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The Law Game #5
If Looks Could Kill
Eleanor “Ellie” O’Donnell is part of a special investigative unit within the New York City Police Department. Her latest assignment has her tasked with uncovering the relationship between internationally known fashion mogul and all-around ice queen Marya Hampstead and a local Russian crime family. As legendary for her business acumen and beauty as her uncompromising and unapproachable personality, Marya Hampstead is not a woman to cross.
Unfortunately for Ellie, the only way she can get close enough to conduct her investigation is by pretending to be an aspiring designer who takes an internship at Hampstead’s company. Definitely out of her element, Ellie has to put all her acting and investigative skills to work as she delves into what at first seems a simple case of occasional public outings with a man whose family has ties Hampstead might not know about.
But when Marya’s father, an international businessman, shows up in New York, it becomes clear that something else is going on, and that there’s much more to Marya Hampstead than meets the eye. The question is, how much more and how deep is Ellie willing to go to find out?
In the fast-paced world of clothes, critics, and competition, Ellie uncovers a lot more than runway gossip, including secrets that will kill far more than a bad outfit.
If Looks Could Kill is the fifth and final installment of The Law Game.
Unfortunately for Ellie, the only way she can get close enough to conduct her investigation is by pretending to be an aspiring designer who takes an internship at Hampstead’s company. Definitely out of her element, Ellie has to put all her acting and investigative skills to work as she delves into what at first seems a simple case of occasional public outings with a man whose family has ties Hampstead might not know about.
But when Marya’s father, an international businessman, shows up in New York, it becomes clear that something else is going on, and that there’s much more to Marya Hampstead than meets the eye. The question is, how much more and how deep is Ellie willing to go to find out?
In the fast-paced world of clothes, critics, and competition, Ellie uncovers a lot more than runway gossip, including secrets that will kill far more than a bad outfit.
If Looks Could Kill is the fifth and final installment of The Law Game.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2016
9 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Andi Marquette
39 books165 followersAndi Marquette was born in New Mexico and grew up in Colorado. She completed a couple of academic degrees in anthropology and returned to New Mexico, where she decided a doctorate in history was somehow a good idea. She completed it before realizing that maybe she should have joined the circus, or at least a traveling Gypsy troupe. Oh, well. She fell into editing and publishing sometime around 1993 and has been obsessed with words ever since, which may or may not be a good thing. She is a co-owner and co-founder of LGBTQ publishing house Dirt Road Books.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 29, 2016
After three successive hits on members of a Russian gun-running syndicate, the NYPD thinks there's a territorial war afoot between rival Russian crime families, one of whom is closely associated with a top British fashion mogul who runs her empire out of New York. The cops figure the fashion business must be so much easier to infiltrate than Russian gun-runners ;) so they set up one of their own as an intern to try getting an inside look at the inner workings of the suspect fashion publication and see if there's a criminal connection there somewhere.
Undercover cop Ellie is chosen to be the "lucky" intern to be inserted into the fashion mag, which just happens to be run by a Miranda Priestly clone, Marya Hampstead, right down to the British accent, the haughty office walk and the terrorizing-employees bit. (Being an ice queen must be a requisite for success in the fashion magazine industry. ;)
I can't help but feel that the book is in many ways a homage to one of the biggest and most enduring f/f fandoms of all time. Either that or it started life as a former fanfic, lol. I'm talking about the movie The Devil Wears Prada of course. This book combines all the charm and tension of a slightly modified version of the classic Miranda/Andy pairing with a fairly competent crime thriller. Almost equal parts of both. The first half of the book consisted mostly of the investigation. Except for the rather flimsy basis for centering the undercover op on Marya who appeared to be at most, only peripherally involved (e.g. hanging on the arm of a suspect :)), the investigation itself was competent, thorough and logical. But the book didn't truly come alive for me until the halfway mark, when the Devil finally starts to take notice of Andy. I mean Ellie. From that point, it was a straight, non-stop read to the end. Action and suspense peppered with twists and turns and enough sexual tension to set the pages on fire.
What I loved: Every time Marya is on the page...she just sizzles.
What I wished for: That Marya was everything she was vaunted to be
4.something not quite 5
ARC from Ylva.
Undercover cop Ellie is chosen to be the "lucky" intern to be inserted into the fashion mag, which just happens to be run by a Miranda Priestly clone, Marya Hampstead, right down to the British accent, the haughty office walk and the terrorizing-employees bit. (Being an ice queen must be a requisite for success in the fashion magazine industry. ;)
I can't help but feel that the book is in many ways a homage to one of the biggest and most enduring f/f fandoms of all time. Either that or it started life as a former fanfic, lol. I'm talking about the movie The Devil Wears Prada of course. This book combines all the charm and tension of a slightly modified version of the classic Miranda/Andy pairing with a fairly competent crime thriller. Almost equal parts of both. The first half of the book consisted mostly of the investigation. Except for the rather flimsy basis for centering the undercover op on Marya who appeared to be at most, only peripherally involved (e.g. hanging on the arm of a suspect :)), the investigation itself was competent, thorough and logical. But the book didn't truly come alive for me until the halfway mark, when the Devil finally starts to take notice of Andy. I mean Ellie. From that point, it was a straight, non-stop read to the end. Action and suspense peppered with twists and turns and enough sexual tension to set the pages on fire.
