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Blackbird Sisters Mystery #2
Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds
Giving up my socialite life to get a real job writing a society column for a Philadelphia paper hasn't worked out as well as I hoped. The developers still want to turn the Blackbird estate into an outlet mall. My eccentric sisters are convinced I need a dog, a baby or a keeper. And now I'm falling hard for a Jersey tough guy with criminal connections. On top of my family feuding, one of the city's nouveau riche has just been murdered, and I could be a prime suspect. What would Emily Post do?
When a high society jewel thief winds up drowned at the bottom of a pool with a tacky garden gnome tied to her ankles, Nora must swing into action to save her old flame, Flan Cooper, from a hasty murder charge. A politically ambitious millionaire with hushed up secrets, a dotty grand dame with a penchant for polo teams, and a cat fancier who keeps a gun with his silver tea set all steer suspicion onto Nora herself. It's enough to make the bluebloods turn pale! Nora must find the killer on her own or risk trading her grandmother's couture for an orange jumpsuit. All in an ex-débutante's day's work, Nora. All in a day's work.
When a high society jewel thief winds up drowned at the bottom of a pool with a tacky garden gnome tied to her ankles, Nora must swing into action to save her old flame, Flan Cooper, from a hasty murder charge. A politically ambitious millionaire with hushed up secrets, a dotty grand dame with a penchant for polo teams, and a cat fancier who keeps a gun with his silver tea set all steer suspicion onto Nora herself. It's enough to make the bluebloods turn pale! Nora must find the killer on her own or risk trading her grandmother's couture for an orange jumpsuit. All in an ex-débutante's day's work, Nora. All in a day's work.
258 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
54 people are currently reading
961 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Martin
138 books561 followersWinner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
January 16, 2025
I can't believe I read the first book in this cozy mystery series back in 2013. Now, more than 10 years later, I'm finally going to read the second book. I always meant to continue the series, but somehow never got around to it. It will not be that long before I read the third book! I love the characters and getting a look into how the one percenters live.
Nora Blackbird grew wp rich and had the full expectation that she would live her life that way. Then, her parents lost all the family money and in order to evade the tax collector, fled the country after fleecing all their wealthy friends. Now Nora has a 200-year-old farmhouse with a whopping $1 million dollar tax bill. So, she gets a job going to parties and writing a society column about the people at those events. She has also developed a totally inappropriate relationship with a guy who may have mob connections, his family does for sure.
Soon after a party Nora attended where she has a scene with the wife of an old boyfriend, Flan Cooper, the wife turns up dead. Now, not only is Nora a suspect, but her old boyfriend is too, and he wants to get back together. Flan's father is up for a political nomination and his wife is all about being the hostess with the mostest. Add to all this, Nora's sister is about to give birth and is trying to convince Nora her life would be wonderful if she did the same.
Nora Blackbird grew wp rich and had the full expectation that she would live her life that way. Then, her parents lost all the family money and in order to evade the tax collector, fled the country after fleecing all their wealthy friends. Now Nora has a 200-year-old farmhouse with a whopping $1 million dollar tax bill. So, she gets a job going to parties and writing a society column about the people at those events. She has also developed a totally inappropriate relationship with a guy who may have mob connections, his family does for sure.
Soon after a party Nora attended where she has a scene with the wife of an old boyfriend, Flan Cooper, the wife turns up dead. Now, not only is Nora a suspect, but her old boyfriend is too, and he wants to get back together. Flan's father is up for a political nomination and his wife is all about being the hostess with the mostest. Add to all this, Nora's sister is about to give birth and is trying to convince Nora her life would be wonderful if she did the same.
December 11, 2014
While stronger than the first, there's still enough wobbly bits to keep this from being as strong as I feel it could be. Nora and Michael are still a delight. I was worried, at first, that they had "taken a break" from each other between the two books as I thought Martin would use that to reset their relationship. Which she did, but not it a bad way.
I worry that their relationship is the strongest part of the book. Michael is just lovely (in a hard-core, competent way) and his interactions with Nora are fantastic. They carry the book in a lot of ways. Again, like the first, the mystery is competent and well plotted with lots of herrings and sleuthing.
