Presley Parker of Killer Parties has put together a murder mystery play as a fund-raiser for the San Francisco de Young Museum on behalf of its philanthropist, Mary Lee Miller. Mary Lee has overseen every detail of the play planning right down to giving staff members of the museum roles in the play and taking the role of the victim for herself.
The evening gets underway with all 200-plus guests dressed as their favorite detectives. Soon a real detective is needed when Mary Lee Miller is found fatality stabbed.
The prime suspect in the murder is Presley’s friend and co-worker, Delicia Jackson. Mary Lee and Delicia had a heated argument prior to the play and nasty words were exchanged. Mary Lee accused Delicia of dating her son, Corbin, just to get her (Mary Lee’s) money. And, as with the play, Delicia was the one to discover Mary Lee’s body.
Presley realizes she must find the real killer to help her friend. The list of suspects is long since Mary Lee was a bit controlling, overbearing and pompous.
Author Penny Warner puts together a cast of colorful and quirky characters to help protagonist Presley Parker in her quest for justice. HOW TO CRASH A KILLER BASH is a light-hearted read filled with a mix of humor, suspense, a touch of romance, and intrigue - all perfect for a cozy murder mystery. An added bonus is the party planning tips and the instructions on ‘How To Host A Killer Murder Mystery.’
This is the second installment in the Party Planning Mystery series, but it is a stand alone book. To find out how Presley get started in the party planning business, check out HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY. An excerpt from the third installment in the series (HOW TO SURVIVE A KILLER SÉANCE coming in March 2011) is also included in the latest release.
Time to break out your old board game, Clue, and start planning a party.
Penny Warner’s website is http://www.pennywarner.com/
How To Crash A Killer Bash by Penny Warner, A Party-Planning Mystery, Obsidian, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-451-23097-3, Paperback, 320 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Mason - Thanks for this review. This reminds me, in a way, of Agatha Christie's Dead Man's Folly. In that novel, Ariadne Oliver, Christie's fictional detective story author, creates a Murder Hunt (sort of like a scavenger hunt) that becomes all too real when the person who's supposed to be "the victim" ends up dead. Interesting concept, and it sounds like the characters in this novel are very original.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a similar concept from Agatha Christie's, Dead Man's Folly. It goes to show that old ideas can be made new again.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Mason.
I love Agatha Christie's books and I'm always on the lookout for authors that remind me of her. Interesting review.
ReplyDeleteMargot and Teresa, there is a similar concept between the two books. But, Penny's version is modernized with a few twists.
ReplyDeleteJudy, it's an interesting book. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a murder-mystery dinner in book form!
ReplyDeleteClever and unique plot idea ... and it sounds like Penny pulled it off with style!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Could ;be a fun read. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Mason,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind review.
And thanks for all the nice comments!
Send me an email if you want a bookmark that comes with a tiny dagger and I'll send it along.
Best,
Penny Warner
Mason, I want to improve my book review writing skills and, after reading your well-written review, I’m hoping I can learn by osmosis!
ReplyDeleteHaving once gone to a party at a museum, I can picture this scenario easily. It sounds like a book I’d enjoy.
Alex, you could say that.
ReplyDeleteMarvin, Penny did pull it off with style. It's a delight.
Josh, thanks for stopping by. I'll check on your link.
Carol, it is a fun read. It has some of those 'laugh out loud' moments.
Karen, the cover is very eye catching.
Penny, thanks so much for dropping by. I did enjoy your book very much. Thanks for your kind words.
Jane, thanks for the kind words. I'm always worried when I do a review that I'll leave something important out or put too much in.