What I loved: Every time Marya is on the page...she just sizzles.
What I wished for: That Marya was everything she was vaunted to be
4.something not quite 5
ARC from Ylva.
July 1, 2018
This is one of those lesbian fiction books that have an immediate and obvious ‘Devil Wears Prada' vibe. Older powerful woman with an ice queen reputation and a much younger underling/intern. There is also an immediate and obvious twist.
Marya Hampstead is the ‘much older’ ‘ice queen’ fashion mogul. She does not have a point of view in this book, only the ‘intern’ does, more on her later. ‘Much older’? Well, that intern lied about her age (that setup reminds me of a television series that features a woman who is pretending to be something like 20-something (may or may not get a job as an intern in the publishing industry, forget if so), but is actually 40 something – her friend is a lesbian and there’s some vibe that the star might be, maybe, bisexual, but I’ve only seen episodes with her dating men (well one man, very very young man; the other is innuendo that the 'boss who is the same age as her real age might be into her if she was also his age and not pretending to be 20', not sure if there is any lesbian fanfiction for that show (oh, it is TV Land Younger, by the way)). ‘Ice Queen’? Well, just like the intern is lying about her age, Myra is lying about her persona (that specific part is revealed early on, other aspects of Myra’s backstory is revealed much much later).
So, why is the ‘intern’ lying? Because she, Ellie O’Donnell, is a NY police detective working on an undercover assignment (break here for: good god the scenes with her with her police co-workers made my skin crawl, all that sexual harassment just casually ‘there’, and Ellie not fucking caring that it was there, but meh, whatever – book is from 2016, only 2 years old, and it’s a different world).
Got distracted. Let’s try that again.
Ellie is working on an undercover assignment. The case involves investigating Myra Hempstead (the logic chain to insert Ellie into Myra’s life was twisted and kinda dumb – Myra was once seen, two months ago, near a guy who had a particular last name that’s the same as a person who does not now run guns, but is said to be getting into that business and has had one shipment of ‘legitimate’ stuff intercepted only to find it filled with guns (‘I do not know how that got in that box’), but whatever).
Two Russian families are running guns. One has family members being killed. The other might be a rival. Ellie is inserted to investigate . . . a fashion mogul who has no clear connection to the case other than being spotted in the company of someone of vague suspicion.
Ellie is shown to be brilliant at detective/investigative work; her co-workers (and others investigating the case) seem kind of dim-witted (since they didn’t spot what Ellie spotted – seriously, some of the things Ellie spotted were clever of her to spot . . . but still should have been spotted by the others). Also shown to be brilliant at undercover/intern work.
This is not a romance book, so I’ll skip that section of the review. Well, first: yes Ellie drools over Myra; Myra flirts with Ellie (not a quote ‘holy crap, is Myra flirting with me? Is she actually into women?’); stuff happens that does not correspond to a romance.
Interesting book. Not 100% sure why I feel this way, but feel as if it was vaguely ‘thin’ in certain aspects. Not sure what ‘aspects’ were thin. And good grief I hated every other person Ellie worked with in the police department. Gah. Sexist pigs the lot of them. Even Sue.
Rating: 3.75
June 30 2018
Marya Hampstead is the ‘much older’ ‘ice queen’ fashion mogul. She does not have a point of view in this book, only the ‘intern’ does, more on her later. ‘Much older’? Well, that intern lied about her age (that setup reminds me of a television series that features a woman who is pretending to be something like 20-something (may or may not get a job as an intern in the publishing industry, forget if so), but is actually 40 something – her friend is a lesbian and there’s some vibe that the star might be, maybe, bisexual, but I’ve only seen episodes with her dating men (well one man, very very young man; the other is innuendo that the 'boss who is the same age as her real age might be into her if she was also his age and not pretending to be 20', not sure if there is any lesbian fanfiction for that show (oh, it is TV Land Younger, by the way)). ‘Ice Queen’? Well, just like the intern is lying about her age, Myra is lying about her persona (that specific part is revealed early on, other aspects of Myra’s backstory is revealed much much later).
So, why is the ‘intern’ lying? Because she, Ellie O’Donnell, is a NY police detective working on an undercover assignment (break here for: good god the scenes with her with her police co-workers made my skin crawl, all that sexual harassment just casually ‘there’, and Ellie not fucking caring that it was there, but meh, whatever – book is from 2016, only 2 years old, and it’s a different world).
Got distracted. Let’s try that again.
Ellie is working on an undercover assignment. The case involves investigating Myra Hempstead (the logic chain to insert Ellie into Myra’s life was twisted and kinda dumb – Myra was once seen, two months ago, near a guy who had a particular last name that’s the same as a person who does not now run guns, but is said to be getting into that business and has had one shipment of ‘legitimate’ stuff intercepted only to find it filled with guns (‘I do not know how that got in that box’), but whatever).
Two Russian families are running guns. One has family members being killed. The other might be a rival. Ellie is inserted to investigate . . . a fashion mogul who has no clear connection to the case other than being spotted in the company of someone of vague suspicion.
Ellie is shown to be brilliant at detective/investigative work; her co-workers (and others investigating the case) seem kind of dim-witted (since they didn’t spot what Ellie spotted – seriously, some of the things Ellie spotted were clever of her to spot . . . but still should have been spotted by the others). Also shown to be brilliant at undercover/intern work.
