Editorial Content for Red Flags: A Kate Reilly Mystery
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Reviewer (text)
According to Wikipedia, “Cozy mysteries, also referred to simply as ‘cozies,’ are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.” I probably never would have thought of a “cozy” being set in a professional racing background, but Tammy Kaehler has done exactly that. RED FLAGS is the fourth book in her popular Kate Reilly series, and her “socially intimate community” consists of race car drivers, mechanics, moguls who support the classic sport, and a murderer.
"Kaehler has a breezy writing style that is very engaging, and her characters reflect an underlying sense of good humor.... RED FLAGS is a good read that will show you the workings behind one of America's favorite sports."
Another common characteristic of “cozies” is that the crime solvers are not professional law enforcement officers or private investigators. They have regular day jobs such as bakers, caterers, writers, or, in this case, a race car driver. The reason that Kate Reilly gets involved in this particular murder investigation is that, as an insider, she may be able to get information that would not be available to the police. Also, she can look for anything that may be embarrassing to the racing association or to the sponsors so that they can be prepared. This is primarily because bad publicity could keep ticket buyers from turning out for this major event.
In the midst of preparing for the Long Beach Grand Prix, coaching a major movie star to drive in the celebrity race, attending sponsor meetings and running pre-race trials, Kate's cousin, William Reilly-Stinson, turns up dead. When she's called to identify the body, Kate thinks: I stared down at the man's face and tried to care that he was dead. I tried to ignore the bloody dent in his head and focused instead on his relaxed features, which lacked the cunning and malice they'd worn in life. But, despite her reservations about getting involved, she agrees to find out what she can about the events leading up to the untimely death of her least favorite cousin.
Woven into the mystery is the growing relationship that Kate is having with her long-estranged father, who also happens to be an owner of Frame Savings Bank, her newest sponsor. Some romantic threads include the attention that Kate is getting from a dashing hunk of movie star maleness, Lucas Tolani --- not to mention his rival for her affections, handsome FBI agent Ryan Johnston.
Kaehler has a breezy writing style that is very engaging, and her characters reflect an underlying sense of good humor. Except for the bad guys, of course. Kate's PR person and best friend, Holly Wilson, provides a sounding board and easygoing dialogue. Aside from the fact that there are so many characters to keep track of, RED FLAGS is a good read that will show you the workings behind one of America's favorite sports.
Teaser
Kate Reilly is thrown into a new social scene and a murder investigation when she arrives in Long Beach, CA, a week before the Grand Prix. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with her card in his pocket. At the same time Kate is called to investigate, she’s coaching a gorgeous actress for a celebrity race and meets Hollywood’s hottest bachelor. Her professional dreams are also coming true: she’s racing in the upcoming Grand Prix. Kate must juggle her social life as she juggles her suspects, all while staying out of a killer’s grasp.
Promo
Kate Reilly is thrown into a new social scene and a murder investigation when she arrives in Long Beach, CA, a week before the Grand Prix. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with her card in his pocket. At the same time Kate is called to investigate, she’s coaching a gorgeous actress for a celebrity race and meets Hollywood’s hottest bachelor. Her professional dreams are also coming true: she’s racing in the upcoming Grand Prix. Kate must juggle her social life as she juggles her suspects, all while staying out of a killer’s grasp.
About the Book
When Kate Reilly arrives in Long Beach, California, a week ahead of the Grand Prix, she’s immediately plunged into a new social scene --- as well as a murder investigation. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with Kate’s card in his pocket. The cops want to know why, and sponsors and race organizers --- anxious to keep racing’s image clean --- want Kate to investigate. Doubting she can solve another murder, especially that of a relative she despised, Kate reluctantly agrees.
At the same time, coaching a gorgeous and talented actress for a celebrity race brings Kate into the orbit of Hollywood’s hottest bachelor. And then a local FBI agent takes notice of more than her driving and sleuthing skills. She goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach and from Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills, attending parties, power-shopping and dodging unwelcome paparazzi. Kate’s ballooning media exposure generates national commentary, testing her composure and forcing her to get ahead of the stories --- whether critical or flattering.
Kate’s professional dreams are also coming true. The upcoming Grand Prix is her first race with a new sponsor that’s also funding an IndyCar test drive and a ride in next year’s Indy 500 --- along with future possibilities in NASCAR. The downside? New sponsor Frame Savings is owned by her family, and its management, outside of her long-estranged father, is unfriendly to her…even rivalrous.
Kate must stay on her toes as the Long Beach race weekend begins. She’s negotiating the next steps in her career, driving two racecars and coaching a third, discovering more about the disreputable members of her father’s family than she wanted to know and juggling questions and suspects. On track, red flags fly to warn her of danger. Off track, Kate struggles to interpret warning signs and stay out of a killer’s grasp.
Audiobook available, narrated by Nicole Vilencia
