A Killing in Costumes
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Overview
Stardom fades fast when you're on the line for murder, in this debut cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Jenn McKinlay.
Jay Allan and Cindy Cooper were soap opera stars in the late '90s, a wholesome young husband-and-wife duo who combined musical talent with humor and charisma. When the truth about their sexual orientations came to light, their marriage and TV careers ended, but decades later they have remained friends. Together, they open Palm Springs' chicest movie memorabilia store, Hooray for Hollywood--but no customers and dwindling finances spell trouble. A Hail Mary arrives in the form of Yana Tosh, a ninety-year-old diva of the silver screen who has amassed a valuable collection of costumes and props and is looking to sell. But first, Jay and Cindy have to beat their competition, a vice president from a mega-auction house with ten times their resources. And when he winds up dead, they become prime suspects in the murder. With their freedom and livelihoods on the line, Jay and Cindy desperately need to clear their names. There are plenty of other potential suspects, but they'll have to solve it soon before they're forced to trade in their vintage costume collection for two orange jumpsuits.
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9781639100866
- ISBN-10: 1639100865
- Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
- Publish Date: August 2022
- Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 0.9 pounds
- Page Count: 320
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A Killing in Costumes, Zac Bissonnette's first Hollywood Treasures mystery, deftly balances a tightly plotted mystery with glamorous characters and a unique setting in the world of movie memorabilia.
Decades ago, Cindy Cooper and Jay Allan were bona fide celebrities. The married-in-real-life performers starred as a couple in a popular soap opera to great acclaim—until they decided to reveal their true sexual orientations to the world. Jay and Cindy lost their acting careers and ended their marriage but remained close friends.
They now own Hooray for Hollywood, a movie memorabilia store in Palm Springs, California. Business is slow, and they're in danger of having to close the shop for good until they're offered a chance to represent retired silver screen legend Yana Tosh in the sale of her personal collection of film costumes and memorabilia. When a vice president of the auction house competing for Yana's collection is found dead, Jay and Cindy become suspects in the investigation. To clear their names, keep their business afloat and win Yana's collection, the friends must work together to solve the case—before the killer strikes again.
Bissonnette does an exceptional job constructing A Killing in Costume's central whodunit: Each entertaining suspect has believable motives and opportunities, and mystery fans are sure to appreciate his deftly hidden clues. But the heart of the story lies in Cindy and Jay's close friendship, which has weathered the collapse of their careers, new jobs and relationships, and every success and loss along the way. Both are deeply funny people who are fiercely protective of each other, and their passion for and knowledge of the film industry will delight readers who are also movie buffs. Finally, Cindy's struggle to find a new normal after the loss of her beloved wife to cancer provides a serious note that is both touching and authentic.
A Killing in Costumes has all the hallmarks of a great cozy: a unique setting, an intriguing cast of characters and an exciting mystery.
A Killing in Costumes, Zac Bissonnette's first Hollywood Treasures mystery, deftly balances a tightly plotted mystery with glamorous characters and a unique setting in the world of movie memorabilia.
Decades ago, Cindy Cooper and Jay Allan were bona fide celebrities. The married-in-real-life performers starred as a couple in a popular soap opera to great acclaim—until they decided to reveal their true sexual orientations to the world. Jay and Cindy lost their acting careers and ended their marriage but remained close friends.
They now own Hooray for Hollywood, a movie memorabilia store in Palm Springs, California. Business is slow, and they're in danger of having to close the shop for good until they're offered a chance to represent retired silver screen legend Yana Tosh in the sale of her personal collection of film costumes and memorabilia. When a vice president of the auction house competing for Yana's collection is found dead, Jay and Cindy become suspects in the investigation. To clear their names, keep their business afloat and win Yana's collection, the friends must work together to solve the case—before the killer strikes again.
Bissonnette does an exceptional job constructing A Killing in Costume's central whodunit: Each entertaining suspect has believable motives and opportunities, and mystery fans are sure to appreciate his deftly hidden clues. But the heart of the story lies in Cindy and Jay's close friendship, which has weathered the collapse of their careers, new jobs and relationships, and every success and loss along the way. Both are deeply funny people who are fiercely protective of each other, and their passion for and knowledge of the film industry will delight readers who are also movie buffs. Finally, Cindy's struggle to find a new normal after the loss of her beloved wife to cancer provides a serious note that is both touching and authentic.
A Killing in Costumes has all the hallmarks of a great cozy: a unique setting, an intriguing cast of characters and an exciting mystery.