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Murderous Means
Book 6: Southern California Mysteries
When resting in peace isn’t an option…
Corrie Locke may not be the best rookie lawyer in town, but when it comes to catching a killer, she’s got the skills to bring a band of shifty-eyed suspects to their knees.
When the wealthy matriarch of the dysfunctional Means family dies in her sleep, the family is convinced her death was anything but peaceful. They hire Corrie to prove it, but the only evidence they have to go on is a psychic’s half-baked vision that it was murder. To put the matter to rest, Corrie sets her sights on proving the psychic is a fraud. After all, everyone knows psychics are crack-pots.
But what should be a simple investigation morphs into something deadly. The deeper Corrie digs, the more bizarre clues are revealed, and a possible witness is found dead. As tempers rise, it is up to Corrie to catch a killer…who’s about to strike again.
Listen to Chapter One, courtesy of Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast or listen here.
“…a well-plotted mystery that will surely win more fans to Sideris’ series. A fun and finely crafted cozy L.A. whodunit.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“MURDEROUS MEANS is a highly entertaining sixth-in-series…Fans of the movie Knives Out will love this…” ~ The Big Thrill
“There is a reason that this series always tops the lists of my favorite reads of the year, as it has an old-fashioned, wise-cracking detective narrative coming from a very modern, snappy heroine…this series continues to shine with its sparkling dialogue, compelling plot, and extremely engaging characters.” ~ Kings River Life Magazine
“What could be better than a sassy P.I, snappy dialogue and a plot line that moves like a locomotive on steroids!” ~ J.C. Eaton, author of The Sophie Kimball Mysteries, The Wine Trail Mysteries, The Charcuterie Shop Mysteries, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries
“Author Lida Sideris has served up another clever tale of mayhem that never ceases to entertain.” ~ Paul Martin, author of the Music & Murder Mysteries
“The style of prose makes one think of the classic Bogie and Bacall, The Big Sleep. Rarely today does a modern mystery writer evoke a comparison to a timeless classic. This book has done this with perfection.” ~ N.N. Light’s Book Heaven
“Murderous Means certainly does not disappoint! I highly recommend this well-written, contemporary novel.” ~ Author Joan Long, Agatha Award Finalist
“If you are a mystery addict, then I highly recommend this book…5 stars.” ~ Nana’s Book Reviews
Also Available
Gambling with Murder
Book 5: Southern California Mysteries
A late-night call is all it takes for rookie lawyer Corrie Locke to kiss her day job at the movie studio goodbye, and do what she does best: flex her sweet P.I. skills and go undercover to find a senior who’s missing from a posh retirement community in Santa Barbara.
One small stumbling block: skirting past security to gain inside access to the exclusive Villa Sunset. Time to call in the heavy artillery.
Besides former security guard turned legal assistant—now wannabe P.I.—Veera, Corrie relies on a secret weapon: her mother, a surprisingly eager addition to Corrie’s team. Armed with enough pepper spray to take down a band of Navy Seals, Mom impersonates a senior to infiltrate the Villa, Corrie, and Veera in tow. Turns out the job’s not as easy as they’d thought. These seniors have tricks tucked up their sleeves and aren’t afraid of using them.
The action gets dicey when the missing senior case turns into attempted murder by a criminal mind who’s always one step ahead. Corrie’s hot on the trail, but finds more than she bargained for…when her mother becomes a target.
Hooray! GAMBLING WITH MURDER is a 2023 Killer Nashville, Silver Falchion award finalist and was selected as one of 2022’s favorite mysteries by Kings River Life magazine!
Gambling With Murder: A Southern California Mystery
Welcome
Thank you for visiting my cyber home!
At nine-years-old, I turned into girl detective, after overdosing on Nancy Drew books. I cracked my first case – The Mystery of the Missing Pet Turtle – and continued case-cracking until my college days. Now I write my own soft-boiled mysteries starring Corrie Locke, a newly minted lawyer with thick, mostly manageable hair, a partially furnished beach pad, covert access to a high-end wardrobe, and a dream job in a movie studio. The buzz-kill? She’s the daughter of a late, great private eye, and together they solved a few hard-to-crack cases, which makes everyone assume she’s inherited Dad’s sweet sleuthing skills. But has she?
I’m busy working on Corrie’s next adventure. In the meantime, feel free to follow me on Facebook and Twitter.