Dead in the Frame

A Pentecost and Parker Mystery, Book 5

De: Stephen Spotswood

Narrado por: Kirsten Potter

The most dramatic installment yet in the Nero Award-winning Pentecost and Parker series, as Will scrambles to solve a shocking murder before Lillian takes the fall for the crime.

NEW YORK CITY, 1947: Wealthy financier and ghoulish connoisseur of crime, Jessup Quincannon, is dead, and famed detective Lillian Pentecost is under arrest for his murder. Means, motive, and a mountain of evidence leave everyone believing she’s guilty. Everyone, that is, except Willowjean “Will” Parker, who knows for a fact her boss is innocent. She just doesn’t know if she can prove it.

With Lillian locked away in the House of D—New York City’s infamous women’s prison—Will is left to root out the real killer. Was it a member of Quincannon’s murder-obsessed Black Museum Club? Maybe it was his jilted lover? Or his beautiful, certainly-sociopathic bodyguard? And what about the mob hit-man who just happened to disappear after the shots were fired?

With the city barreling toward the trial of the century, each day brings fresh headlines and hints of long-buried scandals from Lillian’s past. Will is desperate to get her boss out from behind bars before her reputation is destroyed. Because the House of D is no kind place, especially for a woman with multiple sclerosis. Or one with so many enemies. Her health failing and being targeted by someone who wants her dead, Lillian needs to survive long enough to take the stand.

With time running out on both sides of the prison walls, Will and Lillian must wager everything to uncover who put their thumb on the scales and a bullet in Quincannon’s head. Before Lady Justice brings her sword down, ending Pentecost and Parker's adventures once and for all.

©2025 Stephen Spotswood (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Spotswood’s newest title takes on another closed-door mystery to great effect. He balances the tension, the red herrings, and the clues well, and fans of the series will be in for a treat. Mystery readers in general would do well to place this series on their TBR lists to enjoy the twists and turns that make these titles a joy to read."—Library Journal, starred review

"One wild ride . . . The satisfying wrap-up includes the promise of a follow-up investigation that Lillian feels compelled to undertake. Kudos to Spotswood for highlighting the realities of both women and transgender women in the justice system."—Booklist, starred review

“As always, Spotswood pairs voicey narration (especially in Will’s chapters) with a briskly satisfying fair-play whodunit. Series fans will be satisfied.”—Publishers Weekly

Great as always

I’ve loved these characters from book one, and am so happy to see them continue being themselves and being a source of inspiration.

Great story

Loved the story, I guessed the ending but could not figure how it was done. Love the stories and the characters. I can see the types of characters(the asholes, the whitemen who cannot accept that a women just might be better than them, keep writing these stories, i cant wait for the next one) in today's world, and unfortunately that sucks. The U.S. is walking backwards and that truly sucks. Keep kicking ass ladies, I see you, we see you and we sit in awe of you.

Another home run

I can't figure out why more people don't know about this series. This entry, like the other four, is outstanding. Likeable protagonists, snappy dialogue, touches of humor, clever plot, great narration. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a mystery series that has touches of Nero Wolfe, Sherlock Holmes, film noir, Mickey Spillane and more.

Spectacularly original story; amazing narration

I figured out the whodunnit fairly early and yet was absolutely riveted to the twists and turns.
Even better: the premise of Lillian being stuck behind bars throughout was unique, compelling, traumatizing and full of suspense. The climactic reveal had the kind of punch you get from the best
Perry Mason or Agatha Christie stories, only with the stylish cut of Knives Out.

The characters chew the scenery and Lillian Pentecost is a force to be reckoned with.
Perhaps some might say the connecting mysteries were too contrived, or the ending was too far fetched, but I loved every moment, especially with the phenomenal narration of Ms. Potter.

I’ve listened to these in order and this is now my favorite of the bunch. There are a few characters and scenes that are best heard with the backstories in the previous books, however thanks to a summary of characters in the beginning, I can recommend this as a standalone.

This is a classic cozy mystery, in the sense there are no F bombs and fade to black sex scenes.
At the same time, the tone can get dark, with powerful themes like the trauma of incarceration,
the failings of the justice system, and LGBTQ life in 1947.

Intelligence

I liked everything. The writing was superb, the story interesting, the performance exquisite. Can’t wait for next book. Thank you