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Available
Call number
Series
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Collection
Publication
Tor
Description
The annual Historical Romance Writers of the World convention in New York City is calling to Jacqueline Kirby, a Nebraska librarian who desperately desires some excitement. But all is not love and kisses at this august gathering of starry-eyed eccentrics and sentimental scribes. As far as Jacqueline is concerned, the sudden "natural" death of a gossip columnist seems anything but. And when she's approached by a popular genre star who fears for her own life, the resourceful Ms. Kirby quickly goes back to work...as a sleuth. Because there's a sinister scenario being penned at this purple prose congregation. And when jealousy and passion are given free rein beyond the boundaries of the printed page, the result can be murder.
User reviews
LibraryThing member timepiece
This may be one of the funniest mysteries I have ever read. The antics of the people at the romance writers' convention, authors and fans alike, were hysterical. As was Jacqueline's convoluted rationale for her vacation.
Anyway. The mystery itself was pretty good, with a solution I wasn't expecting
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a light mystery, and possibly romance readers interested in mysteries.
Anyway. The mystery itself was pretty good, with a solution I wasn't expecting
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(granted, I'm almost always surprised). The equal attention to professionals and fans at the convention was nice, and several of the fans were fairly well fleshed out. Jacqueline's arguments with the writing advice were entertaining as well - this book may be more enjoyable if you've read some of the classic romances mentioned, so as to appreciate the debate more.Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a light mystery, and possibly romance readers interested in mysteries.
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LibraryThing member mikeneko
In order, the Jacqueline Kirby series is Seventh Sinner, Murders of Richard III, Die for Love, and Naked Once More.
Jacqueline Kirby tires of the university librarian's lifestyle and seeks vacation joy in New York City, posing as a writer at a romance writer's conference. There she meets calculating
It's the usual mix of humor and (very) vague romance. Like the Vicky Bliss series, these books rest heavily on the protagonist's bumptious personality and personal quirks (such as the amazing handbag filled with who knows what). So if you Jacqueline Kirby in one book, you'll like her in the others.
Jacqueline Kirby tires of the university librarian's lifestyle and seeks vacation joy in New York City, posing as a writer at a romance writer's conference. There she meets calculating
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agents, overenthusiastic fans, old school chums, and innumerable authors named "Valerie." And, naturally, someone is murdered. It's the usual mix of humor and (very) vague romance. Like the Vicky Bliss series, these books rest heavily on the protagonist's bumptious personality and personal quirks (such as the amazing handbag filled with who knows what). So if you Jacqueline Kirby in one book, you'll like her in the others.
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LibraryThing member ForeignCircus
Set in the midst of a conference for romance writers, this mystery features my favorite Peters character Jacqueline Kirby, a librarian from Coldwater College of undetermined age. Eager to escape the rain in Nebraska, Kirby sets off for NYC to attend the Historical Romance Writers of the World
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conference because she thinks she can write off the cost as business deduction on her tax return(!). Sandwiched in between the clues of the exciting mystery plot are magnificent tongue-in-cheek looks at bodice-rippers and the industry that produces them. The satirical tone and Kirby's dry wit will have you laughing your way through the novel. At then end, you too may be inspired to try your hands at writing a romance novel- after all, if Kirby can write and sell a novel while solving the murder, why can't you? Show Less
LibraryThing member steelersfan1
Excellent mystery about a librarian/sleuth.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Jacqueline is a amusing as ever. In fact, as a character, she is the best part of this book. The mystery is just so-so and I'm not so fond of the 'summing up' scene that ends this farcical romp. Entertaining.
