Dear Irene: An Irene Kelly Mystery (Signed First Edition)

Irene Kelly searches for a killer who calls himself Thanatos--Death in ancient Greek mythology--and sends her notes before each move in his murderous game. By the author of Sweet Dreams, Irene and Goodnight, Irene. 17,500 first printing.

Nearly recovered from the wounds she received in Sweet Dreams, feisty reporter Irene Kelly returns to her California newspaper office to be caught up in another intelligent tale of danger and vengeance. Among her accumulated mail is a letter from someone calling himself Thanatos, addressing her as Cassandra and promising that "Clio will be the first to die." Dismissing the letter as the work of a kook, she nevertheless pursues the mythological references: Thanatos is Death; Cassandra, a woman cursed with telling the truth but not being believed; and Clio, the muse of history. That night the body of a college history professor is found, her skull battered, in the peacock enclosure of the zoo. The next day Irene is phoned by someone who identifies himself as Thanatos, claims responsibility for the crime and threatens another. As the warnings and murders continue, Irene and her fiance, police detective Frank Harriman, find themselves caught in the web of police and press relations and the counter-pressures of Frank's desire to protect Irene versus her need for independence. Burke maintains firm control of her intricate tale, leading readers along a suspenseful path to a dramatic conclusion.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newspaper reporter and amateur sleuth Irene Kelly receives an unsettling letter at work that uses mythology to warn her of impending death. A series of brutal murders follow, each preceded by a letter to Irene. Despite cautions from her detective fiance, Irene launches her own investigation. A follow-up to Sweet Dreams, Irene (LJ 2/1/94).
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Burke's biggest claim to fame is President Clinton's recent announcement that he's reading her Goodnight, Irene. Burke's witty, entertaining style is probably a relief to the beleaguered big guy after tense days of statesmanship. Regardless of whether mystery fans like Clinton's politics, they'll most likely give him high marks for liking Burke's Irene Kelly, who is one tough, feisty, smart reporter. Irene's latest adventure involves a mystery man who sends anonymous notes alluding to Greek mythology and imminent death. At first thinking the notes are the work of a harmless nut-case, Irene gets serious when a local history professor is savagely murdered--in exactly the way the notes predicted. When one grim murder is followed by another, Irene becomes frantic to stop Thanatos, as the killer dubs himself. The intrepid reporter enlists the help of her fiance, Detective Frank Harriman, to unravel the twisted story behind Thanatos' dire threats. Besides being action packed, riveting, and cleverly plotted, Burke's latest is humorous and entertaining--a top-notch combination for mystery buffs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Emily Melton