Perusing The Novels

“Ariel Quigley is back and brings with her another strange cast of characters. There are the Loo-Loo girls who take their name from, you guessed it, the Loo. There’s a swindle straight off the front page of today’s newspapers and a custody battle between Ariel’s client, Jessamine, and her ex-husband, who is, you will discover, a bit strange. Throw in the granddaddy of all Halloween parties, food on almost every page, and oh, almost forgot, murders, and you have a mystery that will nail you to the couch until the last Tarot card is read. And, lest you think Finkelstein and Smily left out Ariel’s ghostly companions, they didn’t. They are on Ariel’s shoulder—sometimes helping, sometimes irritating, sometimes . . . ? Read The Lawyer Who Died Trying. You’ll smile, you’ll snack, and you’ll love the woo-woo.”

Randy Rawls, author of the Ace Edwards, Dallas PI Series

“Sexy, smart Ariel Quigley is back, and she's on a romp through the occult, assisted by ghostly crime-solving companions and facing very earthly scam artists, peppered with a mix of 17th century history and ancient occultism. If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity, meet these two funny, lively writers in person!” 

Jo Dereske, author of the Miss Zukas series, the Ruby Crane mysteries, and books for young people

"Addictive and lighthearted, The Lawyer Who Died Trying boasts a cast of characters that I feel belong in my living room. If learning about different viewpoints was always this much fun, more college students would read their textbooks. Finkelstein and Smily manage to create a world that instructs without preaching, entertains without boring, and demands the attention of the reader well into the wee hours of the morning—I couldn't put it down." 

Amber Kent Wardwell, Beech Grove, Indiana, Public Library

“Finkelstein and Smily have done it again! The Lawyer Who Died Trying is a delightful and satisfying mix of murder, romance, unusual characters, exotic religion, ghosts, delicious sounding food, and plenty of suspense. And Ariel Quiqley is a fascinating heroine: a college instructor, a writer, and a psychic. Highly recommended for all mystery lovers.” 

Marilyn Meredith, author of Calling the Dead and Wishing Makes It So, awarded Best Thriller of 2006 by AAA 

“Finkelstein and Smily’s Ariel Quigley is back, and this time we get to know the character even better than we did in her first adventure. And the more we know about Ariel, the more we love her! This second case is even more challenging than the first, but the police procedurals and forensic are handled beautifully, with meticulous attention to detail. And finally, this book is hotter than the first—but then, Alexandria is known as the ‘fun side of the Potomac.’ Anybody who loves Alexandria will love this book.” 

Amy Bertsch, Public Information Officer, Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria, VA 

"Ghosts, love, murder, and betrayal...A Lawyer Who Died Trying has it all. This finely crafted and satisfying read will keep all fans of Ariel Quigley eagerly awaiting her next adventure."

Heather Webber, Agatha Award nominee and author of the Nina Quinn series: A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Digging up Trouble, and Trouble in Bloom  

“Finkelstein and Smily have done a superb job! Don't miss this one! The second tale in the series starring Ariel Quigley, Finkelstein and Smily's loveably cute Ghost Detective, is full of twists, surprises, red herrings, and heart-stopping suspense.” 

P. Arleen Charles, author "Of Love, Youth, and Truth, a Reflexion"

This website and all the material presented herein is copyright © 2006
by Honora Finkelstein and Susan Smily.

Updated: 02/04/2008