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Dead File by Kelly Lange - ON SALE JULY 17!
Kelly Lange is a former anchor and reporter for KNBC-TV in Los
Angeles; so is Maxi Poole, the heroine of her first murder
mystery, "The Reporter." Maxi is back in "Dead File" -- a term
used for tape put in special storage because it can't be aired.
Gillian Rose, czarina of the country's largest manufacturer of
vitamins, diet supplements and other delicious indulgences, is
found dead on the floor of her office at Rose International in
Los Angeles. Since television news is not for the meditative or
meek, Maxi has squirreled herself to the crime scene, where her
cameraman shot tape of the body that can't be made public but
which, viewed and reviewed by Maxi, will stir her to epiphany.
So much for the title. As to the rest of the throbbing tale, its
core lies in the setting, tradecraft and atmosphere of a TV
studio and its newsroom. Maxi and her malamute have recovered
from injuries they suffered in "The Reporter." They are still
hurt a bit, though you couldn't tell it from the frenzied pace
our heroine keeps up, which is further accelerated by the
proclivity of various protagonists to call for her intervention
for no evident reason. This get worse when the murdered woman's
longtime assistant, Sandie Schaeffer, barely escapes a similar
fate but is left badly damaged, and Gillian's randy husband,
Carter Rose, reports an attempted aggression against him as
well.
All this time, Maxi navigates surface roads and freeway networks
as de rigueur in L.A.; also computer networks and a broad
selection of local fleshpots and taprooms, which pretty much
take care of the action. The cast of characters is devious but
not too violent, and while many developments are telegraphed
well in advance, they still leave room for surprises, especially
at the end. Lange has conjured up a gossamer-light entertainment
that is more fun than you would think. But Maxi is getting
serious accident-prone. She had better look out.
From Los Angels Times Book Review July 20, 2003 By Eugen Weber
Young and
glamorous L.A. reporter Maxi Poole is back in another adventure
that takes readers inside a TV news operation. When
vitamin-supplement queen Gillian Rose is found dead, Maxi
anticipates a big story, but when the police find no evidence of
foul play, Maxi’s gruff boss takes her off the story. Gillian’s
husband, Carter, who believes his wife was murdered, enlists a
skeptical Maxi to help in solving the crime. Displeased with
this arrangement is Carter’s stunning secretary – and lover –
Kendyl Scott. Meanwhile, the return of colleague Richard
Winningham from assignment in the Middle East suggests that
Maxi’s Christmas might not be blue this year. That subplot and
others involving a distraught has-been anchorman and stolen book
manuscript help make this Maxi’s best outing yet. Adding to the
story’s richness is Lange’s amusing yet affectionate portrayal
of La-La Land; yes it’s superficial, she seems to say, but why
not love it anyway?
“Terrific light entertainment” – Booklist
"It's pure fun to follow Maxi Poole as she unofficially solves
the murder of a beautiful woman tied to the "designer
supplement" trade. Dead File is fast, bright and right up to the
minute. Years of newscasting have given Lange a sharp eye for
what matters and what doesn't. Leave it to Kelly Lange to bring
us another breaking story."
- T. Jefferson Parker , author of Cold Pursuit
Lange, former NBC-TV anchorwoman, may hove come up with the
perfect summer cocktail of a mystery. Take anchorwoman Maxi
Poole, who sounds a lot like Kelly - attractive, tough, sexy,
driven, with an attitude that knocks down doors and pins down
stories. Mix in some iced bodies, including the beauliful,
conniving creative head of a billion dollar dietary supplement
empire with a sleazy husband who is the business brains of the
outfit. Add some local "fictional" characters who seem familiar
in Southern California, such as the beloved, ancient TV newsman,
the business takeover specialist, the gorgeous mistress, the
devoted secretary, the irascible producer, etc. Give it a twist
with motives -- greed, sex. status, larceny, power. Add a dollop
of romance. Toss into a newsroom, shake, and stir. Garnish with
some excellent, unexpected plot twists, and you've got a cool,
entertaining page turner.
Review by Marylin Hudson
Los Angeles TV reporter Maxi Poole thinks she's got a big story
when Gillian Rose, head of a vitamin empire, turns up dead. The
police don't suspect foul play, but Gillian's husband does, and
enlists Maxi to help him find the killer. Booklist says DEAD
FILE is "terrific light entertainment;" we call it perfect beach
reading for fans of LA-based crime novels.
- MYSTERY BOOKSTORE
DEAD FILE:
Wow, too! Kelly Lange's DEAD FILE is her second mystery novel
and has Maxi Poole, TV Reporter, looking into the mysterious
death of Gillian Rose of Rose International, a firm producing
dietary supplements. Sub stories include the mechanics of a book
deal one of Maxi's co-workers has made and another about a news
anchor under negotiations. The mystery itself might be
predictable to a seasoned reader that is paying attention. I was
surprised, though, but I wasn't paying attention; I was having
too much fun "paling" around with Maxi.
