Death and the Lit Chick by G. M. Malliet

Second St. Just Mystery by Author of Death of a Cozy Writer

Jun 18, 2009 Vickie Britton

Female British Author G. M. Malliet's latest humorous mystery novel was chosen by Kirkus Review as Best Book of 2008, and is a book club favorite.

“Murder most foul” occurs when authors converge for a conference at an old Scottish castle in Edinburgh. When detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just is invited to the conference to talk about police procedure and “nabbing the baddies”, he finds himself investigating a real murder. But how can he solve the case when almost all of his suspects are mystery writers, whose very livelihoods are based on lies and expert fabrication?

Death and the Lit Chick-The Murder

Most hated chick lit author Kimberlee Kalder has made plenty of enemies within the writing community. Kalder’s new novel Dying for a Latte has unleashed a world of resentment. Some marvel that the self-absorbed, pink-clad airhead could write a book at all, let alone a best-seller. Jealousy, revenge, or fear of publication of Kimberlee’s next book, which may be a thinly-veiled expose, are all possible motives for the crime.

Death and the Lit Chick-Cast of Suspects

Some of the suspects in this full cast include Kimberlee’s rival Margretta Sincock, a stout woman who always dresses in green. Yesterday’s darling, Margretta rose to fame writing the same woman in jeopardy plot over and over. Then there is Annabel Pace, who writes forensic mysteries steeped in gore that have plenty of medical mistakes. The rude and sinister Tom Brackett writes spy novels, and Winston Chatley is a brooding thriller writer with a serious case of writer’s block. And then there is Donna, the wannabe writer who has a terrible idea to write a book about a prehistoric detective. Lovely Portia De’Ath, who St. Just is immediately attracted to, seems the only sane writer at the conference.

Also included in the cast is Lord Easterbrook, publisher and sponsor of the conference, as well as a bevy of cut-throat agents, publishers, and publicists which are all hoping to court the new star and cash in on her undeserved fame and fortune.

Author G. M. Malliet’s Unique Style

Malliet’s old-fashioned style is reminiscent of the traditional whodunits of the past, by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, but with a distinctly humorous flair. Death and the Lit Chick pokes innocent fun at the world of writing and publishing, and the eccentric habits of authors, such as carrying around numerous copies of their own books. Mystery fans will notice clever allusions to well-known mysteries and recognize parodies of famous authors or author types interspersed throughout. The book is a clever mystery as well as a witty satire.

Death and the Lit Chick was published by Midnight Ink. (ISBN 10: 0738712477) . A list of book club questions is included at the end of the novel.

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The copyright of the article Death and the Lit Chick by G. M. Malliet in Mystery/Crime Fiction is owned by Vickie Britton. Permission to republish Death and the Lit Chick by G. M. Malliet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Death and the Lit Chick