The new Diana Poole crime thriller takes our amateur sleuth deep into Southern California's underworld to uncover the mystery of a diamond-encrusted scorpion—and the reason for the murders that follow in its wake.Diana Poole's last movie was a flop, but she earned enough money to fix up her Malibu house. One afternoon standing outside it, she sees a woman across the highway waving at her. Diana doesn't recognize her. Still waving, the woman walks into the oncoming cars and is killed instantly. Why would anyone do that?The next night, while still horrified by the accident, Diana is held at gunpoint by a man demanding the dead woman's scorpion. What kind of scorpion? A live one? A brooch? A pendant? Diana searches the accident scene and finds a diamond-encrusted object in the shape of a scorpion. Breathless, she remembers her movie star mother showing it to her the last time she saw her alive. Did the woman who was waving at her want her to see it?...

Praise for Melodie Johnson Howe's City of Mirrors:"City of Mirrors is deftly written and smart. On top of that, it is entertaining as hell."—Michael Connelly"A fine crime novel with an engagingly cynical edge"—Simon BrettWhen the wealthy Ellie Kenilworth commits suicide and a crucial part of his will goes missing, his temporary employee Maggie Hill finds herself being circled by his greedy surviving kin who are out for their slice of the pie by any means necessary. Maggie turns to Claire Conrad, an eccentric but resolute private detective, and together they fight to protect the last wishes of a dying old man."Howe has created a wonderful, highly entertaining (and just a touch bizarre) pair of female sleuths."—Library Journal"[A] gem of a mystery . . . with wonderfully vivid characters and a deft plot abounding with twists and turns."—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Melodie Johnson Howe's City of Mirrors:"City of Mirrors is deftly written and smart. On top of that, it is entertaining as hell."—Michael Connelly"A fine crime novel with an engagingly cynical edge"—Simon BrettNew York can be a deadly place. In this gripping murder mystery, the enigmatic private eye Claire Conrad and her independent assistant Maggie Hill are in New York and about to fly to Los Angeles when a young woman appears at their hotel bearing an unusual message: a legendary fashion model who died recently did not commit suicide. When the messenger is stabbed to death, Claire and Maggie have no choice but to stay in New York to solve the mystery, whatever the risks..."Howe has created a wonderful, highly entertaining (and just a touch bizarre) pair of female sleuths."—Library Journal"One of the genre's best short story writers and novelists... More than glamour of setting, what makes Ms. Howe's work stand out is...

"City of Mirrors is deftly written and smart. On top of that, it is entertaining as hell." - Michael Connelly Running out of money, Diana Poole is forced to go back to the only work she knows: acting. Her much-loved husband and movie-star mother have died, and now Diana is over thirty-five. In Hollywood that means she might as well be dead. Still, a few key people remember her talent, and she lands a role in a new movie. But an actress should never get her hopes up, especially when she discovers the female lead's murdered body. Raised in her mother's shadow, Diana knows people in "the business"will go to dangerous lengths to protect their images. When her own life and career are threatened, Diana decides to fight back and find the killer. But unmasking the surprising murderer isn't that easy, especially when she uncovers what's real - and unreal - in her own life.

Praise for Melodie Johnson Howe's City of Mirrors:"City of Mirrors is deftly written and smart. On top of that, it is entertaining as hell."—Michael Connelly"A fine crime novel with an engagingly cynical edge"—Simon BrettIt's hard to make a comeback when death keeps getting in your way. Diana Poole is in her forties and is trying to rebuild her acting career but has to contend with lecherous old studio heads, cutthroat young starlets and other desperate fading beauties who will do whatever it takes to land the part. Diana Poole cuts through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and gets to the greed underneath, but she still knows how to play the game."One of the genre's best short story writers and novelists... More than glamour of setting, what makes Ms. Howe's work stand out is keenness of insight."—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine"Shooting Hollywood: The Diana Poole Stories, will delight you, intrigue you, and leave you hungering for...