If Looks Could Kill

Granville Island Mystery #1

by Michael Blair

Vancouver photographer Thomas McCall’s summer gets off to a rocky start when his hearing-impaired 12-year-old daughter arrives for a visit (with pet ferret in tow), his parents’ marriage hits the rocks, his assistant unaccountably botches a batch of film, his girlfriend pushes for a commitment he can’t make, and the houseboat he lives on starts to sink. In other words, the usual complications of a busy life. Nothing he can’t cope with. That is, until Carla, his stunningly beautiful, former lover, walks back into his life, unapologetic for having ripped off his stereo, computer, and expensive (albeit broken) Hassleblad camera when she walked out on him two years earlier. Worse, she now needs McCall to find her a place where she can hide away for a few days, no questions asked. McCall, still hopelessly in lust with her, reluctantly agrees. But Carla never turns up at the hideaway. And now her menacing new boyfriend, Vince, is frantic to find her – so frantic that he turns to McCall for help.

What has Carla done to make her run away? What would Vince do to her if he found her? And why, against all sense, does McCall start searching for her – finding so much more than he ever wanted to?

Vivid, fast-paced, and funny, If Looks Could Kill was a finalist for the inaugural Chapters/Robertson Davies Prize, whose jurists deemed it the best of the many mysteries they received. It was also shortlisted for the 2001 QSPELL First Novel Award

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2001

About the author

Michael Blair is a freelance technical writer/editor living in Montreal. Overexposed is his third mystery, a sequel to If Looks Could Kill, a finalist for the 1999 Chapters/Robertson Davies Prize and shortlisted for the 21 Quebec Writers Federation First Book Prize.

Series:
* Joe Shoe Mystery
* Granville Island Mystery

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It was fast paced and I loved Mccall's daughter. :)

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was lengthy and at times had unnecessary layers. The author seemed to want to make it more complicated then it needed to be.

Carla is a beautiful woman with a past. She manipulates them and leaves them before they have even realized that she stole something valuable from them. For some reason, one of her exes (Tom McCall) feels obligated and determined to find her and solve the mystery behind her. He doesn't seem to have a motive for doing so. He is not interested in renewing their friendship so I was at a bit of a loss as to why he didn't just slam and lock his door and say good riddance.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

First mystery book i read, i can say it will be, probably, the only one(if all mystery books are like this one.) It was an ok read, didnt keep me at the edge of my seat, it had no action, and at times i felt it was going no where. Photographer plays detective to try and find out what happened to his ex girlfriend. the idea was interesting but the plot, setting, and actions could have been better written.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the ebook version and didn't have any problems with turning pages. The book was filled with quirky characters involved in blackmail. I enjoyed reading it although it did get a little long-winded toward the middle but then picks up once again.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ebook version had twice as many pages but for every "page" I turned it went 3 pages forward (confusing, yes) The story wasn't the best but I've read worse...

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throughout the book I wanted to slap Thomas for talking to the drama queen. I understand why she kept popping back into his life, but the typical male in him frustrated me. Overall, not a bad read.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of good characters, with lots of twists and turns. There might not be enough action for some mystery fans, but I found it a fun read.

[Brandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring slow read. It wanted to be a thriller, but just wasn't