LibraryThing member little_prof
The indomitable Jacqueline Kirby returns for her third brush with murder in this volume. Unable to stand the pastoral peace of Coldwater College any longer she decides to attend a writers' conference in New York; a ROMANCE writers' conference. She soon learns that not all is hearts and roses in the
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mines of love. Valerie Valentine, the Queen of Love (as dubbed by her agent), seems haunted. Laurie, the disturbed, but devoted fan, is stoned out of her gourd on devotion and drugs. Valerie Vanderbilt, aka, Jean the literature teacher, is hiding her romantic side from the tenure board. Then Dubretta, the poison penned columnist, is murdered. Everyone has a secret and one of them led to murder. Can Jacqueline discover the truth under the facade of flower petals and paper hearts? Show Less
LibraryThing member doxtator
As a mystery it was okay, with some interesting moments, and lots of quirky characters. But I was never sure that the satire on the romance industry was entirely intended through-out, much of the time it seemed that the regular bits of the mystery story and those characters were falling into many
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of the same tropes that were being winked at in the romance genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
I admit, this one makes me giggle. I like romances and this plays with the genre's worst tropes. I love how Jacqueline's romance story changes as she goes through the convention's seminars. The mystery heads the way I expected, but it was fun getting there. All the clues are there; for once I
If you like cozy mysteries, you might like this. If you like cozies and have flirted with the romance genres (and aren't too serious about them), I think you'll love it.
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guessed right. If you like cozy mysteries, you might like this. If you like cozies and have flirted with the romance genres (and aren't too serious about them), I think you'll love it.
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LibraryThing member susanamper
Published in 1984. Not a sterling entry in the Jacqueline Kirby series. Peters is going for satire, I think, but it falls flat.
(book description from Amazon) The annual Historical Romance Writers of the World convention in New York City is calling to Jacqueline Kirby, a Nebraska librarian who
(book description from Amazon) The annual Historical Romance Writers of the World convention in New York City is calling to Jacqueline Kirby, a Nebraska librarian who
Show More
desperately desires some excitement. But all is not love and kisses at this august gathering of starry-eyed eccentrics and sentimental scribes. As far as Jacqueline is concerned, the sudden "natural" death of a gossip columnist seems anything but. And when she's approached by a popular genre star who fears for her own life, the resourceful Ms. Kirby quickly goes back to work...as a sleuth. Because there's a sinister scenario being penned at this purple prose congregation. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
This was an entertaining audiobook. I had read the print book many years ago. Librarian Jacqueline Kirby is great character. She drinks and smokes and is an independent woman who is intelligent and determined.
Looking for an inexpensive vacation from Nebraska, she decides to visit the annual
When she arrives, she finds quite a variety of characters. There is the greedy agent whose Southern accent comes and goes, a variety of authors who are under her control, a gossip columnist who wants to expose the greedy agent's dirty tricks, and a variety of fan clubs who are a bit fanatical.
When the gossip columnist dies at an evening wine party, Jacqueline is convinced that she was murdered though she can't quite recall how she got the wine glass the likely held the poison that killed her. The police, however, are certain that the gossip columnist's heart disease was the culprit.
As Jacqueline investigates, she learns lots of secrets about the people at the convention including that an old college classmate is now one of Aunt Hattie's authors and hiding it for fear of not being granted tenure as an English professor. Another old classmate is leading the protests against the convention since she's a devoted women's libber who thinks the books are harming women.
I loved the description of the various activities at the convention and the various characters who were attending it. So much pink! And so many hearts! I loved that Jacqueline decided to write her own historical romance while attending the convention.
This was a fun story with a great main character and lots of interesting side characters too.
Looking for an inexpensive vacation from Nebraska, she decides to visit the annual
Show More
Historical Romance Writers of the World convention in New York City. To get ready, she reads a couple of historical romances on the plane.When she arrives, she finds quite a variety of characters. There is the greedy agent whose Southern accent comes and goes, a variety of authors who are under her control, a gossip columnist who wants to expose the greedy agent's dirty tricks, and a variety of fan clubs who are a bit fanatical.
When the gossip columnist dies at an evening wine party, Jacqueline is convinced that she was murdered though she can't quite recall how she got the wine glass the likely held the poison that killed her. The police, however, are certain that the gossip columnist's heart disease was the culprit.
As Jacqueline investigates, she learns lots of secrets about the people at the convention including that an old college classmate is now one of Aunt Hattie's authors and hiding it for fear of not being granted tenure as an English professor. Another old classmate is leading the protests against the convention since she's a devoted women's libber who thinks the books are harming women.
I loved the description of the various activities at the convention and the various characters who were attending it. So much pink! And so many hearts! I loved that Jacqueline decided to write her own historical romance while attending the convention.
This was a fun story with a great main character and lots of interesting side characters too.
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1984
Physical description
274 p.; 22 cm