Book Review: A Perfect Manhattan Murder by Tracy Kiely

‘See what I mean about Fletch and the young girls? she asked. ‘It’s ridiculous. Whatever can she be thinking?’
‘I’m going to go with “vague blurry thoughts”,’ I said.
…
‘For some women, power is an aphrodisiac.’
Nigel nodded in agreement. ‘Usually for the ones who can’t spell it.'”

I love this series – the books are fun and easy to read, with snappy dialogue and an old-school movie feel. That feel extends beyond the obvious Thin Man, Nick-and-Nora (and Asta too!), parallels; the plot lines and characterizations are, even though clearly set in modern times with modern elements, sprinkled with black-and-white sensibilities that I find thoroughly enjoyable.

In this latest installment, Nic and Nigel are back in the world of A-list New York, this time centered around the theater. There’s the de rigeur murder, of course, and the wild and crazy cast of insanely over-the-top-yet-still-delightful suspects that readers of the series have come to expect. Nic remains overly involved in police work despite her retirement; Nigel remains too charming for words; Skippy remains gigantic and unbelievably integrated into Manhattan society. The mystery is never quite as mysterious as it could be. Fans of cozy mystery series will feel right at home with the format of the set-up and reveal. The perp is usually identifiable before said reveal, but there’s always some fun twist or turn thrown in that makes the solution disproportionately entertaining. It is this element, as much as the snarky comments and snide references, that renders the series redolent of the black and white classics from such marvelous big screen pairings as Myrna Loy and William Powell, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant and anyone… You usually saw the ending coming then, too, but the journey was such a delight you never minded!

“You look like I could use a drink.”
“I get that a lot,” I replied.

While I must admit that the second in the series remains my far and away favorite, this one was a delight and I hope that Kiely keeps writing more witty repartee for the fabulous Nic and Nigel…

My review copy was provided by NetGalley.