Fortune Favours the Dead

This hugely enjoyable debut is a deft melange of Agatha Christie-style locked-room murder mystery and 1940s Chandler-esque pulp crime fiction with a feisty narrator … * Irish Independent Review *Persuasive in its attention to period detail and dialogue, with well-constructed set piece scenes deftly staged, this is a highly accomplished, auspicious first entry in what we must hope will be a long-running series * The Irish Times *A sprightly period debut… [A] provocative gender-flipping of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin * Kirkus Reviews *Spotswood’s stellar debut puts a modern spin on classic hard-boiled fiction… The deep and sensitive characterization of the two protagonists, coupled with rich description and tonally spot-on humour, make this a novel to remember. Spotswood is definitely a writer to watch. * Publishers Weekly *Will keep readers engaged from start to finish… [Pentecost is] reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple * Library Journal *Witty prose… Humorous and fun [with] all the hallmarks of an Agatha Christie mystery, and there’s a delightful dose of noir thrown in for the more hardcore pulp fiction crowd, too… As mysterious and fun a caper as you will ever read, with plenty of misdirection and intrigue to keep you guessing. You don’t need a clairvoyant to realize this duo will be around for years to come. * Bookpage *If you’ve been dying for a fresh take on the sleuth genre, this book delivers that and more. A mix of classic noir aesthetics and tropes with an inclusive twist, Fortune Favours the Dead is the kind of mystery series that will capture your imagination in new and fun ways, and have you desperate to get your hands on more. * Get Literary *A relentlessly entertaining romp through 1940’s New York City, and through the annals of mystery fiction, as well, with many sly nods to authors of the past and some invigorating reinventions of classic tropes and gambits… Spotswood’s style is swift and witty, and the mystery at the novel’s heart is a clever knot. * Crime Reads *Sparkles [with] wit and personality … Delightful… This mystery plot has all the twists and surprises a fan of the genre could ask for, but it is Will’s distinctive, captivating voice and background [that] is Spotswood’s real triumph… Gutsy Will, with her snappy, slangy narrative style, ultimately wins readers’ hearts and carries the day. This classic noir-style mystery recast with humour, female leads and superb style is both satisfying and great fun. * Shelf Awareness *

One of the most rewarding and entertaining books I’ve read in years, one that fully lives up to the promise of its synopsis. Every page–nay, every paragraph–is rich and compelling… When it comes to male authors penning feminist issues that ring true and female characters who are fully realized and complex characters, Spotswood joins Terry Pratchett at the very top of the list … This is an adventure you’ll want to rave about to strangers on the streets. Personally, I’m already impatient for these ladies’ next case.

Stephen Spotswood is an award-winning playwright, journalist, and theatre educator. He makes his home in Washington, DC with his wife, young adult author Jessica Spotswood, their cat, and an ever-growing collection of books.