“A Perfect Manhattan Murder” A Nic & Nigel Mystery By Tracy Kiely

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review & links to purchase it.

Our favorite couple that proves opposites attract returns to tackle murder on Broadway. Playboy Nigel Martini and his wife, former NYPD homicide detective Nic Martini, are back in New York for the opening of her friend Peggy McGrath’s Broadway play. Nic is thrilled to spend an evening with Peggy and their other schoolmate Harper, but not with her husband Dan, a Vanity Fair theater critic known as the Bastard of Broadway. A new baby, Harper’s immense family wealth, and the lack of a pre-nuptial agreement have Harper tied to the narcissist, which comes to an end when he is found murdered in his luxurious “work” apartment, and she becomes the probable suspect.

---

➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for this week's issue ⬅

---

Considering Dan’s reputation, few mourn the loss of yet another critic with writing aspirations of his own. Evidence seems to indicate that he had been using his apartment for more than just writing, but Dan’s cruel wit had done its share of damage within the dramatic realm. Although Nic trusts that Harper could never have actually killed Dan, it doesn’t look good that she has a Manny who resembles a personal trainer more than a hired caretaker. Complicating matters is, that in addition to the play, he was trying to produce. Dan may have been using a ‘tell-all’ more for leverage than writing credits. A producer with an interchangeable number of young ingénue girlfriends, an out leading man, beleaguered assistant, and grand dame of theatre all enliven both the suspect list and brilliant cast of characters. Not to mention Nic and Nigel’s don’t-tell-him-he’s-a-dog bullmastiff Skippy, who isn’t a suspect but does deserve his own credit.

Image source: Midnight Ink

This continues to be an absolutely delightful series that creates a sense of nostalgia through the bantering dialogue of its charming detectives. Nic displays an exasperation for Nigel’s juvenile antics when she not-so-secretly revels in them, while he in turn plays out his playboy persona to its fullest. Underneath the pretense though, they have an unwavering devotion to one another and complete confidence in the other’s love and capabilities.

Nigel may have come from a socialite family of vast wealth, but he has little respect for superficiality or class structure. He is completely supportive of his wife’s investigations, and while he doesn’t exactly enjoy working, he never hesitates to have her back. The bon mots, witty dialogue, Oscar Wilde-worthy insults, and exploitation of Broadway’s egocentric eccentrics are endlessly entertaining. This very modern mystery somehow feels as though it was written from a bygone era, which is an amazing feat from a very talented author. If you thought you enjoyed Tracy Kiely’s Jane Austen-loving Elizabeth Parker series, you will love this series that is a tribute to the Nick and Nora Charles novels by Dashiell Hammett.

To enter to win a copy of A Perfect Manhattan Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “manhattan,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 24, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please included your mailing address.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

A Perfect Manhattan Murder

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.