by George Baxt
First published 1986
Ben lies dead in his bathtub, electrocuted by a transistor radio. Detective Pharoah Love arrives to determine whether the actor and hustler died by accident or murder. The suspects cluster around Ben's final days. Seth, the writer who shared Ben's bed until minutes before his death, tops the list. Veronica, Seth's bitter ex-wife, had reason to hate the man who stole her husband. Then there are Ben's other connections: Ella Hurst, Jameson Hurst, Adam Littlestorm, and his sister Ada. Each carries secrets about their relationship with the dead man. When Seth announces his next book will chronicle Ben's life, the killer grows nervous. Everyone who knew Ben suddenly watches Seth's every move. Love must untangle the web of jealousy, betrayal, and hidden motives before the murderer strikes again.
Genres: fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
Paperback · International Polygonics
Content warnings: death, murder