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Blackbird Sisters Mystery #1
How to Murder a Millionaire
Nora Blackbird, society columnist and down-and-almost-out former debutante, reclaims her place within Philadelphia's elite when she stumbles upon the murdered body of a millionaire art collector.
"MY parents blew the country for a sunny resort that catered to American tax evaders, leaving the family art collection to my sister Emma, the furniture to my sister Libby. They gave me the land--and a property tax bill for two million dollars. Which is why I, Nora Blackbird, a former socialite who never really held a job in all of my thirty-one years, found myself in dire need of a paycheck. . ."
Now Nora has a job as a society page columnist for a Philadelphia paper. This down—and almost,—out former debutante is happy to reclaim her place within the city's elite. Until her first party assignment, when she stumbles upon the murdered body of the host—a millionaire art collector and old family friend. Her sisters—sexy, hard-edged Emma and flaky earth mother Libby, who has her hands full with husband number two and four kids—only complicate matters as Nora investigates. And meanwhile the son of a rumored New Jersey crime boss is pursuing her with bone-melting come-ons she can barely resist. Priorities, Nora, think priorities...
"MY parents blew the country for a sunny resort that catered to American tax evaders, leaving the family art collection to my sister Emma, the furniture to my sister Libby. They gave me the land--and a property tax bill for two million dollars. Which is why I, Nora Blackbird, a former socialite who never really held a job in all of my thirty-one years, found myself in dire need of a paycheck. . ."
Now Nora has a job as a society page columnist for a Philadelphia paper. This down—and almost,—out former debutante is happy to reclaim her place within the city's elite. Until her first party assignment, when she stumbles upon the murdered body of the host—a millionaire art collector and old family friend. Her sisters—sexy, hard-edged Emma and flaky earth mother Libby, who has her hands full with husband number two and four kids—only complicate matters as Nora investigates. And meanwhile the son of a rumored New Jersey crime boss is pursuing her with bone-melting come-ons she can barely resist. Priorities, Nora, think priorities...
266 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
107 people are currently reading
5550 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Martin
138 books561 followersWinner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
November 27, 2014
There's the beginnings of something good, here. The writing is a bit awkward and the setting is a little vague (which is a shame as I suspect that Philadelphia could be quite charming), but the main character is sweet and an interesting mixture of brave and vulnerable. I had a tough time engaging with the book for a while. Nora and her interactions with Michael kept me going, though, and I'm glad I stuck it out.
And the mystery worked, so there's that.
I'm a little fascinated with Nora, truth to tell. She's one of those women who invoke male care without asking (and without really needing it). She depends on it, to an extent, but not in a way that makes her weak, needy, or manipulative. This is an incredibly hard thing to pull of in a novel where we're in her head—mostly because in order for it to be unconscious, we only see it in the reactions of the other characters and in her fundamental assumptions about action and motivation. I really liked this aspect of her character because you can see that she's allowed herself to be weak in the past but is done being that person. That evidence of past growth and its effect on who and where she is was fascinating to me. Add a macho guy with a hint of bad-boy who instinctually, even casually, cares for her and is assured enough to recognize and support her strongest self and you have a relationship I just ate up. And all without even a hint of alpha posturing that so many authors would lavish into such a setup.
The writing and setting were weak enough that it's a wobbly three stars, even as fascinated as I was with Nora. But in a hopeful way that drives me to wanting to try at least the next in the series.
And the mystery worked, so there's that.
I'm a little fascinated with Nora, truth to tell. She's one of those women who invoke male care without asking (and without really needing it). She depends on it, to an extent, but not in a way that makes her weak, needy, or manipulative. This is an incredibly hard thing to pull of in a novel where we're in her head—mostly because in order for it to be unconscious, we only see it in the reactions of the other characters and in her fundamental assumptions about action and motivation. I really liked this aspect of her character because you can see that she's allowed herself to be weak in the past but is done being that person. That evidence of past growth and its effect on who and where she is was fascinating to me. Add a macho guy with a hint of bad-boy who instinctually, even casually, cares for her and is assured enough to recognize and support her strongest self and you have a relationship I just ate up. And all without even a hint of alpha posturing that so many authors would lavish into such a setup.
