The jewel-thief wife of an old college flame of Nora’s has been found dead at the bottom of the pool after a party one night.

While Nora is never really considered a suspect, she’s close to the family and the patriarch is up for a big government position so Nora once again uses her social schedule, listening to, and chatting with, people who knew the victim and who might have wanted her dead.

The plot of this one was a little bit wacky, but touches on a few darker and racier themes that are usually a no-go in cozies, but Martin does it so well the reader rarely notices. The culmination of the mystery ends up with Nora in peril, but kudos to Martin for coming up with a rather clever method of self defence that, while wholly implausible except under the most unusual circumstances, wins points for sheer creativity. ( )

Nora Blackbird comes from old money, but that money is essentially gone thanks to her parents' indiscretions. Now she works as a society columnist, attending parties and fundraisers with the still-rich. And she's also possibly dating a man who may be a mobster--at least, his family are. Add in the wife of an ex-boyfriend being found dead at the bottom of a pool, and Nora's life has gotten plenty complicated.

This is such a fun cozy mystery. Martin's storytelling reminds me some of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series, outlandish characters that work so well, a tough-as-nails heroine juggling love and stopping criminals, and a great sense of humor pervading the mystery. I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of this series. ( )

She finally got one right.... Not too much dysfunction, not too much unnecessary explanations, not too much inane sisters' craziness.... Just right.

So Nora has been invited to a party of an up & coming Washington politician. Said politician has divorced his long term wife in order to downgrade to a Dim-bulb younger southern society Trophy wife. Nora's ex boyfriend from college is there & he tries to make a pass at her, his wife bursts in & starts a screaming scene.... Nora goes w/ wife to calm her down & explain... when Nora comes away she notices that her grandmother's sapphire & diamond ring is missing.....

Later that night the wife is found dead at the bottom of the pool w/ a cement garden gnome tied to her ankle...... Then there is all the jewelery that has been stolen over the years from the women who have attended/given parties where the dead woman has been in attendance.

Lots of nastiness in the politician's family & a "Friend" of the politician who just happens to be FBI......

Of course, Michael is around and so are Emma, Libby (who is about to give birth again) & her brood.

8-) ( )

Book 2 in the Blackbird Sisters mysteries. A cute and cozy mystery. ( )

Excellent