This is not a romance book, so I’ll skip that section of the review. Well, first: yes Ellie drools over Myra; Myra flirts with Ellie (not a quote ‘holy crap, is Myra flirting with me? Is she actually into women?’); stuff happens that does not correspond to a romance.
Interesting book. Not 100% sure why I feel this way, but feel as if it was vaguely ‘thin’ in certain aspects. Not sure what ‘aspects’ were thin. And good grief I hated every other person Ellie worked with in the police department. Gah. Sexist pigs the lot of them. Even Sue.
Rating: 3.75
June 30 2018
September 1, 2016
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review.
I've read most of Andi Marquette's books and from experience I know that her works are always well written and edited. This novella is no exception and I enjoyed reading it a lot.
This is a mystery / detective book in which there's a slow-burn romance thrown into the mix for good measure. I liked the main characters, they are both well rounded, multilayered and believable. I loved the little quirks that Ellie has, like her rather compulsive liking of cinnamon candies. Ms. Marquette skilfully describes Ellie's transformation as she goes undercover into the fashion world in which she is a bit out of her element. You can experience her transformation not only through
her wardrove but also in her newfound outlook on the fashion's world.
The story is written from Ellie's point of view which gives Marya, the other main character, an air of mystery that suits the plot perfectly. There's good chemistry between them which increases in tension through the story.
The secondary characters were also well described and supported the main plot smoothly with exception of the Russian "baddies" which I tended to confuse. At the end of the book, I was still trying to figure out who was who and that interrupted the nice flow of the story. I also found some parts of the plot a bit unrealistic - a bit like a James Bond's story - which is not necessarily a bad thing for this genre.
Overall, another winner by Ms Marquette. I recommend it if you are looking for suspense, adventure and a bit of romance.
I've read most of Andi Marquette's books and from experience I know that her works are always well written and edited. This novella is no exception and I enjoyed reading it a lot.
This is a mystery / detective book in which there's a slow-burn romance thrown into the mix for good measure. I liked the main characters, they are both well rounded, multilayered and believable. I loved the little quirks that Ellie has, like her rather compulsive liking of cinnamon candies. Ms. Marquette skilfully describes Ellie's transformation as she goes undercover into the fashion world in which she is a bit out of her element. You can experience her transformation not only through
her wardrove but also in her newfound outlook on the fashion's world.
The story is written from Ellie's point of view which gives Marya, the other main character, an air of mystery that suits the plot perfectly. There's good chemistry between them which increases in tension through the story.
The secondary characters were also well described and supported the main plot smoothly with exception of the Russian "baddies" which I tended to confuse. At the end of the book, I was still trying to figure out who was who and that interrupted the nice flow of the story. I also found some parts of the plot a bit unrealistic - a bit like a James Bond's story - which is not necessarily a bad thing for this genre.
Overall, another winner by Ms Marquette. I recommend it if you are looking for suspense, adventure and a bit of romance.
October 22, 2016
This is a nice enough read. It's a crime/thriller genre, it's fun, easy to read... I wish the characters had more obvious chemistry, but it's not like there isn't any. It's fluidly written, so it practically reads itself. If you're looking for a couple of cosy evening hours with a tea and an easy book, this is a good choice for it.
June 9, 2017
Not good, I really enjoy detective stories, especially thrillers with good suspense. But this one was just plain boring. The writing isn't bad, but for a crime focused book it lacks the necessary suspense, it dragged, never really lifting off into something captivating for the reader.
Honestly, all this book really does is dangle this supposedly irresistible fashion mogul Marya as bait for the reader to continue, and by the way, who is Marya? After finishing the book I still hardly know what she's like, she hardly interacts with anyone on-page long enough to distinguish her as a character. We keep hearing she's such a "Dragonlady," but not even once does the author show us her tough social side, sure, we keep being told, but we're never shown. We're promised something and all we get are excruciatingly short glances of her positive side, I mean, common. There is also a tiny amount of action, but that's pretty much it. There's no romance to speak of, just Ellie gushing over how pretty Marya is, and it is truly hard to be interested in Marya unless you have the hots for successful rich women from the get-go. As a detective story it's not as intriguing as I'd liked, shame too, the cover is really delicious. You had me there.
Honestly, all this book really does is dangle this supposedly irresistible fashion mogul Marya as bait for the reader to continue, and by the way, who is Marya? After finishing the book I still hardly know what she's like, she hardly interacts with anyone on-page long enough to distinguish her as a character. We keep hearing she's such a "Dragonlady," but not even once does the author show us her tough social side, sure, we keep being told, but we're never shown. We're promised something and all we get are excruciatingly short glances of her positive side, I mean, common. There is also a tiny amount of action, but that's pretty much it. There's no romance to speak of, just Ellie gushing over how pretty Marya is, and it is truly hard to be interested in Marya unless you have the hots for successful rich women from the get-go. As a detective story it's not as intriguing as I'd liked, shame too, the cover is really delicious. You had me there.
September 5, 2016
The writing in If Looks Could Kill is tight, the pacing is perfect, the plotting is excellent (and even left me surprised at one point), and it’s so much fun I immediately wanted more. This is only the second book I’ve read by Andi Marquette, but you can officially call me a fan.
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t a romance novel, there is a romantic thread that works very well and is left at an appropriate place that is true to the rest of the book.