The writing and setting were weak enough that it's a wobbly three stars, even as fascinated as I was with Nora. But in a hopeful way that drives me to wanting to try at least the next in the series.
February 26, 2011
The cover of this book was misleading... in a good way. The title and cover image give the impression that this is going to be another cozy mystery following in the vein of Janet Evanovich or some other ditzy, fashion-obsessed heroine. On the contrary, I found that the characters were more well-rounded and the story grew steadily with more complex details. The author is good with a phrase as well!
It takes place among the Philadelphia upper-crust and features a smart, thoughtful heroine. Her occasion raids in her grandmother's classic vintage wardrobe feel like a forced detail to make this book seem appealing to the average cozy mystery fan. I am hoping that as the series progresses, these details will recede and the book-loving, horse-riding, art-restoring aspects of the Blackbird sisters will come forward as they are far more unique aspects than yet another book with "fabulous clothes and fabulous parties".
It takes place among the Philadelphia upper-crust and features a smart, thoughtful heroine. Her occasion raids in her grandmother's classic vintage wardrobe feel like a forced detail to make this book seem appealing to the average cozy mystery fan. I am hoping that as the series progresses, these details will recede and the book-loving, horse-riding, art-restoring aspects of the Blackbird sisters will come forward as they are far more unique aspects than yet another book with "fabulous clothes and fabulous parties".
October 3, 2014
This started out a little slow for me, but the characters and writing were o.k. and the setting was one with which I'm familiar. I kept reading, and I'm glad I did.
Nora Blackbird is one of three sisters left behind when their formerly-millionaire, tax-evading parents flee the country after flittering away their fortune. Nora is left with the family home and property, the house now falling apart and a $2 million tax bill on the property. With no money left in the coffers (and none of the furniture or artwork left to her to use to pay off debts [those went to the sisters]), Nora is forced to get a job to begin paying her bills. This was the annoying part that almost made me stop reading.
However, once we got past that, things began to pick up. Although the police use Nora for her connections to the upper echelon that has been affected by the murder, she's well aware of it, which made it a little easier for me to go along with. It also provided a reasonable excuse as to why she'd go off and investigate on her own when she firmly believed that the police were after the wrong suspect. It was still a little slow going, however, until her sisters became involved. Once they were in danger, Nora's actions became more believable and engrossing.
In the second part of the book the romance aspect picked up as well. Michael Abruzzo, introduced early on as a shady-ish, son-of-a-crime-boss character -- and the obvious romantic interest -- was developed much more as the book went on. One of the things I liked most was that he was the one who wanted to get the police involved when it became clear that Nora was in danger despite the fact that he knew he'd be hassled himself as a result.
What I had a harder time with was Nora's complete lack of anger at her parents. Flaky, uninvolved parents are one thing, but to leave their three daughters holding the bag and having no remorse whatsoever... Although I think it was meant to be humorous, I didn't find that funny at all.
That said, I will definitely seek out the other books in this series and see how it goes.
Nora Blackbird is one of three sisters left behind when their formerly-millionaire, tax-evading parents flee the country after flittering away their fortune. Nora is left with the family home and property, the house now falling apart and a $2 million tax bill on the property. With no money left in the coffers (and none of the furniture or artwork left to her to use to pay off debts [those went to the sisters]), Nora is forced to get a job to begin paying her bills. This was the annoying part that almost made me stop reading.
However, once we got past that, things began to pick up. Although the police use Nora for her connections to the upper echelon that has been affected by the murder, she's well aware of it, which made it a little easier for me to go along with. It also provided a reasonable excuse as to why she'd go off and investigate on her own when she firmly believed that the police were after the wrong suspect. It was still a little slow going, however, until her sisters became involved. Once they were in danger, Nora's actions became more believable and engrossing.
