Murder by Definition - (42nd Street Library Mystery) by Con Lehane

About the Book

When Ray Ambler, crime-fiction curator at New York City's prestigious 42nd Street Library, buys the archive of a disgraced hardboiled crime writer, he expects controversy - and he soon gets it. But what he doesn't expect is to find an unpublished short story that implies a dirty cop has got away with murder: in real life, not just in fiction ...

Book Synopsis

Crime-fiction librarian Ray Ambler gets more than he bargained for when he acquires the archives of a controversial hardboiled crime author in this contemporary twisty mystery set in New York City.

Hardboiled crime writer Will Ford might be critically acclaimed, but he's every bit as debauched and disreputable as the ne'er-do-well private eye in his novels. So when Ford offers Raymond Ambler - crime-fiction curator at New York City's prestigious 42nd Street Library - a collection of his papers, Ambler wonders if the project will be more trouble than it's worth. Still, the disgraced author is an important talent, and Ambler's never been afraid of a fight.

Ambler's ready for the controversy that greets news of the acquisition. He's not ready, however, for what he finds when he finally receives the papers: a gripping unpublished short story apparently based on a real case, with an explosive author's note. If it's true, there's been a shocking coverup at the heart of the NYPD - and a cop has got away with murder.

If it's true. Ford's not talking, and Ambler's good friend Mike Cosgrove, a veteran NYPD homicide detective, is beyond skeptical. But as the pair investigate, they're drawn into the sordid underbelly of 1990s New York, packed with renegade cops, thugs and mobsters . . . and they'll be lucky to come back out alive.

Gritty and fast-paced, this story of police corruption, murder and mayhem is a great choice for fans of traditional mysteries with complex plotting, atmospheric settings and red herrings a plenty!

Review Quotes

Lehane's
complex follow-up to Murder Off the Page will interest fans of the bleak series and
readers who enjoy cold-case stories-- "Library Journal"

Lots of fun-- "Booklist"

Intriguing . . . Those with a taste for noir lite will want to check this out-- "Publishers Weekly"

A conscientious valentine whose librarians come off a lot better than its cops-- "Kirkus Reviews"

A fun read for mystery buffs and librarians alike-- "Library Journal on Murder at the 42nd Street Library"

An apt choice for bibliophiles and those who like a New York City setting-- "Booklist on Murder off the Page"

Atmospheric setting . . . Those who love New York City and libraries will be rewarded-- "Publishers Weekly on Murder off the Page"

Con Lehane's Murder at the 42nd Street Library offers up a masterful tale of intrigue, jealousy, and revenge in the grand tradition of Ross Macdonald. Not to be missed-- " Megan Abbott author of The Turnout "

Enjoyable first in a new series-- "Publishers Weekly on Murder at the 42nd Street Library"

Fans and new readers will enjoy solving Ambler's latest puzzle-- "Booklist on Murder off the Page"

Intense, thought-provoking-- "Library Journal on Murder in the Manuscript Room"

Plot twists and multiple points of view add to a gritty, complex tale that weaves details of library work and references to crime novels throughout the story-- "Booklist on Murder in the Manuscript Room"

The complicated Ray . . . looks like a promising newcomer in the talented-amateur ranks-- "Kirkus Reviews on Murder at the 42nd Street Library"

About the Author

Con Lehane lives in Washington, D.C. He is the author of the 42nd Street Library mysteries, featuring Raymond Ambler, curator of the library's (fictional) crime fiction collection. He's also the author of three mysteries featuring New York City bartender Brian McNulty, and has published short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.