4.5 stars
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/looks...
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t a romance novel, there is a romantic thread that works very well and is left at an appropriate place that is true to the rest of the book.
4.5 stars
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/looks...
July 14, 2023
3,5/5
This book made me realise I'm too dumb to ever even think about becoming a detective or anything slightly similar.
It was such a entertaining read,I had a great time reading it,it was short and a lot it seemed to be happening. It wasn't mind blowing it's just something that will keep you enjoyed.
The mc had such funny thoughts and it was fun reading about them,a lot seemed to be happening and I love the way Ellie seemed to find a way out of every situation.
And Marya😍😍😍even tho she didn't had a lot scenes she EAT.SHE WAS SOO HOT ASJJSHSHDHDHDH.The woman had me gripping my pillow 😫I wish we could had see more of her character
The romance wasn't the main focus on this,even tho their interactions had a lot of tension and chemestry, it wasn't explored enough.
Still a enjoyable read tho
This book made me realise I'm too dumb to ever even think about becoming a detective or anything slightly similar.
It was such a entertaining read,I had a great time reading it,it was short and a lot it seemed to be happening. It wasn't mind blowing it's just something that will keep you enjoyed.
The mc had such funny thoughts and it was fun reading about them,a lot seemed to be happening and I love the way Ellie seemed to find a way out of every situation.
And Marya😍😍😍even tho she didn't had a lot scenes she EAT.SHE WAS SOO HOT ASJJSHSHDHDHDH.The woman had me gripping my pillow 😫I wish we could had see more of her character
The romance wasn't the main focus on this,even tho their interactions had a lot of tension and chemestry, it wasn't explored enough.
Still a enjoyable read tho
August 9, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book by the author, who happens to be someone I consider a friend, in exchange for a review. I hate reviewing books when they're given to me by the author because it's so difficult to then say anything bad about them. But I've read Andi's work before, and have yet to be disappointed. And so...
Simply put, I really enjoyed this one, and that's the honest truth.
It's not a heavy crime thriller, I'd say it's more TV show level on the thriller part - but I was happy to go with it as I got to know undercover cop Ellie and the more elusive Marya. This isn't a mark down, it's just on the lighter side which is what I needed at the time.
Ellie is working on a case involving Russian mobsters who may have a link in the fashion world. Enter gorgeous Marya, head of a top fashion house and seemingly friends with many of those mobsters. Ellie gets an internship at the fashion house to keep an eye on Marya, and the sparks start to fly. Well, they're flying all around Ellie, but Marya is the untouchable ice dragon boss lady with possible Russian mob ties. What's an undercover cop to do?
I kept getting confused with all the Russian bad guys, but that's because my full attention was on Ellie and Marya. More than once I was shouting "Just kiss her already!" when I should have been following along with the crime plot. But I was fully immersed in the story as we wonder whether Marya is a good gal or a bad gal, and whether that kiss will ever come. It's not a romance novel, so there's no mushy "love" involved, and neither is there a dramatic happily ever after, but it ends the way a crime novel should and on a very satisfying note at that.
This is part of the Law Game series by Ylva Publishing, a series by different authors with only the shared theme of "law", so I don't know if Andi is planning on writing any future books about Ellie. But I'd be happy to read more of her crime-fighting adventures, and also to find out more about her ex Gwen - after all, there was some sort of future drinks date that we never get to see in this book.
So let's see: Intricate exciting crime thriller - check! Very likable main characters (male and female) - check! Sparks between two beautiful, strong, successful women - check! One A+++ sex scene - CHECK! And a hope that I might get more Ellie in the future... this is all I need to rate it 5 stars.
Simply put, I really enjoyed this one, and that's the honest truth.
It's not a heavy crime thriller, I'd say it's more TV show level on the thriller part - but I was happy to go with it as I got to know undercover cop Ellie and the more elusive Marya. This isn't a mark down, it's just on the lighter side which is what I needed at the time.
Ellie is working on a case involving Russian mobsters who may have a link in the fashion world. Enter gorgeous Marya, head of a top fashion house and seemingly friends with many of those mobsters. Ellie gets an internship at the fashion house to keep an eye on Marya, and the sparks start to fly. Well, they're flying all around Ellie, but Marya is the untouchable ice dragon boss lady with possible Russian mob ties. What's an undercover cop to do?
I kept getting confused with all the Russian bad guys, but that's because my full attention was on Ellie and Marya. More than once I was shouting "Just kiss her already!" when I should have been following along with the crime plot. But I was fully immersed in the story as we wonder whether Marya is a good gal or a bad gal, and whether that kiss will ever come. It's not a romance novel, so there's no mushy "love" involved, and neither is there a dramatic happily ever after, but it ends the way a crime novel should and on a very satisfying note at that.
This is part of the Law Game series by Ylva Publishing, a series by different authors with only the shared theme of "law", so I don't know if Andi is planning on writing any future books about Ellie. But I'd be happy to read more of her crime-fighting adventures, and also to find out more about her ex Gwen - after all, there was some sort of future drinks date that we never get to see in this book.
So let's see: Intricate exciting crime thriller - check! Very likable main characters (male and female) - check! Sparks between two beautiful, strong, successful women - check! One A+++ sex scene - CHECK! And a hope that I might get more Ellie in the future... this is all I need to rate it 5 stars.