In the second part of the book the romance aspect picked up as well. Michael Abruzzo, introduced early on as a shady-ish, son-of-a-crime-boss character -- and the obvious romantic interest -- was developed much more as the book went on. One of the things I liked most was that he was the one who wanted to get the police involved when it became clear that Nora was in danger despite the fact that he knew he'd be hassled himself as a result.
What I had a harder time with was Nora's complete lack of anger at her parents. Flaky, uninvolved parents are one thing, but to leave their three daughters holding the bag and having no remorse whatsoever... Although I think it was meant to be humorous, I didn't find that funny at all.
That said, I will definitely seek out the other books in this series and see how it goes.
January 8, 2017
I liked this a lot better than I thought I would. It started out a bit slow, I thought, and I wasn't all that excited about Nora Blackbird, the main character. But her personality developed very well throughout the book, right along with the search for the murderer. I was kept guessing until close to the end (I feel as though I say that a lot!). I've read several cozies lately, by authors new to me, but this is my favorite so far. Looking forward to the next in the series.
May 31, 2017
3.5 stars. I liked this book. It was good and the characters were likable. Although, I wanted to slap Lizzie and Emma. But, I sometimes want to slap my own sisters so I guess it is a believable sisterly relationship. Lol... I just wish there was a bit more action. It seemed a bit light to me. I am interested enough to read the others eventually.
January 11, 2014
My mom accidentally ordered one of the books from later in the series from her book club. She liked it enough to continue with the series and as she always does, sent the books to me when she finished. I like to start series from the beginning so I ordered this one from Paperback Swap.
Nora Blackbird and her sisters, Emma and Libby, all three of whom are in their 30's and widowed (though one is remarried), grew up among Philadelphia's elite. And then their parents decided to squander the family fortune and flee the country. Emma was left with the family art collection, Libby the furniture (which made no sense as Libby's the artist in the family) and Nora the family farm-complete with a $2 million dollar bill for delinquent taxes. In an effort to pay off the taxes, Nora sells part of the land to the son of a reputed mob boss, which doesn't go over well with her sisters, who don't seem to grasp (or care) Nora is left with a huge debt to pay. They're just mad the land, which had been in the family for over 200 years, is now a muscle car lot.
Nora also has turned to an old (and elderly) family friend, Rory Pendergast, who owns a local newspaper "The Intelligencer" for a job and is given one covering events for the society page, despite not having any practical job experience. Covering a party in Rory's home, she discovers he has been murdered. The detective in charge of the investigation, Detective Bloom, thinks her connections to "that world" can be helpful so she's unofficially enlisted to help with the case and of course, solves it in the end.
The inexperienced, non-law enforcement crime solver reminded me of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson, who is somehow smarter than the detectives in the small town which has seemingly become the murder capital of Minnesota. (Another similarity is they both have two sisters). I'm finding that series has become stale so I'm hoping this one doesn't as well.
I guess this book was supposed to be funny. Maybe I'm just in a blah mood, but I didn't find it funny at all. It was just ho hum. (Though I did find a scene in which an elderly couple have a bunch of puzzles in various stages of completion scattered around their solarium quite amusing as that is totally going to be me when I'm 80). I honestly can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it. The characters were well enough developed and it's obvious the mob son is meant to be the love interest for Nora. It was obvious from the beginning the main suspect wasn't going to turn out to be the killer in the end, but I got the impression that was supposed to be the case. The book moved along at an okay pace; it just didn't wow me.
I will give credit for this: I thought I had it figured out about halfway through the book but I was wrong.
Nora Blackbird and her sisters, Emma and Libby, all three of whom are in their 30's and widowed (though one is remarried), grew up among Philadelphia's elite. And then their parents decided to squander the family fortune and flee the country. Emma was left with the family art collection, Libby the furniture (which made no sense as Libby's the artist in the family) and Nora the family farm-complete with a $2 million dollar bill for delinquent taxes. In an effort to pay off the taxes, Nora sells part of the land to the son of a reputed mob boss, which doesn't go over well with her sisters, who don't seem to grasp (or care) Nora is left with a huge debt to pay. They're just mad the land, which had been in the family for over 200 years, is now a muscle car lot.
