Death Was the Other Woman — Linda L. Richards

Deep in the Depression, there are two ways to make a living in L.A.: join the criminals or collar them. Kitty Pangborn's chosen the crime-fighters, becoming secretary to Dexter Theroux, one of the hard-drinking, tough-talking PIs that pepper the city's stew. But after Dex takes a job with the mistress of one of L.A.'s most corrupt businessmen, Kitty isn't so sure what side of the law she's on. The mistress has asked Dex to tail her lover, and Kitty goes along for the ride. When they discover a corpse, only to have it disappear, Kitty begins to realize that there's more to this story than jealousy, and more money at risk than her paycheck. Rich with period detail and sharp dialogue, Richards has created a quick-witted character who gives a brand new twist to the hard-boiled style.