Dead Man's Switch (Kate Reilly Mysteries, 1) - Softcover

Kaehler, Tammy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1464208646 ISBN 13: 9781464208645

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, 2017

Synopsis

"Kaehler's clear explanations of technical jargon make the racing world come alive. An engaging debut; I can't wait to see where Kate and the crew go next." ―Library Journal

Aspiring race car driver Kate Reilly goes looking for a full-time ride in the American Le Mans Series―and stumbles over a dead driver. When she takes that driver's job just hours later, she also takes pole position on the list of suspects in his murder. Suddenly she's in the hot seat with little time to clear her name and get ready to race a Corvette at Lime Rock Park.

Amid suspicion, Kate buckles down, quickly getting to know the race car and team, bumping into plenty of suspects who might have committed murder. Clues fly at her as fast as the turns on the track, including a cryptic list of blackmail victims, unexplainable car performance at racing speed, a jealous husband with an adulterous wife, and drivers and crew who are openly happy her predecessor is dead. Kate finds exhilaration and hazards exist on- and off-track as she throttles up both the Corvette's V8 and a murder investigation.

The green-flag countdown ticks away, and Kate must decide who she can trust to help probe alibis, untangle rumors of team breakups and personal betrayals, and determine whose drive to win also constitutes a willingness to kill. Because what's at stake in Kate's race to the truth is her career ... only by uncovering a murderer can Kate restore her reputation and prove she belongs in the racing world.

Kate Reilly Mysteries:
Dead Man's Switch (Book 1)
Braking Points (Book 2)
Avoidable Contact (Book 3)
Red Flags (Book 4)
Kiss the Bricks (Book 5)

Praise for the Kate Reilly Mysteries:
"Read this book―but buckle in first. Believe me, you're in for a bumpy ride." ―WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER, New York Times bestselling author for Braking Points
"This series always leaves me wanting more, so I cannot wait to keep reading and see what's next on the horizon for my fellow female racing driver!" ―PIPPA MANN, IndyCar driver for Avoidable Contact
"As usual, Kaehler combines a credible group of suspects with some detailed racing lore. Even readers who don't care about cars may well be hooked by the feminist angle." ―Kirkus Reviews for Kiss the Bricks

About this title

About the Author:

When Tammy Kaehler discovered the racing world, she was hooked by the contrast between its top-dollar, high-drama competition, and friendly, family atmosphere. Mystery fans and racing insiders alike have praised her award-winning Kate Reilly Mystery Series (Dead Man's Switch, Braking Points, Avoidable Contact, and Red Flags), and Tammy takes readers back behind the wheel in her fifth entry, Kiss the Bricks. She works as a freelance writer in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and many cars.

Review:

"This is a quick, entertaining read by a newcomer from whom I expect to hear more."—New Mystery Reader

"[A] winning debut...Even those unfamiliar with this world will appreciate Kaehler's vivid descriptions of the intricate teamwork involved in racing, the amazing equipment, the split-second decision making required of the driver, and the pulse-pounding race itself." —Publishers Weekly

"... chock full of [good drama]. The characters were full of life and completely believable. Kate was aggressive but not pushy, and she didn't make a big deal of being a 'female driver' ... which quickly gets old. I really hope this becomes a series." —Fresh Fiction

"Pedal to the metal from start to finish, Tammy Kaehler's sensational debut is a high-octane whodunit so real you can smell burnt rubber and racing fuel. Displaying a veteran's writing skills, Kaehler's Kate Reilly series is off to a jackrabbit start!" —Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of One Was a Soldier

"Kaehler’s debut wraps the reader in layers of racing detail." —Kirkus Reviews

"A tale of mystery and intrigue that involves Corvettes and racing will often move high on a recreational reading list...[Kaehler] became interested in racing after a visit to a hospitality suite. That day led to intense research and a quest for accuracy that will appeal to the knowledge race enthusiast." —Auto Enthusiast

 "...Tammy Kaehler, is a technical writer who had an opportunity to work in the world of racing corporate hospitality and obviously absorbed a great deal of the aura of racing, the personalities that are stereotypical of the people who work in that field, and the routines that teams go through to get ready for a race.  Kaehler does a great job of bringing her technical knowledge in to the creative world of mystery writing.  Job well done!"—Liz Nichols, Mystery Maven Blog 

"What sets Tammy Kaehler’s first-time effort apart is its slam-bang setting—and the ease with which this former technical writer renders descriptions of her fancy equipment." —Jason Kehe, Los Angeles Magazine

"Dead Man’s Switch, the debut novel of new mystery writer Tammy Kaehler, is off to a roaring start. After years of technical writing, Tammy decided to try her hand at fiction with great success. She had also gained an intimate knowledge of the racing world over the years which show in the vivid detail of her first offering." —BellaOnline's Mystery Books Review

"Kaehler gives us adventure with lots of twists and turns and the promise of more to come in future books. A good book for a quick weekend or rainy day read."—Suspense Magazine  

About this edition

• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1464208646
• ISBN 13: 9781464208645
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288