Nora also has turned to an old (and elderly) family friend, Rory Pendergast, who owns a local newspaper "The Intelligencer" for a job and is given one covering events for the society page, despite not having any practical job experience. Covering a party in Rory's home, she discovers he has been murdered. The detective in charge of the investigation, Detective Bloom, thinks her connections to "that world" can be helpful so she's unofficially enlisted to help with the case and of course, solves it in the end.
The inexperienced, non-law enforcement crime solver reminded me of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson, who is somehow smarter than the detectives in the small town which has seemingly become the murder capital of Minnesota. (Another similarity is they both have two sisters). I'm finding that series has become stale so I'm hoping this one doesn't as well.
I guess this book was supposed to be funny. Maybe I'm just in a blah mood, but I didn't find it funny at all. It was just ho hum. (Though I did find a scene in which an elderly couple have a bunch of puzzles in various stages of completion scattered around their solarium quite amusing as that is totally going to be me when I'm 80). I honestly can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it. The characters were well enough developed and it's obvious the mob son is meant to be the love interest for Nora. It was obvious from the beginning the main suspect wasn't going to turn out to be the killer in the end, but I got the impression that was supposed to be the case. The book moved along at an okay pace; it just didn't wow me.
I will give credit for this: I thought I had it figured out about halfway through the book but I was wrong.
October 10, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the rarified upper crust air of Philadelphia. Nancy Martin has crafted a delightful mystery--actually the first in the Blackbird Sisters Mysteries. In this debut episode, Nora Blackbird, society columnist and down-and-almost-out former debutante, stumbles upon the murdered body of a millionaire art collector. Rory Pendergast was her friend and when the police zero in on another friend--Rory's long-time companion Peach Treese--it falls to Nora to set matters straight.
The writing is crisp and contemporary, completely in keeping with the affluent status. There's a lot of art featured, as well as homes of the beautiful people and exquisite depictions of expensive clothing. It's a lighthearted glimpse not to be taken too seriously, but definitely to be relished. Colorful descriptions such as "she looked like a dominatrix dressed for church" and "Audrey was considered the lowest rung on the Weymouth family ladder of success" make for humorous reading. I'll be checking on the next episode of The Blackbird Sisters Mysteries very soon.
The writing is crisp and contemporary, completely in keeping with the affluent status. There's a lot of art featured, as well as homes of the beautiful people and exquisite depictions of expensive clothing. It's a lighthearted glimpse not to be taken too seriously, but definitely to be relished. Colorful descriptions such as "she looked like a dominatrix dressed for church" and "Audrey was considered the lowest rung on the Weymouth family ladder of success" make for humorous reading. I'll be checking on the next episode of The Blackbird Sisters Mysteries very soon.
August 2, 2016
I had very high hopes for this book. Love the title, love the premise (3 riches-to-rags sisters start solving mysteries). But in many ways, it really failed to live up.
The mystery was okay...but the solution didn't turn out to be half as clever as it could have been. And some of the red herring storylines were weird, and not particularly palatable, to be honest (senior citizens all wrapped up in torrid affairs and erotic art).
I didn't find a lot of humor here, either, which was also disappointing. There was nothing particulary snappy or interesting about the writer's voice.
I'll probably give the series one more chance because it seems to get such rave reviews. But if I don't find the next book terribly compelling, I'll be moving on.
The mystery was okay...but the solution didn't turn out to be half as clever as it could have been. And some of the red herring storylines were weird, and not particularly palatable, to be honest (senior citizens all wrapped up in torrid affairs and erotic art).
I didn't find a lot of humor here, either, which was also disappointing. There was nothing particulary snappy or interesting about the writer's voice.
I'll probably give the series one more chance because it seems to get such rave reviews. But if I don't find the next book terribly compelling, I'll be moving on.
