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A Felicia Swift Mystery #1
Murder in the Aisles
Murderous intent is no match for killer intellect accessorized with stiletto heels.
If there’s one thing Felicia Swift likes more than sex, it’s books. But her dream job at the Library of Congress takes a macabre turn when she finds a linguistics specialist lying dead between his least favorite subjects: Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Worse, the utterly sexy detective seems to have his eyes on Felicia’s curves more than the evidence, which she is convinced points at the wrong man. And she plans to convince him of just that—right after he buys her an apple martini.
Mark Rizzo plans to wrap up this investigation as quickly as possible. Until he realizes the witness isn’t some dumpy, wizened librarian, but a researcher with endless legs, bottomless intellect, and a bulldog determination to complicate this open-and-shut case all to hell.
As Felicia and Rizzo dig closer to the truth, the real culprit gets jittery enough to trysomething desperate. Leaving Felicia to wonder if their investigation will lead them down the aisle of no return.
Warning: Contains a jaded detective with more scuffs, scrapes, and scars than a wellloved pair of Timberlands. Plus a more fashion-forward (and probably better smelling) sleuth than Sherlock Holmes who’s as picky about her lovers as she is about her shoes—and make no mistake, she’s had plenty of both.
If there’s one thing Felicia Swift likes more than sex, it’s books. But her dream job at the Library of Congress takes a macabre turn when she finds a linguistics specialist lying dead between his least favorite subjects: Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Worse, the utterly sexy detective seems to have his eyes on Felicia’s curves more than the evidence, which she is convinced points at the wrong man. And she plans to convince him of just that—right after he buys her an apple martini.
Mark Rizzo plans to wrap up this investigation as quickly as possible. Until he realizes the witness isn’t some dumpy, wizened librarian, but a researcher with endless legs, bottomless intellect, and a bulldog determination to complicate this open-and-shut case all to hell.
As Felicia and Rizzo dig closer to the truth, the real culprit gets jittery enough to trysomething desperate. Leaving Felicia to wonder if their investigation will lead them down the aisle of no return.
Warning: Contains a jaded detective with more scuffs, scrapes, and scars than a wellloved pair of Timberlands. Plus a more fashion-forward (and probably better smelling) sleuth than Sherlock Holmes who’s as picky about her lovers as she is about her shoes—and make no mistake, she’s had plenty of both.
- GenresMystery
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
About the author
Donna Hill
1 book5 followersDonna Hill writing as Olivia Hill began her career in 1987 writing short stories for the confession magazines. Since that time she has more than 70 published titles to her credit when her first novel was released in 1990, and is considered one of the early pioneers of the African American romance genre. Three of her novels have been adapted for television. She has been featured in Essence, the New York Daily News, USA TODAY, Today’s Black Woman and Black Enterprise, among many others. She has appeared on numerous radio and television stations across the country and her work has appeared on several bestseller lists, including Essence, Emerge and The Dallas Morning News, among others. She has received numerous awards for her body of work—which cross several genres—including the Career Achievement Award and she was the first recipient of the Trailblazer Award. She received the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award, the Gold Pen Award and others, as well as commendations for her community service during her tenure as Director for Kianga House—a transitional residence for homeless teen mothers and their children. Donna co-wrote the screenplay Fire, which enjoyed limited theater release before going to DVD. As an editor she has packaged several highly successful novels and anthologies, two of which were nominated for awards. She served as a writing instructor at the Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center in New York. Donna has been a writing instructor with the Elders Writing Program sponsored by Medgar Evers College through Poets & Writers. Donna is a graduate of Goddard College with an MFA in Creative Writing and is currently in pursuit of her Ph.D. in Secondary & Adult Education. She is an Adjunct Professor of English at Essex County College, Baruch College and Medgar Evers College.
Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 27, 2016
Bravo!
