Blue Death

Norah Mulcahaney #17

by Lillian O'Donnell

NYPD lieutenant Norah Mulcahaney, "the best and most believable woman cop in mystery fiction" (The Washington Post), investigates a rash of devastating cop deaths.At forty-one, Norah Mulcahaney's star is on the rise: She's passed the rigorous NYPD's captain's exam, and she's also succeeded in adopting a baby boy. But, her happiness is shattered when, within a month's time, four of her fellow officers commit suicide, each man found dead of a wound inflicted by his own service revolver. When Norah's long-time mentor, Chief James Felix, asks her to pay a visit to one of the grieving widows, Norah finds herself immersed in a controversial case that hits way too close to home.

Chief Felix very nearly becomes the fifth victim, compelling Norah to prove the deaths are murder, not suicide. It's a race against time -- before another of New York City's finest is laid to rest forever.

With a plot that will keep O'Donnell's fans guessing, Blue Death is a gripping addition to the Norah Mulcahaney series.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 1998

About the author

Married J. Leonard O'Donnell. Lived in New York, NY. Interred in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Began career in theater then turned to writing crime novels. Longest running character was NY City policewoman Norah Mulcahaney, but also had series for Mici Anhalt, a crime victims investigator, and private detective Gwenn Ramadge.

Reviews

[Miriam Roush]

Lately, I find myself reading books that were published in the 1990’s. This is one of them. I had read quite a few from Lillian O’Donnell’s Norah Mulcahaney series, but missed this one. I’m so glad I found it now as it was a very engaging read, multilayered with a surprising but satisfying ending. An excellent police procedural with heart!

[Dawn Leitheuser]

A very good plot! Well written and pretty fast paced.

[Patricia Bethel]

I had never read any of the author’s books before. Very good. Another crime mystery that I didn’t know what was to happen until the end.

[Larry Woods]

Would have been five but Felix didn’t get punished!