Nora's sisters play a slightly larger role in this one and I really hated that. They're kind of one-note jokes and at one point I was so exasperated I nearly tossed the book. Emma is bad enough, but Libby is a complete loss and having them horn in on Nora all the time got tiresome. Tiresome enough that I'm officially reluctant to move on to the next book seeing as the series is titled "Blackbird Sisters". Ugh.
Still... that Michael...
I worry that their relationship is the strongest part of the book. Michael is just lovely (in a hard-core, competent way) and his interactions with Nora are fantastic. They carry the book in a lot of ways. Again, like the first, the mystery is competent and well plotted with lots of herrings and sleuthing.
Nora's sisters play a slightly larger role in this one and I really hated that. They're kind of one-note jokes and at one point I was so exasperated I nearly tossed the book. Emma is bad enough, but Libby is a complete loss and having them horn in on Nora all the time got tiresome. Tiresome enough that I'm officially reluctant to move on to the next book seeing as the series is titled "Blackbird Sisters". Ugh.
Still... that Michael...
January 21, 2019
Ahhhhhhhhhgggggggghhh?
I think I remember why I didn't pursue this series the last time I read it. It is a weird combination of 'that was satisfying' and 'that was disappointing.'
I like the set up for the series and I like the heroine a lot. And I don't mind the hero. In fact, the chemistry between the main couple really does help pull the plot along. I often enjoy the sisters interaction, though they are nonsensical. And I liked the theme of 'babies' that went with the plot. It deepened the emotions of the story without risking the gruesomeness of the murder or the weird situations Nora gets herself in trying to solve it.
But maybe it would have been better if the 'babies' theme had overshadowed the weird situations, because I feel like those are where the book kind of goes...meh. Nora always finds herself in awkward or bizarre situations that half the time seem to exist for shock value or a laugh or something. But they are neither shocking nor funny. They just...are. While they keep the plot going, they never endear me to any other character besides Nora.
I might the series one more try. I feel like something good is here but I'm not sure how to separate the good from the sketchy drug use scenes.
I think I remember why I didn't pursue this series the last time I read it. It is a weird combination of 'that was satisfying' and 'that was disappointing.'
I like the set up for the series and I like the heroine a lot. And I don't mind the hero. In fact, the chemistry between the main couple really does help pull the plot along. I often enjoy the sisters interaction, though they are nonsensical. And I liked the theme of 'babies' that went with the plot. It deepened the emotions of the story without risking the gruesomeness of the murder or the weird situations Nora gets herself in trying to solve it.
But maybe it would have been better if the 'babies' theme had overshadowed the weird situations, because I feel like those are where the book kind of goes...meh. Nora always finds herself in awkward or bizarre situations that half the time seem to exist for shock value or a laugh or something. But they are neither shocking nor funny. They just...are. While they keep the plot going, they never endear me to any other character besides Nora.
I might the series one more try. I feel like something good is here but I'm not sure how to separate the good from the sketchy drug use scenes.
September 8, 2007
DEAD GIRLS DON’T WEAR DIAMONDS – G+
Nancy Martin – 2nd in series
The wife of Nora Blackbird’s old flame, Flan, is found drowned in a pool with a garden gnome tied to her ankles. Nora, with the help of her mob-related boyfriend and very pregnant sister, sets out to save Flan from a murder charge.
This is a very light, fun series, somewhat in the vein of Stephanie Plum.
Nancy Martin – 2nd in series
The wife of Nora Blackbird’s old flame, Flan, is found drowned in a pool with a garden gnome tied to her ankles. Nora, with the help of her mob-related boyfriend and very pregnant sister, sets out to save Flan from a murder charge.
This is a very light, fun series, somewhat in the vein of Stephanie Plum.
December 30, 2023
Definitely not my cup of tea. I found myself glad the sisters lost all of their money, and thinking they really deserved to have the IRS come after them.
March 23, 2018
Nora Blackbird comes from old money, but that money is essentially gone thanks to her parents' indiscretions. Now she works as a society columnist, attending parties and fundraisers with the still-rich. And she's also possibly dating a man who may be a mobster--at least, his family are. Add in the wife of an ex-boyfriend being found dead at the bottom of a pool, and Nora's life has gotten plenty complicated.
