Red Flags: A Kate Reilly Mystery

by Tammy Kaehler Narrated by Nicole Vilencia

Overview

When Kate Reilly arrives in Long Beach, California, a week ahead of the Grand Prix, she is immediately plunged into a new social scene-as well as a murder investigation.

Her cousin Billy is found dead, with Kate's card in his pocket. The cops want to know why, and sponsors and race organizers-anxious to keep racing's image clean-want Kate to investigate. Doubting she can solve another murder, especially that of a relative she despised, Kate reluctantly agrees. At the same time, coaching a gorgeous and talented actress for a celebrity race brings Kate into the orbit of Hollywood's hottest bachelor. And then a local FBI agent takes notice of more than her driving and sleuthing skills.

She goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach and from Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills, attending parties, power shopping, and dodging unwelcome paparazzi. Kate's ballooning media exposure generates national commentary, testing her composure and forcing her to get ahead of the stories-whether critical or flattering.

Kate's professional dreams are also coming true. The upcoming Grand Prix is her first race with a new sponsor that is also funding an IndyCar test drive and a ride in next year's Indy 500-along with future possibilities in NASCAR. The downside? New sponsor Frame Savings is owned by her family, and its management, outside of her long-estranged father, is unfriendly to her-even rivalrous. Kate must stay on her toes as the Long Beach race weekend begins.

She's negotiating the next steps in her career, driving two race cars and coaching a third, discovering more about the disreputable members of her father's family than she wanted to know, and juggling questions and murder suspects. On the track, red flags fly to warn her of danger. Off track, Kate struggles to interpret warning signs and stay out of a killer's grasp.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

02/01/2016
Kaehler’s exciting, pedal-to-metal fourth Kate Reilly mystery (after 2014’s Avoidable Contact) takes the race car driver to California, where she’s been hired to coach movie star Maddie Theabo, who’s participating in the celebrity group in the Long Beach Grand Prix, in which Kate is racing in the professional group. Meanwhile, the Long Beach police ask Kate to identify the body of her contemptible cousin, Billy Reilly-Stinson, whom she scarcely knew but who had her business card in his pocket. Kaehler keeps the suspense high as she shifts among Kate’s turbulent history with her father and his family, the investigation of Billy’s murder, the Hollywood scene, and the anticipatory buildup to the big race. Technical terms related to the racing world may baffle some readers, but everyone will root for Kate, a strong, likable heroine, all the way to the finish line. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Apr.)

BookReporter

Kaehler has a breezy writing style that is very engaging, and her characters reflect an underlying sense of good humor. Except for the bad guys, of course. Kate's PR person and best friend, Holly Wilson, provides a sounding board and easygoing dialogue. Aside from the fact that there are so many characters to keep track of, RED FLAGS is a good read that will show you the workings behind one of America's favorite sports.

BadGroove

If you can't tell already I highly recommend this book- fiction lovers, mystery lovers and race fans all will get a thrill out of Tammy Kaehler's page turner. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review- this is the fourth book in a series and while you could likely read it as a stand alone I would HIGHLY suggest reading the whole series- starting with the first book.

KingsRiverLife

Kaehler's fourth book in the Kate Reilly Mystery series continues to be a standout with its completely original exploration of a woman competing in the world of professional car racing. The very technical aspects involved in taking turns at over 200 mph are made fascinating and compelling, as are the minutiae involved in the racing association itself. While previous entries have delved into Kate's role as a woman competing in a man's profession, here the author expands on her unasked-for responsibility of representing her entire gender in a sport that may never fully accept her. ~~—The novel has fun with Kate's introduction to Hollywood paparazzi, tabloids, and the obsession with celebrities, but at the core is Kate's struggles with her family and how she still finds herself feeling rejected and unworthy. The reward for readers will be following Kate as she succeeds not only as a skilled driver, but in realizing that the only approval she needs comes from within. This is a unique mystery series as thrilling as it is intriguing, and readers will delight in the adventures of a resilient, funny, and strongly independent woman.

