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STABBING STEPHANIE by Evan Marshall Kensington Books, May 2000 295 pages $22.00 ISBN: 1575666657X

Literary agent Jane Stuart is back with us and I am thrilled. This is Book #3 in the series, preceded by MISSING MARLENE and HANGING HANNAH. I enjoy the methods that this author utilizes to tie the series together but yet allows them to stand alone on their own merit.

As she walks toward her office, a gaunt homeless looking man asks Jane for a dollar. She notices alcohol on his breath but a refined speech. He sleeps in the train station. Speculation runs through the town as to who he really is.

This is just the start of her day because when she goes inside, there will be challenges awaiting her. Jane didn't realize how much her life would change because of the events that will happen this day.

A pop star client of Jane's, named Goddess, has an autobiography coming out soon. An excellent journalist, Carmela Gold, is ghost writing the book. She is not pleased with the lack of professionalism from the star plus other strange activities, including shoplifting by Goddess. One of Jane's jobs is to solve problems. Just when Jane is making her escape for the day, she receives an unwanted phone call from Stephanie Townsend. The instantaneous opinion of Stephanie is that Jane doesn't like her and that she is Jane's deceased husband's cousin. Unfortunately, Stephanie is moving to Shady Hills. Only from the goodness of her heart and extreme guilt (doing something nice for her husband's relative), Jane agrees to allow this person to stay at her home until a permanent residence is procured. It is difficult to believe that Stephanie and Kenneth were related. He was thoughtful and sweet while prejudice and narcissistic qualities run amok in Stephanie's world. Both Daniel (Jane's assistant) and Florence (Jane's housekeeper) receive her vengeance. Florence has her own problems without Stephanie. Some jewelry was stolen from someone's home and the tie-in indirectly involves one of Florence's friends. This woman is a maid in the home and Florence is very scared that this person may be sent back to her country since she is here illegally.

One of the most appealing parts of this story was the background story of Faith Carson. Faith is a local fairytale person compared to Princess Grace of Monaco. She left town and married a prince. This long ago story is fascinating with many twists and turns. Eventually her husband was assassinated and they left the country. Faith, her two children and her new husband are creating a publishing house right here in Shady Hills, New Jersey. This is the reason that Stephanie is moving here; she and Faith were good friends in college and she will be joining the firm.

A cocktail party set to meet the celebrated Faith and her husband, Gavin, left Jane yawning. She never did meet them. When Stephanie said she could find her own ride back, happily Jane left the party. Never meeting the celebrities worked in Jane's favor because Stephanie wanted Jane to do undercover work at this company. Could Jane discern all the mysteries that were going on with Faith and Carson? How about Stephanie, is she for real? So many secrets are disclosed and there are more murders to come. These murders point this reader in a variety of directions. One of them was correct.

Jane is contemplating a wonderful vacation, one with complete relaxation and one that includes wearing a swimming suit. She is "working on" a diet. This Dr. Stillkin diet has not been give her complete cooperation; it may really work but it tastes so awful.

For Winky, Jane's cat, there is news on the horizon. Big news! I am not disclosing this information but I will tell you that Winky is once again on the scene, not only as a photogenic cat but she will help lead the way to the solution of this riddle.

Recommended as a cozy.

Reviewed by Rita Ratacheck, October 2002

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)

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