This is such a fun cozy mystery. Martin's storytelling reminds me some of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series, outlandish characters that work so well, a tough-as-nails heroine juggling love and stopping criminals, and a great sense of humor pervading the mystery. I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of this series.
This is such a fun cozy mystery. Martin's storytelling reminds me some of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series, outlandish characters that work so well, a tough-as-nails heroine juggling love and stopping criminals, and a great sense of humor pervading the mystery. I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of this series.
July 14, 2012
This was an enjoyable light read but I have to admit that the relationships are starting to work on my nerves. The main character is thoroughly inconsistent regarding her opinions on her "boyfriend" (hates that his family is purportedly mobbed up, but then she's appalled that he wants nothing to do with them). Makes you wonder how someone who's related to tons of criminals and low lifes(dead husband was a drug addict, sister is probably an alcoholic, parents are tax evaders on the run, brother in law was central to the crime in the first book and killed as a result), but she has the nerve to stand in judgement of Michael.
Also, the eccentrics in this series (including her ridiculous older sister) are snobbish, self-righteous prigs who NEVER get called on their stupid comments. I know Nora is supposed to represent the ultimately in old money gentility but at some point I would think she would have to slap some folks down (in the nicest way of course) in order for this reader to continue to see her as a heroine.
Also, the eccentrics in this series (including her ridiculous older sister) are snobbish, self-righteous prigs who NEVER get called on their stupid comments. I know Nora is supposed to represent the ultimately in old money gentility but at some point I would think she would have to slap some folks down (in the nicest way of course) in order for this reader to continue to see her as a heroine.
January 4, 2019
#2 in the Blackbird Sisters cozy mystery series
Cute. I haven't read the first book in this series for years, so it was a little hard to pick it up again and remember the players. But I did like the Blackbird sisters very much as fun and entertaining characters. Nora, as a society reporter, attended a party one night, then the next day one of the guests turns up dead. A secondary mystery surrounds missing jewelry, including her own grandmother's ring. Nora is almost-dating a crime boss's son, Michael, so suspicion falls on her, but at the same time she's asked to help with the investigation by the secret service (because of the dead woman's father-in-law's political aspirations) and with a belligerent local detective (who I guess she had worked with in the previous book). There were some very funny scenes with the sisters, especially when Libby goes into labor. And I really liked Nora's low-key but nice personality. I definitely won't wait years to continue with this series.
Cute. I haven't read the first book in this series for years, so it was a little hard to pick it up again and remember the players. But I did like the Blackbird sisters very much as fun and entertaining characters. Nora, as a society reporter, attended a party one night, then the next day one of the guests turns up dead. A secondary mystery surrounds missing jewelry, including her own grandmother's ring. Nora is almost-dating a crime boss's son, Michael, so suspicion falls on her, but at the same time she's asked to help with the investigation by the secret service (because of the dead woman's father-in-law's political aspirations) and with a belligerent local detective (who I guess she had worked with in the previous book). There were some very funny scenes with the sisters, especially when Libby goes into labor. And I really liked Nora's low-key but nice personality. I definitely won't wait years to continue with this series.
June 5, 2021
I loved this book. It was clever and fun. And I didn't figure out the mystery until Nora did. Nora Blackbird is an interesting character who continues to evolve. A socialite by birth, Nora's parents absconded with the family fortune and left her with the bills. Now Nora ekes out living writing a society column for the newspaper.
Nora's sisters Libby and Emma are flawed characters which make them likable. Libby's antics in particular almost always make me laugh. Nora's almost boyfriend, Mick, is a bit of dark horse. I hope we learn more about him as Nora gets to know him better.
Nancy Martin is a witty writer and I look forward to reading more of the Blackbird sisters mysteries.
Nora's sisters Libby and Emma are flawed characters which make them likable. Libby's antics in particular almost always make me laugh. Nora's almost boyfriend, Mick, is a bit of dark horse. I hope we learn more about him as Nora gets to know him better.
Nancy Martin is a witty writer and I look forward to reading more of the Blackbird sisters mysteries.
