From Publishers Weekly
Kiernan O'Shaugnessy, the doughty, acid-tongued 40-ish PI and former forensic pathologist introduced in A Pious Deception, moves inside the Hollywood stunt world to probe two murders spaced 10 years apart. The stunt lore and forensics in the latest Kiernan adventure nearly compensate for its implausible, contrived plot. Stuntwoman Lark Sodervoil, 19, aims at becoming the first person to replicate the spectacular multi-flip known as the Gaige Move but dies in the attempt, plunging over a 500-foot bluff. The gag, or event, is directed by Cary Bleeker, who's been dogged by bad luck ever since the fiery death a decade before of Greg Gaige, who wasn't adequately protected in a fiery stunt. Lark's plunge was witnessed by five people who had also seen Gaige go up in flames. But perception is not reality. Suspecting foul play in Lark's death and out of respect for Gaige, whom she had slightly known and greatly admired, Kiernan investigates and finds that the recent death leads directly to the earlier one. Readers hoping that Kiernan will finally fall for Brad Tchernak, her level-headed dog-sitter, houseman and gourmet chef, will be put on hold again, as the tiny PI finds another object for her affections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Library Journal
Kiernan O'Shaughnessy, a fortyish former forensic pathologist turned series private detective, witnesses the horrible-if spectacular-accidental death of a 19-year-old stuntwoman. A typical plot scenario follows: the "accidental" death turns out to be murder, so Kiernan pursues the murderer, who apparently had struck under similar circumstances ten years earlier. Subplots form around the power plays and iniquities of the movie and stunt people involved, providing ample challenge for cocky Kiernan's medical and investigatory prowess. With slick and sassy prose, Dunlap (Time Expired, LJ 5/1/93) moves it all forward. Good entertainment.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