August 12, 2016
If Look Could Kill is Book 5 in Ylva's stellar collection: The Law Game - but don't let that stop you for one second. Each book is a stand alone story written by various authors.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy for an honest review. And really, who doesn't want to read an Andi Marquette book? I would read ad copy on the back of cereal boxes if she wrote it.
There are great synopsis' already listed here, and they're very good. I will bow to them and give you my opinion on the story.
A beautiful kick-ass cop on assignment goes undercover to investigate an exquisite high profile fashion mogul for suspected arms dealing.
Oh, and two Russian mobs.
What could possibly go wrong?
I loved the fast pace and voice that Andi gives her characters. These are women I want to know and go out with. Not that Marya and I would run in the same social circles, but still...
Never judge a book by its cover, and the same could be said for these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and read it in two sittings - to the exclusion of my daily routine. That - in and of itself - is a high recommendation.
That - and the fact I developed a serious crush on Ellie.
I would recommend (and have!) this book to any and all of my friends.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy for an honest review. And really, who doesn't want to read an Andi Marquette book? I would read ad copy on the back of cereal boxes if she wrote it.
There are great synopsis' already listed here, and they're very good. I will bow to them and give you my opinion on the story.
A beautiful kick-ass cop on assignment goes undercover to investigate an exquisite high profile fashion mogul for suspected arms dealing.
Oh, and two Russian mobs.
What could possibly go wrong?
I loved the fast pace and voice that Andi gives her characters. These are women I want to know and go out with. Not that Marya and I would run in the same social circles, but still...
Never judge a book by its cover, and the same could be said for these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and read it in two sittings - to the exclusion of my daily routine. That - in and of itself - is a high recommendation.
That - and the fact I developed a serious crush on Ellie.
I would recommend (and have!) this book to any and all of my friends.
August 17, 2017
Oh, this was a great read!
We jump right into a crime scene - and into the mystery about an attractive target; without distraction of another storyline.
With only one storyteller the mysteries are kept alive for a very long time, even though this is a very quick read. The author won't let you stop reading, and you are so going to enjoy it.
Fast paced, sexy, with some welcoming twists and turns.
I really - really! - wished, this would become a series. Please, Andi, make it happen!
We jump right into a crime scene - and into the mystery about an attractive target; without distraction of another storyline.
With only one storyteller the mysteries are kept alive for a very long time, even though this is a very quick read. The author won't let you stop reading, and you are so going to enjoy it.
Fast paced, sexy, with some welcoming twists and turns.
I really - really! - wished, this would become a series. Please, Andi, make it happen!
November 16, 2018
I first encountered Andi Marquette’s writing some six and a half years ago when I read the novella “Some Kind of River,” and, whether this sounds trite or not, it was love at first sight. The style, tone, descriptions of setting and action, dialog but primarily the characters made me certain I’d visit Marquette’s works again and again. Next was Friends in High Places, an s-f adventure — never, ever “sci-fi,” okay? — cum romance rekindled. I’d also call it space opera and to me that’s not necessarily pejorative; there are some pretty awesome novels the term could apply to. After that, came the series of mysteries set in New Mexico and a truly delightful short story in the Lori Lake/Jessie Chandler anthology Lesbians on the Loose; Crime Writers on the Lam.
But, to the work at hand: If Looks Could Kill, part 5 of The Law Game series featuring 4 other fine writers. In another review, I commented that Marquette couldn’t write a bad book if she tried. Now, I’ll double down on that but add “unless she wants to” because after a pretty thorough (and most enjoyable) journey through much of Marquette’s oeuvre, my conclusion is that she can do anydamnthing with words she wants to. And do it really, really well.
What’s different to me in this novel is the writer’s voice, though as always, that’s hard to define, meaning different things to different people. Here, I find the overall style a little lighter than the Far Seek Chronicles and the New Mexico mysteries. The book is a good deal more fun than your average mystery/thriller/spy novel, which enhances the reading experience and keeps things moving along. But the “fun” is in just the right amount; we still know this is serious business, with multiple murders and illegal arms deals. Marquette’s narrative voice changes from novel to novel to suit the main characters’ personalities, voice and characterization combining to make the whole realistic and believable; that’s something not every writer can pull off but Marquette does so with seeming ease. All the elements work together to make things real, important in any fiction, but especially in spy thrillers, murder mysteries and science fiction, where the events are so far removed from the average reader’s everyday experience.
I like intriguing plots, of course, and this one certainly keeps you turning the pages. That I guessed the big “reveal” about one of the characters is no sign of weakness on the author’s part, but could instead can be attributed to my many, many years of reading or maybe just a lucky guess.
Marquette keeps things interesting by constantly varying the setting: things move seamlessly from Ellie’s undercover gig at a fashion mag to time spent with her boss at the cop shop to a night spent clubbing, a fashion show and a couple of upscale dinners and parties. The scene changes aren’t just for variety, though; they further the plot, helping to move things along with perfect pacing.
Protagonist Ellie is a sometimes wisecracking, cinnamon candy-eating, very clever detective. Her possible target, a fashion mogul, is a reputed ice-queen. I like the way their relationship changes in the course of the tale, from boss/intern to friend with slight flirting to some more affection, then to openly expressing their more serious feelings. Marquette manages this romantic/sexual element with no distraction to the mystery plot and it adds complexity and increased reader interest, helping to round out the two principals. The changing relationship and the mystery are well-balanced.
