A Crazy Little Thing Called Death

Blackbird Sisters Mystery #6

by Nancy Martin

Impoverished Philadelphia heiress Nora Blackbird has agreed to wed Mick Abruzzo, son of New Jersey's most notorious mobster, leaving the city's bluebloods in shock. Then Nora and her sisters get some ominous news-Sweet Penny Devine, ex-Hollywood starlet and daughter of the Philadelphia Devines, has mysteriously disappeared. Even stranger, her family wants her declared dead pronto. Could someone have plotted her final act? Now it's up to the Blackbird sisters to snoop among the snooty-until they uncover the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Cozy, Chick Lit, Humor

468 pages, Library Binding

First published March 6, 2007

About the author

Winner 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.

Reviews

[Kerry Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora is reminded every five pages what it means to be in a mob family, and every five pages, she is surprised and distraught. Nothing Mick does is ever good enough to compensate for his EEEEEEEVIL. He's like a puppy on a "but I love you" leash that she uses to reel him in so she can kick him, and it is officially on my last nerve.

Repeat after me: LOVE is ACCEPTANCE. If there's any "He'd be perfect, if he'd only change into a completely different person," you need to cut him loose and find a completely different person, because if you don't, you're a rigid, manipulative, controlling psycho and I have zero sympathy for your excuses for being one.

[Kayeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a fun read.... I liked the main character and her family, intrigued by her relationship with Mick, and where that may go, all in all I will read others in this series.

Impoverished Philadelphia heiress Nora Blackbird has agreed to wed Mick Abruzzo, son of New Jersey's most notorious mobster, leaving the city's bluebloods in shock. Then Nora and her sisters get some ominous news-Sweet Penny Devine, ex-Hollywood starlet and daughter of the Philadelphia Devines, has mysteriously disappeared. Even stranger, her family wants her declared dead pronto. Could someone have plotted her final act? Now it's up to the Blackbird sisters to snoop among the snooty-until they uncover the truth.

[Mailis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dialog Martin writes is always funny and to the point and keeps surprising me to no end...even something frivolous can be satisfying if its been done so well...and the frustration of having meddling relatives is real and sometimes i think the main heroine should be awarded as worlds most patient sister, but in the end the comedyball keeps rolling with vigor, martin writes a pretty darn good book...this one has a little drama in it too, and it only adds warmth to it all...it never gets to sappy or preaching...

[Cherisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Darker in tone than the earlier books in this series:

Michael is shot; he falls down the stairs; his leg is broken by an animal trap; he's accused of a gangland murder; he's shot several times at the end, breaking some ribs; he and Nora are engaged at the beginning of the story, and break up at the end.

Nora is nearly kidnapped; she confesses to Michael that she donated eggs to a college classmate (10 years ago) who was infertile but who had married into a rich family that expected a child. The father, Raphael Braga is in Philadelphia for the memorial polo match in memory of Sweet Penny Devine (cousins on Nora's mother's side), and even slips Nora roofies at one point, afraid that she will try to take her daughter back, since Raphael is now separated from his wife (Emma turns the tables and switches drinks so Raphael is the one who drinks the roofie later). Nora is slighted by some older ladies when it is broadcast that Michael is the prime suspect in the gandland slaying.

Turns out that Penny's in hiding; her illegitimate son is killed by her sister and Penny's brother disposes of the body by having the tigers eat it. Penny's grandchild then lures Nora and little Lucy into Penny's sister's trailer, where Nora and Lucy must fend off a tiger. The grandchild is catatonic at the end of the story.

Nora realizes that she and Michael have different values, and they are breaking up at the end of the story; she learns that Aldo, one of her bodyguards was the one who did the gandland killing. Timeframe: April (a few weejs after Nora's miscarriage) to June.

One bright spot: Lexie seems to letting a man get closer to her.

Darker in tone, somewhat over the top with the roofies, with the tigers and the animal trap, with the police ambush that goes bad (and Michael is shot), yet still moves the overall story arc along, with Michael and Nora trying to resolve the miscarriage and loss of their child, and trying to resolve their difference in values.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the Blackbird sisters mysteries, I have read each of them as soon as they were released and will be pre-ordering the next installment 'MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH'. I am saying all this to say that although 'A CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED DEATH' was not my favorite book in the series it is still very much a series worth reading.

Having said that, I found that 'A CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED DEATH' was somewhat repetitive. There was nothing fresh in this storyline, the mystery was just okay and I am ready for Nora and Mick to move away from the stalemate their relationship seems to be in. Either they need to move on (hopefully not forever) and explore other options or agree that opposites attract and move their relationship to the next level. Also I am ready to see Nora's sister Emma developed a little further. She is such an interesting character and, in my opinion, is not being used to her potential.
I look forward to reading more of this series and seeing where these characters that the fans of this series have grown to know and love will end up but I am ready for Nancy to mix it up a bit and catch the readers off guard!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blackbird Sisters are a fun and fast read for me. This book disappointed me as it had no real plot. There a number of themes that didn't seem to go anywhere. Nora and Mick have separated again. Libby and Emma are there usually zany selves. The themes seem to take us in different direction and not brought together.
Nora and Lucy attention a beach memorial for movie star Penny DeVine. While there AM arm is found and her family wants to buried it. The question is Penny DEAD or has she disappeared again. The ending is different and will startle you.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series. This one was pretty true to form. I found it less hysterically funny, though several scenes made me laugh out loud. On the other hand, I thought several of the characters were getting a little actual depth. Overall, very enoyable.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only a three because I'm tired of the on-again, off-again relationship, and I bawled when I thought Mick had died.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