-Jeff Kreider, The Book Orphanage
Maxi Poole [TV anchor in LA] is recovering from an attack that
could have taken her life [see The Reporter]. She keeps telling
herself to be more careful and stay out of trouble - which is
like telling a kitten to stay out of your knitting; she may try,
but it never works. When an urgent AP printout flashes up on her
computer screen, Maxi grabs a film crew and heads for downtown
LA where the head of a billion-dollar dietary supplement company
has been found dead in her high-rise office. Because Maxi never
lets an opportunity go by to make note of specialized
information and her professional relationship with the victim,
she has a key to the back elevator and manages to get by
security where finds a problem with the corpse. The industry
leader is well known for her startling blue eyes, but this
corpse's eyes are brown.
Every time Maxi tries to pull back from the case, or her boss
tells her to back off, something else happens to pull her back
in. With a less-than-devastated husband, the husband's
assistant/mistress, the future business partner, and the
pharmacist with a new formula - suspects all -
Maxi has a scenario to fit each one as the possible killer. When
the victim's secretary is attacked, and Maxi begins getting
threatening phone calls, the case gets hotter and Maxi finds
herself caught in the middle again.
This is the second entry in the Maxi Poole series by television
journalist Kelly Lange, and it is as much fun as the first.
Laugh-out-loud funny, Maxi will grab your attention have you
wishing you were a mouse in her pocket.
The "inside scoop" into the business of the nightly news is
worth the price of the book. Maxi and her zany adventures are
the frosting on the cake.
The denouement requires some suspension of disbelief, but
Lange's writing style makes it worth it for me, just to see what
Maxi can get into next - a great summer beach read!
- BOOKSNBYTES.COM
Maxi Poole, anchorwoman for the Channel Six news in Los Angeles,
is starting another busy day when the news comes over the wire
that Gillian Rose has been found dead. Gillian Rose is the
founder and owner, along with her husband, Carter, of Rose
Industries, a vitamin and dietary-supplement business. She was
found lying on the floor of her office.
Racing to the scene, along with half the reporters in the area,
Maxi manages, briefly, to gain access to the scene. Her
cameraman even manages to shoot a bit of footage of the body,
surrounded by various police officials. Of course, this footage
will never be aired, so upon returning to the newsroom, the tape
is labeled and stored in the "dead" file. But Maxi can't quite
get over the feeling that something is seriously wrong with the
whole picture. She decides to continue her own investigation
into the mysterious death.
This is Maxi's second outing, but the story works very well as a
stand-alone. After reading references to her first case, THE
REPORTER (paperback, 4/03) I'm anxious to find and read this
first book. The author is a reporter in Los Angeles, and her
expertise and inside knowledge shows through on every page. The
mystery itself is well plotted with interesting twists; and
peopled with quirky-but-real characters. The pace is quick, the
narrative assured. Maxi is a truly likeable character. I'll be
looking forward to her next case.
4 ½ Deborah Hern
www.theromancereadersconnection.com
DEAD FILE by Kelly Lange
Kelly Lange is the author of THE REPORTER and an Emmy winner for
Best Los Angeles News Anchorperson.
Former L.A. anchorwoman Kelly Lange does for broadcast news
("Network," anyone?) what THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has done for the
magazine industry in the Maxi Poole series. This is a delicious,
wry Sandra Tsing Loh-esque take on L.A. and on our media-driven
sound byte culture that's perfect for the beach.
While the formula of plucky-investigative-reporter/amateur
shamus is nothing particularly new, it works. There's a reason
Clark Kent became a reporter. She may not be Superman, but Maxi
has the access code for vitamin supplement queen and bitter half
of a power couple, Gillian Rose's penthouse, where Gillian,
whose famous blue eyes have mysteriously turned brown, lies
murdered. Maxi shoots footage she isn't, strictly speaking,
supposed to (surprise), but although it doesn't make the six
o'clock news, it helps Maxi solve the crime in true deductive
fashion.
In terms of blood and gore, you won't find much here. Gillian's
body, a few attempts on Maxi and on Gillian's not-so-grieving
hubby Carter Rose, and the near-murder of Gillian Rose's
faithful (but is she?) assistant, Sandie Schaeffer, are the
casualties in this thriller. For most readers, this is more than
enough, and it's refreshing to read writers who don't believe
you have to write a serial killer to make a mystery gripping.
(James Patterson, are you listening?)
Lange's focus is on her familiar milieu, the give-and-take and
frenetic energy of a TV newsroom, the witty banter between
station manager Wendy Harris and Maxi, the determination of a
plucky reporter armed with a few coincidences (her dad is a
pharmacist!), plus plenty of emotional intrigue. Forget Carter
Rose and his would-be wife, mistress Kendyl Scott. Maxi's own
commitment- phobic musings on her love life and her tender
interlude with hot-spot globetrotting reporter Richard
Winningham provide a wry, real commentary on our modern lives
and relationships. In addition, the behind-the-scenes
double-dealing Maxi uncovers at Rose International would make
the Department of Justice forget Martha Stewart and go after
Gillian and Carter instead. Is Gillian's similarity to the
Martha Stewart downfall coincidental? If so, Martha should watch
her back.
