Friday, August 12, 2011

How To Party With a Killer Vampire-Penny Warner

How To Party With a Killer Vampire
Penny Warner
Obsidian, Oct 4 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451235015

Party planner Presley Parker lives in a condo and has an office on San Francisco’s Treasure Island. Also working there is CeeGee Studios’ movie producer-director Lucas Cruz. He hires Presley to plan a “wrap party” at Lawndale Cemetery signifying the end of his latest film Revenge of the Killer Vampires. The night before the gala, three extras (Spidey, Trace and Lark) make a noisy exit practicing the sport of Parkour that her don’t call him boyfriend Brad knows even the shoes to wear. The trio is upset that they were not invited to the event so plan to get even for this affront.

The next morning, Presley discovers Spidey is dead. The police initially assume it was an accident as the he practiced dangerous gymnastics. However, later they realize he was murdered. The night of the party has paparazzi Bodie Chase crashing the festivity, but was escorted out. Later he is found dead in open grave in the pet section of the graveyard, Presley, who has solved murder cases (see How To Survive A Killer Séance) and former cop Brad a crime scene cleaner investigate as they believe the two homicides are connected, but lack a linking motive and too many suspects.

The latest Party-Planning Mystery is a cleverly constructed whodunit with false leads, red herrings, and twists that hook readers who like the lead sleuths struggle to determine the identity of the killer. The perils of Presley makes her endearing as she goes from one fright to another, which keeps fans on the edge of their seat wondering what next at “Peaceful Kingdoms”. Penny Warner provides a superb murder mystery.

Harriet Klausner

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