+++The Blackbird sisters are always a fun read. That is because they are all completely kooky, sometimes bizarre. The other characters in the books are also very entertaining. Libby B has a slew of kids by multiple fathers, Nora the middle sis inhabits the family farm and to be able to buy necessities and keep the tax man at bay writes the social column for a Philadelphia rag, & Emma the youngest is a superb horsewoman and attracts attractive men. Nora is the main character and with the aid? of her sisters and her lover, son of a Mafia Don, Michael Abruzzo. A famous actress is rumored dead and there is a lot of speculation about, complicated by finding part of a body at a polo match to honor her death. With her brother & sister they were the heirs of a major pharmaceutical fortune. Of course Nora & her friends get involved. Cats large & small, gunfights, assaults, rape drugs and attempted kidnappings are all on the menu.+++

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed to start a little slower than the others have. There was a lot to reintroduce because a lot has happened, and we didn't get to the murder as quickly as we have before, it seemed. There were a lot of over-the-top things, too, that looking back are pretty fantastic. It all hung together, though, and it was a fun read.

Nora and Mick are finally together enough to start announcing their engagement until they start fighting about their values AGAIN. It's getting a little old, this back-and-forth of their relationship. It's still better than a love triangle, but too much of a new thing is an old thing.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy I hope Nora and Mick get it together. They just got back from two weeks on a yacht and are committed to a wedding. Guess who wants to organize it? Yup. Sister Libby. The crazy one with all the kids. Said kids are currently hanging out at Aunt Nora’s house while mom does…..whatever. And it’s better not to ask what Sister Em is up to, but it takes late night calls. In other news Mick is starting to have accidents. First a car accident, then a fall down some steps. Is the Blackbird curse already setting in. Oh, and there’s a mystery among the blue bloods of Philadelphia. Of course, Nora want to solve it even if she gets kidnapped.

[Alice Teets · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I missed hearing about this series, but I'm glad my husband found this book for me. Now, to get the rest of the series and start from the beginning! Even though this was book 6, I followed the storyline just fine. I think reading the earlier books would help, but it was not a necessity to enjoying this one. All of the characters were interesting, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. It reminded me somewhat of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I will definitely read more of this series!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving reading about Nora, Libby, and Emma. Though I think this book's pace slowed a bit in a few places. Regardless, still entertaining and moved the Blackbird sisters a little further down the line in their quest for money, jobs, boyfriends, husbands, etc. Love Libby's daughter Lucy.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books seem so fluffy and shallow and then they end up sneaking up on you with some heavy stuff. I think it makes the books a little hard to classify and so you have to be in a pretty specific mood to read them. The endings almost always redeem these.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series until this book. I found this one silly and uneventful. There was WAY more description of clothes and wedding plans than in the previous books, and the mystery got lost along the way. It just did not flow for me. I may stop reading the series with this book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered how sick I was of the on-again off-again romance between Nora and Michael when it looked like he had died and I was kinda glad to have it finished. That seems like a bad sign.

This one felt darker and more depressing than earlier books.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED MICHAEL AND NORA TO BE TOGETHER AND STOP DOING THIS BACK AND FORTH THING THAT IS THE ONLY REASON THIS ISNT A FIVE STAR BOOK! I’m so frustrated with them!! Otherwise great story, fun characters, and the reveal was crazy!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these. However, why doesn’t anyone punch Libby out? And it’s getting a bit annoying having Nora go through the same emotional arguments with herself. Get some therapy, and stop being a jerk to Michael.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tw mentions of rape, weird depiction of bisexuality?

I love this series so much and this book continues the trend of complicated relationship and emotions. Mick is a hero you love and hate. Nora you love whole-heartedly. The clothing in this one is even more amazing and I love Lexie in this book.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fell into the camp where I thought it was well written and interesting at points but I also found it to be frustrating and a little bit dated. Overall I liked it, but I don't know if I'm compelled enough to continue with the series, which in my memory was so solid. 3.5 stars.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Love the characters, love the clothes, love the sisters.

[Shelia Coakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the books in this series! The Blackbird Sisters are adorable and the romance between Nora and Mick keeps you turning the pages!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how I want to know what will happen to get to the answer. And who doesn't want Mick to be the one?!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

[Janet Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tigers!

Easy read that held my interest. I love hearing about the wardrobe, as Nora unravels the crime. And I'm happy Michael wasn't killed.

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re read during covid. Entertaining. Lots of suspense in this one when Nora and Emma take their niece Lucy to confront eccentric family with tigers.

[Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Swan Bender]

This story had a tough finish as the direction or future of an important relationship is left unanswered. I do enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next in line

[Sandy Heisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't help myself. This series is witty and fun.

[Veronica Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! Just a fun read!