Lydia McKenzie is an artist whose medium is the camera. She’s having her first one-woman show. It is a series that ties to actual murders committed in the city’s past. Her method is to find a model—someone who can match in a general way the actual female victim—and pose her in the clothes and position in which the actual victim was found. The night of her showing, however, is disappointing; the owner of the gallery makes her pay for the invitations down to the stamps, hang the whole show herself, and rush for the usual wine and snacks. But what happens next is much worse: two plainclothes policemen shut down the event and take Lydia in for questioning. A young woman whom she knew well, and who was the model in one of her photographs, has been murdered. Worried that the police aren’t doing what they should, Lydia and another friend set out to find the killer. The winner of the celebrated St. Martin’s Minotaur/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, Posed for Murder presents a snapshot of crime in a lasting and memorable story.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Cole's entertaining debut, winner of Minotaur and Malice Domestic's Best First Traditional Mystery competition, introduces fine art photographer Lydia McKenzie. Before the cheap wine is gone, the police arrive at Lydia's first New York solo exhibit, a collection of meticulously reconstructed homicide scenes, to inform her that one of her models, a good friend, has been killed and posed in the same manner as one of Lydia's photos. After another of her models suffers the same fate, attractive NYPD Det. Daniel Romero warns that Lydia may be next. Lydia begins to investigate, albeit in amateur fashion. Several members of her artist critique group make promising suspects, one of whom is arrested, but too late Lydia realizes she and the NYPD may be mistaken. She soon has cause to be grateful for her newly acquired self-defense techniques, learned at her best friend's insistence. Contemporary Manhattan, viewed through a struggling artist's eyes, lends social and cultural interest. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Life imitates art with dire consequences in this provocative first novel. Intrigued by a book about past murders in her Brooklyn neighborhood, photographer Lydia McKenzie enlists friends to pose like the bodies pictured in the book while she shoots the scenes. So it’s not surprising that the first gallery show of her black-and-white deathlike photos is interrupted by detectives investigating the actual murder of one of Lydia’s model friends, her body found displayed just as she was photographed. While Lydia and best friend Georgia—both models for photographs themselves—seek out the murderer, another model’s body is found posed in the same fashion, Lydia is threatened when her apartment is ransacked, and a third model disappears. The pool of suspects is small, since the first murder required inside knowledge of Lydia’s work, and Cole provides a red herring before revealing the actual killer. This won the St. Martin’s Minotaur/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, and while its intriguing premise will attract readers, its pedestrian prose and the too-predictable unraveling of the plot lessen the book’s impact. --Michele Leber
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More About the Author
Meredith Cole directed feature films and wrote screenplays before writing mysteries. She won the St. Martin's/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery competition. Her book POSED FOR MURDER, set in Williamsburg Brooklyn, was published by St. Martin's Minotaur in February 2009 and was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her second book, DEAD IN THE WATER, came out in May 2010, and continues the adventures of Lydia McKenzie. Meredith teaches mystery writing and novel writing at the University of Virginia.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Moberly
Format:Hardcover
The premise of this mystery novel sounded promising, but the writing was so shoddy that I could barely get through it. The characters are one-dimensional, the plot has no complexity at all, and the sentences are really banal and badly written (stuff like, "who could have done this horrible thing? Lydia decided that she would find out who could do something so horrible. She was so sad.")
I had high hopes for this novel, but it was disappointing from the very first page. It's a quick read, but not an enjoyable one if you value quality writing and plot construction. The author spends almost no time "showing," as opposed to "telling," and so the finished product reads like a bad mystery novel for kids. I don't recommend.