April 17, 2018
This was so much fun. I enjoyed Nora's relationship with her two sisters in the first book and enjoyed all of them even more in book two. The mystery itself was well written and once again Nora, as an amateur sleuth, actually had a plausible reason for getting herself embroiled in the investigation- she was a suspect.
Great pacing, great characters, plus a whole lot of fun, Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds has me wanting more of the Blackbird sisters
Great pacing, great characters, plus a whole lot of fun, Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds has me wanting more of the Blackbird sisters
July 27, 2009
I started this new series, It looked interesting at the used book store. They didn't have the first book but I was able to catch up in the second. I thought it was good, It is kind of like the plum series, but she is a reporter for a newspaper, and tries to solve murders involving friends. She is kind of teamed up with a cop, and is dating a suppose mob guy. Over all it was cute and exciting, I guess it would have to be seeing how I finished it in 2 days.
May 12, 2015
I liked this even better than the first one in the series. Nora is easy to identify with. Naturally, I'm mini-crushing on Mick. Nice story-telling, and the characters are quite consistent so far, especially the sisters. Although Libby's kind can get on my nerves. Or is she supposed to?
Needless to say, the next one is high on my list. I'm hoping for a nice little showdown with the obnoxious Kitty in the near future.
Needless to say, the next one is high on my list. I'm hoping for a nice little showdown with the obnoxious Kitty in the near future.
September 19, 2012
The thing I love about series is that you get to know the characters so well, the author has time to really make them seem like real people. The mysteries in these books aren't difficult to solve long before the end of the book, but the characters are more fun than a monkey at the mall!!
May 14, 2011
Cute, mindless drivel. A 24-hour read chock full of eccentric characters that left me smiling.
October 25, 2015
It had potential but the ending was so weak and mediocre.
July 21, 2019
I had no idea this was book #2 until I started reading it, and by then, it was too late to retrace my steps. Actually, I didn't realize I owned #1, until I hopped on goodreads and saw, "want to read" which tells me, I have the book somewhere in my bookshelves. I'm pretty good at keeping series side by side; my filing this time was a fail.
This was a cute and light mystery read. The cover of the book is really appealing too; I love the pink! Since I was reading the 2nd book, some things I was "behind" in, but it was explained well that I would understand what was going on. I'd rate this story more of a 3-1/2 stars and not long into the story, I googled to see how many were in the series, as I have to get all the rest of the books.
There were some scenes that made me chuckle out loud. I liked the main character, Nora, and her two crazy sisters, and Michael sounds like one sexy man.
Guess which book I'm going to start tonight?
This was a cute and light mystery read. The cover of the book is really appealing too; I love the pink! Since I was reading the 2nd book, some things I was "behind" in, but it was explained well that I would understand what was going on. I'd rate this story more of a 3-1/2 stars and not long into the story, I googled to see how many were in the series, as I have to get all the rest of the books.
There were some scenes that made me chuckle out loud. I liked the main character, Nora, and her two crazy sisters, and Michael sounds like one sexy man.
Guess which book I'm going to start tonight?
June 6, 2018
The Blackbird sisters make me glad that I grew up with two brothers. Nora tries to be the sensible sister, which isn't saying much. This is a mystery for readers of LynDee Walker, Anne George and Janet Evanovich series books, among others. Comfortably similar to the first book.
September 20, 2022
Such fun! The Blackbird sisters are at it again! Nora is still “helping” the society writer so she can pay off the back taxes on the family home. Luckily she grew up in the upper reaches of the upper class of Philadelphia. While attending an open house in her neighborhood she meets up with an old flame who is interested in a bit of fun. His wife (who is also a kleptomaniac) does not approve. When said wife is found later at the bottom of the pool, who did it? Nora knows she has to find out if only to keep herself and her old friend out of prison. And what about the new man in her life? How will he take Nora trying to save an old flame?
August 12, 2017
Nora is a leading lady with poise, and yet she is not above menial tasks that needs doing.
I love the protagonist who deals with her crazy family in a loving way. She does not see herself as better than those without pedigree,yet she finds ways to use her socal connections to help the wrongly accused. The leading man is strong and knowledgeable of ways to bend the rules. The only thing I would suggest is to have the there sisters do the crazy break-in with remote help from Michael. Don't suggest Mick get caught in silly situations.
