The Audrey Hepburn Heist: A Charlotte Donovan Mystery
Women Sleuths
2nd in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher : Independently published (April 16, 2022)
Paperback : 292 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8445663904
Kindle ASIN : B09V1T5RTR
When it comes to writing Golden Age Hollywood biographies, the pen is deadlier than the sword.
Charlotte Donovan’s life changed drastically when her boss died, leaving her a grand New York City apartment and a small fortune, but with stipulations. While writing an Audrey Hepburn biography, Charlotte consults on a new “Holly Golightly” miniseries, and a reality TV show where America selects the lead of the new series. When the actress who’s the national favorite is murdered at Charlotte’s cast party, she feels obligated to pursue justice for the young ingenue.
Charlotte, along with her detective boyfriend and best friend, follow a dangerous trail of smoke and mirrors. Nothing is as it appears, and nobody is who they seem to be, starting with the murder victim. With each detail Charlotte unearths, the more frightened she becomes—and the more determined.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Charlotte Donovan is still adjusting to her life following her boss’s death. She inherited Justine Turner’s elite New York City apartment, some other treasures, and cash, but it comes with some conditions.
She is working on a biography of Audrey Hepburn and has been hired as a consultant for a new “Holly Golightly” miniseries and a reality TV show to select which actress will play the lead in the miniseries. One of Justine’s stipulations was that she hold parties in the apartment so she decided to invite everyone connected to the project and other “Hollywood folks” to her new home. Charlotte has befriended Gemma, the national favorite for the Hepburn role, and is shocked when the young woman collapses, stops breathing and dies in the middle of the party. Her death is ruled a homicide and Charlotte, Den, her detective boyfriend, and her best friend Kate vow to get justice for Gemma but they soon see it isn’t going easy.
Charlotte has the drive to do many things but her body sometimes holds her back. She suffers from Lyme Disease and stress can lead to some brutal flareups and trailing a murderer is extremely stressful. The people around her understand and push her to take care of herself. Her boyfriend, Sergeant Den Brophy tries to keep her out of danger but she is a stubborn woman. She also has mad research skills which he appreciates. Her BFF Kate is usually her sleuthing partner and is up for anything but strives to keep her out of trouble too.
Ms. Bryan has put forth a complex mystery. It seems nothing is as it appears and the more Charlotte, Den, and Kate dig into the case the more complicated it becomes. I was captivated with each turn of the page as all the mysteries were untangled, entangled, and untangled again. It led up to a surprising climax for both Charlotte and this reader. It also led to a wonderful little adventure for Den and Charlotte.
I love old movies but it has been a long time since I have watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the 1954 version of Sabrina, My Fair Lady, or her other fabulous films. While I knew of her humanitarian work I certainly wasn’t familiar with her early history so I was not only drawn in by the current mystery but also by Charlotte’s research and her work on the new biography.
The Audrey Hepburn Heist is a supremely well-plotted mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. I have become invested in Charlotte Donovan’s life and now look forward to seeing what Ms. Bryan has in store for her in Book 3,
Note: the book contains some explicit language.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy.
About the Author
Mollie Cox Bryan writes cozy mysteries with edge. She’s the author of several bestselling mystery series, also writing under the pen name Maggie Blackburn. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman’s World. She has also been short-listed for the Virginia Library People’s Choice Award. She’s also penned a historical fiction: MEMORY OF LIGHT: AN AFTERMATH OF GETTYSBURG. She’s the mother of two nearly perfect daughters, each pursuing careers in music.
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Also written by Mollie
Written as Maggie Blackburn
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