Third Woman

Third Woman is the thrilling fourth book in the 1940s noir female detective series Elvira Slate Investigations.

This gripping whodunnit follows Elvira Slate as she pursues an elusive third woman to solve a complex murder mystery only to be confronted by darker sides of herself which threaten those who have protected her.

It's 1946, Los Angeles. Fugitive from justice turned private eye Elvira Slate faces a cold case that she has no desire to investigate - locating the long-lost daughter of a deceased movie star in Europe, where her enemies lurk and where the British authorities wrongly believe she is a cold-blooded murderer. Luckily, with no leads, she can safely ignore it, and continue with the mundane and petty cases of romantic trifles brought to her by her model clients from a local agency. 

But when a tragic woman arrives, staking her claim that she is the true daughter of the actress, and that she has fled post-war Vienna to be reunited with her mother, Elvira and her mentor Beatty Falaise have no choice but to vet her. To Elvira's relief, Beatty immediately pegs the woman as a for a phony out for a big inheritance payday - that is, until later that very same day, the woman's body is discovered dead, cause of death unknown. 

Elvira has no choice but to investigate the imposter's true identity and cause of death. Suspecting foul play, and that a wider racket is behind a nefarious scam, Elvira is soon immersed in the worlds of women's magazines, half-way houses for female ex-cons, and celebrity shrinks. With no clear leads and tenuous suspects, she is about to give up when one of the suspects is brutally murdered. A third woman could have all the answers, but she is impossible to identify. 

Meanwhile, the investigation has reignited Elvira's inappropriate and steamy romance with LAPD vice cop Lauder who is burdened with his own troubles. The affair triggers overwhelming desire in Elvira, leading to impulsive behavior. Her risk-taking carries dangerous consequences, and soon she is consumed by guilt that her very nature will always jeopardize the lives of those who have protected her. Heading for a major mental health meltdown, Elvira can't focus on the case and is forced to get help. Salvation comes in the psychoanalysis and delving deep into her psyche and her past. Her unresolved mother-daughter wounds and the scars they have left can finally can be confronted.

Can Elvira recover in time to prevent the murderer from killing more innocents? She has no option but rebirth - whatever the cost - or die. 

Third Woman is a psychological thriller, murder mystery with dark romance, presenting a major turning point in the life of female protagonist Elvira Slate. The perfect read for fans of 1940s crime noir, historical female detective series, and feminist fiction.