June 11, 2023
That was a fun read. Reminds me of Stephanie Plum. Attractive main character with a bit of a dysfunctional family, getting involved in solving crimes that she has no business getting involved in, sexy love interest who rescues her as needed. Bring on book 2.
November 15, 2023
Great Start
Great start to The Blackbird Sister series! A lot of fun, mystery and romance. I’m off to read the next one!
Great start to The Blackbird Sister series! A lot of fun, mystery and romance. I’m off to read the next one!
January 30, 2022
Over all a great book and a quick read! The ending seemed to wrap real quick at the end but definitely explained all my questions. I'll be reading more from this series!
December 19, 2020
Love this series!
October 29, 2020
Cute book by Nancy Martin... kept me interested and I love a good stylish mystery.
May 3, 2013
Nora Blackbird comes from old, Philadelphia money. The problem is that her parents have blown through the family fortune and then promptly skipped the country to escape tax evasion charges. That leaves Nora, her older sister, Libby, and her younger sister, Emma, to put on brave faces back home. Faced with having to pay the back taxes on the 100 acre family homestead, Nora gets a job writing for the society pages at the local newspaper only to run head first into murder on her very first assignment. What happens next is a humorous and entertaining romp through the halls of high society as Nora puts on her amateur sleuthing cap in order to navigate the pitfalls of solving a murder while never losing her manners. Some of those pitfalls include well-meaning but sometimes exasperating sisters and a certain hunky man's man from the wrong side of the law. Michael "Mick" Abruzzo was born into a crime family and even though he claims to be making his own way in the legitimate business world, Nora can never quite be sure what his angle is. One thing is certain though, he's got his sights set on Nora.
This was an overall, light and enjoyable read coupling a little mystery and a little romance. It may become a new guilty pleasure for when I need a break from darker books/stories. We all need that once in awhile.
This was an overall, light and enjoyable read coupling a little mystery and a little romance. It may become a new guilty pleasure for when I need a break from darker books/stories. We all need that once in awhile.
July 10, 2015
How to Murder a Millionaire (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #1) is an enjoyable read from start to finish. If you enjoy murder with a splash of humor, then this is the series for you. The Blackbird sisters are each unique and keep you wondering what will they do next. The other characters are people you would like to have around even if it was just to prove that your family and friends aren’t that bad after all. I loved the plot twist, and was totally taken by surprise by who the murderer turned out to be. If you have never read this series, you are missing out. Nancy Martin, never fails to disappoint.
October 2, 2014
A lovely start to a mystery series, and exactly the kind of light reading I needed at the exact moment I picked it up. So it might have gained a half star for being perfectly fitted for the moment.
I loved most of the characters, particularly Nora the protagonist, and her slightly but not overdone snarky outlook on life. I liked that there's no romance triangle in sight, and I liked that I totally didn't see the murderer coming (but props to me, I did suspect an eventual accomplice.)
Sadly my library seems to have a fairly random selection of these books, or I'm pretty sure I'd just have got them all and read them end to end.
I loved most of the characters, particularly Nora the protagonist, and her slightly but not overdone snarky outlook on life. I liked that there's no romance triangle in sight, and I liked that I totally didn't see the murderer coming (but props to me, I did suspect an eventual accomplice.)
Sadly my library seems to have a fairly random selection of these books, or I'm pretty sure I'd just have got them all and read them end to end.
August 12, 2010
WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE ,I HAD TO GIVE THE PITTSBURGH WRITER ANOTHER CHANCE. THIS TIME IT IS THE BLACKBIRD SISTERS MYSTERY OUT OF PHILLY. MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER SERIES. BETTER CHARACTERS,ETC. EASY READ- A LITTLE MYSTERY, A LITTLE ROMANCE AND A PLETHORA OF KOOKY CHARACTERS. CAN READ IN A SITTING AND DO NOT NEED TO THINK=PERFECT DURING MUSIC LESSONS. AGAIN, IF YOU LIKE EVANOVICH'S WRITING ,YOU WILL PROBABLY ENJOY MARTIN'S.
