Quick and the Dead

March 7, 2016
Alexandra Quick, a former detective inspector and the heroine of this disappointing series launch from British author Moody (A Final Reckoning), becomes an amateur sleuth only because her friend and business partner, art historian Helena Drummond, is missing and a murder suspect. When Helena fails to show up for an important meeting, Alex goes to Helena’s Canterbury home, where she discovers a brutalized body, later identified as that of Amy Morrison, a former student of Helena’s. Alex quickly discovers that she knew little about Helena or Amy, the author of a much-lauded biography of the painter Masaccio. In her search for answers, Alex turns for help to bookstore owner Sam Willoughby, who harbors dreams of becoming a private eye. Both Helena and Amy had several husbands, and Amy had a penchant for “borrowing” work done by others, so suspects and sources are plentiful. Moody does a good job creating sympathetic characters, but Alex bumbles her way to the unconvincing finale.

May 1, 2016

A former detective inspector, Alex Quick left the police force after her marriage broke up and she suffered a miscarriage. She has since pulled herself out of a major depression and written several glossy art books with her business partner, art historian Helena Drummond. When Helena fails to show at an important publisher meeting, Alex goes to Helena's house and finds a body that is not her associate. Where is Helena? As Alex investigates, she realizes that she doesn't know her colleague at all. Moody, the author of the "Penny Wanawake" and "Cassie Swann" books, launches a suspenseful new crime series, introducing an intelligent female sleuth who draws on her previous policing skills. VERDICT Aficionados of British crime fiction can't get enough, and this fresh mystery will satisfy their cravings.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2016
After the disastrous end to her marriage, Alex Quick quits the police force and sets off on a new career pathproducing art books that will appeal to children and adults alike. Her books are successful, but when she has a chance to partner with well-known art historian Helena Drummond, she sees an opportunity to take her career even further. It seems to be working as planned, but on the morning when Alex and Helena are to sign a contract for a three-book deal, Helena fails to turn up. A furious Alex goes to Helena's house to confront her, only to find a murder scene. At first convinced the mutilated body is Helena's, Alex soon realizes it's someone else's. But where is Helena? The police are sure Helena is the killer, but Alex believes her friend is innocent and is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. Moody's latest starts off slowly but builds quickly to fever pace. With a plucky, smart heroine; taut suspense; and an inventive plot, this first in a series will please a wide range of mystery buffs.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)