I had high hopes for this novel, but it was disappointing from the very first page. It's a quick read, but not an enjoyable one if you value quality writing and plot construction. The author spends almost no time "showing," as opposed to "telling," and so the finished product reads like a bad mystery novel for kids. I don't recommend.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By ITZME
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed this fast read. Lydia McKenzie is a photographer and also works for 2 private investigators (dull job to pay the bills). She is very interested in vintage clothing. She has an art show at a New York gallery depicting in black and white the posed death scenes of 5 cold case files. The premise of this novel is that someone is killing Lydia's friends who posed for the scenes in the same ways. Det. Daniel Romero is the chief homicide investigator. Good debut novel. The second one is titled: Dead in the Water.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By S. de Llano
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had a hard time putting this book down. I found myself laughing out loud and chuckling to myself on almost every page. It's also refreshing to read a murder mystery where the woman is the hero. The humor, fresh perspective, and fascinating plot all make this book enjoyable to read.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Alice Berger
Format:Hardcover
Lydia McKenzie's photography is unique. Fascinated with the unsolved murders of young women in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she recreates these scenes posing her friends as models. But she never anticipated these photos would lead to someone's death.
When her friend, Marie, is murdered and posed exactly as she had been in one of the photos, Lydia is spooked. Someone had access to her work, and used it not only to kill her friend, but also to frame her for the murder. At times working with the homicide detectives assigned to the case, but also occasionally withholding information, Lydia tries to figure out who would want to murder Marie.
The killer is hot on her trail, and she needs to prevent the murders of any more of her friends, or herself, as she's been warned. It's a battle of wits that she's determined to win.
Posed For Murder uses a clever background for murder, setting this story in the arts community, with an unusual form of art. The characters are believable and well-developed. But the one flaw I found with this mystery was the conclusion and revelation of the killer. Without giving too much away, I was a little disappointed at who this turned out to be. But overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing story, and I look forward to seeing more of this new author's work.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
When her friend, Marie, is murdered and posed exactly as she had been in one of the photos, Lydia is spooked. Someone had access to her work, and used it not only to kill her friend, but also to frame her for the murder. At times working with the homicide detectives assigned to the case, but also occasionally withholding information, Lydia tries to figure out who would want to murder Marie.
The killer is hot on her trail, and she needs to prevent the murders of any more of her friends, or herself, as she's been warned. It's a battle of wits that she's determined to win.
Posed For Murder uses a clever background for murder, setting this story in the arts community, with an unusual form of art. The characters are believable and well-developed. But the one flaw I found with this mystery was the conclusion and revelation of the killer. Without giving too much away, I was a little disappointed at who this turned out to be. But overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing story, and I look forward to seeing more of this new author's work.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having just finished Meredith Cole's engaging Posed for Murder, it's easy to see why it won St. Martin's Minotaur/Malice Domestic's Best First Traditional Mystery competition.
From the first page, Cole sets up an imaginative and suspenseful premise. Fledgling photographer Lydia McKenzie is about to open her first exhibit, a staged series that recreates unsolved murder scenes. But before the night is over, she'll learn that someone else is reenacting these killings, except in their case, it's for real. Even worse, the victims are her models and friends.
McKenzie is a likable and believable amateur sleuth. Cole surrounds her with a colorful cast of supporting characters, who, as the story progresses, turn out to have secrets that will keep you guessing as to which of them, if any, is the killer.
Cole excels at capturing the flavor of McKenzie's Brooklyn neighborhood, where a new wave of trendy art galleries and creative artists live alongside their more traditional neighbors. Her vivid descriptions of this exciting community were enjoyable in their own right.
The real mystery for me is how will Cole follow-up her award-winning debut? I can't wait to find out.
Scott Sherman, author, Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Mystery, 2009, First You Fall
From the first page, Cole sets up an imaginative and suspenseful premise. Fledgling photographer Lydia McKenzie is about to open her first exhibit, a staged series that recreates unsolved murder scenes. But before the night is over, she'll learn that someone else is reenacting these killings, except in their case, it's for real. Even worse, the victims are her models and friends.
McKenzie is a likable and believable amateur sleuth. Cole surrounds her with a colorful cast of supporting characters, who, as the story progresses, turn out to have secrets that will keep you guessing as to which of them, if any, is the killer.
