With matchmaking on her mind, Ellen Brodie looks forward to a quiet long weekend with her husband, her son, and a visitor from Alberta—Lorry Preston, the auburn-haired daughter of Ellen’s favourite cousin. But the weekend is doomed: Ellen's husband invites his two legal partners and their quarrelling wives A black sheep nephew shows up One of the legal partners brings his wife’s wallflower sister Ellen’s son brings his devastatingly handsome best friend A new neighbour throws herself on Ellen’s mercy because of renovations If that isn’t enough, Lorry discovers a body in the Japanese garden, and the law arrives in the form of a tired Paul Manziuk and his brand new, totally unwanted partner, Detective Constable Jacqueline Ryan. Note: Discussion Questions for Book Clubs are in the back of the book along with some Bonus Features not in the print versions.

It’s Toronto in July. There’s an out-of control baseball player. A frenzied sports media. A talk-show host who enjoys playing devil’s advocate. The field is ready—for murder. The second in a classic police procedural series of traditional whodunits set in contemporary Toronto. Homicide detective Inspector Paul Manziuk is mourning the death of his best friend. Constable Jacqueline Ryan is trying to get her bearings and figure out how to keep from irritating an already-stressed Manziuk without losing her self-respect. But not far from Toronto police headquarters, two people are speaking words that will lead to murder. Rico Velasquez, the Toronto Matrix's new Cuban pitcher, is determined to prove he deserves the huge contract he’s been given. So he explodes in anger and derision when a reliever gives up a home run that takes away his win. A day later, Stasey Simon, a radio talk-show host who thrives on controversy, asks on-air for a volunteer to knock some sense into Rico. Before long, groundskeepers at the Diamond Dome find Rico's body in the bullpen, and Manziuk and Ryan are given the task of arresting the murderer before the case escalates into an international incident. Of course, Stasey herself is a prime suspect. So are several other members of the sports media, an obsessed fan, Rico's neglected wife, the pitcher Rico embarrassed, the elusive owners of the baseball team, and a Marilyn Monroe wannabe who seemed to think Rico was her Joe DiMaggio. Manziuk draws on his own love of the game of baseball while Ryan struggles to make sense of a sport she’s never watched.

A luxury residence in downtown Toronto. A group of artsy seniors. Caring staff. An idyllic scene? Or a setting for murder? Death in a seniors’ complex? Not that unusual. But the murder of a resident of Serenity Suites, a high-rise for affluent seniors in downtown Toronto, is highly unusual. Detective Inspector Paul Manziuk and his head-strong new partner, Constable Jacqueline Ryan, take on the difficult task of figuring out “whodunit.” Suspects include a famous Broadway actress and her young musician husband; a best-selling thriller writer; the former host of a popular radio talk show; a ballerina with a shady past; and a retired children’s singer who might be reading too many mysteries. Residents fear a murderer who thinks he’s doing elderly people a favour, and wonder who’ll be next. Homicide detectives Paul Manziuk and Jacqueline Ryan, themselves dealing with personal issues, try to allay the residents’ fears while following every rabbit trail that comes up. As they sort through half-truths and long-buried secrets, they realize that those with opportunity had no motive, and those with motive, no opportunity. They know they’re missing something, but what? In her third Manziuk and Ryan mystery, J. A. Menzies once again delights readers with complex characters, tight plotting, and a satisfying conclusion. In her third Manziuk and Ryan mystery, J. A. Menzies once again delights readers with complex characters, tight plotting, and a satisfying conclusion. The Manziuk and Ryan Mysteries in order Shaded Light: The Case of the Tactless Trophy Wife Glitter of Diamonds: The Case of the Reckless Radio Host Shadow of a Butterfly: The Case of the Harmless Old Woman (coming May 15th) Short stories by J. A. Menzies “The Case of the Sneezing Accountant: A Manziuk and Ryan Short Story” “The Day Time Stood Still” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” “Revenge So Sweet” Be the first to hear about J. A. Menzies' new releases by signing up to get reader updates at http://jamenzies.com

A wife who murders her cheating husband, a knife-wielder foiled by an unexpected sneeze, a dying woman with a deadly secret that changed lives, an old man trying to make up for his past... These stories run the gamut of crime-writing and will keep you guessing to the last word. The Revenge So Sweet - A middle-aged woman discovers her husband has been cheating on her and decides to get revenge. But revenge can be a two-way street. Just Out for a Drive - A young hitchhiker is picked up by an old man on a mission. They Can’t Take That Away From Me - On his 21st birthday, a troubled young man realizes who and what he is. Dying with Things Unsaid - A dying woman realizes she needs to tell her children about a crime she’s kept hidden for many years. The Day Time Stood Still - A real estate agent discovers something from her past when she pays a visit to a house she’s agreed to sell. Living on the Edge - Four men wait for the end of their lives in a hospital palliative care ward. The Case of the Sneezing Accountant - Detective Paul Manziuk and his partner Jacquie Ryan have to decide which of four suspects threw a knife that would have killed it's intended victim if not for a fortunate sneeze. Includes personal notes by the author on the writing of each story.