Ellie’s a bit brash and she adapts to a world where she’s a fish out of water, more easily, in fact, than she expected; she even comes to realize she likes it a bit. She’s also adept at thinking on her feet. Marya, the putative ice-queen is certainly all business when she wants to be, but also exhibits a warmer side at times, and maybe a hint of vulnerability. She’s also the more sophisticated of the two. Neither Ellie nor Marya is one-dimensional; they're multi-layered and much of the characterization is accomplished through dialog, avoiding the “Ellie was this,” “Marya was that,” type of exposition that inevitably bogs things down for many writers. Marquette is skilled at the “show, don’t tell” aspect of writing that’s so is vital to successful fiction. The supporting characters, while not having a huge amount of time "on stage" are more than just cardboard cutouts; they're well-drawn enough to contribute to reader interest in the multi-layered texture of a novel.
All in all, If Looks Could Kill is an extremely enjoyable, intriguing tale, nicely paced, with characters you can easily relate to, even if you’re not a detective or a fashion mogul. Like the other works of Marquette’s that I’ve read, this one is highly recommended. Enjoy!
But, to the work at hand: If Looks Could Kill, part 5 of The Law Game series featuring 4 other fine writers. In another review, I commented that Marquette couldn’t write a bad book if she tried. Now, I’ll double down on that but add “unless she wants to” because after a pretty thorough (and most enjoyable) journey through much of Marquette’s oeuvre, my conclusion is that she can do anydamnthing with words she wants to. And do it really, really well.
What’s different to me in this novel is the writer’s voice, though as always, that’s hard to define, meaning different things to different people. Here, I find the overall style a little lighter than the Far Seek Chronicles and the New Mexico mysteries. The book is a good deal more fun than your average mystery/thriller/spy novel, which enhances the reading experience and keeps things moving along. But the “fun” is in just the right amount; we still know this is serious business, with multiple murders and illegal arms deals. Marquette’s narrative voice changes from novel to novel to suit the main characters’ personalities, voice and characterization combining to make the whole realistic and believable; that’s something not every writer can pull off but Marquette does so with seeming ease. All the elements work together to make things real, important in any fiction, but especially in spy thrillers, murder mysteries and science fiction, where the events are so far removed from the average reader’s everyday experience.
I like intriguing plots, of course, and this one certainly keeps you turning the pages. That I guessed the big “reveal” about one of the characters is no sign of weakness on the author’s part, but could instead can be attributed to my many, many years of reading or maybe just a lucky guess.
Marquette keeps things interesting by constantly varying the setting: things move seamlessly from Ellie’s undercover gig at a fashion mag to time spent with her boss at the cop shop to a night spent clubbing, a fashion show and a couple of upscale dinners and parties. The scene changes aren’t just for variety, though; they further the plot, helping to move things along with perfect pacing.
Protagonist Ellie is a sometimes wisecracking, cinnamon candy-eating, very clever detective. Her possible target, a fashion mogul, is a reputed ice-queen. I like the way their relationship changes in the course of the tale, from boss/intern to friend with slight flirting to some more affection, then to openly expressing their more serious feelings. Marquette manages this romantic/sexual element with no distraction to the mystery plot and it adds complexity and increased reader interest, helping to round out the two principals. The changing relationship and the mystery are well-balanced.
Ellie’s a bit brash and she adapts to a world where she’s a fish out of water, more easily, in fact, than she expected; she even comes to realize she likes it a bit. She’s also adept at thinking on her feet. Marya, the putative ice-queen is certainly all business when she wants to be, but also exhibits a warmer side at times, and maybe a hint of vulnerability. She’s also the more sophisticated of the two. Neither Ellie nor Marya is one-dimensional; they're multi-layered and much of the characterization is accomplished through dialog, avoiding the “Ellie was this,” “Marya was that,” type of exposition that inevitably bogs things down for many writers. Marquette is skilled at the “show, don’t tell” aspect of writing that’s so is vital to successful fiction. The supporting characters, while not having a huge amount of time "on stage" are more than just cardboard cutouts; they're well-drawn enough to contribute to reader interest in the multi-layered texture of a novel.
All in all, If Looks Could Kill is an extremely enjoyable, intriguing tale, nicely paced, with characters you can easily relate to, even if you’re not a detective or a fashion mogul. Like the other works of Marquette’s that I’ve read, this one is highly recommended. Enjoy!
October 22, 2016
When I started this book I wasn't expecting high-brow literary fiction, and I wasn't disappointed! If Looks Could Kill has no pretensions and provided you check any expectations of realism at the start, it's a very enjoyable read. Marquette's characters are excellent examples of the multi-talented super-spy genre and the action is tightly packed with malevolent Russians and traitors/double agents...as well as the inevitable dangerous blonde.
As I said, suspension of disbelief is the key to enjoying this James Bond style romp, but the fact that I finished it in almost one (admittedly long) sitting is a credit to it!
As I said, suspension of disbelief is the key to enjoying this James Bond style romp, but the fact that I finished it in almost one (admittedly long) sitting is a credit to it!