Written in true Hailstock - mystery format, Leslie Esdaile - Bogart era format, and old Hill attention to detail and making scenes come alive, Olivia Hill, aka, Donna Hill is off to a bang up start with the Felicia Swift series. It's kind of funny since the name Felicia has taken on a sarcastic mode these days , she brings respect back to the name whether intentional or unintentional . Loved the story Miss Hill thank you .
Written in true Hailstock - mystery format, Leslie Esdaile - Bogart era format, and old Hill attention to detail and making scenes come alive, Olivia Hill, aka, Donna Hill is off to a bang up start with the Felicia Swift series. It's kind of funny since the name Felicia has taken on a sarcastic mode these days , she brings respect back to the name whether intentional or unintentional . Loved the story Miss Hill thank you .
December 17, 2015
Felicia Swift works at the Library of Congress and is usually the first one in the building every morning. During her early morning routine she discovers the body of her colleague, Dr. Dresden, in one of the aisles. The sexy, overworked, Detective Mark Rizzo reports to the Library to work on the case and after interviewing everyone and getting the autopsy report, finds that Dr. Dresden died of a heart attack. But, the meticulous (and genius…literally) Dr. Swift does not believe this is a case of a bad heart, but that of murder. The good detective eventually agrees and they set off on an adventure to discover who wanted Dr. Dresden gone.
Felicia has OCD, and a lot of quirks, with a huge anxiety disorder thrown in. She likes order and for things to be just so. Her personal life is just as meticulous because she doesn’t want to change things and settle down. Mark used to date the Medical Examiner, but that fizzled when she told him he took his job home with him. However, Mark “gets” Felicia and her quirks and finds them more endearing than anything. The two fight their attraction while working the case. Let me tell you – boy do the sparks fly and pages sizzle!
I enjoyed the sexual angst and attraction between these two, all while the suspense and mystery portion of the story played out. This story was written in a way that there was never a dull moment in between scenes…the flow was great and kept me engrossed in the story from beginning to end. I won’t give away the results of the case, but if the rest of the series is as good as this book, I can’t wait to see where it goes!
*A copy was provided for review.
Felicia has OCD, and a lot of quirks, with a huge anxiety disorder thrown in. She likes order and for things to be just so. Her personal life is just as meticulous because she doesn’t want to change things and settle down. Mark used to date the Medical Examiner, but that fizzled when she told him he took his job home with him. However, Mark “gets” Felicia and her quirks and finds them more endearing than anything. The two fight their attraction while working the case. Let me tell you – boy do the sparks fly and pages sizzle!
I enjoyed the sexual angst and attraction between these two, all while the suspense and mystery portion of the story played out. This story was written in a way that there was never a dull moment in between scenes…the flow was great and kept me engrossed in the story from beginning to end. I won’t give away the results of the case, but if the rest of the series is as good as this book, I can’t wait to see where it goes!
*A copy was provided for review.
January 3, 2016
Ms. Hill journey into mystery novel was very good. Complex character, with flaws , that she handled very well.
December 8, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Murder in the Aisles is a fabulous romantic mystery. We have Dr Felicia Swift, the beautiful genius with an exceptional eye for detail who works at the Library of Congress. We have handsome Detective Nick Rizzo who is dispatched to investigate when Felicia finds one of her colleagues dead.
There is great chemistry and doctor and the detective. The romance doesn't over power the ongoing mystery as try to figure out who did it and why. Murder in the Aisles was liked a sexed up version of Bones. I'm a bit disappointed this is a series I've discovered from the first book because I'd like to devour more. I guess I'll just have to wait patiently for book 2.
Murder in the Aisles is a fabulous romantic mystery. We have Dr Felicia Swift, the beautiful genius with an exceptional eye for detail who works at the Library of Congress. We have handsome Detective Nick Rizzo who is dispatched to investigate when Felicia finds one of her colleagues dead.
