Late for His Own Funeral (#6)
Death Investigator Angela Richman suspects foul play when a disgraced resident of Chouteau Forest survives one car crash only to then be involved in another.
Until his Porsche careened off the road killing him instantly and not leaving much of him behind, Sterling Chaney was an influential member of Chouteau Forest – home of the one percenters. As the eulogies at his funeral commence, an unexpected guest interrupts . . . Sterling.
The story attracts widespread media coverage. Sterling’s the man who showed up late for his own funeral. He revels in the spotlight, until it’s revealed he earned his fortune via sordid means and exploiting the women who worked for him. It leaves him vilified and shunned by Chouteau society. Then there’s another fatal crash.
This time, Death Investigator Angela Richman is tasked with confirming that Sterling has perished. But her investigation reveals more questions than answers. Were both crashes merely accidents, or was someone doubly determined to kill Sterling?
Reviews
"Angela’s usual snark and fondness for wine help propel the twisty plot. Viets reliably entertains."
“Catchy hook [...] and a solution from out of left field.”
"Viets delivers a tidy plot as “Late for His Own Funeral” veers into privilege, blackmail and general bad behavior while keeping the twists on point. Viets, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, captures the nuances of her St. Louis hometown, basing Chouteau County on a couple of real neighborhoods. Angela’s thoughtful investigative skills are augmented by her lightly sarcastic attitude. Angela is the kind of character one would want to be friends with — and certainly on the case should anything happen."
"This is a fascinating exploration of sex workers, high society, and the ways in which they feed off of one another."