One night after work, he and Adele (a fellow librarian) go to a nearby bar. They observe a woman being somewhat flirty then arguing with a group of men. The bartender, McNulty, gets her away from them and later walks her back to her hotel room.
A man is shot in her hotel room McNulty asks Ambler to look into some of the men in her journal as possible suspects. Ambler gives the list to his cop friend, Mike Cosgrove, but investigates on his own as well.
Not long afterward Shannon Darling aka Sandra Dean is shot in her hotel room and McNulty is the prime suspect. The more Ambler looks into it, the more it looks like McNulty would be the best possible suspect.
And the more Ambler looks into it, he begins to wonder if someone killed Sandra Dean or her alternate persona of Shannon. Sandra Dean was a successful dermatologist. Shannon went on trips to NYC and slept around when she wasn't looking into her mother's novels and work in the crime fiction collection.
Ambler, Adele, and their detective friend, Mike Cosgrove, all investigate. Ambler and Adele hope to find proof that McNulty is innocent. Cosgrove thinks that would be nice but is really just into solving the crimes and arresting the guilty party.
There are at least 2 subplots. One about the attraction between Adele and Ray Ambler. The other one is about Ray's grandson and Ray's son.
Overall I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written. The mysteries are interesting. I just have a bit of trouble with Ray's awkwardness at times, have a little trouble connecting with him. Sometimes I find it hard to like him. I like Adele better.
Murder Off the Page by Con Lehane was published November 19th, 2019 by Minotaur Books.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.
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