May 9, 2013
This is the first book of Nancy Martin's that I have read. I love the true to life bickering that goes on between the 'Blackbird Sisters'. I am enjoying watching each of the characters develop. In this first book we are only told a little about "Nora's sisters-sexy Emma and flaky Libby..." so I am looking forward to further development. This was an enjoyable and fast read.
May 14, 2010
This is the first book in the Blackbird sisters series and it was a lot of fun. I didn't see the ending coming and I always like when that happens. The characters were fun to get to know but I think there is still a lot of growing to do and I look forward to seeing it in the coming books.
September 14, 2012
I found out about this series (!!) while doing another review where someone mentioned it. Lots of quirky characters and just a hint of romance to these. Those of you who don't like a lot of sex mixed in with your mysteries would enjoy them especially. Lots of fun.
May 12, 2015
Not so bad at all. Nora is a bit like Stephanie Plum, the posh Philadelphia version. And there's a yummy Italian beau, too, of whom I expect to learn more. All in all, it kept me interested and I plan to read on.
November 23, 2014
I place this firmly in my "Brain Candy" file. A fun read, likable characters, and following the cookie cutter style of the cozy. It's not great literature, but we don't always WANT great literature, do we?
October 12, 2008
I loved the book. Nancy Martin has a wonderful voice and kept my interest all through the story. And I didn't know who done it until the end.
October 4, 2009
This was a fun read. I like a bit more romance with my mysteries but what there was picqued my interest enough to search out the rest of the books in this series.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
April 17, 2011
Martin wrote a witty, interesting mystery. Upper class characters who have lost their money and sometimes their minds - fun read.
July 26, 2016
Couldn't finish it ... Kinda stupid
December 26, 2020
this series is so fun. love the sisters, the clothes, the rando mafia lover.
November 16, 2023
Nora Blackbird, a 30-something down-on-her-luck lucks into a job with a Philadelphia newspaper as a society columnist. She uses her knowledge of people and high society to solve the murder of the paper’s publisher and opens up a whole new life for herself in the process.
I like Nora because she looks like a well-dressed, fragile hot-house flower, which causes people to underestimate her, but she’s got a spine and she’s brilliant. I like that she recognizes she knows things about the society world that the cops might miss. There’s an interesting complication with a possibly shady but incredibly hot and definitely dangerous man who buys five acres of the ancestral property and puts up a used car lot. Nora’s flaky parents absconded with other people’s money and left her holding the bag on the historical family home; selling to him was the fastest way to pay off some back taxes, so she gave in and sold the land. The guy’s a suspect in the murder, mostly because he’s low-hanging fruit, but he did have a relationship with the dead guy. Watching Nora follow where the clues led her was fun.
I loved this book 21 years ago when I first read it. It had all the things that drew me to mysteries – great writing, beautiful scene-setting, dimensional characters, whacky relatives, a compelling who/why dunnit, plenty of red herrings, great descriptions of vintage clothing, a light touch of romance, and interesting things about working at a newspaper.
Fast forward to now, and the author recently regained the rights to the series and is updating the books to include current events and technologies. I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t like the changes, but I enjoyed the updated story just as much as I did the first time around. I was just as invested in learning the outcome of the story and cheering the characters on. I’ll be buying all the updates and re-reading them.
I like Nora because she looks like a well-dressed, fragile hot-house flower, which causes people to underestimate her, but she’s got a spine and she’s brilliant. I like that she recognizes she knows things about the society world that the cops might miss. There’s an interesting complication with a possibly shady but incredibly hot and definitely dangerous man who buys five acres of the ancestral property and puts up a used car lot. Nora’s flaky parents absconded with other people’s money and left her holding the bag on the historical family home; selling to him was the fastest way to pay off some back taxes, so she gave in and sold the land. The guy’s a suspect in the murder, mostly because he’s low-hanging fruit, but he did have a relationship with the dead guy. Watching Nora follow where the clues led her was fun.