PW

Kaehler's exciting, pedal-to-metal fourth Kate Reilly mystery (after 2014's Avoidable Contact) takes the race car driver to California, where she's been hired to coach movie star Maddie Theabo, who's participating in the celebrity group in the Long Beach Grand Prix, in which Kate is racing in the professional group. Meanwhile, the Long Beach police ask Kate to identify the body of her contemptible cousin, Billy Reilly-Stinson, whom she scarcely knew but who had her business card in his pocket. Kaehler keeps the suspense high as she shifts among Kate's turbulent history with her father and his family, the investigation of Billy's murder, the Hollywood scene, and the anticipatory buildup to the big race. Technical terms related to the racing world may baffle some readers, but everyone will root for Kate, a strong, likable heroine, all the way to the finish line. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Apr.)

MyBookViews

This unconventional cozy mystery perfectly combines the mystery elements with family relations and romance as well as Kate's dedication to her career.

Booklist

In the fourth Kate Reilly mystery, the professional race-car driver is in California for 10 days, participating in the Grand Prix of Long Beach. But Kate, who has a habit of wandering into dangerous situations, is unsettled by the murder of her cousin, a man she barely knew. Because of that family connection, and because her family's bank is sponsoring her at the race, she feels she's under some pressure to find out who killed the man. This novel—and, in fact, this series—is proof that an author doesn't have to break any new ground to tell a good mystery story; in most ways, it's a familiar amateur-sleuth tale (even a tad predictable in places), but because the author has a sprightly, engaging style, and because Kate is a charming heroine in an unusual career, we really don't mind that we've seen these story elements before. Readers looking for a new amateur-sleuth series—especially those who find the car-racing frame intriguing—should definitely check out the Kate Reilly mysteries.

Trackside Online

Kaehler seamlessly integrates the racing world into her writing, giving those who are unfamiliar with racings' intricacies a peek behind the curtain. One does not have to be a race fan to enjoy reading this book. Racing is the backdrop of all of the novels, but the heart of every one is Kate Reilly: a no-nonsense female heroine who happens to stumble into danger both on and off the track. As with every book in this series, our protagonist, Kate Reilly, is an up and coming female drive in the IMSA series with the desire to drive in both the IndyCar and NASCAR series. In Red Flags, Kate is finally seeing her dreams realized. She has a spot on a championship contending IMSA team and not one but two major sponsors with her newest sponsor paying for oval testing with an IndyCar team and plans for her to race in the most coveted of all races, the Indianapolis 500.~~~Those in the industry will find that she has brilliantly captured the psyche of racing and will identify with the balancing act that the Kate faces throughout the series. Mystery fans will enjoy the intriguing characters and the complexity of story which will keep them guessing until the end. Red Flags is a fast paced murder-mystery with a splash of romance and a big dose of women kicking ass.

NetGalley

This is my first book in this series; it will not be my last.~~~As a racing fan, and a particular fan of female racers—Danica Patrick notwithstanding—I'm amazed I haven't heard of these novels before, featuring a female racer who's always finding bodies or being asked to investigate murders. Those parts are okay, but what thoroughly impresses me are the racing scenes. This book takes place at my hometown (temporary) track, Long Beach, which I've photographed the last fifteen years, so I'm very familiar with it all and can say this author gets everything right.~~~First and foremost, I am loving Kate! She's serious when it comes to racing, a bit of a goof with her friends, and insecure when it comes to all the guys chasing her. There's plenty of snark opportunities for her in SoCal; she goes to the Troubador, walks on the beach—at least it wasn't Malibu—and does other El Lay things, making it obvious the author is contemptuous of the City of Beautiful Angels.~~~This is one of those rare books I wish I could read again for the first time, especially the Fontana test scene. The only disappointment was the lack of description of the IndyLights race.~~~4.5 pushed up to 5/5

Library Journal

04/01/2016
Professional driver Kate Reilly is in Long Beach, CA, for the famed Long Beach Grand Prix, when she is called by the police to identify the body of her despised cousin, Billy. There are many suspects in Billy's murder including Nikki Gray, the beautiful widow of the race event's owner, Nikki's assistant, and Billy's friend, Holden. Kate is also busy trying to negotiate with her new sponsor, her estranged father's bank, not to mention attempting to break into both NASCAR and IndyCar racing. Solving a murder is low on Kate's list of priorities. VERDICT For adrenaline junkies who love racing, Kaehler's intricately plotted fourth series outing (after Avoidable Contact) offers a speedy and engaging read. Kate is an appealing character with plenty of chutzpah; driving an open-wheel race car is not for sissies.