There is great chemistry and doctor and the detective. The romance doesn't over power the ongoing mystery as try to figure out who did it and why. Murder in the Aisles was liked a sexed up version of Bones. I'm a bit disappointed this is a series I've discovered from the first book because I'd like to devour more. I guess I'll just have to wait patiently for book 2.
Read
January 2, 2016Very good read and i learned quite a bit of things I didn't know about the Library of Congress.
June 22, 2026
3.2.... maybe.
I dunno. I loved the idea, and the characters were intriguing. A murder in the Library of Congress? A super smart and talented African American woman who works there? A grizzled hard boiled dectective who just wants to close the case? DC Politics? Bad tragic pasts? Sure.
The execution however I had a lot of questions on. The spice came out of nowhere and while it was appreciated, it made less sense. I don't know how those two characters are compatible. I just dont. It doesnt make sense.
The villian I sussed out in about 5 chapters, because it was almost written in neon the questions she asked, the repetivitness of her name being used and Chechkovs Gun being more of an artillery piece.
There was random formatting/ italics issues so things got focused on for less reason. The murder escalated until it didnt, as did the seemingly fatal flaw our heroine had. It did also read of someone who doesnt have that saying " ah yes debilitating OCD". Discussions of past trauma but never fully explored beyond two people talking in code and metaphor.
Challenging? Frustrating? Don't know what else to describe it as.
I dunno. I loved the idea, and the characters were intriguing. A murder in the Library of Congress? A super smart and talented African American woman who works there? A grizzled hard boiled dectective who just wants to close the case? DC Politics? Bad tragic pasts? Sure.
The execution however I had a lot of questions on. The spice came out of nowhere and while it was appreciated, it made less sense. I don't know how those two characters are compatible. I just dont. It doesnt make sense.
The villian I sussed out in about 5 chapters, because it was almost written in neon the questions she asked, the repetivitness of her name being used and Chechkovs Gun being more of an artillery piece.
There was random formatting/ italics issues so things got focused on for less reason. The murder escalated until it didnt, as did the seemingly fatal flaw our heroine had. It did also read of someone who doesnt have that saying " ah yes debilitating OCD". Discussions of past trauma but never fully explored beyond two people talking in code and metaphor.
Challenging? Frustrating? Don't know what else to describe it as.
February 20, 2018
After a very annoying typo in the very first sentence(!), this book was a quick read. A little racy, but I guess it really is a romance/murder mystery rather than just a murder mystery. Felicia Swift is a research librarian at the Library of Congress who discovers a dead body...and it is non-stop from there with the attractive Detective Rizzo spending a lot of time with Dr. Swift...
December 28, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
What a great mystery with a wonderful character for the enterprising detective! I really enjoyed this erudite yet spicy lady, Felicity Swift, with her Mensa IQ and her OCD and the past that we didn’t learn about…yet. What a witty and intriguing voice to enter the mystery stream. I, for one, can’t wait for book #2!
The Library of Congress is not known for its good looking librarians, but Dr. Swift is obviously an anomaly. When she survived the body of one of her favorite research partners, Dr. Dresden, crumpled in what she, at first, thought was a pile of clothes, she was horrified when she realized he was dead. When the detective in the case, Mark Rizzo, seems likely to pin it down to an accidental, natural death, Felicity balks. There’s just something off about it, but she just can’t decide what. And that’s when the research part of her research librarian title kicks in, as well as her background in forensic anthropology.
Mark Rizzo’s got more in his plate than he knows what to do with. He doesn’t want to agree with Dr. Swift, but there is something hinky about Dr. Dresden’s death. Letting her investigate it? Hell, no!
Fighting their attraction for each other while fighting about investigating gets them hot and bothered, but then another victim turns up. Maybe her idea isn’t so far-fetched after all?
And since Felicity’s been investigating, is she the new target?
Great new read with a wonderfully described Washington with all its gloss and glitter, hot sex, and two damaged people that might just be good for each other. Thanks, can’t wait for the next one!
