“An appealing and resourceful protagonist with realistic personal problems complements an intricate plot filled with valid suspects and motives. Readers will want to see more of Billie.”
– Publishers Weekly
“…A gripping mystery novel in which a novice private investigator quests to solve her biggest case yet… Death of a Dancing Queen is an exciting mystery novel that connects the past and present of organized crime, all while showcasing the challenges of caring for a struggling family member.”
– Foreword Reviews
“YA author Giarratano’s (Dead and Breakfast) debut adult novel is a fun, fast-paced mystery.”
– Angel Caranna, Library Journal
“Nothing stops badass Jersey girl Billie Levine from confronting mobsters, meth heads, and crooked cops to catch a killer. Not even her family. Perfect for fans of Liza Lutz’s Spellman Files, Death of a Dancing Queen is a page-turning PI mystery with depth and heart.”
-Kate Moretti, NYT bestselling author of Girls of Brackenhill
“Death of a Dancing Queen is a fast-paced thrill ride of suspense with lots of twists. The characters are sympathetic and believable, and Billie -the PI- is suffused with a fun, dry wit. An absolute must read!”
– Karen Katchur, bestselling author of River Bodies and the Northampton County series
“Twisty and witty, Death of a Dancing Queen delivers a Jersey Fresh private eye whose family troubles leave her little time to dig for clues. Fans of Veronica Mars will cheer fledgling PI Billie Levine as she fights mobsters and neo-Nazis to solve two murders separated by decades but linked by a fabulous diamond. Billie has moxie and grit to spare. I can’t wait to dive into Billie’s next case.”
– Delia C. Pitts, author of contemporary noir mysteries including Murder Take Two and Murder My Past
“What a joy to keep readerly company with Billie Levine, the newly-minted (and somewhat reluctant) private detective who takes her bow in Death of a Dancing Queen.”
– New York Times Book Reviews
“Author Kimberly G. Giarratano’s start to a new series is crackling with realism, and she’s created a savvy, tenacious, and street-smart investigator to root for! PI Belinda “Billie” Levine, holds the weight of the world on her shoulders with her mom’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and working to carry on her retired grandfather’s legacy. She’s also trying to mend a broken heart—easier said than done however when the murder of a young college student/true crime podcaster pulls her right into her ex’s family business—a strip club. With whip-smart prose, and a plot that will keep you guessing, you won’t set the book down until the very shocking and satisfying end!”
– Mary Keliikoa, author of Hidden Pieces, and the award nominated PI Kelly Pruett Mystery series.
“Whisking readers from a deli in North Jersey to a club run by the Jewish mob to a true crime podcast session at the local college, Death of a Dancing Queen is the best kind of PI novel: gutsy and multifaceted, with a palpable sense of place. This atmospheric mystery will have you craving a black and white cookie and a whole new Billie Levine investigation. A knockout.”
— Tessa Wegert, author of Death in the Family
Death of a Dancing Queen is a noir lover’s dream! If Kinsey Millhone moved to Jersey in 2023, you’d have Billie Levine. The private investigator is quick witted, relatable, and dogged in her attempt to discover what happened to a missing podcaster who pissed off the wrong people–all while dealing with having to parent her parent and avoiding no-good ex whose back in town. I can’t wait for Billie’s next dance.”
– Kellye Garrett, Agatha, Anthony, and Lefty Award winning author of Like a Sister and Missing White Woman
“Giarratano capably keeps a plethora of balls in the air in the suspect-drenched, tangled plot, but the real draw here is Billie, her family, and the sundry, offbeat characters in their orbit—all fully fleshed and filled with infectious spirit. Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum and her entourage will be right at home.”
– Booklist
“Like Henning Mankell by way of Veronica Mars, Billie Levine is exactly the type of PI I love: a badass woman who’s as tough as she is smart, full of heart and a willingness to play fast and loose with the rules to solve her cases. Giarratano finds sharp humanity in characters as varied as skinheads, strippers, true crime podcasters, and mobsters. A thoroughly modern, socially conscious new private investigator for the twenty-first century, I can’t wait to see Billie again!”
– Halley Sutton, author of The Lady Upstairs
“Giarratano has created a new favorite heroine. Billie Levine is smart, cool, and above all, human. All I want is a 12-book box set following all of Billie’s sleuthing adventures, is that too much to ask for? I couldn’t get enough of this slick, sharp thriller.”
– Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties
“[Billie] displays some true grit and some impressive detective chops along the way; so tell those corner boys to stop making all that noise—there’s a new Jersey Girl in town. Sing sha la la la la la, sha la la la la la la la la…”
– Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine
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