Kirkus Reviews

2016-01-20
Another racetrack, another murder for a driver who'd rather be racing than sleuthing. Kate Reilly has a busy schedule at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Her racing prospects have been improved by her new sponsor, Frame Savings, a bank owned by her largely estranged family, which has chosen to finance her activities and give her a chance to break into IndyCar and possibly NASCAR. Raised by her grandparents, Kate has only recently met her father, James Hightower Reilly, the only member of her newfound family who's nice to her. A dead body with her business card in its pocket turns out to be that of her cousin Billy Reilly-Stinson, who, with his father, Edward, and cousin Holden Sherain, has been particularly hateful to her. It's lucky that she can produce an alibi when Edward accuses her of killing Billy. Although Kate would love to ignore the murder and concentrate on driving and coaching movie star Maddie Theabo for a celebrity race, Grand Prix owner Nikki Gray and race president Don Kessberg beg her to solve the crime. Reality star Nikki is wealthy and smarter than she looks, even if she was having an affair with the much younger Billy. Kate must also deal with FBI agent Ryan Johnston, who may be investigating the racing crowd and who's interested enough in Kate to ask for a date. Also asked out by a movie-star heartthrob, Kate, living the high life in Hollywood, tries to understand her father's wobbly support as she does her best to impress the IndyCar team she's testing with. Despite her attempts to ignore the murder, she's dragged into situations that may make her the next victim. In the fourth in this character-driven series, Kaehler (Avoidable Contact, 2014, etc.) complements its exploration of Kate's problems and triumphs with a better mystery and plenty of suspects you love to hate.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169549294
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Series:	The Kate Reilly Racing Mysteries
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Red Flags

A Kate Reilly Mystery

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By Tammy Kaehler

Poisoned Pen Press

Copyright © 2016 Tammy Kaehler
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0531-6

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CHAPTER 1

I stared down at the man's face and tried to care that he was dead. I tried to ignore the bloody dent in his head and focused instead on his relaxed features, which lacked the cunning and malice they'd worn in life.

"Do you recognize this man, Ms. Reilly?" I blinked as the Long Beach police detective prompted me for the second time.

"Billy Reilly-Stinson. William." I paused. "He's my cousin."

"My condolences for your loss."

"I didn't know him at all." I looked at the cop. "I only met him two years ago, and he made it clear he didn't want me in the family." I glanced at Billy again, seeing the clumpy, oatmeal-like substance in the blood on his shoulder. My stomach lurched. Brain matter. I turned away and breathed deeply.

The detective gestured across the parking garage toward the stairs I'd descended with him five minutes prior. I'd been a few hundred yards away in the temporary paddock for the Grand Prix of Long Beach Media Day, when he'd called asking for my help with something. His request seemed benign at the time.

He walked me around the corner of a half-wall so I couldn't see Billy's body, which settled my stomach, but not my emotions. This was my third body in as many years, and I didn't like seeing anyone dead. I felt sorry for Billy and his family — my father's family — even if I had a hard time convincing myself I'd miss Billy. Then I felt ashamed I hadn't liked him and worried about my proximity to death. Again.

The detective pulled a notepad and pen out of his sport coat pocket. "What can you tell me about the deceased?"

"You said you're Detective Barnes ... you're with homicide?"

He raised an eyebrow. "That's correct. Mr. Reilly-Stinson didn't do that to himself. We're looking for another party."

