From Publishers Weekly
McGaughey is a reviewer of mysteries who?as this clever, literate puzzler shows?has made a successful transition to writing them. His character, Stokes Moran, is a mystery book reviewer who has made the same transition. In his third adventure, following And Then There Were Ten, Stokes (a pen name for Kyle Malachi) receives a surprise visit at his Tipton, Conn., home from a man who looks just like him. In fact, Derek Winslow claims he is Kyle's twin. Angry and confused, Kyle will not listen to explanations by his putative brother. Derek leaves but urges Kyle to contact him the next day, before he leaves town. Kyle tries, but finds Derek murdered. Kyle then decides to assume Derek's identity in order to catch the murderer. At Derek's Louisville home, with no idea who Derek was or what he's getting into, Kyle has some amusing adventures with Derek's lover, a ferret and his own, unknown, family history. Aided by techniques learned from fictional detectives and guided by his knowledge of plots from various past masters, Kyle eventually succeeds in his goal. In this fast-paced, appealing series, McGaughey begins each chapter with an apposite quote from one of Stokes's reviews of a recent mystery. These tips of the reviewer's hat to fellow authors add a nice touch to an already enjoyable read.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Newly married and blissfully happy, Kyle Malachi (aka mystery reviewer Stokes Moran) can finally afford to take a break from reviewing and start work on a new mystery novel. But his contentment turns to confusion when a knock on his door turns his life upside down. At the door stands Derek Winslow, who is not only a dead ringer for Kyle but also claims to be Kyle's long-lost twin brother. Then suddenly Derek is murdered. Wanting answers, Kyle decides to take on Derek's identity in an effort to find out more about this mysterious man, his mysterious past, and the odd circumstances surrounding his death. In the process of unmasking the murderer, Kyle discovers a family he never knew he had. As usual, McGaughey's witty dialogue, inventive plotting, and solid prose add up to entertaining reading.
Emily Melton
