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Vice and Virtue (A Layla Virtue Mystery)
Traditional Mystery
Publisher : Kensington (April 29, 2025)
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496748557
ISBN-13 : 978-1496748553
Kindle ASIN : B0D1QY86NV
Audio CD ASIN: B0F47NM155
Audiobook ASIN B0DVMFPGMH
Layla Virtue, a blue-haired, 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop is trying to reinvent herself as a musician—between AA meetings, dodging eccentric neighbors at her trailer park, and reconnecting with her mysterious dad—in this unforgettable new mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.
Layla is taking her new life one day at a time from the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park she now calls home. Being alone is how she likes it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Though try telling that to the group of local ladies who are in relentless pursuit of Layla as their new BFF, determined to make her join them for coffee and donuts.
Meanwhile, since her first career ended in a literal explosion, Layla’s trying to eke out a living as a rock musician. It’s not easy competing against garage bands who work for tacos and create their music on a computer, while all she has is an electric guitar and leather-ish pants. But Layla isn’t in a position to turn down any gig. Which is why she’s at an 8-year-old’s birthday party, watching as Chuckles the Clown takes a bow under the balloon animals. No one expects it will be his last . . .
Who would want to kill a clown—and why? Layla and her unshakable posse are suddenly embroiled in the seedy underbelly of the upper-class world of second wives and trust fund kids, determined to uncover what magnetic hold a pudgy, balding clown had over women who seem to have everything they could ever want. Then again, Layla knows full well that people are rarely quite what they seem—herself included . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Layla Virtue now calls the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park home. The 30-something blue-haired former cop is trying to hold on to her sobriety as she tries to make a living as a musician. So, she is playing at dive bars, open mic nights, and kids’ birthday parties, hoping to get her big break. She also attends AA meetings and is doing all she can to avoid interacting with her neighbors.
When a clown dies at one of the kids’ parties right in front of her eyes, her life under the radar explodes. Soon, a group of women from the AA meetings are determined to become friends, and a new neighbor has caught her interest. The women are on board to help her delve into the lives of the upper-class wives, some of whom had romantic relationships with the most undesirable Chuckles the Clown, to try to see who took him down as he made his final balloon animal, and why.
Libby Klein’s fabulous sense of humor shines from the very first line and is on display until the very last line. In between, there is a heck of a story.
Layla Virtue had a devastating event in her past, which led her to make some drastic changes. Ms. Klein reveals what that event was slowly, which draws the reader in magnificently, wanting to learn the backstory of our flawed protagonist. We also meet Layla’s dad, a famous rocker from back in the day, who was touring until shortly before he arrived for his visit. Trying to keep his identity a secret led to some truly hilarious moments. Layla has a new canine neighbor who spends more time with her than he does with his hunky owner. We also meet Layla’s other neighbors, members of her AA group, and mothers of the children at the kids’ birthday parties. All were cleverly crafted with depth and their own battles, flaws, and responsibilities.
The author has wrapped her characters in an incredible story with a tough-to-solve mystery. There are so many people who could have wanted Chuck McCracken, aka Chuckles the Clown, dead. Being a former cop, Layla knows the ins and outs of an investigation. Asking the right questions, following the clues, circling back to ask more questions, staying ready for the twists and turns. Having new friends to help her was an added plus. I had a great time following them step by step until the sting when all was revealed.
In addition to the mystery, we delve into Layla’s father’s life and the hole in Layla’s life while he was off touring. It tugged on my heartstrings as they came back together, and how he showed his love for her. It was always the right way, but his heart was in the right place. He does bring a lot of humor to the story, but he also brought tears to my eyes.
This story is filled with multiple themes: friendship, aging, PTSD, dementia, fraud, gambling, and murder. These tough topics are wonderfully entwined in a book filled with heart and humor.
Vice and Virtue has set this series off to a fantastic start. It was impossible to put down. Funny, smart, heartwarming, and entertaining. I loved every minute of it. I am over the moon excited for this series to continue. I enjoyed it so much, I am giving it my A Trip to Paradise rating, and it will hold a place on my Best Reads of 2025 list.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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Also written by Libby Klein
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”