May the cameras keep rolling on Maxi Poole. -MYSHELF.COM
READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!
PURCHASE THIS BOOK NOW!
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 The
Reporter Paperback
"Kelly Lange is our intrepid L.A. TV reporter/anchor. Maxi
Poole, her reporter/sleuth, says and does things that Kelly
could never get away with in real life and keep her job. It's
great fun!"
-Dominick Dunne, author of Justice: Crimes, Trials, and
Punishment"I
couldn't put THE
"I
couldn't put THE REPORTER down…loved being taken into
the inner workings of a newsroom…mesmerized by the twists and
turns Maxi Poole skids through. It's fascinating and scary,
everything a really great mystery should be."
-Gail Parent, author of Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in
New York
"Lange takes us on a delicious Chandleresque ride. Like L.A.,
THE REPORTER is stylish and funny, dark, dangerous, and
beautiful."
-Allan Folsom, author of Day of Confession
"Make Maxi's acquaintance….Lange delights with lively characters
and a plot as well crafted as a Swiss watch. Treat yourself."
-Washington Times
Anchor person-turned-novelist, Kelly Lange takes us on a quick
romp through the places she knows best -- the newsroom of a TV
station, the beaches of Malibu, the Beverly Hills Hotel,
Sotheby's Auction House, and all the sexy, glamorous environs of
L.A. in between. What could be more fun? Lange is comfortably at
home here in the murder mystery genre and this time her choice
of herOine happily is none other than a TV anchor named ll11axi
Poole, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the author
herself.
Maxi can scarcely contain herself at the funeral of her former
husband, Oscar winning actor Jack Nathanson, when she sees that
he is being buried in a see-through, Lucite coffin! "Just like
Jack", his three wives (two of them "ex's") agree. Nathanson was
shot and killed suddenly one afternoon at his mansion; now his
second wife and the mother of his only daughter, a sexy Italian
actress, is arrested for his murder. Maxi is certain that her
good pal could not be the guilty party, but before she can play
sleuth, she herself is placed on the list of suspects. Now,
quick as one-two-three, a series of bizarre murders is
committed, all of the victims in some way related to Jack
Nathanson. Los Angeles soon begins to resemble "Ten Little
Indians."
The book fairly glows with a joy and warmth that we have come to
expect from this writer, who obviously takes relish in her work.
Maxi is a peppy, smart, likable protagonist. She solves this
one. but not before putting her life in jeopardy and the reader
in a high state of suspense, leaving us to ponder what could be
in store for her the next time around?
Rapport Magazine, 2002
THE REPORTER:
Wow! What a nice surprise this was. THE REPORTER by Kelly Lange
introduces Maxi Poole, the former Mrs. Jack Nathanson, as a TV
news reporter. This story opens with Maxi at her ex-husband's
funeral.
Who shot him, is the mystery and Maxi isn't as sure as the
police that the first wife "offed their mutual ex." Counting the
current widow, there are three ex-wives, with Maxi in the middle
and eventually becomes a suspect herself; along with half of
Hollywood. The list of those with motivation for the killing
appears to be the same list of all those who had any
acquaintance with him. The prime focus is on the first wife,
even though brutal attacks continue and other suspects are
murdered. This is not a quaint cozy. The murder(s) are brutal,
vivid and in your face. The setting is peopled with the rich and
famous from Tinseltown, but the characters are surprisingly real
and identifiable. A wonderful read.
-Jeff Kreider, The Book Orphanage
Outrageous things happen every
day in Hollywood and when Oscar winning actor, Jack Nathanson is
buried in a bizarre transparent coffin with a smile on his
once-handsome face, no one bats an eye. Only TV reporter Maxi
Poole, ex-wife of the deceased, finds both the funeral and the
death itself more than a little disturbing.
Maxi, wife number two is good friends with Debra, wife number
one who appears to be the police's best suspect. Maxi is
determined to clear her friend's name. and is soon under
investigation herself for the death of Nathanson, a movie star
who's light dimmed a long time ago. Now people on the fringes of
Nathanson's life are being killed, first his loyal housekeeper
is stabbed to death, then an attempt is made on Maxi's life.
As she continues to dig for answers she finds that her ex had
far more enemies than fans. Two ex-wives, the current wife, more
lovers than Maxi can keep count of, a deranged former child star
and an emotionally distraught daughter all add to the bizarre
mystery.
Maxi Poole is a feisty lady and hangs in until the murder is
solved and the end credits roll. A suspense-filled book that
takes you on a tour of the worlds of movie making and TV
reporting. I hope Kelly Lange is going to bring Maxi back again
soon. We need more sexy lady sleuths like her.
Patti Biringer - Deadly Ink
READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!
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The
Reporter by Kelly Lange
