Deb on Arrival–Live at Five:
A Debutante Detective Mystery
will be released July 2010!
Publication: 7/15/10
ISBN-13: 978-1-59414-877-4
Genre: Mystery
Format: Hardcover
Advance praise for
Deb on Arrival—Live at Five:
“DEB ON ARRIVAL—LIVE AT FIVE is delicious, inhabited by characters you love to hate and characters you love to love—notably Dainty Prescott, the most cheerfully flawed heroine since Scarlett O’Hara. She’s a train wreck you can’t look away from. Laurie Moore writes with talent, wit and an “only in Texas” sensibility that’s irresistible!”
—Harley Jane Kozak, Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award–winning novelist of A Date You Can’t Refuse
Starred review from Publishers Weekly:
Deb on Arrival: A Debutante Detective Mystery
“Moore (Woman Strangled–News at Ten) smoothly mixes mystery, romance, and humor in this excellent first in a new series set in Fort Worth, Tex. When Texas Christian University student Dainty Prescott lands an unpaid internship with WBFD-TV…Dainty soon realizes being Nancy Drew is a lot more fun than being Diane Sawyer… this Jimmy Choo–wearing snoop hasn’t even gotten her license yet, but if this initial outing is any indication, her next case should be another eye-opener. (July)”
More about Deb on Arrival–Live at Five:
Twenty-two year old Dainty Prescott, last year’s debutante, indulged society girl, and privileged TCU coed with twelve traffic camera tickets is having a “sorry, rotten, no-good day.” While picking up her gown for the upcoming debutante ball, she inadvertently discovers her longtime boyfriend kissing her boss’s young wife at the exclusive store’s jewelry counter. Worse, while driving her Porsche with “DBUTNT” personalized license plates, she draws unwanted attention from a disillusioned Fort Worth policeman. What begins as a minor traffic stop quickly ends up in arrest—an imperfect fit for a debutante of The Rubanbleu, where the words “jail” and “Dainty Prescott” should never be mentioned in the same sentence.
When Dainty’s confidante at the TV station blabs about the boss’ wife’s new man, the boss makes Dainty a deal: get evidence that’ll favor him in divorce proceedings, and he’ll give her a paid internship—welcome news since her father cut off her funds. As a favor, Dainty’s “recovering sorority sister” hires her to investigate her mother’s fiancé, and the Debutante Detective Agency is born. Although Dainty lacks detective skills, she knows just where to turn—and her disastrous first impression with the cop quickly evolves into an unlikely friendship. But not even a crash course from the ace detective can keep her out of harm’s way.
Easy surveillance cases quickly turn into deadly games: insurance fraud, a vicious dog, the identity thief with a flair for murdering his wives who may be on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list; a hit-and-run driver and unidentified stalker with payback in mind; and plenty of traffic cameras to document Dainty’s driving. With danger lurking around every corner, it isn’t long before the former debutante’s caught in the web of a madman who’ll kill to get what he wants—and he wants Dainty and her friends dead.
Woman Strangled–News at Ten
Five Star Expressions
Hardcover: 317 pages
Publisher: Five Star (ME) (June 17, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594147620
ISBN-13: 978-1594147623
When Aspen Wicklow becomes an investigative reporter for the worst-ranked TV station in the DFW Metroplex, she’s warned never to become part of the story. But when she investigates the disappearance of a former sorority sister and debutante, she places herself in the trajectory of a killer, and the prospect of losing her job isn’t nearly as important as losing her life.
“An intense page turner. Laurie Moore keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If it bleeds it leads, and Moore is headed for the front of the pack.” ~ Shannon Bruffett, Anchor KODE-TV Channel 12, Joplin, MO
*Starred Review* ”The marvelous first in a new romantic suspense series from Moore (Jury Rigged) sparkles with Janet Evanovich–style humor. Aspen Wicklow, a University of North Texas journalism grad down to her last $75, lucks out and lands a plum job on WBFD-TV’s Public Defender in Fort Worth, Tex. Tig Welder, a hotshot gunning for an anchor spot, reminds œInvestigative Reporter Barbie� never to try scooping him, while station manager J. Gordon Pfeiffer warns her never to become part of the story. Following either tip isn’t easy after Aspen meets ruggedly handsome Spike Granger, a Johnson County sheriff who’s on a rampage about prison overcrowding. Even more alarming is researching a missing person report on Candy Drummond, who pledged at the same sorority as Aspen. Candy later turns up a strangled corpse. The action hurtles to a cliff-hanging close that includes more than one tantalizing twist sure to leave readers eager for the sequel.” ~ Publishers Weekly (June)
“[This] book is right on. I truly believe it hit the mark. Truly.” ~ Marty Griffin, Investigative Reporter, KDKA-TV Channel 12, Pittsburgh, PA
“Laura Moore proves she is not jinxed as she starts a new series starring a fabulous heroine who struggles to adhere to ‘the rules’ while remaining true to herself. The whodunit is fast-paced yet quite amusing and filled with plausible enjoyable twists (a trademark of this author) as Spike and Aspen investigate separately and somewhat together (especially when he is checking her out). Fans will enjoy the opening act of a strong journalistic mystery.” ~ Harriet Klausner
“Humor, suspense, and romance weave together in the surprisingly endearing Woman Strangled-News at Ten…Laurie Moore’s deft hand, witty dialogue, and humorous situations keeps things light and interesting…Sheriff Spike Granger is either innovative or crazy. His ideas for solving the jail overcrowding problem makes for great television, but raise concern for his sanity. Still, Aspen is drawn to the direct and charismatic officer, especially when she unwittingly picks up a stalker. Watching the progression of this romance will be a highlight of this entertaining series. A sure to be captivating new series starring investigative reporter Aspen Wicklow has kicked off on a high note with Woman Strangled-News at Ten. I look forward to her continuing adventures.” ~ Kathy Samuels, Romance Reviews Today
