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1994. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
She doesn't take murder cases. But well-rounded PI Desiree Shapiro has a heart that's even bigger than her waistline, and she agrees to make an exception. She just can't believe that this nice young delivery boy could be guilty of robbing and killing a reclusive old woman. (Never mind that the victim stashed her money in the freezer, and the kid isn't able to explain how his fingerprints got on the refrigerator door.) Things become really complicated, though, when there is a second homicide in the same apartment building—and even more so when Desiree finds herself falling for one of the suspects.
"As unlikely a private investigator as could be imagined . . . I hope and expect that Desiree, a fully fleshed out (she would pardon the expression) and very funny lady, will be back again."
—Mystery Scene
1995. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Desiree has sworn that she'll never get involved in another murder investigation. But then her old friend Peter pleads with her to discover whether his fiancée is dead or alive. And, really, how can she turn him down? According to Peter, two days earlier his fiancée and her identical twin were both shot in the face in the posh Chelsea apartment they shared. And now one of the sisters lies in a coma, and the other is stretched out on a slab in the morgue—with no one able to determine which is which. It's a bizarre case that requires Desiree to not only uncover who dunnit—but to whom.
"Dez is a delightful character with a quirky, distinctive voice, and I'd love to go to dinner with her."
—Deadly Pleasures
1996. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
The police, the medical examiner, and her own doctor have concluded that sickly, nine-year-old Catherine died of natural causes. The sole dissenter: the child's wealthy grandmother, who adamantly maintains that Catherine was murdered. It's only to put the grieving woman's mind at ease that Desiree agrees to look into the little girl's demise. Eventually, however, she notices one small, incongruous thing that convinces her that the child was, in fact, a homicide victim. But how can Desiree possibly prove it when the killer employed a murder weapon that wasn't a weapon at all?
"Poignant and satisfying . . . just plain fun to read."
—I Love a Mystery
1997. Signet paperback.
Raven Eber shows up uninvited and unwanted at the weekend reunion of a small group of her former college sorority sisters. And that first night the much-loathed Raven dives off the balcony and into the swimming pool—the empty swimming pool—below. The police are attempting to establish whether her death was an accident, a suicide—or worse. But Desiree isn't about to sit around and wait for their findings. Because if it should turn out that there was foul play, a recent altercation with the deceased would make Ellen Kravitz their prime suspect. And Ellen is Desiree's favorite—and only—niece.
"Witty repartee, lots of possible suspects, and even an intriguing subplot will keep you turning the pages to find out who done it—and why."
—Baldwin Ledger
1998. Signet paperback.
Only her cat was in the study with her when noted children's book author Luella Pressman died of no apparent cause. Desiree's former neighbor, who was also one of Luella's ex-husbands (number four, to be exact), insists that the eccentric writer was murdered for her very substantial estate, and he enlists Desiree's help in acquiring the proof. It isn't long before she realizes that getting at the truth here won't be any walk in the park. There's no evidence of foul play. None of the suspects appears to have been involved in the woman's death. And, obviously, the sole witness to the tragedy isn't talking.
"A clever plot . . . this one's a joy."
—Mystery Lovers Bookshop
1999. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Desiree's former boyfriend is suspected of his wife's murder. Well, he was a gold-plated louse—but Bruce Simon a murderer? Desiree has her doubts and (reluctantly) agrees to look into things. Bruce insists that on the very day she was killed, his wife—a flight attendant with a small Bahamian airline—had planned to confront an unnamed coworker about smuggling drugs. But the police don't buy it. Bruce was an extremely jealous man, Desiree is informed. Also, the couple had had a nasty public blowup. Plus—and this is the kicker—her client's first wife died under mysterious circumstances, too!
"Highlighting Eichler's witty dialogue and charming New York City setting are the often hilarious characters Shapiro encounters."
—Publishers Weekly
2000. Signet paperback. Also available in audio from Blackstone AudioBooks.
Crime czar Vito da Silvia wants Desiree to discover who ended the life of his protégé, young politico Frankie Vincent. And although she's appalled by the idea of working for him, no one says no to da Silva. The assignment takes Desiree out to New Jersey— Frankie's home state—where she teams up with a local police detective to dig into the dead man's past. It soon becomes obvious that any number of people were happy to see Frankie in his grave. But while Desiree is fearful she won't be able to identify his killer, she's even more afraid that she will—and that her client will dispense his own form of justice.
"Desiree Shapiro is a shining creation."
