by Lia Matera
First published 1997
Laura Di Palma watches labor lawyer Jocelyn Kinsley bleed out on the pavement. Kinsley's final words are "Designer crimes." Laura's former boss Steven Sayres has been sabotaging her solo practice, stealing clients through vicious slanders. When Kinsley dies clutching this cryptic clue, Laura sees her chance for answers and revenge. She teams up with Sandy Arkelett, a private detective who used to share her bed. Their computer hacking reveals hidden messages in Kinsley's files. Someone appears to be crafting custom murders, targeting bosses who have wronged their employees. Laura also defends a high school friend accused of brutal murder. Danger stalks her at every turn. Gunshots miss her by inches. Explosions nearly kill her. Police arrest her. Laura must solve the designer crimes mystery while dodging death. Her survival depends on staying ahead of whoever is eliminating bosses one by one. The high road offers no safety when custom killers hunt you.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Solo Practice
Period: Contemporary
309 pages · Paperback · Virago Press Ltd
Content warnings: violence