What a great mystery with a wonderful character for the enterprising detective! I really enjoyed this erudite yet spicy lady, Felicity Swift, with her Mensa IQ and her OCD and the past that we didn’t learn about…yet. What a witty and intriguing voice to enter the mystery stream. I, for one, can’t wait for book #2!
The Library of Congress is not known for its good looking librarians, but Dr. Swift is obviously an anomaly. When she survived the body of one of her favorite research partners, Dr. Dresden, crumpled in what she, at first, thought was a pile of clothes, she was horrified when she realized he was dead. When the detective in the case, Mark Rizzo, seems likely to pin it down to an accidental, natural death, Felicity balks. There’s just something off about it, but she just can’t decide what. And that’s when the research part of her research librarian title kicks in, as well as her background in forensic anthropology.
Mark Rizzo’s got more in his plate than he knows what to do with. He doesn’t want to agree with Dr. Swift, but there is something hinky about Dr. Dresden’s death. Letting her investigate it? Hell, no!
Fighting their attraction for each other while fighting about investigating gets them hot and bothered, but then another victim turns up. Maybe her idea isn’t so far-fetched after all?
And since Felicity’s been investigating, is she the new target?
Great new read with a wonderfully described Washington with all its gloss and glitter, hot sex, and two damaged people that might just be good for each other. Thanks, can’t wait for the next one!
July 8, 2016
Murder in the Aisles by Olivia Hill is a delightful read that will consume the reader from the first page to the very last word. The narrative drew me in immediately because of each of the well defined story elements. The settings: Washington, DC metro area, realistic character personalities, reasonable character dialogue and strong plot and resolution.
Felicia Swift the brains and soul of Murder in the Aisles is a woman who rocks on the job and perhaps in the secret pleasure dwelling of her home. Her chemistry is the element that stirs and rattles the cages of any gentlemen regardless of his status in the Washington DC corporate/government arena.
Dr. Felicia Swift, Senior Research Librarian must work with Detective Mark Rizzo an investigator on the murder of Dr. Paul Dresden. Of course, the chemistry and atmosphere is a bit tense because of the macho ego of the investigator not to mention Felicia's hot body, brain and her OCD along with the talent for finding the smallest detail as a researcher.
I enjoyed the manner in which Ms. Hill incorporates the sarcasm wrapped neatly in the dialogue between she and the investigator. It is sassy, sensual play between Rizz and Swift that makes the narrative mysteriously entertaining.
Felicia Swift the brains and soul of Murder in the Aisles is a woman who rocks on the job and perhaps in the secret pleasure dwelling of her home. Her chemistry is the element that stirs and rattles the cages of any gentlemen regardless of his status in the Washington DC corporate/government arena.
Dr. Felicia Swift, Senior Research Librarian must work with Detective Mark Rizzo an investigator on the murder of Dr. Paul Dresden. Of course, the chemistry and atmosphere is a bit tense because of the macho ego of the investigator not to mention Felicia's hot body, brain and her OCD along with the talent for finding the smallest detail as a researcher.
I enjoyed the manner in which Ms. Hill incorporates the sarcasm wrapped neatly in the dialogue between she and the investigator. It is sassy, sensual play between Rizz and Swift that makes the narrative mysteriously entertaining.
July 13, 2016
I was initially attracted to this book because the lead character is a librarian, and I used to be one, too. The story was fine at first, and then I felt the story became more of a romance than a mystery. I guessed the murderer, but not the motive, early on. I didn't like the way the major developments in the case were shared by the characters, but not the readers. The ending also felt rushed with lots of summarizing the outcome of the case. I'm willing to give another book with these characters a read, though.
March 7, 2016
The characters were kind of interesting, but the rest of the book left a lot to be desired. I'd read another, just to see if this was an anomaly, but it wasn't a great mystery or romance, to be honest.
November 6, 2015
thoughts coming shortly
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews