{Whatcha Reading?} Hijack in Abstract

Cherry Tucker is at it again, this time hired to do a composite sketch of a hijacker and to paint a portrait for one of rich but mysterious Max Avtaikin's business associates. Even though Max's high-stakes poker games have been shut down, Cherry continues to suspect that he is up to no good. She's never listened to any of his warnings, so why would she let them keep her away from her new client?

Those nude Greek paintings Cherry was working on in Still Life in Brunswick Stew have been sold and her rival Shawna is embarrassing her family by spreading posters all over town with just the most incriminating bits. Shawna says she'll  stop...if Cherry gives back the picture she wants. The only problem is that Cherry has no clue what Shawna is after -- she wouldn't be caught dead with one of Shawna's tacky paintings.

This series keeps getting more fun. I'll be watching for the next book, which is due out next year. (If you haven't started this series yet, the Kindle edition of Portrait of a Dead Guy is on sale for ninety-nine cents until Sunday.)

Joanna Campbell Slan has a new short story available, Kiki Lowenstein and the Cupcake Caper. (This one takes place before Group, Photo, Grave) When her friend Clancy suddenly becomes impossible to work with, Kiki is determined to find out what's wrong. It's always fun to spend some time in Kiki's world and Clancy is one of my favorite characters in the series, so I was glad to see that this one was about her.

According to the author's website, The Cupcake Caper will be a  free download November 7, 8, &9, along with Tear Down and Die, the first book in her new mystery series.

Disclosure -- the publisher provided me with a review copy of Hijack in Abstract. I bought my copy of Kiki Lowenstein and the Cupcake Caper because I was too impatient to wait for the price change.