Cole excels at capturing the flavor of McKenzie's Brooklyn neighborhood, where a new wave of trendy art galleries and creative artists live alongside their more traditional neighbors. Her vivid descriptions of this exciting community were enjoyable in their own right.
The real mystery for me is how will Cole follow-up her award-winning debut? I can't wait to find out.
Scott Sherman, author, Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Mystery, 2009, First You Fall
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Rhonda Lane
Format:Hardcover
When I first heard about the concept for this book, I admit that I thought of the '70s movie "The Eyes of Laura Mars."
So, I'm happy to report that this book is nothing like the movie. It has a lot more heart.
This has been one of my favorite reads this year. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer. Usually, my guesses get close - but not this time. I had trouble putting the book down to get on with life.
I enjoyed the look into the life of an emerging New York arts photographer, along with her circle of artsy friends. It made me want to go to Williamsburg just for a gallery crawl. Lydia's life also includes elements that make her capabilities needed later in the book feasible.
I also liked watching how Lydia matured and grew in the course of the book. I hope we see her in future installments.
So, I'm happy to report that this book is nothing like the movie. It has a lot more heart.
This has been one of my favorite reads this year. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer. Usually, my guesses get close - but not this time. I had trouble putting the book down to get on with life.
I enjoyed the look into the life of an emerging New York arts photographer, along with her circle of artsy friends. It made me want to go to Williamsburg just for a gallery crawl. Lydia's life also includes elements that make her capabilities needed later in the book feasible.
I also liked watching how Lydia matured and grew in the course of the book. I hope we see her in future installments.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Meredith Cole won the St. Martin's Press "Malice Domestic" writing competition with her debut novel POSED FOR MURDER, and small wonder. Meredith knows New York City, photography, fashion, and the art world--all of which play prominent roles in this fast-paced whodunnit. When aspiring artist Lydia McKenzie's models start geting murdered (posed exactly as they were in Lydia's gallery photos) she swings into action to protect her remaining friends. With the aid of the handsome Detective Romero, her vivacious gal pal Georgia, and a host of other engaging characters, Lydia launches an investigation of her own--and hopefully a long-lasting book series. As Georgia says of Lydia's art work, "Sugar, they can't help but be intrigued."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Are you kidding?
I wasn't going to write a review until I saw all of these 4and 5 star reviews. Seriously, people didn't know who the killer was? Read more
Published on November 14, 2009 by bookmagic418
4.0 out of 5 stars
A likeable heroine
It should have been an evening of triumph for photographer Lydia McKenzie, who was debuting her collection five years in the making of photos featuring models reenacting unsolved... Read more
Published on July 20, 2009 by Cindy Chow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting murder mystery with style
Rating: 4.5 stars
"She had never killed so many people in so many ways". That is exactly how "Posed for Murder" begins with Lydia McKenzie relishing in her photographic... Read more
"She had never killed so many people in so many ways". That is exactly how "Posed for Murder" begins with Lydia McKenzie relishing in her photographic... Read more
Published on March 20, 2009 by Sheri S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I usually read non-fiction but I have been known to pick up a mystery novel or two. I am a big fan of Sue Grafton and Cole's book Posed For Murder was along the same vein. Read more
Published on March 8, 2009 by Lizzy Miles
5.0 out of 5 stars
fun amateur sleuth
Ever since she can remember photographer Lydia McKenzie wanted to have a solo exhibit of her work. Her dream comes true when Jacques Bulan displays her photos at his Bulan Gallery... Read more
Published on February 21, 2009 by Harriet Klausner
5.0 out of 5 stars
From S. Krishna's Books
Meredith Cole is one of the 2009 Debs at The Debutante Ball. If you haven't heard of The Debutante Ball, it's a group blog which features debut authors. Read more
Published on February 17, 2009 by skrishna
