The Lady in the Silver Cloud

Book excerpt: In this gripping mystery by US bestseller David Handler, sleuthing suthor Stewart Hoag investigates the murder of his wealthy neighbour, and discovers her dark past. 1990s New York. Muriel Cantrell lives in a luxury apartment building on Central Park West, where she's known for her pride and joy: a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Her neighbours include beautiful movie star Merilee Nash - and author Stewart 'Hoagy' Hoag. Hoag, whose career crashed when he got into drugs and alcohol, is on the up and he and basset hound Lulu are glad to be sharing Merilee's life (and apartment) again. Hoagy, Merilee and the building's other residents are shocked when delicate, sweet, elderly Muriel is murdered after a Halloween party. Who in the world would want to harm an old lady whose major vices were buying Chanel suits and watching daytime soap operas? NYPD Lieutenant Romaine Very investigates and again seeks assistance from his friend Hoagy, who is perfectly placed to help. Their sleuthing soon leads to the unexpected source of Muriel's wealth, the history of her years at the Copacabana nightclub, and how her Mob-linked chauffeur came to be called 'Bullets'... not to mention a desperate meth-head nephew, and wealthy neighbours with secrets of their own. A gripping, darkly comic new mystery, The Lady in the Silver Cloud was a Traditional & Historical Crime Club Pick on release. Reviews for David Handler 'One of my all-time favourite series.' Harlan Coben 'Adultery, blackmail, trick-or-treaters, unseemly ties to organized crime, and New York in the 1990s. What's not to like?' Kirkus 'David Handler is a hoot, and his books are just the thing for what ails you.' Parnell Hall