Another Thing to Fall - (Tess Monaghan Mysteries (Paperback)) by Laura Lippman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

New York Times Bestseller

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan--first introduced in the classic Baltimore Blues--must protect an up-and-coming Hollywood actress, but when murder strikes on a TV set, the unflappable PI discovers everyone's got a secret.

"[A] welcome addition to Tess Monaghan's adventures and an insightful look at the desperation that drives those grasping for a shot at fame and those who will do anything to keep it."--San Francisco Chronicle

When private investigator Tess Monaghan literally runs into the crew of the fledgling TV series Mann of Steel while sculling, she expects sharp words and evil looks, not an assignment. But the company has been plagued by a series of disturbing incidents since its arrival on location in Baltimore: bad press, union threats, and small, costly on-set "accidents" that have wreaked havoc with its shooting schedule. As a result, Mann's creator, Flip Tumulty, the son of a Hollywood legend, is worried for the safety of his young female lead, Selene Waites, and asks Tess to serve as her bodyguard. Tumulty's concern may be well founded. Recently, a Baltimore man was discovered dead in his home, surrounded by photos of the beautiful--if difficult--aspiring star.

In the past, Tess has had enough trouble guarding her own body. Keeping a spoiled movie princess under wraps may be more than she can handle since Selene is not as naive as everyone seems to think, and instead is quite devious. Once Tess gets a taste of this world of make-believe--with their vanities, their self-serving agendas, and their remarkably skewed visions of reality--she's just about ready to throw in the towel.

But she's pulled back in when a grisly on-set murder occurs, threatening to topple the wall of secrets surrounding Mann of Steel as lives, dreams, and careers are scattered among the ruins.

From the Back Cover

New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan must protect an up-and-coming Hollywood actress, but when murder strikes on a TV set, Tess discovers everyone's got a secret. . . .

When private investigator Tess Monaghan literally runs into the crew of the fledgling TV series Mann of Steel while sculling, she expects sharp words, not an assignment. But the company has been plagued by a series of disturbing incidents--bad press, union threats, and small, costly on-set 'accidents'--since it's arrival on location in Baltimore. Mann's creator, Flip Tumulty, the son of a Hollywood legend, is now worried for the safety of his young female lead, Selene Waites, and asks Tess to serve as her bodyguard. Tumulty's concern may be well founded. Recently, a Baltimore man was discovered dead in his home, surrounded by photos of the beautiful--if difficult--aspiring star.

Keeping a spoiled movie princess under wraps may be more than Tess can handle since Selene isn't as naive as everyone believes, but is rather devious. Once Tess gets a taste of this world of make-believe, she's just about ready to throw in the towel.

Review Quotes

"A juicy whodunit." -- Entertainment Weekly

"Tess--funny, smart, empathetic as hell, and a colorful, irreverent storyteller makes a wonderful companion for this tale, in which disturbing vandalism and a stalker are just the harbingers of much worse problems," -- Seattle Times

"Lippman is incapable of writing an un-compelling mystery," -- Baltimore Sun

You get everything in this book. There's a really good mystery which is almost secondary to the interaction of the characters - Hollywood's penchant for confusing illusion and reality is beautifully done - and the witty dialogue, full of smart film references, is totally believable. -- Toronto Globe and Mail

Like lunch at Atwater's, Tess's latest leaves you fully satisfied but looking forward to next time -- Kirkus Reviews

"After last year's acclaimed What the Dead Know, Lippman is back on home turf with the 10th installment of her popular series about Baltimore P.I. Tess Monaghan." -- People

[a] welcome addition to Tess Monaghan's adventures and an insightful look at the desperation that drives those grasping for a shot at fame and those who will do anything to keep it. -- San Francisco Chronicle