I really didn't expect my ten-day trip to California to start with murder. I studied Barnes: stocky, bowlegged, of mixed Asian and Caucasian heritage. His face was comfortably lined, and his eyes shone with intelligence. I hoped he was smart and fair. I'd gone down the suspect road before, and I wasn't in the mood.

"Ms. Reilly? What do you know about him?"

"It's Kate." I stuck my hands in the back pockets of my jeans. "We were acquainted. We had no reason to communicate or be friends. Neither of us wanted to. We rarely saw each other." I considered. "I haven't run into him in more than a year. And I've never seen him alone. He's usually with his cousin, Holden Sherain."

"Is Mr. Sherain here?"

"Not that I've noticed." I bit my tongue on the fact I'd caught sight of Billy that morning and deliberately avoided him.

"Can you tell me your whereabouts today?"

I felt a flash of alarm at his question, even though I'd been through the drill before and knew I had an alibi. "I got to the track at eight to meet the race staff. From nine to twelve, I was in a pace car doing laps for media or I was with the woman I'm coaching for the celebrity race. I had lunch around noon with the other drivers. After that, more hot laps or coaching, from one until you called me. I've been with people all day."

"Who can verify that?" he asked, then wrote down the five names I gave him.

When a crime scene technician beckoned, Barnes crossed to the landing of the stairs where the tech stood next to a garbage can. A dozen other official types crawled around the half-full parking structure, moving from car to car, shining a flashlight under, around, and between, looking for evidence. Still others stood talking and looking down at Billy's body.

I shivered, not cold, but remembering Billy's bloody head. I wrapped my arms around myself. I supposed I should be mourning Billy's loss of life. I did, in theory. But I hadn't liked the guy, and I wouldn't pretend I'd miss him. I did wonder how the rest of my family would take the news. I wanted to stay out of that.

Barnes shifted, the movement drawing my attention, and I saw what he and the other man were looking at: some kind of pipe or stick and a wallet.

The detective returned to me, looking down at his notebook, and I spoke before he could. "Was that the murder weapon? In the trash can?"

He hesitated. "It could be. We'll have to test it to make sure."

"And Billy's wallet?"

"Yes, with his identification."

"How long ago was he killed?"

"Not long. Anything else?"

My big question: "Why did you ask me to identify the body?"

"The only item in the victim's pockets was a marketing card with your name and photo — a 'hero card,' someone said — with your cell phone number handwritten on it. Any idea why he'd have that?"

To cause me trouble? "Those cards get handed out by the hundreds at a race weekend. I'm sure there are bunches here for the media today. I have no idea why he'd have one, especially not with my number on it, except we're both associated with Frame Savings."

"How?"

"My father's family founded the bank more than a hundred years ago. I think Billy works there. They've just come on as one of my major sponsors for racing."

Barnes took notes. "Can you tell me Mr. Reilly-Stinson's next of kin? Who he was close to? A spouse, significant other? Best friends?"

"All I know is Billy and his cousin, Holden Sherain, were as tight as brothers. Billy's father is Edward Reilly-Stinson. And my father, James Hightower Reilly, is Billy's uncle. I only have contact information for my father, but he'll know more." With the detective's approval, I called my father, identifying myself and handing my phone to Barnes.

After that, Barnes asked one last question before letting me leave the parking structure. "You and the deceased didn't like each other. What was the problem?"

"Family issues."

"I'm going to need more."

I sighed. "I was raised by my mother's family and never met my father or his family until a couple years ago. There's still friction with some of his family, including Billy." Which wasn't helped by me uncovering his unethical and illegal activities a year ago. "We were antagonistic when we saw each other occasionally, but I didn't spend time thinking about him. That's why I don't know the family very well. I'm an outsider, and I plan to stay that way."

He made a note in his book. "If you're both an insider and an outsider, your perspective could be useful. I'll be in touch."

Fine, just don't make me solve this one.

CHAPTER 2

I left Detective Barnes with my cell number and the mystery of who killed Billy. The other crimes I'd felt obligated to help solve had involved victims or suspects I cared about, including myself. This one did not.

