OCTOBER 2009 - AudioFile
What might be just another mystery-romance about the posh Washington set becomes an engrossing thriller. Reven (that's "never" spelled backwards) owns an antique shop and gossip-stop in the nation's capital. A serial killer called "The Beltway Basher" is murdering women and depositing their bodies in nearby parks, one where Reven and her old school chum, Violet, jog. Gunner, a mysterious and very sexy detective, believes the killer is the power-player Reven is dating. Jennifer Van Dyck's performance adds gloss to a polished story. She uses her sultry tones, whip-smart wisecracks, and spot-on pacing to keep listeners guessing. Well-drawn characters, lots of red herrings, a thrilling surprise ending, and Van Dyck's accomplished narration make this worthwhile entertainment. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
In bestseller Hitchcock's whirling and suspenseful comedy of manners, gauche, aggressive Cynthia Rinehart, a self-made millionairess, explodes onto the philanthropy scene and the grand dames of old money Washington collectively clutch their husbands. Meanwhile, the Beltway Basher, suspected to be a member of the D.C. elite, continues to bump off young brunettes. Reven Lynch, an unmarried antique-shop owner, is tapped to play society informant, perhaps because her love interest, notorious playboy (and the D.C. version of Sex and the City's "Mr. Big") Bob Poll, is also a person of interest in the case. Gossip, manipulation and infidelity all happen behind Washington's velvet curtain, and it's the stuff of high school, but with higher-nay, deadlier-stakes. And among the backbiting, Hitchcock (Social Crimes) manages to stew a convincing homicide plot, peppered with enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and guessing again, to the novel's neat finish. (Aug.)
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Library Journal
New York Times best-selling author Hitchcock—whose Audie Award-nominated One Dangerous Lady (2006) is also available from Blackstone Audio—uses the Washington, DC, social scene as a backdrop for her fifth mystery, following The Witches' Hammer (2008). Hoping to track down a serial killer known as the Beltway Basher, Det. George Gunner enlists antiques dealer and society insider Reven Lynch to spy on guests at several key area events. The novel is well paced, with several believable twists. Driving it are Hitchcock's satiric tone and wit, ably conveyed by actress/narrator Jennifer Van Dyck (Dark Lover). Highly recommended for mystery audiences and high-society wannabes.—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo
Vogue
Riveting murder mystery
Bob Woodward
A dazzling, wicked murder mystery that unmasks most of Washington, which may never be the same.
OCTOBER 2009 - AudioFile
What might be just another mystery-romance about the posh Washington set becomes an engrossing thriller. Reven (that's "never" spelled backwards) owns an antique shop and gossip-stop in the nation's capital. A serial killer called "The Beltway Basher" is murdering women and depositing their bodies in nearby parks, one where Reven and her old school chum, Violet, jog. Gunner, a mysterious and very sexy detective, believes the killer is the power-player Reven is dating. Jennifer Van Dyck's performance adds gloss to a polished story. She uses her sultry tones, whip-smart wisecracks, and spot-on pacing to keep listeners guessing. Well-drawn characters, lots of red herrings, a thrilling surprise ending, and Van Dyck's accomplished narration make this worthwhile entertainment. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
