The Bad Actor — Glen Ebisch

Although only in her late twenties, Laura Magee is Auntie Mabel, the advice columnist for the Ravensford Chronicle. Only those who work on the newspaper and one member of the Ravensford police department are supposed to know Auntie Mabel's true identity. Problems begin for Laura when she receives an Auntie Mabel letter from a woman who believes that her younger boyfriend is interested in her solely for her money. Laura's blunt reply is that she should break it off with him and see a lawyer. Shortly after, Laura learns that the woman has died in a fall on her cellar stairs. Concerned that the boyfriend may have killed her and feeling guilty about her own role in the event, Laura begins to investigate.

Soon after, she receives a threatening letter from someone who knows she is Auntie Mabel. After further digging she comes to the conclusion that the boyfriend and the letter-writer are one and the same. Although Michael Farantello, the chief of detectives and her sometime boyfriend, gives her as much protection as he can, she narrowly survives an attempt on her life. Undaunted Laura continues to investigate, drawing closer and closer to the man who has killed before and plans to kill again.

This is a fast-paced cozy with humor, romance, suspense, and a heroine with a straightforward approach to life.