Posed for Murder

Lydia McKenzie Mysteries #1

by Meredith Cole

Lydia McKenzie is an artist whose medium is the camera. She’s having her first one-woman show. It is a series that ties to actual murders committed in the city’s past. Her method is to find a model—someone who can match in a general way the actual female victim—and pose her in the clothes and position in which the actual victim was found. The night of her showing, however, is disappointing; the owner of the gallery makes her pay for the invitations down to the stamps, hang the whole show herself, and rush for the usual wine and snacks. But what happens next is much two plainclothes policemen shut down the event and take Lydia in for questioning. A young woman whom she knew well, and who was the model in one of her photographs, has been murdered. Worried that the police aren’t doing what they should, Lydia and another friend set out to find the killer.The winner of the celebrated St. Martin’s Minotaur/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, Posed for Murder presents a snapshot of crime in a lasting and memorable story.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2009

About the author

Meredith Cole won the St. Martin's/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Competition, and her book, POSED FOR MURDER, will be out in February.

She began her career as a filmmaker and screenwriter, and won a NYFA for screenwriting in 2004.

She is on the board of the NY Chapter of MWA and Sisters in Crime, and blogs at www.thedebutanteball.com"

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't actually come to this book fresh, since I wrote it. But I certainly enjoyed seeing it published!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I might be biased a bit since we're related but I really liked this book. It was a quick read. It kind of had a bit of a grown up Nancy Drew feel, but not in a bad way!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t overly intriguing to me. The ending wasn’t that exciting it was ok, not great

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like traditional mysteries, you'll enjoy the first installment in the Lydia McKenzie series. Lydia's an up-and-coming photographer in New York City. During her first show, things get complicated. She used her friends to pose as models, based on cold case of Jane Does from a book. And when the police come to her door, she finds out that someone copycatted them for his murders. And one of her friends were murdered. Now it's up to Lydia and her friends to figure it out, while the killer has his eyes set on Lydia's friends before she's next. It's time for her to question her friends and know about their secrets, before it's gets any further. While she works as as a administrative assistant at a PI firm, another drama is going on there. When she discovers the truth, it might be too late for her!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked- The gritty struggle of trying to survive in New York as an artist provided a great back drop to this mystery. I also love the premise of a killer recreating photos of murdered women that were already recreations. Confused? Don’t be, it worked.

What was just okay- I didn’t think the killer was all that surprising. Lydia herself felt distant to me so I was never turning pages as fast as I could to see what would happen next. Maybe it would have been better in first person? Maybe not, but I usually like mysteries and thrillers best when told in first person, so that could just be my bias.

there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debut novel in the Lydia McKenzie series. Finalist 2009 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. This series takes place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and although it has more in common with the current yuppie invasion then with the Williamsburg of Betty Smith's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1943), it still evoked memories of my much younger years.
The book had an interesting concept and was well written, if somewhat slow moving.

Lydia McKenzie, photographer, is having a show based on photos of models posed as the victims of unsolved murders in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. The show is interrupted by Det. Romero informing her that one of her models has been murdered and posed as in the photo. After a second murder, Lydia investigates and puts herself in danger.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mystery in this book but the author kept pulling my out of the story. It is a "pet peeve" of mine but I just don't like it when EVERY time the main character shows up the first thing you get is a detailed description of everything she is wearing (from shoes to hats). Once or twice in a book I can ignore but when it happens at every opportunity I get bored with it, then get irritated.

I doubt I'll look for more by her - like I said the mystery was good but chic lit overtones were a bit too strong for me.

[Kat McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I love books that can involve my two loves, photography & mystery. I'm a stickler when it comes to protagonist... I like female leads who are strong and independent, and this one definitely fit my bill. Can't stand any wishy washy girl who's relying on the big man to come & rescue her (why I NEVER read the Twilight series and never will). A very good read, go get it!

[Mim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a random find at the library while looking for something else. It was fun. The location - Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY, main character is a photographer, it's a murder mystery, things I know about and like. A very quick book, the kind I like to read while I'm reading a heavier book.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total easy read, but is was still entertaining. I read it in a couple of hours.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always looking for another good mystery. This was a quick read and I'm glad I read it. could have been a bit quicker-paced, but worth my time.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, mainly for the milieu in which it's set. Lives of artists mysteries. Great spin on an author whose killings are being enacted in "real" life. Can't wait for her next!

[Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read. I liked it and it has an unexpected turn. The man your sure did it, really didnt!

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I didn't review this, it was a while ago that I read it. It was an okay book but not anything that will pull me to the series again. Might be why I didn't do the review.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story but a little slow-going.

[Rocio Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is was a mystery and thriller book. I really enjoy the whole story of Lydia and her friends. It kept me reading I was hooked. I love crime, mysterious books.

[Kristin Swenson]

I'd follow Lydia anywhere - funny, intrepid, and oh that sense of style - love it. And the Italian family she works with? A hoot! Great characters, engaging mystery, a fun read indeed.

[Hoodo]

never to take pics of people that aren't really dead cuz it may come back to haunt u