The Big Midget Murders (The John J. Malone Mysteries Book 6) (English Edition)

Its murder backstage for a cynical Chicago attorneyfrom the Dorothy Parker of detective fiction (William Ruehlmann). Its part casino, part nightclub, and part circus. For its new owners, Jake Justus and his socialite wife, Helene, its also a gamble. Luckily they have Jay Otto. Next to a bouncy burlesque bit, Ottos high-wire act is the hottest draw in the joint. But the crowd isnt the only thing left breathless. The performer has just been found in his dressing room, doped up, dead, and hanging by eleven silk stockings. The method is fetching. The probable motive? Otto was the nastiest, most hateful, devious, blackmailing little cuss on the circuit. But Jakes friend, attorney John J. Malone, thinks this is more than a case of justifiable homicideespecially when Otto isnt the last on the bill to get all choked up. Now Malone has a lot of secrets to untangle so he can collar the killer, because Jake and Helenes necks could be next on the line. The Big Midget Murders is expertly timed . . . and frenzied . . . with lavish accompaniment of good wise-cracking. Verdict: Superior (TheSaturday Review of Literature). Call it screwball noir, call it hard-boiled farce, call it whatever you want . . . Craig Rice did it with John J. Malone, her ne-er-do-well bibulous attorney (Thrilling Detective).