Backhand

Anna Lee Mystery #6

by Liza Cody

Street-smart, fast-talking British private eye Anna Lee becomes caught up in a case involving a mob-style execution and a drugged teenaged runaway. Reprint. NYT.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature

279 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Liza Cody (real name Liza Nassim) is an English crime fiction writer.

Reviews

[Meredith Galman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes Anna out of foggy London into steamy Florida and faces her with charming villains, stalwart local PIs, and the ultimate in unreliable clients. By the end of this one, Anna seems ready to burn her bridges personally and professionally. An ambiguous end to an entertaining series.

[Yuri Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great, nothing too special. The mystery was good and was well written. I think it’s a good book.
I wish this wasn’t the last one, because I think the plot could be an opportunity for another one, but it’s fine 🎀🦢
4⭐️

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short series (6 books) was a memorable trip back into London in the 1980s with a female PI fighting the second-wave feminist battles we did then. At the end of the last book, she has more options than she did at the beginning, and the reader can only guess which path she’ll take.

[Netti · Rating 4 out of 5]

1987 - UK: London; USA: Sarasota & Keys
first published 1991

A HIGH - PITCHED WAIL split the silence. It pulsed through the room and made the dog howl. Anna turned the key and there was a sudden hush. The dog scampered to the door and whined to be let out. Johnny said, 'This siren has at least three quarters of a mile range. As I've just demonstrated, if the electric supply is cut off it will operate on battery power.'
'Most impressive,' the big man said.
'The electronic sound has completely superseded the old bell,' Johnny went on. 'But we brought one along in case.'
'That won't be necessary.' The big man glanced at the stack of hardware in the middle of his carpet. It was a large room, painted cream, with the mouldings picked out in white. Apart from the carpet and a few canvas chairs it was unfurnished. A woman with hair the colour of old gold sat attentively against the wall listening to Johnny's pitch. But Johnny addressed himself exclusively to the big man. Given a choice, Johnny always concentrated on the men.

Nach meiner Enttäuschung über Band #4 und #5 war ich wieder begeistert von dieser - leider - letzten Anna-Lee-Story. Diesmal verschlägt es Anna in die USA, und zwar ausgerechnet in das regenarme und millionärsreiche Florida. Kulturelle Reibereien zwischen UK und USA geben immer Stoff für witzige Dialoge. Der Fall ist ziemlich verwickelt, und es gibt überraschende Wendungen. Wie es sich für das Land mit den Millionen Schusswaffenopfern gehört (Milliarden, wenn man die Bisons mitrechnet), wird mit großem Kaliber massakriert.

Ich mag das offene Ende, das Spekulationen ermöglicht und sehr verschiedene weitere Lebenswege für Anna...
Kinsey Millhone in den USA? Ms Marple auf dem irischen Landgut? Oder London's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency? Alle drei Bücher würde ich verschlingen :-))

[Katy Koivastik · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Great characters, a realistic plot and snappy dialogue. A quick, fun read. Highly recommended.

[Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, fun read.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast fun read with the lead character getting (dramatically) out of her comfort zone.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Liza Cody, It has been over 20 years now since you quit on Anna Lee. I, for one, would like to see her return. How about it?

This is the last of the Anna Lee mysteries, which is a shame, because the series continued to improve and ends on an ambiguous note. The reason Liza Cody ended this series was reportedly due to her displeasure with the television adaptations. If so, it's a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Well, it was her creation, and if she didn't want to continue writing it any, that was up to her. Just seems a shame to stop something just as it was peaking in quality.

Note: 73 chapters in 279 pages = less than 4 pages per chapter. Reminds me of James Pattersons micro chapters.

[Aleisha Zolman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised at how much i enjoyed this book. i guess what i mean by surprised is i had never heard of this author until i found this at a thrift store for 75 cents. she is a smart, witty writer with enjoyable characters. i will look for other books by this author from now on!

[Brett]

Mystery

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5