Woman with a Gun - by Phillip Margolin (Paperback)

About the Book

New York Times bestselling master of mystery Phillip Margolin transcends his traditional territory in this new and different book, a haunting thriller inspired by an unforgettable photograph.

Visiting an art museum displaying a retrospective of acclaimed photographer Kathy Moran's work, aspiring novelist Stacey Kim is stunned by the photo at the center of the show--the famous "Woman with a Gun," which won a Pulitzer Prize and launched the photographer's career. Shot from behind, the enigmatic black-and-white image is a picture of a woman in a wedding dress, standing on the shore at night, facing the sea. Behind her back, she holds a six-shooter.

The image captures Stacey's imagination, raising a host of compelling questions. Has the woman killed her husband on their wedding night? Is she going to commit suicide? Is she waiting for someone she plans to kill? Obsessed with finding answers, Stacey discovers that the woman in the photograph is Megan Cahill, suspected of killing her husband, millionaire Raymond Cahill, with the six-shooter on their wedding night. But the murder was never solved.

Drawn deeper into the case, Stacey finds that everyone involved has a different opinion of Megan's culpability. But the one person who may know the whole story--Kathy Moran--isn't talking. Stacey must find a way to get to the reclusive photographer or the truth may never see the light of day.

Book Synopsis

New York Times Bestselling Author
New York Times bestselling master of mystery Phillip Margolin transcends his traditional territory in this new and different book, a haunting thriller inspired by an unforgettable photograph

At a retrospective on the work of acclaimed photographer Kathy Moran, aspiring novelist Stacey Kim is fascinated by the exhibition's centerpiece: the famous Woman with a Gun, which launched the artist's career. Shot from behind, the enigmatic black-and-white image depicts a woman in a wedding dress standing on the shore at night, facing the sea. But this is no serene, romantic portrait. In her right hand, which is hidden behind her back, she holds a six-shooter.

The picture captures Stacey's imagination and raises a host of compelling questions: Who is this woman? Is this a photograph of her on her wedding day? Does she plan to kill herself or someone else? Obsessed with finding answers, she soon discovers the identity of the woman: a suspect in a ten-year-old murder investigation. Convinced that proof of the woman's guilt, or innocence, is somehow connected to the photograph, Stacey embarks on a relentless investigation.

Drawn deeper into the case, Stacey finds that everyone involved has a different opinion of the woman's culpability. But the one person who may know the whole story--Kathy Moran--isn't talking. Stacey must find a way to get to the reclusive photographer, and get her to talk, or the truth about what happened that day will stay forever hidden in the shadows.

From the Back Cover

At a retrospective on the work of acclaimed photographer Kathy Moran, aspiring novelist Stacey Kim is fascinated by the exhibition's centerpiece: the famous Woman with a Gun, which launched the artist's career. Shot from behind, the enigmatic black-and-white image depicts a woman in a wedding dress standing on the shore, facing the sea. But this is no serene, romantic portrait. Behind her back, she holds a six-shooter.

The picture captures Stacey's imagination and raises compelling questions: Who is this woman? And why does she have a gun? Obsessed with finding answers, Stacey soon discovers the identity of the woman: a suspect in an unsolved ten-year-old murder investigation. Convinced that proof of the woman's guilt, or innocence, is somehow connected to the photograph, Stacey embarks on a relentless investigation.

Drawn deeper into the case, Stacey discovers that the one person who may know the whole story--Kathy Moran--isn't talking. Stacey must find a way to get to the reclusive photographer and make her tell the truth about what happened that fateful day.

Review Quotes

"Margolin sets up Woman With a Gun in such a compelling way that it's vital to find how what actually did happen in the Cahill home." - South Florida Sun Sentinel
"Margolin is in his element with this crime thriller." - Statesman Journal (Oregon)
"Margolin...knows how to entertain. Like his inspirations, he gives us plenty of gems: shocking situations met with clever wisecracks; sordid personal histories that tumble out in a moment of panic; broken souls who confess their love only when it's all too late." - The Oregonian (Portland)
"Margolin's tale is modern, but his similarity to Dashiell Hammett and other old-school originals is evident on every page of Woman with a Gun; he knows how to entertain. Like his inspirations, he gives us plenty of gems: shocking situations met with clever wisecracks; sordid personal histories that tumble out in a moment of panic; broken souls who confess their love only when it's all too late, and the cops are moving in. Times may change, Margolin reminds us, but heart is still a mystery, even when it's clad in fleece." - The Oregonian (Portland)
"Authors gather inspiration from everything. It can be a picture, a newspaper story, memories or personal experiences. The black and white photograph on the cover compelled author Phillip Margolin to create this thriller and also drew me in." - Entertainment Realm
"Woman With A Gun is fueled by a very intriguing picture and well developed characters.... [A] page-turner story." - Military Press
"For fans of contemporary thrillers and mysteries, give Woman With A Gun a read." - Daily Dosage
"Woman with a Gun is fueled by a very intriguing picture and well developed characters.... Readers are kept off balance, suspecting many different characters as the killer, as they engage in this page-turner story." - MyShelf.com
"With such a fascinating picture to work from, the talented novelist has written a riveting story reminiscent of the classic detective stories of the 1930s... Phillip Margolin's Woman With a Gun shows that the classic mystery never goes out of style." - Iron Mountain Daily News
"This is hands down the best thing Margolin has written in years... In terms of storytelling skill, the book hearkens back to Margolin's early, topnotch novels like After Dark (1995) and The Last Innocent Man (1981). It's a welcome return to form." - Booklist
".... Margolin deliver[s] one of his cleverest cases." - Kirkus Reviews
"Woman with a Gun is instantly engaging from page one and thoroughly entertaining.... [T]here's the stunning Oregon coast as the setting, a baffling murder, a cunning killer and some romance thrown in for added dimension." - Bookreporter
"Margolin has given us a picture of murder. His story is ingenious, and the interaction of his characters is both interesting and exciting... If you enjoy suspense and romance you will want this for your library. The mystery is solid, and the ingenuity of the events leading up to it keep you guessing." - BlogCritics
"Margolin's latest mystery centers on an unusual photograph that naturally lends itself to speculation about the circumstances behind it. Like the photo, the fast-paced novel brings up lots of questions. Moving back and forth between events covering a 10-year span, the story pulls the reader into a puzzling web of fascinating characters. The mystery is well plotted and the conclusion is surprising and satisfying." - Romantic Times Book Review
"In the hands of Phillip Margolin, nothing is ever simple and no one is really safe. He is the master of suspense mystery." - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers
"Margolin knows how to pack in the thrills." - Tess Gerritsen