August 21, 2018
Well I finished it, so that says something. I’d say this felt like a bad DWP fic rewrite, except the characters weren’t as intriguing (thin character development). The romance wasn’t believable (too little interaction and chemistry), the sex scene wasn’t hot (poorly written), and the plot had large gaps and felt lazy. Was a quick, easy read, but I can recommend it. Had high hope going it as it was touted as “thawing ice queen” which is a trope I can get behind, but I thought the “ice queen” in this case didn’t have enough page time to warrant the title.
January 19, 2023
Good engaging light-hearted mystery
Good, engaging, light-hearted mystery undercover secret ops with a mutual, if unwise, attraction simmering throughout. Meets the expectations of books by the author & this series. Wish I could read them all... Maybe one day they'll be ebooks available...
Good, engaging, light-hearted mystery undercover secret ops with a mutual, if unwise, attraction simmering throughout. Meets the expectations of books by the author & this series. Wish I could read them all... Maybe one day they'll be ebooks available...
May 9, 2022
A Very Good Read
This was my first time reading a book from Andi Marquette. I found this book to be really enjoyable. The plot, the undercover, and everything else in between was beautifully written. Would recommend this story!
This was my first time reading a book from Andi Marquette. I found this book to be really enjoyable. The plot, the undercover, and everything else in between was beautifully written. Would recommend this story!
August 18, 2016
A fast paced mystery from the pen of Andi Marquette and this one set in the Fashion World.Think the Devil Wears Prada only with a Miranda twenty years younger, tall, dark, smoking hot with a sexy British accent. Not an Ice Madam but an Ice Maiden who can slice through her minions with a well placed glance. Pitched against her is Ellie, a butch-ish underground NYPD cop with a worrying addiction to cinnamon Jolly Ranchers. Surprisingly she scrubs up well and after a three-day crash course on fashion, a new hair-do, and a completely new and ultra-fashionable wardrobe, she gets a position as an intern in Ice Maiden, Marya Hampstead's Fashion House. It seems there is a mob war between two Russian families, the Petrovs and the Koslovs and several Petrovs have turned up dead. Marya has been seen hanging off Lyev Koslov's arm so Ellie has to do a bit of sleuthing to see what intel she can dredge up. This has everything you would expect from a book in this genre: dodgy men in dark suits tailing more dodgy men in dark suits; dodgy men in dark suits trying to avoid being killed by other dodgy men in dark suits; thick foreign accents. But it's also got that other vibe going: the fashion thing; the strutting model thing; Marya's quaking minions thing. Ellie is not easily intimidated though. It's the sign of a good whodunnit when you can't work out whodunnit and that's what we have here. It's wonderfully well written (and edited and proof-read!), full of humour and there are some great characters in Ellie, Marya herself, Rick, Ellie's boss and Marya's underlings. Ellie is good at noticing thing and notice she does - especially Marya for whom she has a bad case of the hots. The books romps along at a fair old pace and as with all good mysteries, nothing is ever as it seems. Excellent and really recommended
August 14, 2016
In the spirit of honesty, I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. So here it is.
I had no idea what to expect when I started reading, but it didn’t take me long to realize first off, Ellie needs a candy intervention and secondly, I was hooked! The main characters are memorable and for the most part likeable. Except of course for the bad guys. Pretty sure we weren’t supposed to like the assassins. Now of course, I have the urge to swig coffee while chewing cinnamon candy. (I dare you to try some!)
By the time I hit the club scene at Lucky, I was pretty comfortable in my expectations of the story. It had been an interesting read, I thought I knew what was going down.
NOPE!
Tropes and expectations are turned inside out, split and stacked in this story, and without excessive handling. It’s not until you look back that you realize how well the author has done this.
I just about spit my drink at the screen while trying not to choke on laughter and juice. I love it when a story can make me laugh, and this one did, time and time again. The humor ranged from sarcastic to understated to all out try-not-to-laugh. The dialogue was quick and punchy, which I love. I don’t need to be told who is speaking all the time, and Andi wields mastery of dialogue like so few authors do these days. An absolute plus in my books.
The sexual tension was built slowly, but with resistance. It struck me as a dance with deadly props. Almost at the end, we learn who the real players are, and the pacing is spot on. I didn’t see the big reveal coming, and I really appreciated that. It made the ending so much sweeter.
I’m going to miss these characters. I’m so glad I read ‘If Looks Could Kill’. Give it a chance and you might find you enjoy it!
I had no idea what to expect when I started reading, but it didn’t take me long to realize first off, Ellie needs a candy intervention and secondly, I was hooked! The main characters are memorable and for the most part likeable. Except of course for the bad guys. Pretty sure we weren’t supposed to like the assassins. Now of course, I have the urge to swig coffee while chewing cinnamon candy. (I dare you to try some!)
By the time I hit the club scene at Lucky, I was pretty comfortable in my expectations of the story. It had been an interesting read, I thought I knew what was going down.
NOPE!
Tropes and expectations are turned inside out, split and stacked in this story, and without excessive handling. It’s not until you look back that you realize how well the author has done this.
I just about spit my drink at the screen while trying not to choke on laughter and juice. I love it when a story can make me laugh, and this one did, time and time again. The humor ranged from sarcastic to understated to all out try-not-to-laugh. The dialogue was quick and punchy, which I love. I don’t need to be told who is speaking all the time, and Andi wields mastery of dialogue like so few authors do these days. An absolute plus in my books.