—Romantic Times
2001. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
*Nominated for Left Coast Crime's Lefty award
Someone is trying to kill me!" Philanthropist Miriam Weiden left this chilling message on Desiree's answering machine. But the full-figured PI neglected to retrieve it in time to respond to that desperate plea for help. So when Miriam's mother hires her to investigate the do-gooder's untimely end, Desiree sees it as an opportunity to redeem herself in some small way. Before long, her probe reveals that the private Miriam was a far cry from the publicized one, with a list of enemies that included her own teenage daughter! It requires all of Desiree's pit-bull tenacity to nab the killer—and salve her conscience.
"Great plot . . . wonderful characters."
—Mysterious Women
2002. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Rich-as-Croesus Uncle Victor has only months to live. Not long ago his favorite nephew, the heir to his fortune, was shot to death. And now a second nephew wants Desiree's help in staying alive. It seems the man is not only next in line to inherit, but recently dodged a bullet himself. Three of Uncle Victor's other relatives stand to benefit handsomely if her client dies before the old man does. But her questioning of the devious trio fails to uncover a single clue to the assailant's identity. And Desiree begins to suspect that she's overlooked someone. Someone who's been one step ahead of her all the time.
"A fascinating story line that ends with a stunner."
—BookNBytes.com
2003. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Desiree's niece, Ellen, will soon be saying, "I do," and Desiree is determined to throw her a truly memorable shower. And memorable it is. After all, who can forget an affair where one of the guests takes a few bites of the salad—and winds up face down in her plate? As Desiree begins poking into the woman's death—and life—she becomes increasingly certain that she's dealing with a homicide. And further, that at least four of the women present at the shower that afternoon hated the scheming, man-hungry Bobby Jean like poison. But which of the four had arranged for that meal to be her last?
"An exciting private investigator tale that is fun to read . . . delightful."
—Midwest Book Review
2004. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Teenager Vicky Pirrelli begs Desiree to come up with the identity of the person who really murdered her father's mistress, a crime for which her dad was sent to prison. Desiree is fully aware of the reasons she should turn the girl down: (1) The homicide is ten years old, so by now most— if not all— of the evidence is either tainted or gone. (2) The truth won't do Vicky's father any good—he's dead. (3) The girl intends paying Desiree's fee with her babysitting money. Nevertheless, Ms. Soft-Touch Shapiro agrees to sign on and promptly comes up with four suspects—including Vicky's own mother!
"Full of intrigue and suspense. A highly engrossing read that shouldn't be missed."
— Rendezvous
2005. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Funny. Everyone seems to be crazy about charismatic pharmaceutical executive Gordon Curry, yet someone out there has tried to kill him—twice. And Desiree's job is to prevent attempt number three. Gordon even provides her with the name of a disgruntled ex-employee of his, assuring the anxiety-ridden sleuth that this is the only individual who could possibly want to harm him. But before Desiree has a chance to follow up, her worst fear is realized: Gordon is shot to death. What's more, she learns that the former employee—her sole suspect—committed suicide two months earlier!
"Worth gobbling up."
— Publishers Weekly
2006. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press large print edition.
Was it a misstep that sent poor Aunt Bessie tumbling down those basement steps—or did someone give her a helping hand? That's what the elderly woman's bereaved nephew is counting on Manhattan's pudgiest PI to establish. And she does. During the course of her investigation, Desiree arrives at the realization that Aunt Bessie's fatal fall was no accident. Among her suspects are the victim's own son, his butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth fiancée, and a seventyish cousin who may or may be harboring a bizarre secret. In this case, however, Desiree's biggest challenge isn't uncovering the truth—it's proving it!
"Seamlessly plotted."
—Romantic Times
2007. Signet paperback. Also available in Thorndike Press and BBC Audiobooks Limited (UK) large print editions.
Jordy Mills was a saint. (Just ask Tootsie, the family dachshund, who's been practically suicidal since the man's demise.) In fact, he was scheduled to donate a kidney to his brother, Cornell, but was murdered the day before the transplant. And soon the tragedy is compounded when Cornell, now deprived of a desperately needed kidney, takes his own life. Then Desiree learns that Cornell was a gold-plated heel, and she begins to wonder whether Jordy was killed merely to ensure the death of his brother. Or—and Tootsie will forgive the expression—whether some dirty dog actually targeted good guy Jordy himself.
"An enchanting series… Selma Eichler has a keen sense of humor that is abundantly displayed… a great read."
—Book Loons
For the 15th book in the series, Murder Can Crash Your Party, click here!
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