I loved this book 21 years ago when I first read it. It had all the things that drew me to mysteries – great writing, beautiful scene-setting, dimensional characters, whacky relatives, a compelling who/why dunnit, plenty of red herrings, great descriptions of vintage clothing, a light touch of romance, and interesting things about working at a newspaper.
Fast forward to now, and the author recently regained the rights to the series and is updating the books to include current events and technologies. I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t like the changes, but I enjoyed the updated story just as much as I did the first time around. I was just as invested in learning the outcome of the story and cheering the characters on. I’ll be buying all the updates and re-reading them.
December 28, 2018
Written by the prolific Nancy Martin, the Blackbird Sisters Mystery series is set in Philadelphia and has a great cast of unique characters. The main character, Nora Blackbird, comes from an old, wealthy family and lives in the rather dilapidated family home. Her parents, apparently not good money managers, have left the country, leaving her the property, land and a two million dollar tax bill. Finding herself needing to work to make ends meet, Nora raids her grandmother’s vintage clothing cache in the attic and goes to work as a society page columnist for a local paper, using her connections to gain entrance to the upper crust establishment society gatherings. Her sisters, wild child Emma, and flaky, earth mother, Libby, round out the quirky cast.
On Nora’s first assignment, she unwittingly stumbles across a murder: a millionaire art collector who is an old family friend. As she investigates the crime, using resources she didn’t know she had, she crosses paths with a variety of intriguing characters, including the son of a rumored New Jersey crime boss, who shows more than a little interest in the down-on-her-luck blue blood.
Currently, there are ten titles in the series, and a two-book spin-off series about a relative of Mick Abruzzo, Nora’s love interest. I’ve read all these mysteries and have enjoyed the experience and characters.
On Nora’s first assignment, she unwittingly stumbles across a murder: a millionaire art collector who is an old family friend. As she investigates the crime, using resources she didn’t know she had, she crosses paths with a variety of intriguing characters, including the son of a rumored New Jersey crime boss, who shows more than a little interest in the down-on-her-luck blue blood.
Currently, there are ten titles in the series, and a two-book spin-off series about a relative of Mick Abruzzo, Nora’s love interest. I’ve read all these mysteries and have enjoyed the experience and characters.
July 26, 2019
I mistakenly read book #2 before I read How to Murder a Millionaire. After reading #2, I knew I wanted to continue on with this series. I had book #1 in my bookcase all along without realizing it. I liked #2 better. I gave it a 3-1/2 stars (if I could give it that 1/2 star). This one....let's just say, I liked #2 a lot better. My rating is 2-1/2 stars. I didn't like the ending. I didn't like the killer's (a surprise of who it was) reasoning for murder; I thought it was quite lame, so it went from another 3-1/2 stars to a 2-1/2.
It's a cozy mystery series that has some laughs in it. It seems like there is only one murder per book and Nora, a gossip columnist for The Philadelphia Intelligencer paper, sets out to find out who the killer is. Nora has two sisters who add spice to the story for some good laughs, and chaos to Nora's life. Plus there's Mike, the "bad boy" for a potential love interest, which is obviously gonna happen.
I'm not quite sure why the book is called, How to Murder a Millionaire? I think I would had called it a different name as it didn't seem so fitting for the story.
If I come across anymore of these books in my second hand book stores, I'll be happy to continue reading this series.
It's a cozy mystery series that has some laughs in it. It seems like there is only one murder per book and Nora, a gossip columnist for The Philadelphia Intelligencer paper, sets out to find out who the killer is. Nora has two sisters who add spice to the story for some good laughs, and chaos to Nora's life. Plus there's Mike, the "bad boy" for a potential love interest, which is obviously gonna happen.
I'm not quite sure why the book is called, How to Murder a Millionaire? I think I would had called it a different name as it didn't seem so fitting for the story.
If I come across anymore of these books in my second hand book stores, I'll be happy to continue reading this series.
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