The sexual tension was built slowly, but with resistance. It struck me as a dance with deadly props. Almost at the end, we learn who the real players are, and the pacing is spot on. I didn’t see the big reveal coming, and I really appreciated that. It made the ending so much sweeter.
I’m going to miss these characters. I’m so glad I read ‘If Looks Could Kill’. Give it a chance and you might find you enjoy it!
August 27, 2016
This is such a fun book to read- intrigue, romance, humor. I did feel a little underdressed while reading it; the book is set in the NY fashion scene. Even though I'm not a clothes person, the setting was relatable and engaging. There are several humorous moments and perspectives that make an outsider feel like an insider to the setting. The plot was nicely drawn, I had my suspicions in a couple of areas, and then there were some twists I didn't see coming.
For me the characters make or break a book. Ellie and Marya are both characters I want to revisit. Ellie has just the right amount of confidence mixed with a great attitude and a humorous outlook on life. Marya is a smart and sexy badass while somehow being very nice when it counts. The secondary characters have dimension and are more than just accessories. I could feel the energy of their interactions throughout the book.
The book is fast-paced and entertaining. The characters are wonderful, the story and setting are both engaging. It is on the lighter side of intrigue, nothing too violent.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've marked this as a favorite on my ereader and I look forward to visiting these characters again in the future. The book makes my re-read list.
For me the characters make or break a book. Ellie and Marya are both characters I want to revisit. Ellie has just the right amount of confidence mixed with a great attitude and a humorous outlook on life. Marya is a smart and sexy badass while somehow being very nice when it counts. The secondary characters have dimension and are more than just accessories. I could feel the energy of their interactions throughout the book.
The book is fast-paced and entertaining. The characters are wonderful, the story and setting are both engaging. It is on the lighter side of intrigue, nothing too violent.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've marked this as a favorite on my ereader and I look forward to visiting these characters again in the future. The book makes my re-read list.
August 6, 2016
This is a light mystery with a faint hint of romance. It is a well written book with a simple but interesting story that keeps you reading to the end (even if only to make sure you guessed right). The story is told from Ellie's perspective but still in third person and, as usual, Andi references some fantastic superhero (or heroes).
There is a good balance of dialogue and explanation/thinking so you don't feel as if you were reading a text book rather than a fictional story. And, of course, some subtle humour in the mix.
This is not erotica nor will it make you contemplate life, the universe and everything. So just enjoy it on a Sunday afternoon with some tea and snacks :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the author progress the story in a short series or at least a sequel.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
There is a good balance of dialogue and explanation/thinking so you don't feel as if you were reading a text book rather than a fictional story. And, of course, some subtle humour in the mix.
This is not erotica nor will it make you contemplate life, the universe and everything. So just enjoy it on a Sunday afternoon with some tea and snacks :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the author progress the story in a short series or at least a sequel.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
August 8, 2016
A well written story about subterfuge in the fashion industry with an interesting twist at the end. I enjoyed the book as it keeps your interest while it races along. Ellie is an excellent character and her candy addiction and her initial gauche attitude to her undercover work add to the credibility. I also liked the ice queen Marya and the slow thawing... I've read most of Andi's books and would recommend them as a good holiday read or perfect for curling up on a rainy Sunday and this is no exception. My only complaint? Too short... I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review
September 8, 2016
This book was not for me. I thought it was boring, it seemed like a wanna be cop drama. The writing was okay, but it was just the content that bored me. Andi Marquette has another book that I would like to try, it’s a different kind of book entirely, and I’m willing to give it a shot.
If Looks Could Kill, just didn’t get off the ground in my opinion. Yes, there was action and a bit of suspense, but it still dragged. I can usually tell if a books will be good or not after the first few pages, this one raised familiar red flags that signaled dud.
I hope Andi Marquette’s other books are better.
If Looks Could Kill, just didn’t get off the ground in my opinion. Yes, there was action and a bit of suspense, but it still dragged. I can usually tell if a books will be good or not after the first few pages, this one raised familiar red flags that signaled dud.
I hope Andi Marquette’s other books are better.
August 11, 2016
Andi has done it again! 'If Looks Could Kill' is a fantastic read of romance, crime fighting, and a sexy secret agent who not only has mad skills as the NYPD'S top secret agent, she has some mad skills with the ladies. The scenes are perfectly described and I can easily imagine this book playing as a Jane Bond movie in my head. The language of the attraction is beautifully tasteful while maintaining a descriptive boundary.
August 4, 2016
What can I say about If Looks could Kill? well take one sizzling hot fashion mogul, add an undercover NYPD detective, throw in a pinch of conspiracy stir well, and you have a delightful romp throw the world of fashion and the possibility of Russian gun runners. Just the thing for a hot summer read.
September 11, 2016
I loved this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First of all, since this is The Law Game series, this book totally sticks with the theme. Fast paced, great characters , and a very happy ending with great sex. What's not to love?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First of all, since this is The Law Game series, this book totally sticks with the theme. Fast paced, great characters , and a very happy ending with great sex. What's not to love?
September 7, 2016
Great book
Oh how I really enjoyed this story. It was wonderful. It had cops, women, bad guys, undercover agents and all sorts of fun stuff!
Oh how I really enjoyed this story. It was wonderful. It had cops, women, bad guys, undercover agents and all sorts of fun stuff!
April 26, 2022
Would have liked to have seen more of the relationship that was beginning to develop; regardless, this was a pretty fun ride.
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