by Joan Hess
—Chicago Sun Times on Dear Miss Demeanor
“Hess’s theme is a serious one, but she handles it
with wit. Claire is an appealing character, and this is an
engaging mystery for anyone who likes crime mixed
with comedy.”
—Booklist on Roll Over and Play Dead
“Hess’s style—that of a more worldly Erma Bombeck—
rarely flags. Amiable entertainment with an edge.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Joan Hess is one funny woman.”—Susan Dunlap
“Joan Hess is the funniest mystery writer to come down
the pipe since England’s incomparable Pamela Branch.
And oh, how well Joan writes.”
—Carolyn G. Hart
Other titles from St. Martin’s Minotaur Mysteries
BLUE DEER THAW by Jamie Harrison
LIE LIKE A RUG by Donna Huston Murray
A CONVENTIONAL CORPSE by Joan Hess
THE GREEN-EYED HURRICANE by Martin Hegwood
THE IRISH MANOR HOUSE MURDER by Dicey Deere
LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA by Steven Saylor
AMNESIA by G. H. Ephron
PISCES RISING by Martha C. Lawrence
A PLACE OF EXECUTION by Val McDermid
THE HEAT OF LIES by Jonathan Stone
LEAVIN’ TRUNK BLUES by Ace Atkins
FILM STRIP by Nancy Bartholomew
SET IN DARKNESS by Ian Rankin
THE BOOK OF KILLS Ralph McInerny
MURDER SETS SEED by Janis Harrison
ADVENT OF DYING by Sister Carol Anne O’Marie
A TWIST AT THE END by Steven Saylor
AN EYE FOR GOLD by Sarah Andrews
A MISTY MOURNING by Rett MacPherson
REFLECTING THE SKY by S.J. Rozan
MURDER ON THE MAURETANIA by Conrad Allen
KILL ME TENDER by Daniel Klein
St. Martin’s Paperbacks is also proud to present these mystery classics by AGATHA CHRISTIE
MURDER IS EASY
SPARKLING CYANIDE
TOWARDS ZERO
ENDLESS NIGHT
A DIET TO DIE FOR
Copyright © 1989 by Joan Hess.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
St. Martin’s Press hardcover edition published 1989
Ballantine Books Edition / April 1992
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / January 2002
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN 9781429922753
First eBook Edition : May 2011
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 89-34855