Walla Walla Suite

Quinn, a newly divorced ex-cop, retains custody of her wild hot flashes, her twisted tongue, her fey sense of humor, and her propensity for trouble. Now trying to get a foothold as a P.I. in a new city, Quinn takes what she thinks will be a safe job with Vincent Ainge, to whom she is oddly attracted. Vincent, who has his own demons, is the only mitigation investigator in the Northwest working to save the lives of convicted killers from ending at the gallows in Walla Walla state prison. When a young secretary named Eileen vanishes, the woman's boss hires Quinn to track her down. What looks like a missing-person case turns out to be anything but, sucking into its wake Vincent, his demented father, Eileen's barely legitimate boss, her sexually vulnerable mother, a serial rapist and possible serial killer, and, of course, Quinn herself. Quinn's improvised investigation takes her to the dangerous dark corners of the human psyche and casts suspicion where she least expects it, which will ignite a burst of violence and a resolution that readers won't see coming. This book will delight anyone who has ever feared that the private detective novel has no new tricks-or voices-up its sleeve. -Laura Lippman, author of What the Dead Know Anne Argula brings a welcome voice to the noir novel with Quinn, who is earthy, gritty, but above all, a mature woman. We don't have enough of those. -Sara Paretsky, author of Fire Sale A terrific, suspenseful tale of murder, driven by interesting and quirky characters, leavened by edgy self-deprecating humor, and resolved by a surprising twist. -Joseph Wambaugh, author of Hollywood Station A wonderful novel-smart, funny, and remarkably humane. -James Crumley, author of The Right Madness Anne Argula's menopausal detective will give mystery fans multiple hot flashes of horror, humor, and surprise. -Tom Robbins, author of Villa Incognito From the Trade Paperback edition.