The Mortician's Daughter + See Isabelle Run ARC

First Edition: August 2006, 1st printing. 304pp. [Sold along with the Advance Reading Copy of the Elizabeth Bloom (formerly Beth Saulnier) acclaimed debut novel 'See Isabelle Run.'] THE MORTICIAN'S DAUGHTER is a bright & tight hardcover, gently read (slight finger-stain on first few pages, o/w unmarked) in Near Fine condition. "Ginny Lavoie may be depressed over her suspension from the NYPD, but her woes pale in comparison to those of her childhood friend, Sonya, whose 19-year-old adopted son Danny was savagely murdered in their hometown of North Adams, Massachusetts. (Sonya took over the care of Danny the moment her deadbeat sister left the 15-month-old at her doorstep.) Ginny returns to the onetime mill town to investigate and is soon exchanging barbs with the bombastic local police chief and kisses with her old high-school sweetheart, Jimmy. Danny's troubles, it seems, coincided with his search for his birth mother, but who in the town didn't want them to reconnect? No one, it seems, is above suspicion, from a homeless Vietnam vet to a cool Manhattanite known for dealing crystal meth. More deaths--and a grim discovery at a popular town landmark--lead determined Ginny to a series of startling truths. Bloom (See Isabelle Run, 2005) delivers suspense and a colorful, if somewhat cliched, portrait of life in a small New England town."--Allison Block, Booklist. SEE ISABELLE RUN (Mysterious Press ARC paperback) 259pp. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread, in Fine condition. "Bloom's freewheeling debut introduces a captivating protagonist named Isabelle Leonard. When her fiance dumps her at the altar, the feisty Isabelle doesn't fall apart. Instead, she dances on the table at her reception. Her actions earn a front-page mention in a major New York newspaper, and in the resulting 15 minutes of fame, decorating maven Becky Belden hires Isabelle to work at her magazine--part of Belden's vast media empire. It seems like a dream job until Isabelle's boss dies under odd circumstances, and Isabelle discovers that many of Becky's employees have died recently. Soon, Isabelle herself is targeted, and in typical hardheaded fashion, she begins a zealous investigation into the deaths. The more clues she discovers, the more likely it seems that her new executive boyfriend might be the murderer, or the one ordering the murders. Bloom adds just enough serious moments to keep the story from becoming too frothy, but Isabelle's quirky personality allows for plenty of fun. As the broke-and-beautiful heroine dashes through Manhattan to avoid being murdered, readers may be tempted to take up the media's cry of 'Give 'em hell, Isabelle!' A first-rate flight of fancy."--Jenny McLarin, Booklist Starred Review. "Bloom has a great ear for dialogue and keeps the pace consistently energetic."--Baltimore Sun. "A new, fresh and authentic voice in mysteries. . . Bloom succeeds at every level. Her honesty and intelligence jump off the pages of this well-plotted and wonderfully funny tale. . . ensures readers will buy the next thriller this author writes."--Midwest Book Review. Fine, unread ARC w/sharp corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding w/no creases in spine & no jacket as issued.…