Woman with a Gun - Large Print 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 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.

From the Back Cover

This compelling thriller, from New York Times Bestseller Phillip Margolin, centers on an intriguing photograph that may contain long-hidden answers to the mystery of a millionaire's murder.

Visiting a retrospective of acclaimed photographer Kathy Moran's work, aspiring novelist Stacey Kim is entranced by the exhibition's centerpiece--the famous Woman with a Gun, which won a Pulitzer Prize and launched Moran's career.

Curious and obsessed with finding answers, Stacey discovers that the photograph's subject is Megan Cahill, suspected of killing her millionaire husband with the six-shooter on their wedding night.

But the murder was never solved and Stacey learns that everyone involved has differing opinions of Megan's culpability. The one person who may know the whole story--Kathy Moran--isn't talking. Stacey must find a way to reach her or the truth may never come to light.

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
"Woman with a Gun is an unrelenting story of suspense, as it moves back and forth between the past and the present. Author Margolin skillfully links the art of photography with fiction writing to create a masterful story of his own." - Suspense 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
Praise for Worthy Brown's Daughter: "This departure for best-selling thriller writer Margolin might appeal to fans of the acclaimed movie 12 Years a Slave." - USA Today
"Worthy Brown's Daughter is a fast and absorbing read, and Margolin's law expertise makes the book's climax...an exciting moment indeed." - Seattle Times
"[A] compelling tale of justice for sale... vibrant characters...bring the West to life.... If you like westerns or legal thrillers you will get both in Worthy Brown's Daughter." - Huffington Post
"Margolin shines in recreating pioneer life.... there's legal wrangling, murder and romance, set against the backdrop of race and frontier life. . . . his scene-setting, knowledge of the frontier and relating of the hard task of the law make for an appealing read." - Kirkus Reviews
"Margolin allows passions to sway his heroes, and generates empathy toward his crooks . . . [On] the courtroom floor, where Margolin is clearly at home, [there is] a satisfying, white-knuckle climax." - Publishers Weekly on Worthy Brown's Daughter
"The Old West comes alive in heart-wrenching, violent, and wicked racist color.... Legal thriller and western fans will stay with it to the last page. . . . Margolin's novel offers a compelling portrait of small town justice done right." - Booklist on Worthy Brown's Daughter
Praise for Phillip Margolin: "It takes a really crafty storyteller to put people on the edge of their seats and keep them there. Phillip Margolin does just that." - Chicago Tribune
"A master of plot and pacing-and one of those rare authors who can create a genuinely surprising ending." - Lisa Scottoline
Praise for Sleight of Hand: "Phillip Margolin's best book in years. Deception is prominent, and the villain is truly vile....A magician never reveals his secrets, and like the best prestidigitators, Margolin manipulates readers into believing one thing, then reveals the surprising truth. In Sleight of Hand, he has created a legal thriller that's guaranteed to mislead and shock readers." - Associated Press on Sleight of Hand
"[An] intriguing glimpse into the inner workings of the court. As always with Margolin, roller-coaster plot propels the action along, with plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting." - The Portland Oregonian on Sleight of Hand
Praise for Capitol Murder: "A good old fashioned political thriller. . . . An exciting and enjoyable mystery." - Huffington Poston Capitol Murder
"A killer follow-up. . . . Phillip Margolin's CAPITOL MURDER is like a cold shower--it grabs our attention and gets our adrenaline running." - New York Journal of Books on Capitol Murder
"A sexy summer read--the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Mixing crime and politics may make for a bad career, but it sure as hell makes for some good reading." - Cosmopolitan on Capitol Murder