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ReviewsWhat they are saying about LOVE IS MURDER:
Combining romance, humor and suspense, this offbeat debut mystery from Palmer, a screenwriting teacher and former wildlife photographer, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the soap opera industry. Narrator Lawson slips easily into the character of vulnerable Morgan Tyler, a beautiful young widow and Emmy Award-winning soap opera writer. Morgan’s life begins to resemble the outlandish scripts she writes when the head of her network’s daytime programming is murdered and she, as his unwitting beneficiary, becomes the prime suspect. Fortunately for Morgan, Detective Matt Phoenix seems to be interested in more than just her alibi. The characters’ exchanges are fast-paced and often tinged with sarcasm, but Lawson shines in this arena, switching seamlessly among various intonations and accents, even such disparate ones as English and Southern. With its smart dialogue and quirky characters—including Morgan’s “50ish and desperate” competitor Helen and Matt’s sweet-as-pie but delusional Aunt Penny—this tale is perfect for audio adaptation, and Lawson does a fine job of bringing it to life. Read by Celeste Lawson, Blackstone Audio Books, unabridged, six cassettes, 7.5 hrs., $29.95, ISBN 0-7861-2736-8 Linda Dano.... "Love is Murder is one terrific read. Set in the world of daytime drama, Linda Palmer has layered a delicious mystery with great female characters. Head writer Morgan Tyler is a young widow. She's clever and smart, but it takes being the target of a murder investigation, and meeting two intriguing new men, to awaken feelings she thought had died with her husband. More than a mystery, this book reveals secrets about network TV you'll be surprised to know. I know I was!" Barbara Rush, movie star, formerly of All My Children and Flamingo Road: “I started reading Love is Murder and kept going until I finished—I couldn’t put it down. Linda Palmer paints a vivid backstage portrait of the world of daytime drama. Love is Murder is a wonderful read and a fun mystery, with spot on observations about the ins and outs of the broadcasting business.” Jerrilyn Farmer, award-winning author of the Madeline Bean Catering Mysteries: “Divine... the juicy behind-the-scenes soap opera details are to die for!” Kelly Lange, award-winning TV journalist and anchor woman, author of the Maxi Poole mystery series: “Linda Palmer’s smart, sassy sleuth provides us with a backstage pass into the world of daytime soaps. Love is Murder is witty and fast-paced — a mystery that I did not want to end. I’m looking forward to more of Morgan Tyler!” Barnes & Noble.com: Five Stars! “Great debut mystery She married her photojournalist husband when she was nineteen and spent most of the years they had together taking incredible pictures in the wilds of Africa. When he dies in an automobile accident, Morgan Tyler returns to the United States—and moves in with her best friend until she can decide what she wants to do with her life. The head writer of the soap opera Love of My Life takes her under his wing and teaches her the ropes. When he is paralyzed due to a heart attack, she becomes the show’s new head writer.......... Damon Radford, Vice President of Daytime Programming, thinks every woman in the world loves him. Morgan constantly ducks his passes, but when he is murdered she feels no joy. The two homicide detectives assigned to the case think she is a viable suspect because of all the altercations they had in front of witnesses. When a second person connected with the show is killed, Morgan decides that the only way to clear her name and stop living in fear is to find the perpetrator, only this time she comes closer to dying than she ever did before......... This debut chick-lit mystery is an amusing amateur sleuth tale that gives readers an insider’s look at what goes on behind the scenes of a soap opera. The protagonist is a vulnerable person who attracts the attention of two sexy men and doesn’t know how to deal with it since she never dated a lot before she married her husband. Love is Murder is a great puzzler with so many suspects who had a motive to see the victim dead that readers won’t be able to guess who the killer is until the author chooses to reveal the perpetrator. Linda Palmer’s first novel is a definite winner”..........Harriet Klausner Murder and Mayhem Book Club: “Looking for something different and fun to make your reading a pleasure? Love is Murder is the perfect solution with that extra something if you are also a daytime drama fan..........Morgan Tyler, head writer for The Love of My Life, a daytime drama, finds herself suspected of murder and a target when her boss is murdered. Her life becomes as exciting, if not more so, than her writing as she tries to identify a killer and his or her motive.........Set in New York, Love is Murder takes the reader behind the scenes of the daytime stories where the reader meets a terrific and well-drawn variety of characters who keep you guessing. Talented author, Linda Palmer has created a series that is sure to satisfy any mystery lover.........Love is Murder offers the reader a great mystery that is well worth the time and a read that is loads of fun. Highly recommended to all mystery lovers. Enjoy.”.........Anne K. Edwards Round Table Reviews "Linda Palmer dishes up a peach of a cozy mystery. One can only hope she can write fast enough to appease hungry readers." ....... Tracy Farnsworth http://www.roundtablereviews.com/palmerlinda6104.htm Romance Readers Connection "Written by an author who clearly has the inside scoop on the daytime drama scene, this novel exudes authenticity. The mystery is nicely convoluted, and there are plenty of people around who had good reason to rid the world of Damon. The inner workings of daytime drama make a perfect backdrop to the intrigue of the murder. The character of Morgan is very sympathetic; she’s the kind of woman you’d like to know. Her attitude is believable and her dialogue, both external and internal, is very witty. This is smart, fast-paced fun that hooks the reader from the first page. I hope this is the first in a long-lived series." ... Deborah Hern http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/ The Best Reviews "Whether you like soap operas or not, this debut mystery by Ms. Palmer is a fast-paced, fun eye-opener into the world behind the screen. Wry humor and a compelling script keep the reader eagerly turning each page. There are plenty of suspects to choose from, guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end. Let's hope Ms. Palmer continues writing more of the same."... Anne Barringer http://www.thebestreviews.com/ Mystery Lovers "Daytime TV drama pales by comparison when writer Morgan Tyler is caught up in the very real murder of the head of daytime programming. Love is Murder by Linda Palmer is a terrific debut that unravels all the behind the camera intrigue in stalking the real killer.
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October 4, 2004