The Pink Flamingo Murders [Mass Market Paperback]

Elaine Viets (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 1999

Whacked with a lawn flamingo? A reporter wants to know--who killed with kitsch...

The rehabilitation of North Dakota Place is a feel-good story--the kind St. Louis City Gazette columnist Francesca Vierling likes to write. Grand houses restored to former glory. Pride in a neighborhood--and, like all good stories, this one has a hero, the woman who made it all happen, the city's guardian of good taste. Some call her a rehabbing saint, others a fanatic.

The first death on North Dakota Place was certainly shocking but not entirely unwelcome--after all, the victim was a cranky old man who had been painting his house purple. The second death, of a drug dealer, brings tacit approval--and growing suspicion. But all bets are off when another victim is found, a socialite unceremoniously whacked with a pink lawn flamingo. Now the neighbors want Francesca to investigate. But her boyfriend wants her to commit to marriage, not crime. Soon the gutsy reporter is experiencing a deepening personal crisis--and something more heinous than vinyl siding: the dark secrets of heart, home, and blighted dreams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Viets . . . delves into the vibrancy of a city that has more than just a big Arch and breweries while creating realistic characters."
--Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

From the Inside Flap

Whacked with a lawn flamingo? A reporter wants to know--who killed with kitsch...

The rehabilitation of North Dakota Place is a feel-good story--the kind St. Louis City Gazette columnist Francesca Vierling likes to write. Grand houses restored to former glory. Pride in a neighborhood--and, like all good stories, this one has a hero, the woman who made it all happen, the city's guardian of good taste. Some call her a rehabbing saint, others a fanatic.

The first death on North Dakota Place was certainly shocking but not entirely unwelcome--after all, the victim was a cranky old man who had been painting his house purple. The second death, of a drug dealer, brings tacit approval--and growing suspicion. But all bets are off when another victim is found, a socialite unceremoniously whacked with a pink lawn flamingo. Now the neighbors want Francesca to investigate. But her boyfriend wants her to commit to marriage, not crime. Soon the gutsy reporter is experiencing a deepening personal crisis--and something more heinous than vinyl siding: the dark secrets of heart, home, and blighted dreams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440224454
• ISBN-13: 978-0440224457
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,926,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write my novels with the help of Harry, a striped cat who sleeps by my computer and lashes the keyboard with his tail. He whips me into a writing frenzy.
Harry collaborates on two series, the Dead-end Job mysteries and the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series. He's doing a good job -- I just signed a contract with NAL/Signet for two more books in each series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wicked and witty look at newspapers & old house rehabbers., July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pink Flamingo Murders (Mass Market Paperback)

How can you resist a novel that begins: "We approved of the first murder. We applauded the second. By the third murder, I think we would have given the killer a ticker-tape parade. But the fourth death, that was different. Now the killer was going after one of our own. People like us."

Viets' character Francesca is a newspaper columnist for the fictious St. Louis City Gazette. Half the fun of hanging around with her is the dirty politics, backstabbing and petty jealousies that plague the newsroom. For this ongoing struggle, I'd recommend you read "Backstab" and "Rubout" first, especially if you are compulsive about reading a series in order. However, that isn't necessary to enjoy this novel in which Francesca gets involved with some dedicated rehabbers in her neighborhood...including the control freak who is making a lot of people miserable. The question is just how far will the woman go to make sure the neighborhood becomes a rehabilitated showcase with rapidly increasing property values? Viets does great characters and Francesca is especially wonderful as she tries to discover a murder as well as fighting enemies among the no-clue administration team of the paper. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting characters, July 23, 2000

By 

Mystery Maven (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Pink Flamingo Murders (Mass Market Paperback)

Columnist reporter Francesca Vierling makes her third appearance in THE PINK FLAMINGO MURDERS. Most readers can sympathize with Francesca, who is chronically unable to control her temper and tongue. Consequently, she finds herself in hot water both at work and in her personal life.

Always looking for a good story, Francesca starts covering her own neighborhood when less than desirable characters start dying after arguing with wealthy real estate owner Caroline. As the body count starts climbing, and all are murder victims, Francesca is positive Caroline is the killer and tries to find enough proof for the police. When Caroline herself is killed, Francesca is stumped--but then, so are the police.

Viets provides the reader with an intimate look at St. Louis, especially the proud old houses suffering from neglect and in need of "rehabbing". She also provides the reader with an up-close and personal view of a reporter's daily life, but I hope this isn't how a typical newspaper is run. Francesca's boyfriend Lyle can't understand why Francesca doesn't quit, as she and the other reporters are treated extremely poorly and aren't allowed to write any real news stories. I don't think Francesca herself knows why she stays and takes the daily punishment dished out by managing editor Charlie.

I was able to figure out the killer's identity early on. In spite of that, the book held my interest all the way to the end, mostly due to the interesting characters.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pink Flamingo Murders, May 31, 2000

By 

CPS CZI "Cahokia ATC" (Belleville, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pink Flamingo Murders (Mass Market Paperback)

No one has her finger on the pulse of St. Louis more than Elaine Viets. Her descriptions of St. Louis and its charm and its people--and its quirks--are dead-on. Just when you think there are no new ways to commit murder, Viets shows us there is always a new idea. She throws just enough hints at whom the murderer is to cast suspicion on everyone and lets the reader make his or her own guesses. The Francesca Vierling series is top notch, and this is the best yet. After 200 pages I hated this book...because I knew I was approaching the end. I'm counting the days until the next book is released.