love nest Alfie kept in New York City. But when rent comes due, Lola and Berta have no choice but to accept an offer made by one of Alfie's girls-on-the-side: in exchange for a handsome sum of money, the girl wants Lola to retrieve a mysterious reel of film for her.

It sounds like an easy enough way to earn the rent money. But Lola and Berta realize they're in way over their heads when, before they can retrieve it, the man currently in possession of the film reel is murdered, and the reel disappears. On a quest to retrieve the reel and solve the murder before the killer comes after them next, Lola and Berta find themselves navigating one wacky situation after another in high style and low company.

Charming, witty, often laugh-out-loud funny, Maia Chance's Come Hell or Highball is the first in the Discreet Retrieval Agency Mysteries and introduces a sparkling new voice in crime fiction.

About this title

About the Author

MAIA CHANCE was a finalist for the 2004 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington. She is writing her dissertation on nineteenth-century American literature. She is also the author of the Fairy Tale Fatal mystery series (Cinderella Six Feet Under, Snow White Red-Handed, and Beauty, Beast and Belladonna).

Review

“Flawless.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Witty and charming.” ―The Seattle Times

“Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets-and has a high old time doing it! So will you.” ―Ann B. Ross, New York Times bestselling author of Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover

“Maia Chance's novel is an absolutely delightful read. It's a wonderful period piece with a strong, sassy and smart heroine that will keep the reader turning the pages till the very end. I can't wait to read this author's next one.” ―Emily Brightwell, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Jeffries Turns the Tide

“Maia Chance brings the Roaring Twenties to vibrant life in this delightful series debut. Intrepid heroine Lola Woodby will lead you on a thrilling adventure as she tries to solve a murder with the help of her Swedish cook and a very sexy private investigator while dodging bill collectors and well-meaning family members.” ―Victoria Thompson, national bestselling author of Murder in Murray Hill

“Interfering relatives, difficult friends, and fearsome gangsters make prohibition-era New York the perfect site for a delightful mystery with the tang of speakeasy hooch.” ―Kate Parker, author of The Vanishing Thief

“Chance provides enough saucy characters and silly antics to encourage admirers, just like Lola herself.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Edition details

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1250104645
• ISBN 13: 9781250104649
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320