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Death Over Easy
Growing up risk-averse in a family of gamblers and aerial daredevils, shy editor Emma Trace has never quite gotten used to the wild dares of her dad and uncles. On the eve of her thirty-fifth birthday, as she races to win a bet and dodge a flight in her uncle's aerobatic airplane, the cook at her favorite breakfast spot is found dead in the pancake batter. Police tie the crime to Emma when they find her library card at the scene. Forced to look for clues to clear her name, Emma becomes the target of a vicious killer when she uncovers an elaborate blackmail scheme involving members of her small community. Using her improv acting skills and insider's knowledge of the town, Emma and her sidekick, LaRue, confront a string of sleazy characters as they track down the murderer. And although she's terrified to fly, Emma knows there may be no other way to prevent further killings and save the life of the man she loves. A mystery set on the north shore of Long Island, with a touch of thriller and the intoxicating fumes of airplane fuel mixed in, it will keep readers laughing while hanging onto their safety harnesses --
- GenresMystery
342 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2013
221 people want to read
About the author
Toby Speed
18 books5 followersI'm the author of children's books, mysteries and other fun word formations. DEATH OVER EASY, my first murder mystery, is out in October 2013 from Five Star, and I am working on book #2 in the series.
My short story, "At the Corner of Night and Nowhere," is included in an anthology called MOON SHOT: MURDER AND MAYHEM ON THE EDGE OF SPACE, forthcoming from Untreed Reads. I also write poetry. I will be featured on The 5-2 Crime Poetry Weekly (poemsoncrime.blogspot.com) the week of 11/4/13 and have some poems soon in LIGHT magazine.
I live on Long Island, NY, but am moving soon to New England with my husband and office assistant, Kashi the Cat. And I have three fabulous daughters.
I need to get some books on my shelves!
My short story, "At the Corner of Night and Nowhere," is included in an anthology called MOON SHOT: MURDER AND MAYHEM ON THE EDGE OF SPACE, forthcoming from Untreed Reads. I also write poetry. I will be featured on The 5-2 Crime Poetry Weekly (poemsoncrime.blogspot.com) the week of 11/4/13 and have some poems soon in LIGHT magazine.
I live on Long Island, NY, but am moving soon to New England with my husband and office assistant, Kashi the Cat. And I have three fabulous daughters.
I need to get some books on my shelves!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2016
Everybody has to start somewhere I guess.
Interesting if you consider it to be the work of a novice author, more than a little rough in the plot and dialog. Speed has a clever idea for a spunky female detective, a knock off of V.I. Warshawski by Paretsky Sara.
This is a straightforward murder mystery with a female amateur detective. She is not too bright but spunky; as a character she is complex and well developed. Naturally, in the course of investigating she pulls a bunch of nonsensical stunts, pisses-off the detective investigating the crime and risks life and limb in the process.
In many places the plot, action or dialog does not seem appropriate for the times. The story is set in a suburb of New York City in the early 2000's. The core event happened in the 1980's but seems more like something from the 1950's or maybe 1960's. A scene in a laundromat and asides about college faculty and staff seem like either clever vignettes the author cobbled together or inside jokes written for the author's friends. The tone sometimes seems a bit snarky - like one gratuitous slam of construction workers at the college; perhaps they reflect the attitude of the author toward her day-job as a civil servant?
I gave it one star.
Interesting if you consider it to be the work of a novice author, more than a little rough in the plot and dialog. Speed has a clever idea for a spunky female detective, a knock off of V.I. Warshawski by Paretsky Sara.
This is a straightforward murder mystery with a female amateur detective. She is not too bright but spunky; as a character she is complex and well developed. Naturally, in the course of investigating she pulls a bunch of nonsensical stunts, pisses-off the detective investigating the crime and risks life and limb in the process.
