Dead File (Maxi Poole Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Kelly Lange (Author)

Book Description

Series: Maxi Poole Mysteries | Publication Date: June 1, 2004

In the second novel in a new mystery series featuring Maxi Poole, the feisty TV journalist-turned-super-sleuth investigates the murder of a prominent L.A. businesswoman. "Maxi's best outing yet . . . Terrific light entertainment."--"Booklist."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Lange's fluffy sequel to The Reporter (2002), lanky, blonde TV newshound Maxi Poole and her cameraman rush to downtown L.A. to cover the sudden death of Gillian Rose, owner of a successful herbal dietary supplement company. The station can't use the film footage they take, but right away we know it contains an important clue; too bad we have to wait for the end of the book for it. After the authorities pronounce Gillian's death natural, Maxi's self-styled snooping turns up enough questionable pharmaceutical evidence to prod the medical examiner into a second autopsy that proves Gillian was murdered. The brash Maxi insinuates herself into the case, interviewing Gillian's snappish husband Carter, his greedy mistress and Gillian's business colleagues. Red herrings and suspicious behavior by all the characters keep Maxi zooming around L.A.'s celebrity haunts. Finally, she pulls out the crime scene footage and identifies the murderer, a totally off-the-wall choice. The author's lavish descriptions of brand-name clothing and furnishings will tickle Jackie Collins fans, while others will welcome the insider look at how news programs are put together. Have a good day at the beach! Mystery Guild Featured Alternate. FYI: Lange is a former reporter and anchor for L.A.'s KNBC-TV.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Young and glamorous L.A. reporter Maxi Poole is back in another adventure that takes readers inside a TV news operation. When vitamin-supplement queen Gillian Rose is found dead, Maxi anticipates a big story, but when the police find no evidence of foul play, Maxi's gruff boss takes her off the story. Gillian's husband, Carter, who believes his wife was murdered, enlists a skeptical Maxi to help in solving the crime. Displeased with this arrangement is Carter's stunning secretary--and lover--Kendyl Scott. Meanwhile, the return of colleague Richard Winningham from assignment in the Middle East suggests that Maxi's Christmas might not be blue this year. That subplot and others involving a distraught has-been anchorman and a stolen book manuscript help make this Maxi's best outing yet. Adding to the story's richness is Lange's amusing yet affectionate portrayal of La-La Land; yes, it's superficial, she seems to say, but why not love it anyway? Terrific light entertainment. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446613878
• ISBN-13: 978-0446613873
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,745,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maxi Poole, TV Newshound, is on the Job, April 21, 2004

By 

Dave Mayer (Huntington Beach) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead File (Maxi Poole Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The sudden death of Gillian Rose of Rose International, the country's largest manufacturer of vitamins, supplements, and health foods, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a mystery that stymies everyone, even the police. TV Six Anchorwoman Maxi Poole is one of the first on the scene, and soon she's right in the middle of all the action.

Although the police wind up saying the death was by natural causes, Maxi believes otherwise and she has a few suspects, like Gillian's husband, his ambitious mistress and a wealthy entrepreneur from out of town in this glitzy novel that will take you right inside the TV news business.

Ms. Lange, for years a Los Angeles TV journalist herself, knows what she's talking about when she describes her industry and it shows. She gives us ample clues and enough red herrings to keeps us guessing in this witty mystery.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fun soft-boiled investigation, July 10, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead File (Maxi Poole Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In Los Angeles TV news reporter Maxi Poole and her cameraman Rodger Harbaugh cover the death of Gillian Rose, CEO of a successful dietary supplement company. Maxi has the code to enter Gillian's office building and soon finds the corpse. Rodger films the deceased and the crime scene. However, there is not much to cover on the news when the authorities determine that Gillian died of natural causes.

Maxi has doubts as she knew the deceased and soon uncovers indisputable evidence that forces the now angry medical examiner into doing a new autopsy. The results affirm Maxi's theory that someone killed Gillian. Unable to remain on the sidelines now that she has forced the police to investigate, Maxi conducts her own inquiries to include questioning Gillian's husband, his mistress and the victim's business cronies.

Too many conveniences take away from a frenzy character that readers will like (though insist she drink decaf). The story line feels like a Jackie Collins lite, as fans will get a taste of fashionable LA through the eyes of a REPORTER. At the same time the audience will wonder how a major media journalist has the time to do leg work investigation, prepare her reports, and appear on TV without one of the Rose supplements to pool her energy. Still when Maxi lets her hair down especially in between her soft-boiled investigation, readers will enjoy Kelly Lange's lowbrow mystery.

Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, March 9, 2011

By 

LDM "Dianne" (Orange County, Ca) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dead File (Maxi Poole Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

Living in the SoCal region I was familiar with Kelly Lange from our local LA news so decided to read one of her books. I ended up getting and reading all of her works are was not disappointed with any of them.