by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Dying for a Double. We also have a link to order it from Amazon.

Laurel McKay was only supporting her friend Stan when she agreed to dress up in an old western calico dress and be an extra on a film in the nearby town of Coloma, California. Her former coworker at Hangtown Bank was hoping to make his big break in show businesses by dazzling the crew of The Gold River Gang, a sexed-up western starring Brittany Abbott and Deke Hardesty. It appears as though the real opportunity will actually be for private investigator Laurel, as not only have there been a series of “accidents” plaguing the set, Laurel just happens to be near-double for the beleaguered Brit. Seizing the opportunity to promote the services of the Gold County Investigations agency she founded with her husband and stepfather, Laurel offers to go undercover on the set and provide security services.

When Brit goes missing and Laurel is tossed off the set, it is Brit’s “Sexiest Man Alive” boyfriend who hires them to track her down. It is not until a fatality occurs on the set that the police become involved, as the director and producer fear that tabloid attention and the possibility of the scandal would cost them their financial backing and shut down the movie.

Uncertain whether the actress has left on her own or been the victim of a nefarious fate, Laurel learns that Brit was involved in a #MeToo incident that will have her testifying against a very powerful Hollywood producer. Intent on proving herself as a capable investigator while her former homicide detective husband is busy, Laurel and Stan find themselves on a private plane to Los Angeles where they question those closest to Brittany; namely her estranged family, avaricious manager, and bullying Hollywood executives. That these encounters seem to occur in both high-end salons and clothing boutiques is both convenient and intimidating, and Laurel sees up close the downsides of being in the Hollywood limelight.

This eighth in the series hasn’t lost any of the originality or humor that dazzled readers in the debut novel Dying for a Date, blending practical investigative work with the realities of juggling a home life. While her daughter is off at college – and learning hacking skills that Laurel is fearful to question – Laurel and her husband must manage daycare for their children and massive puppy Bernese mountain dog. Author Cindy Sample never neglects that Laurel has an actual life, one where there are penalties for late Doggy Daycare pickups and an ex-husband who must be tolerated for the sake of her son. Laurel’s blended family also includes an overly energetic grandmother and an ambitious real estate agent of a mother, one whose connections prove to be as useful as her occasional babysitting duties.

The adventures of Laurel and her friends continue to be endlessly entertaining, especially when here they combined with the exploits of a Hollywood film crew. Warm-hearted, funny, and incredibly relatable, these are characters who demand further adventures and intrigue they can share with their delighted readers.

To enter to win a copy of Dying For a Double, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “double,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 28, 2019. U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.