Murder Can Crash Your Party (Desiree Shapiro Mystery #15) (Paperback)

by Selma Eichler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Full-figured Manhattan P.I. Desiree Shapiro doesn’t like public speaking—so she’s surprised when her talk at a mystery writers’ convention is a hit. But she receives an even bigger surprise when eccentric author Belle Simone approaches her with a truly bizarre proposition.

If Desiree can solve the mystery in Belle’s yet unpublished novel, she’ll be paid $24,940! Desiree is engrossed by Belle’s story of adultery and murder. But the real mystery is: why someone would pay her such an exorbitant sum to solve a homicide that exists only on paper?

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451223845
• ISBN-13: 978-0451223845
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #289,798 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely One of the Best I've Read So Far This Year!, June 22, 2008

By	C. A. Hopkins (The gorgeous Rockies) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Murder Can Crash Your Party is the first Selma Eichler novel I've read, actually, and it was so enjoyable that I'll undoubtedly get to her other novels sitting on my bookshelves sooner than I'd originally planned so I can get me some more of the thoroughly delightful, not-at-all-what-one-would-expect PI, Desiree Shapiro. Honestly, this book rates right up there with the very best I've read so far in 2008, due, in large measure, to Ms. Eichler's very likable, indomitable, real-life, less-than-perfect, girl-next-door heroine.

In this particular outing, Ms. Eichler uses an interesting plot technique to drive the story - a mystery within a mystery, if you will. I found it exceedingly effective at building and releasing tension throughout the entire book.

Desiree is invited to speak at a mystery writer's conference and afterwards is approached by a romance novelist with a strange but intriguing challenge - one that Desiree accepts readily. While Desiree is involved in a few small distractions throughout the book - reminding us that she is, in fact, a real (fictional) PI with a real (fictional) life - the main story revolves around a manuscript of a murder mystery written by the somewhat eccentric romance novelist and the challenge said novelist presents.

This book has it all: a well-conceived mystery, a believable (and quite likable) heroine, an interesting (and complex) cast of characters, riddles, romance, wonderful writing, and excellent editing (although awhile is one word, regardless of what one's spellchecker might have one believe). I don't know how I managed to miss this series all these years, but I plan to make up for lost time by getting my hands on as many of the Desiree Shapiro books as I can! If you haven't already, I recommend you do the same.

Carol Ann Hopkins 6/22/2008

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Her Best, May 24, 2008

By	A Reader - See all my reviews

This mystery-within-a-mystery just didn't do it for me. All through the book I kept wondering why the author didn't just write Belle's story as the book, since it would've been a lot less confusing and there wasn't much else going on other than the usual filler -- Jackie's nosiness, a Chinese dinner at Ellen's house and Desiree "simpering" over Nick's phone calls and fretting about his bratty kid.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable, but not her best, June 16, 2008

By	tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

When Desiree Shapiro, is approached at a mystery writer's convention with the unusual proposition of solving a mystery in an unpublished work, Desiree's curiosity is naturally piqued. Belle Simone, a rather well known romance writer, has decided to branch out into the mystery genre. But before she sends off her finished manuscript to the publishers, she wants to see if the mystery novel she has written can actually be solved and wants to hire Desiree to do so. Of course Desiree agrees; and before long finds herself totally engrossed in the tale of murder, adultery and betrayal amongst the well-heeled Manhattanites. But is this paper mystery solvable? Or does Belle have some trick up her sleeve? And why is Belle so eager to see if a real private detective would be able to detect who committed the murder she has constructed?

A fan of the series, I will admit that "Murder Can Crash Your Party" probably will never be listed as one of the better installments. There were too many things that didn't quite work -- like the mystery-within-the mystery plot prop. For me the reason why this plot device didn't quite work was because too thin and not complex enough -- we're given only one reason why certain suspects would have wanted the victim dead, and after a while it was as if one was reading variations of a same theme as the paper detectives grilled their suspects -- repetitious and not very intriguing. In my opinion, a variety of reasons for the murder would have added a little more suspense and texture to the plot. In fact, I thought that the small subplot involving an actual investigation as to whether or not the wife of one of Desiree's friends was cheating on him was far, far more interesting than the paper mystery. And I rather wish that there had been more small subplots to bolster this novel up!

On the other hand, while "Murder Can Crash Your Party" lacked suspense and got sidetracked far too many times on Desiree's fears that her romance with Nick was doomed, I did think find it to be a nice, light and enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the chatty tone of the book. "Murder Can Crash Your Party" may not be the best Desiree Shapiro installment, but it wasn't a dead loss either. It was light, breezy and enjoyable, and I came away feeling refreshed and not cheated. A solid 3 star read.