No Way to Kill a Lady: A Blackbird Sisters Mystery

Like any family old enough to have its own “Washington slept here” story, Philadelphia’s Blackbirds have plenty of skeletons in the closet—but right now it’s the newly discovered one in an elevator that concerns society columnist Nora and her sisters at the outset of Martin’s eighth cozy to feature the madcap Main Line clan (after 2008’s Murder Melts in Your Mouth). And that’s not the only nasty surprise levelheaded Nora, lusty Libby, and a very pregnant Emma encounter during their first visit in decades to Quintain, the decaying estate they have just inherited from their late globe-trotting great-aunt, Madeleine—almost everything of value has vanished from the property. Add to the mix Madeleine’s lecherous and possibly larcenous lawyer, Simon Groatley; the sisters’ smarmy cousin, Sutherland; Nora’s Mafia prince love, Michael “Mick” Abruzzo; assorted ponies and one very endearing pig, and you have the makings for a fizzy, entertaining adventure. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.)