Die for Love: A Jacqueline Kirby Mystery

"Die for Love" is a treat, with great narration supplied by Grace Conlin. Because I'm an Amelia Peabody fan, it took me a while to venture out into the other books by Elizabeth Peters, but I'm glad I did. "Die for Love" takes place at a Romance Writers' convention, and Peters taps into the high level of absurdity available in that situation. All of Peters' protagonists are gusty, self-assured women who don't hesitate to pursue whichever objective might capture their curiosity, and Jacqueline Kirby is no different. She is outrageous, outspoken, and delightful, and the cast of supporting characters are perfect foils for her pursuit of truth, justice, and a good meal (paid for by someone else).
I'm partial to Barbara Rosenblat's narrations of Elizabeth Peters' work, but Grace Conlin does a capable job, capturing Kirby's witticisms and sarcasm. I thoroughly enjoyed the listening experience and recommend it!

The librarian/detective lead character is so arrogant that it's very difficult to like her. She dismisses or demeans all the other characters including her boyfriend. So - the story itself was convoluted. I didn't enjoy it.

What happens when a lot of romance writers and wanna-be writers get together in New York? Lots of pink hearts everywhere, and a lot of cattiness. Jacqueline Kirby wants to get away from her dull librarian job in the mid-west, so uses the romance-writers convention as a tax-deductible excuse to hit the Big Apple. Along the way, she solves a murder, prevents another, and finds a new career! So absurd, you'll be laughing through the whole book!

Grace under fire is the order of the day when Jacqueline Kirby returns, this time to sort out the ills and the ill-matched of a writers' conference for romantic novels. She is her same predictably unpredictable self and manages to find the solution to this mystery with a twist. Peters' characters are quirky and satisfying and Conlin's narration, a great pleasure. She captures Jacqueline's nature with purring, yet brisk tones and gives the other voices individuality. It's a romp that races through cliches without becoming one. While not quite as unique as "The Murders of Richard the III", it remains a satisfying guilty pleasure and thorough enjoyment.

How can you go wrong with Ms. Peters writing, Grace Colin narrating, and Jacqueline Kirby as the "star"?
I don't know if it is the first JK novel by Ms Peters but this is the start of her career as a writer of romantic novels. It is clever and has a fine mystery in the midst of the wonder that is Jacqueline and her purse!! I enjoyed it!!

Just thought that this being the last Vickie Bliss book, it would go out with a little more excitement. I had really been looking forward to this book and was somewhat dissapointed. Still love Vickie B and her boss. He is truly a hoot.