The first novel in crime writer Libby Fischer Hellmann's popular Ellie Foreman mystery series, An Eye for Murder introduces the documentary filmmaker, single mom, and amateur sleuth in a tale that opens in Nazi-era Prague and closes on the North Shore of present-day Chicago.
An elderly stranger, Ben Sinclair, watches Ellie's "Celebrate Chicago" cable television show and dies suddenly not long after. Ellie receives a letter from Ben's landlady, who found Ellie's name among Ben's possessions. Agreeing to help dispose of his effects, but not knowing of any connection, Ellie begins to piece together Ben's story from the books and wartime relics he's left behind.
Ellie's search for clues takes her on a dangerous trail from the political present of the North Shore to memories of the city's ethnic neighborhoods and steel mills, an illicit love affair, Nazi-era intrigue, and more than one murder.
An Eye for Murder (published in 2002) is the first in six Ellie Foreman mystery thrillers from Libby Fischer Hellmann.
Review :
A masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense, this novel is well worth reading... sharp humor and vivid language... Ellie is an engaging amateur sleuth. Readers will hope they won't have to wait too long for Ellie's return. Publishers Weekly
A clever blend of thrills and humor... Hellmann has created a compelling group of believable characters...Chicago Sun-Times
Complicated... fascinating... Hellmann has a beautifully tuned ear... which makes many of her scenes seriously funny. Dick Adler, Chicago Tribune
Entertaining and well written... a surprising and satisfying conclusion... a clever thriller. Ted Hertel, Mystery News