My spirits lifted as I headed back to the day's activities. On my right was the Long Beach Arena, a big, round building with a huge mural of an underwater scene painted all the way around it. Yes, the building that hosted concerts, sports, and special events for the City of Long Beach was circular and blue, with life-size whales on it. Only in Southern California.

Ahead of me was a parking lot transformed into a paddock by the addition of chain link, racecars, and transport trailers. At the far side of the enclosure, I could see the brightly logoed Toyota Scions of the celebrity race competitors pulling off the track. I quickened my steps.

The conclusion of the second celebrity practice meant Media Day for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, or GPLB, was a wrap. We were ten days out from the race itself, plenty of time for local media to write stories about the coming event that would fire up the local population and increase attendance. To that end, the day was a dog-and-pony show.

In addition to getting to know the types of cars that would race during the GPLB weekend — including an IndyCar, a Porsche 911 GT3 R, and the celebrity cars — members of the press could interview the stars taking part in the ten-lap celebrity race to benefit charities. To get a real taste for the track, journalists strapped into pace cars for a hot lap at the hands of one of four pro drivers: the current Indy 500 champion, a drifting champion, a Pirelli World Challenge race winner, and me. I'd driven a couple dozen laps that day, and every passenger had exited the car with an ear-to-ear grin.

My driving duties were over for the day, but my work wasn't, since I was coaching the most famous of the celebrity competitors. I smiled at the security guard monitoring entry to the media area and hurried over to the Toyotas.

The celebrity race was made up of two groups: professional drivers from different forms of motorsport — motorcycle racing, drag racing, or even someone long-retired from sportscar racing — and a variety of celebrities from the music industry, movies, television, news, or other sports. The celebrities were always hit and miss, some years famous and attention-drawing, some years not so much. This year they'd hit the jackpot with a member of the current number-one boy-band and an Oscar-winner with critical success and starring roles in the two biggest box-office films of the last year. That was my client, Madelyn, or Maddie, Theabo.

I aimed for the scrum of media in the center of the celebrity cars, certain what I'd find: Maddie and the boy-band member back-to-back, fielding questions from reporters. I caught Maddie's eye and pointed to the temporary trailer where the race staff had set up for the day. She nodded, but kept talking.

Two months prior, I'd received a phone call out of the blue from a woman named Penny Warner, who was looking for a driving coach. We were most of the way through negotiations before she revealed she was calling for her employer, Maddie, one of the biggest names in movies. It took two hours for me to get over my fangirl freakout.

Maddie had gone through the standard celebrity training, four days at a track in the high desert north of L.A. But she wanted more instruction, feedback, and support. Since then, we'd met at different go-kart facilities to work on braking points and lines, and I'd prepped her as well as I could for driving the Long Beach track. But nothing compared to being out on the pavement, and part of my job was to help her make sense of her impressions.

I watched her handle the crush of fans and media, marveling that she didn't ignore anyone. I understood firsthand how a crowd of media and fans could press in on a person, and I'd only endured it briefly at a racetrack. Away from the track, I was virtually invisible. But everyone recognized Maddie, and she still handled the attention graciously, replying to greetings, smiling at photo-takers, and accommodating everyone who asked for a signature. She'd told me when we met that she knew her success was due to her fans, so she always gave them and the media time.

When she finally broke free from the reporters, we ducked into the office trailer, nodding to three staff members huddled over laptops at the far end of the room. Maddie leaned against a desk inside the door, draining the contents of a water bottle. She was thirty-three, with a slender build, an expressive face, and bouncy, wavy, auburn hair half the world coveted.

I eyed the flush in her cheeks. "How was it?"

"Nearly as much fun as sex."

I laughed. "Did anything trip you up? Was the track what you expected?"

Since the Long Beach Grand Prix track was comprised of city streets, which had to be closed to traffic, it was only available during Media Day and the race weekend. The stands, barricades, and fencing lining the course would remain, but the walls shutting down public roads would be moved aside any minute now, to be set in place again a week from Thursday, when the race weekend began. Today's two sessions, both follow-alongs, single file behind an instructor, were the first time the celebrity competitors had seen the racing surface.

