California cardiologist D.P. Lyle is the author of 17 fiction and nonfiction books, along with two anthologies. A member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, he has earned a Macavity Award and Edgar Award nomination, and has worked with writers of such police procedural TV shows as “CSI: Miami,” “Law & Order,” “Women’s Murder Club” and “Cold Case.”

Lyle hits a home run with A-LIST, following the Jake Longly series début, DEEP SIX. A pitcher for the Texas Rangers sidelined by an injury, Jake now is an Alabama bar owner unwittingly sucked in by his private investigator dad to occasionally play the part of a bumbling Sam Spade. A week after Jake and Mensa-member babe-friend-with-benefits Nicole Jemison were almost deep-sixed off a yacht, they’re on the road to N’Awlins, the Crescent City.

"Nefarious characters populate the French Quarter in New Orleans --- and pages in this quirky action-packed thriller."

Somewhat in the humorous vein of Rob Leininger’s Gumshoe series, Hollywood A-list actor Kirk Ford wakes in a New Orleans hotel room, the cold body of 19-year-old Kristi Guidry next to him. The name Guidry has many implications, loosely meaning “powerful.” Claude Guédry staked his powerful claim in the Bayou State during the 1670s. The name morphed to Guidry, as in “Dixie Mafia” boss Tony Guidry --- Kristi’s uncle, who pulls strings attached to the NOLA prosecutor’s office. Tony “isn’t someone you mess with.” Murder investigation isn’t easy in The Big Easy.

Doppelgänger twins Tegan and Tara are actors on location filming the next Kirk Ford Space Quest movie. Although each answers questions for the other in sort of a telepathic doublespeak way, neither can solve for Jake and Nicole the riddle of how Kirk and Kristi were alone in a locked room that no one could enter without a hotel keycard. The investigation becomes as murky as bayou water.

Nefarious characters populate the French Quarter in New Orleans --- and pages in this quirky action-packed thriller. No one’s life is safe. Despite a telegraphed conclusion, A-LIST earned a spot on my Bookreporter.com Top Picks for 2017 A-list.