In this stellar first in a new series, Martin (Murder Melts in Your Mouth
and six other Blackbird Sisters mysteries) introduces Roxy Abruzzo, ultra-sexy Pittsburgh sleuth and owner of Bada Bling Architectural Salvage, as well as Roxy's lovable assistant, Nooch Santonucci, and pit bull, Rooney. A tough girl like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, if with an edgier vibe, Roxy has an uncle who's a local Mafia don, but she answers to no one but herself and maybe Sage, her 16-year-old daughter from a teen liaison with chef Patrick Flynn. Roxy gets into trouble after the fatal shooting of wealthy philanderer Julius Hyde and the torching of the country estate of Hyde's 92-year-old mother, who worries about her missing ancient Greek garden statue. Did her irascible daughter-in-law take it, or another family member? Nope, Roxy did. Roxy's efforts to salvage the statue lead to a wild cat-and-mouse game with a killer that will leave Martin's fans clamoring for more. Author tour. (Mar.)
