At first, I was a little skeeved out by Meredith’s premise for Posed for Murder. A photographer who recreates famous murders for art prints? Ummm, not sure.
But then I started reading and I loved Lydia right away. I mean, first of all, there’s all those amazing vintage clothes, but that’s a whole, other post. Mostly, I liked Lydia for her artwork.
Lydia, it turns out, is almost as skeeved out by her photographs as I was. She is, I came to understand as I kept reading, a pure soul, haunted by the paradox of beauty within terror.
I think it’s unusual for a murder to mystery to reflect on its own genre in this way, and I think Meredith’s done so in a clever and smart manner, playing off the tension between the real and the imaginary, art and action. In the end, it’s what makes her book more than just a killer-thriller. You’ll put the book down totally satisfied, wondering what will happen next with Lydia and that hot dectective, and then, hours later, you’ll start thinking about those photographs and, I promise you, they’ll haunt you, too.
Rush out now and get a copy of Posed for Murder! Or leave a comment and enter our contest to win a free copy! Or, better yet, do both!
Meredith, well done and good luck! I hope this is the start of many more novels.
Thanks Tiffany! I’m glad that the book so far is appealing to people who don’t ordinarily read mysteries (as well as people who do). And I’m glad the photos didn’t skeeve you out too much–I try not to go into too much detail on anything too gross…
Well said, Tiffany! Lydia isn’t into the shock value, not at all. She brings life to these women by recreating their (forgotten) deaths.
I really did enjoy the novel. And Lydia is a lovely guide into the world of art, funky Brooklyn, really funky vintage garb, and, of course, murder.
Hope your book does great things, Meredith!
About ten years or so ago, I went to an Andre Serrano exhibit of still life close-up details of bodies from the city morgue. Before you get too skeeved out, it wasn’t my idea. But I’m glad I went. Somehow, his photographs gave a dignity to people whose lives perhaps did not end in such a dignified manner, especially since most of those remains were probably headed for Potter’s Field. So, it was sort of a memorial for them. Yes, there’s special providence in the fall of a sparrow, but modern society makes certain segments “invisible.” Serrano’s portraits gave them a visibility and a memorial among a population who would have ignored them in real life. If I may misquote another play, yes, attention must be paid.
Thanks Rhonda! What an interesting show–thanks for telling me about it. I’m glad that Serrano’s photos gave some dignity to the dead, and helped make the invisible more visible.
I hope that people will see that Lydia’s pictures in POSED FOR MURDER attempt to do the same with the “lost girls.” Although she is not taking actual pictures of the dead, I wanted to make sure she was respectful of the women’s memories and didn’t exploit them.
I love the premise of POSED FOR MURDER. Looking forward to reading it.
Rhonda, so true. It’s easy to put things out of our minds, but as Lydia believes in Posed for Murder, humans deserve better.
When focusing on the subject of murders and death, I instantly think of another recent debut, TETHERED! You’re in good company, Meredith.
I haven’t had a chance to read TETHERED! yet–but it sounds intriguing. Thanks for the recommendation, Larramie.
I love reading the comments of the bloggers about Posed for Murder. Thanks for giving us a chance at the drawing!
I love the combination of the arts of photography and writing as the theme of this book, and I can’t wait to get my own signed copy from Meredith. Now, I just need to figure out when we’re both going to be in the same place at the same time!
I love the cover of the book and I have read a couple of great reviews. Would love a chance to wina copy. In fact, I am going to do both, buy a copy and enter the contest 🙂