Blowing Smoke

By Barbara Block | Publisher: Kensington Books

About the book

An intricately plotted story with red herrings galore. The corking-good plot will keep you turning the pages until the very end. An outstanding addition to a wonderful series. --Booklist

Blowing Smoke

Getting involved with the rich and their problems is never a good idea, as far as amateur P.I. Robin Light is concerned. But when the mercury is rising to a steamy level, the bills are unpaid, and the investigation promises real money, the only answer is yes.

Robin figures the case to be a no-brainer: the three adult children of an eccentric heiress, Rose Taylor, are convinced their mother is the victim of a scam operated by a psychic named Pat Humphrey, who has just earned a large place in Rose's will. Assuming the woman is a fraud, Robin pays her a visit and is startled to discover that Pat could be the real thing--and that she knows far more about the Taylor family than she admits. . .enough to get her killed.

As the air grows thick with the promise of rain, the case takes one shocking turn after another, plunging Robin into the dark secrets and twisted loyalties of a troubled family, where money may not buy happiness, but it can be a powerful motive for murder. Now, Robin's own premonition about the rich is coming true, because a cold-blooded killer is about to turn the dog days of summer into the most dangerous season of Robin's life.

\"Interlocking mysteries and layered family secrets nudge Block's seventh toward Ross MacDonald territory.\" --Kirkus Reviews

\"This female PI ranks right up there with the tough-guy detectives in taking her lumps and dishing them out as well.\" --Library Journal

Editions of Blowing Smoke

Paperback
ISBN 9781575667232
EBook
ISBN 9781617735622

Read an Excerpt

An intricately plotted story with red herrings galore. The corking-good plot will keep you turning the pages until the very end. An outstanding addition to a wonderful series. --Booklist

Blowing Smoke

Getting involved with the rich and their problems is never a good idea, as far as amateur P.I. Robin Light is concerned. But when the mercury is rising to a steamy level, the bills are unpaid, and the investigation promises real money, the only answer is yes.

Robin figures the case to be a no-brainer: the three adult children of an eccentric heiress, Rose Taylor, are convinced their mother is the victim of a scam operated by a psychic named Pat Humphrey, who has just earned a large place in Rose's will. Assuming the woman is a fraud, Robin pays her a visit and is startled to discover that Pat could be the real thing--and that she knows far more about the Taylor family than she admits. . .enough to get her killed.

As the air grows thick with the promise of rain, the case takes one shocking turn after another, plunging Robin into the dark secrets and twisted loyalties of a troubled family, where money may not buy happiness, but it can be a powerful motive for murder. Now, Robin's own premonition about the rich is coming true, because a cold-blooded killer is about to turn the dog days of summer into the most dangerous season of Robin's life.

\"Interlocking mysteries and layered family secrets nudge Block's seventh toward Ross MacDonald territory.\" --Kirkus Reviews

\"This female PI ranks right up there with the tough-guy detectives in taking her lumps and dishing them out as well.\" --Library Journal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blowing Smoke about?

An intricately plotted story with red herrings galore. The corking-good plot will keep you turning the pages until the very end. An outstanding addition to a wonderful series. --Booklist

Blowing Smoke

Getting involved with the rich and their problems is never a good idea, as far as amateur P.I. Robin Light is concerned. But when the mercury is rising to a steamy level, the bills are unpaid, and the investigation promises real money, the only answer is yes.

Robin figures the case to be a no-brainer: the three adult children of an eccentric heiress, Rose Taylor, are convinced their mother is the victim of a scam operated by a psychic named Pat Humphrey, who has just earned a large place in Rose's will. Assuming the woman is a fraud, Robin pays her a visit and is startled to discover that Pat could be the real thing--and that she knows far more about the Taylor family than she admits. . .enough to get her killed.

As the air grows thick with the promise of rain, the case takes one shocking turn after another, plunging Robin into the dark secrets and twisted loyalties of a troubled family, where money may not buy happiness, but it can be a powerful motive for murder. Now, Robin's own premonition about the rich is coming true, because a cold-blooded killer is about to turn the dog days of summer into the most dangerous season of Robin's life.

\"Interlocking mysteries and layered family secrets nudge Block's seventh toward Ross MacDonald territory.\" --Kirkus Reviews

\"This female PI ranks right up there with the tough-guy detectives in taking her lumps and dishing them out as well.\" --Library Journal

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Blowing Smoke?

Fiction > Crime and / or mystery fiction > Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives

Where can I read a sample of Blowing Smoke?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781575667232

How long is Blowing Smoke and how many pages does it have?

Blowing Smoke has 368 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Blowing Smoke?

Barbara Block

Who is the Publisher of the book Blowing Smoke?

Kensington Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Blowing Smoke is available as paperback(ISBN 9781575667232) and ebook(ISBN 9781617735622)

Where can I buy Blowing Smoke online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Blowing Smoke from below

Where can I buy Blowing Smoke?