In many places the plot, action or dialog does not seem appropriate for the times. The story is set in a suburb of New York City in the early 2000's. The core event happened in the 1980's but seems more like something from the 1950's or maybe 1960's. A scene in a laundromat and asides about college faculty and staff seem like either clever vignettes the author cobbled together or inside jokes written for the author's friends. The tone sometimes seems a bit snarky - like one gratuitous slam of construction workers at the college; perhaps they reflect the attitude of the author toward her day-job as a civil servant?
I gave it one star.
December 23, 2013
So much depends upon “the little gray cat with the notched ear,” a blue bowl, a book and a stolen library card in this witty romp of a mystery. Freelance editor Emma Trace discovers that someone is trying to frame her for the murder of the cook who stole her boyfriend. Determined to find the real killer, she narrowly escapes being killed herself.
Author Toby Speed has a pitch perfect ear for Long Island vernacular and a sharp eye for the clothing, food, and interior decorations favored by the residents of Port Jefferson and environs. With gentle satire, she serves up an unforgettable cast of characters and draws upon her expertise as a pilot for the high flying, heart racing finale of the book.
Laced with a breezy, delicious humor throughout, this is a mystery that keeps you laughing and gasping all the way.
Author Toby Speed has a pitch perfect ear for Long Island vernacular and a sharp eye for the clothing, food, and interior decorations favored by the residents of Port Jefferson and environs. With gentle satire, she serves up an unforgettable cast of characters and draws upon her expertise as a pilot for the high flying, heart racing finale of the book.
Laced with a breezy, delicious humor throughout, this is a mystery that keeps you laughing and gasping all the way.
August 13, 2016
I'm a mystery lover, and usually plot wins out over character for me. But I have to say my favorite aspect of this enjoyable book was Emma. Her personality is a bit quirky, but not unbelievable, and I liked her oddball family and her fear of flying.
Occasionally, bits are left out that I wanted to know (what DID her ex say at the funeral?) or that made me feel like I was reading a book further along in a series, so maybe I just didn't know the backstory. On the other hand, I like that there are still things to learn in future books.
I was relieved that I've seen that way too often in recent mysteries.
Overall, I liked this and look forward to Emma and Larue's next adventure!
Occasionally, bits are left out that I wanted to know (what DID her ex say at the funeral?) or that made me feel like I was reading a book further along in a series, so maybe I just didn't know the backstory. On the other hand, I like that there are still things to learn in future books.
I was relieved that I've seen that way too often in recent mysteries.
Overall, I liked this and look forward to Emma and Larue's next adventure!
April 14, 2014
Emma Trace is a free-lance editor on Long Island, a sensible person in most respects, but she does share with her father's family the impulse to gamble on anything. That's why she bets that she can find her birthday present each year, even though losing means an airplane ride with her stunt-flyer Uncle Ned, and Emma is scared to death of going up with him again. Now she's distracted when the short-order cook at the diner--the same woman who stole Emma's boyfriend--is murdered and the police seem to suspect her. To make matters worse, the lead police detective has a grudge against Uncle Ned, and all the Traces by association. Naturally, Emma must recruit her best friend--Ethel to her Lucy--to help solve the murder.
December 4, 2013
Growing up among males with a propensity for small-town scrapes and dares occasionally put the normally law-abiding Emma Trace in a tight spot. But murdering her ex-boyfriend's current squeeze, Jennifer, is not her style at all.Emma quickly becomes a suspect in the murder but the police soon realise this is not the case but she could be a vital help for their investigations.
Toby Speed cleverly combines a complicated backstory with good banter and a daring conclusion. A must read for anyone who loves an action paced detective story which a little humour
I recieved this book for free through goodreads first reads
Toby Speed cleverly combines a complicated backstory with good banter and a daring conclusion. A must read for anyone who loves an action paced detective story which a little humour
I recieved this book for free through goodreads first reads
January 24, 2014
I am a big fan of suspense/mystery books. This book kept my interest peeked but at times I felt there was something missing. Minor details that would have provided a bit more backstory. Maybe the author felt it would have given to much of the mystery away? Thank you Gooodreads!
May 21, 2014
A great start to a new series!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews