Death In Duplicate

Just about a decade ago, Valerie Wolzien, who was then a housewife, began composing her first mystery novel on a warped old card table in her basement. All her subsequent whodunits pay implicit tribute to that hard-won apprenticeship: Each of them has the conciseness and seamlessness that only revision can bring. In this engaging home construction drama which has all the excitement of a slippery roof, contractor Josie finds herself twice famous and once accused. After a PBS remodeling series invades her site, Ms. Pigeon fights back intrusive media people. But when the hostess of the show turns up as a bloody corpse, Josie's curses turn into pleas. Straight-edge sleuthing.

A nice writing style and considerable wit. – Chicago Tribune

Wit is Wolzien's strong suit… Her portrayal of small-town life will prompt those of us in similar situations to agree that we too have been there and done that. – The Mystery Review

Domestic mysteries, with their emphasis on everyday people and everyday events, are very popular and the Susan Henshaw stories are some of the best in this subgenre. – Romantic Times

For Susan and Jed Henshaw and their friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon, the tiny Caribbean resort called Compass Bay has everything. White sand, luxurious cottages, rum punches to die for?even a gorgeous unattached blonde ornamenting the premises.

But Kathleen and Jerry are having marital problems?and when the mysterious blonde turns up murdered, the cloud hanging over their little paradise grows black indeed. It turns out that the victim is the once-frumpy sister of Jerry?s first wife. Many years ago, Susan, Jed, and Jerry had known her well, and the island police don?t believe it?s coincidence that she appeared at Compass Bay at the same time as her old friends. Nor does Susan, who shifts into investigative red alert?and finds a serpent in Eden, its fangs loaded with venom…