I love the protagonist who deals with her crazy family in a loving way. She does not see herself as better than those without pedigree,yet she finds ways to use her socal connections to help the wrongly accused. The leading man is strong and knowledgeable of ways to bend the rules. The only thing I would suggest is to have the there sisters do the crazy break-in with remote help from Michael. Don't suggest Mick get caught in silly situations.
October 17, 2019
This isn't the typical kind of book I read, so that's probably why I didn't enjoy it too much. The mystery wasn't really a mystery as hardly any clues were provided, the police asked a civilian to investigate for the purpose of plot only, and the murderer was happened upon in a way that didn't really make any sense but at the same time wasn't surprising.
There were also other annoying parts of the book, including a drunk driver that the main character let get back in a car and continue driving.
Despite this, I did finish it so it wasn't horrible. It was just too fluffy for me.
There were also other annoying parts of the book, including a drunk driver that the main character let get back in a car and continue driving.
Despite this, I did finish it so it wasn't horrible. It was just too fluffy for me.
July 24, 2018
This is what I call a break room read. When at work on break or on lunch and not wanting to be entertained by ones' phone, this is the sort of cruise control book you need. The characters I feel after time could become quite strong, the sisters' themselves are Kooky enough and the storyline just this side of plausible...sort of. It was fun. I left it in the break room and someone else is enjoying it now!!
November 13, 2018
This is a fun and charming mystery, the second in a series about a (relatively) impoverished member of Philly’s social elite who runs into murders (of course) while writing a social column for a friend’s newspaper. This is one of those books where it is smart to refresh your recollection on what happened in the prior books, since there are lots of recurring supporting characters and references to things that happened in prior books.
July 17, 2021
Second in the series, Nora is still the only sister who has common sense. I felt like I'd missed a few chapters because of all the people we meet and it certainly helps to have a clear memory of everyone that we met in the first book. The Mick is as swoon-worthy as ever, but I am happy that they are taking it slow--no more than some serious necking occurs in this book. I sure didn't guess "who done it". Nice addition to the series.
March 2, 2018
This book was just as good as the first one. The relationships develop well, her sisters are still nutty (and Libby drives me crazy), and the mystery is full of suspects, twists, and turns. More danger, more romance, and more figuring out what the police have missed because of the rules of high society. Nora gets herself into more trouble, and yet manages to get out of it mostly scot-free.
March 4, 2018
I really like this series. It’s a little cheesy, but so charming. I love the sisters and their relationship. I love the Philadelphia high society element. I love Nora’s personality, how practical but clever she is. I found Mike less compelling in this book, but seeing their relationship progress was fun. I will definitely read the rest.
July 11, 2019
This trilogy is so fun. I will reading more of Nancy Martin. I found these books to be a quick read which was perfect for vacation. The sisters characteristics are hysterical. They had me laughing out loud. I am keeping them at our lake house for guests to read while they visit and add more fun to their time away.
January 15, 2020
Quick easy read to fill the brain with fluff. I like to pick up this series between book club and non fiction as a reset. The series has a lot of promise but I'm always surprised how fast everything wraps up at the end so quick and leaves you wondering about many of the relationships and events that are focused on.
May 31, 2020
This one was just OK, not great. There were typographical errors, the kind that can only be found by an actual proofreader, not software. The ending was too contrived. Exactly what would the pregnant-ready-to-pop sister follow the three person break-in crew into the woods, in the dark, for. There's trouble and you KNOW what is going to happen with that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
Such an easy fun read. Even better than the first book How to murder a Millionaire. Dead girls don't wear Diamonds. They do but they keep on disappearing. Nora's old flame Flan's wife up and dies & Everyone wants to know where the jewelry is . Libby is fixing to pop, Emma is handcuffing men and Nora is breaking into houses to solve a murder. Sounds like a ball.
January 27, 2017
Part of me enjoys this series, but part of me gets fed up with the main character and her sisters and their attitudes toward other people. I almost put this o e down after the first couple of chapters because I was feeling so unsympathetic to the main character. Glad I stayed with it though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews