When Colette Died [Paperback]

L. C. Hayden (Author), L. C. Hayden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

When Las Vegas singing superstar, Colette, is murdered, her promoters find a look-alike, Debbie Gunther, to capitalize on the fallen star's fame. But on her first day at the Crystal Palace Casino, she receives a threatening note. At first she ignores it as a prank, but later she can't ignore receiving Colette's death dress or the person who is stalking her. The only one she can confide in is a young reporter, Dan Springer, who is looking for the truth about Colette's death. Along the way they fall in love and Dan's search takes on a new urgency as he frantically works to save Debbie's life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:23:41 -0600 From: Kate Mutch Subject: book review: L.C. Hayden

What could be better than eating a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving? Eating a turkey sandwich while reading L.C. Hayden's newest book: When Colette Died. I'd been saving this book for something "special" and a four day holiday was just the thing...and boy am I glad I saved it....I couldn't put the book down after I started it. Hayden writes a suspenseful "Mary Higgins Clark-like" type book. Colette was a Las Vegas singer/superstar...after she was murdered, her promoters find an impersonator to keep the image alive (and the money coming in). People know that Debbie Gunther is not the real Colette, however they react to her as if she were the "real" Colette. Debbie starts to receive threatening notes and feels someone watching her.At the casino, she is not sure who to trust and who might be her enemy. It is difficult to say too much about this book without giving away plot points, but I thought this book was well-written and I could feel the terror that Debbie felt as she struggles to save her life and her sanity. -- Kate Mutch Andover Public Library Andover, Kansas, December 1999

I'd bet on L.C. Hayden over a slot machine any time. When Colette Died is an enjoyable ride through Casino Land with plenty of suspense and Las Vegas glitter. --Rick Riordan, Edgar Award winning author of The Big Red Tequila

WHEN COLETTE DIED is a fine example of the women-jepardy subgenre. The heroine is appealing and vulnerable, the hero handsone and brooding and the situation frought with menace. This is a fun book to kick back with and enjoy. --Toby Bromberg, Romantic Times

Fans who enjoy a romantic female in danger will fully gain pleasure from L. C. Hayden's well-written novel. --Harriet Klausner--PAWS

From the Publisher

Critically acclaimed author, L.C. Hayden has written another winner. This fast past paced thriller has already been racking up a number of great reviews since its release in December 1999. Look for another big success from L.C. Hayden.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Top Publications (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096663666X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966636666
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,229,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

L. C. Hayden has penned six mystery novels, including the highly acclaimed When Death Intervenes. Hayden's previous release, Why Casey Had to Die, is an Agatha Award Finalist for Best Novel and a Pennsylvania Top 40 Pick. It followed What Others Know, a Left Coast Crime finalist for the prestigious best mystery award. Hayden's other mysteries are Where Secrets Lie, When Colette Died, and Who's Susan? The books have made the Barnes & Noble Top Ten Bestseller List and have been featured on Oprah's Online Reading Café.
Besides mysteries, Hayden is also the author of the WordWright Best Seller inspirational, nonfiction book When Angels Touch You, a spiritually uplifting book that deals with miracles and angels and the young adult inspirational novelette Bell Shaped Flowers. The Drums of Gerald Hurd is a horror novel that promises all the punch of a first-class horror story and the sensitivity of a romance.
Besides being an accomplished author, Hayden is a popular speaker who is often in demand. She has conducted workshops, school presentations, has spoken to clubs and organizations, and was recently hired by several cruise lines to speak about writing while cruising all over the world. From October 2006 to October 2007, Hayden hosted Mystery Writers of America's only talk show, Murder Must Air.
Hayden's future releases will include the next Harry Bronson novel, When the Past Haunts You as well as the children's picture book, What Am I? What Am I? Also, a new mystery series featuring reporter Aimee Brent will soon be released. The first in this series is ILL Conceived.
Hayden, who taught high school English for twenty-six years, retired in May 2001 and calls El Paso, Texas, her home.
Hayden holds a Master's Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, El Paso Writers League, Mesilla Valley Writers. She also enjoys being a member of Mystery Babes and DorothyL, Internet mystery discussion groups.
Besides writing, Hayden enjoys drawing, reading, traveling, and scuba diving. Besides fiction, Hayden's non-fiction and poetry has appeared in various magazines, periodicals, and newspapers. To date, she has sold over 400 pieces.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you relish suspense, this book is for you., January 30, 2000

By 

Ms. E. Hayes (Leicestershie) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Colette Died (Paperback)

When Colette Died by L C Hayden

Debbie Gunther is in Las Vegas for her big break into the world of show business impersonating the Las Vegas singing star Colette who was murdered five years previously.

From the opening sentence it is clear that Debbie is being stalked and is surrounded by enemies. The fear is palpable and the reader is immediately catapulted into a world of distrust.

Smiling ambitious Jack Armstrong with the position of Casino General Manager in his sights. Her director Bill Davis who doesn't attempt to hide his animosity towards Debbie. Motherly Annie and the Casino owner, the legendary Ms Elizabeth. All have there own agenda. Beset by animosity on all sides Debbie is attracted by a reporter Dan Springer who initially seems to care, but does he?

As the murderer of Colette was caught, why is Debbie receiving threats against her life. Could this be related to her own difficult past? Who is the mysterious Boss.

Set against the glitzy background of the Las Vegas casino, this book is full of greed, family anguish and murder, and holds the reader to the end. If you relish suspense, this book is for you.

Lizzie Hayes 30 January 2000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When Colette Died (Paperback)

This book feels like a young adult book that doesn't quite make it. No one in my book club liked it. Hayden has some interesting ideas but she skips around--never finishing what she's started.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, August 6, 2000

By 

Pamela Stone - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Colette Died (Paperback)

Debbie Gunther had a dreadful childhood. When her mother died in childbirth, her father blamed her and would not take her to raise her. Debbie was raised for eight years by her grandmother, who let her know on a daily basis that she was not wanted there. So, at the age of eight, her grandmother got in touch with her father and told him to take Debbie, or she would have him brought up on abandonment charges. Debbie's father took her but he treated her badly the whole time that he had her.

After a choir teacher of Debbie's told her how much she looks like a famous Las Vegas singer named Colette, Debbie learns everything she can about Colette and becomes an impersonator for the stage. Debbie is hired at the Crystal Palace Casino--the very place that Colette was working and where she was murdered.

Debbie is apprehensive from the very beginning. She receives a note, which she tries to ignore, but the very dress that Colette is murdered in arrives for her and then roses arrive for Debbie--all yellow with one red rose in the middle, the same exact bouquet that Colette was given on stage just before she was shot. Debbie believes that the only one she can confide in is Dan Springer, a young reporter who is supposed to do a story on Debbie. Dan Springer has his own conflicts to deal with. There is a strong attraction between Dan and Debbie, but Dan is determined not to fall for Debbie. Debbie's problem is wondering if she can trust Dan to find out who wants her dead before it is too late.

This a top notch suspense story filled with a lot of fast-paced action along with more twists and turns than you have ever seen and an ending that is truly a surprise for the reader. The characters are real, and they all have their own agendas. The characters of Dan and Debbie are written with such rich details they feel like true friends to the reader. This book is set with Las Vegas as the background. L.C. Hayden has done it again. First there was "Who's Susan" and now "When Colette Died." I can hardly wait for her next book to come out.