Search - Death and the Lit Chick (St. Just, Bk 2)

Having recently read and reviewed Death of a Cozy Writer, G. M. Malliet’s first book, I promptly bought and read her second British cozy, Death and the Lit Chick. Second books can be tough when the first was an unexpected gem. The concept, bringing together a group of classic mystery writers with a common publisher, most with moderately successful careers – some of which are on the wane, with the latest ‘chick lit’ mystery mega-hit writer has all kinds of potential. It gives the author a chance to show readers the ‘business’ side of writing, the jealousy, the struggle to stay on top, the fears and politely poisonous envy of newcomer phenoms. So here at Dalmorton Castle in Scotland we have one wildly successfully writer getting fêted by the collective publisher of all the writers at a mystery conference. I do find it curious that in both of her books G. M. Malliet chose to make a mystery author the victim. It would seem being a mystery writer in the UK is more dangerous than being a police detective.

The book opens with Kimberlee Kalder, author of the latest ditzy fashionista amateur sleuth mega bestseller, getting a manicure. Kimberlee sounds as shallow as her lead character, but you don’t make it big in publishing without the killer instinct. In Scotland, Quentin Swope pens a news article about the Dead on Arrival conference for mystery fans and would be authors for the Edinburgh Herald newspaper. Jay Fforde gets a call from superstar Kimberlee Kalder that leaves him hoping she’s willing to jump ship from Ninette Thompson to him, making him the top dog at the agency. Winston Chatley is wondering how he and his elderly mother will survive his writing drought. He’s started several books, but can’t get past about page 50. With no income, how will they manage? Joan Elksworthy a cozy writer and her friend and conference organizer Rachel Twalley are having tea at Fortnum’s where they talk about Kimberlee’s book – and Kimberlee, who Joan calls, “Pure poison.” Lord Easterbrok, owner of Deadly Dagger Press, sponsor of Dead on Arrival and publisher for all of the attending authors, contemplates black ink for the first time in years. He also contemplates the rumor that Kimberlee will break her contract and take her second book elsewhere. He’s hoping the award and bonus he’s giving her will put a stop to that. Magretta Sincock, a fading star of romantic suspense writing gets the bad news her US publisher isn’t picking up her next book. In St Germain’s restaurant in Cambridge DCI Arthur St Just was enjoying his weekly indulgence in fine dining and trying to watch the beautiful woman who sat eating alone surround by papers, apparently stood up by her date. Portia De’Ath (I know, just too cute for a mystery writer to be a De’Ath, right?) was very aware of him, and slightly amused by his trying to watch her, not knowing the two would meet again soon.

In the US, publicist B.A. King is arguing with author Annabelle Pace, who specializes in forensic mysteries, about touring small towns. They do not see eye to eye on his plan. Tom Brackette, a Cold War spy novelist of fading popularity unable to move with the changes in the geo-political scene, and his brow-beaten wife Edith discuss Kimberlee’s book, Dying for a Latte, that skewered people in the magazine publishing industry in roman á clef style. Tom isn’t taking Kimberlee’s fame and success well, but that’s not the only success he has trouble dealing with.

Up in Scotland at Dalmorton Castle, Donna Doone, the event coordinator, is working on her manuscript for a caveman murder mystery in hopes of being able to get some interest from the author’s or agents staying there. Her guests are arriving and even she sees the big man watching Portia De’Ath with longing. St Just is none too pleased to find himself at a mystery writer’s conference up in Scotland as part of a public relations effort. It was equally obvious that Portia was no fan of Kimbrelee – but then neither was the limo driver who wore much the same expression. Not even checked in and the woman was causing problems. Donna did not miss St Just’s stunned reaction to Portia’s presence.

The festering animosity among the writers hits a new peak at the dinner when Lord Easterbook gives Kimberlee a special award and thirty thousand pounds in a bonus check at a special dinner. The castle’s bottle dungeon figures into this as does Kimberlee’s prior association with several of the people in attendance. She was despised long before she became famous and began playing the part of the ditzy fashionista. Savvy, smart, determined, malicious, back-stabbing, vicious and many more adjectives were applied to her by those that knew her before and after she became famous.

As with Death of a Cozy Writer, Malliet has the murder committed in a setting where only those inside could commit the crime. Here we have a castle surrounded by a moat with drawbridge that is the only access in and out and becomes inoperative due to a power failure. The guests sort themselves out and settle in for a ‘dark and stormy night’ with books and drinks when Margretta comes in screeching “It’s Kimberlee! She’s dead!”

The story was choppy at times. It has moments of excellence and then turns generic. The characters were annoyingly cliche. Portia was patronizing and condescending to ST Just and he just let it pass. I sincerely hope if she's in future novels she treats the man with more respect for his brains and less smug self satisfaction.

The solution was rather messy. I thought Death and the Chick Lit plot was less well developed, though the mystery was a shade more complex than Death of a Cozy Writer. The book lacked the polish of her first outing though it did provide some interesting insights into the business of writing and publishing.

And unless I miss my guess, G. M. Malliet is patterning St Just after Roderick Allyen, the great Ngaio Marsh Scotland Yard detective. Unfortunately, she hasn't got Marsh's gift for characters or plots.

easy reading story set in a castle

Satire. Anthony award nominee.