"You'd warned me," she said, "but the walls were still closer after Turns 5 and 8 than I expected."

The concrete walls brought in to define the temporary circuit were big and unforgiving, and to wring the most speed out of a car, we ran right next to them. More than one reporter during the day's laps had flinched at their proximity.

We talked corners for a few minutes until I saw Maddie shiver. "You need to get changed before you catch a chill. Keep thinking about the track, and draw your racing line on the track I gave you.

"You're still coming to the party this evening?" Maddie asked. "And the studio tomorrow? Penny has a car arranged for tonight."

"She does, but I don't need the car and driver. I drive for a living."

"It's easier. You can drink what you like, enjoy yourself, and not be unsafe driving home. Plus parking in the hills is a bitch." She put a hand on my arm. "For all you're helping me, it's the least I can do. Besides, this way, I won't worry about you."

I gave in. "What do I wear tonight? I've never been to a party in Hollywood."

"Anything you want, Kate. You'll see ripped jeans and sequins, sometimes on the same person." She smiled. "I'll see you later."

I followed her out of the trailer and watched her purposeful stride through the fenced area, her ever-present personal assistant, Penny, next to her. The fenced-off parking lot was rapidly draining of vehicles as the celebrity race staff took the Toyotas back to their staging area. My work was done. I collected my belongings from the lone IndyCar trailer, waving at one of the IndyCar Series executives as he passed. I also nodded at a member of the grand prix organization, then stopped when she spoke to me.

"Thanks again for giving the press a thrill, Kate."

"You bet." I shook her hand. "You're Erica?"

"Erica Aarons. Your team media guy, Tom, said you'd let me set up some interviews while you're in L.A. for the next week. If that's all right, I'll make a plan."

After swapping contact information, I continued on my way to the GPLB media center in the basement of the Performing Arts Center building, which — combined with the whale-muraled arena, a hotel, and the convention center — formed the heart of the Long Beach circuit. I ducked inside, downstairs, and into the women's bathroom. One thing I loved about this race facility was the abundance of real bathrooms. I'd been in lots of porta-potties in my career, and I preferred running water.

I swung the door open and came face-to-face with Elizabeth Rogers, part of the operations team for the SportsCar Championship, or SCC, the series I competed in.

Elizabeth saw me and dissolved into tears. "Kate, did you hear what happened? Holden is devastated."

My spirits fell to the ground with a thump. Billy. Dead.

CHAPTER 3

I blinked away the image of Billy on the ground, dented and bloody. "I heard, yes." I used the excuse of going into a stall to assemble my thoughts.

As I washed my hands a minute later, I studied Elizabeth. Aside from her red eyes and blotchy skin, her long, straight, blond hair — an Alice in Wonderland look — was her most distinguishing feature. Though we'd become acquainted through her role in operations for the SCC, I'd never gotten past the surface with her. Never seen emotion. Until now.

I dried my hands and turned to her, leaning against the counter. "Were you close to Billy?"

"Since I've been seeing Holden, Billy and I have gotten to be good friends. You know how close the two of them are. Were." That set off another round of slow tears rolling down her cheeks. "I feel so badly for what Holden's going through."

"You spoke with him?"

Another nod and a hiccupped sob. "Once I found out from the GPLB staff, I had to tell him. Holden deserved to know right away, from someone who cares."

Holden Sherain deserves a swift kick in the rear. No, be charitable. Even if you don't like him, feel sorry for him. He must be devastated. I thought about Billy, beaten to death and abandoned in the parking structure. I came up with more sympathy for both cousins.

I was fumbling for what to say to Elizabeth — I didn't know how to console her and didn't want to ask after Holden — when there was a commotion outside the door. It swung open to reveal a woman who looked like she'd taken a wrong turn somewhere on her way to a mall. I caught a flash of diamonds and a glimpse of a red-soled shoe. Forget a mall, she's AWOL from Rodeo Drive.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Red Flags by Tammy Kaehler. Copyright © 2016 Tammy Kaehler. Excerpted by permission of Poisoned Pen Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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