Model Murder (Conrad)

A Model Murder  (Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy, 1)
Celia Conrad, 2011
Barcham Books
341 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780954623326


Summary
A Model Murder is a fast-paced mystery that draws scary, sometimes hilarious, parallels between alpha males in strip clubs and law firms.

This first book in the Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy introduces Alicia Allen, a 29-year-old London Anglo-Italian lawyer whose desire for Pringles is matched only by her desire to solve crime. When her neighbor—a beautiful aspiring Australian model—is found raped and murdered before she can pick up her first paycheck at a sleazy “hostess” club, Alicia ignites with such passion to bring the wrongdoer to justice, it would make even Portia envious.

As her dangerous quest draws her into the dark world of exploitative “hostess clubs,” Alicia finds herself facing similar circumstances in a new law firm where alpha males roam the halls in solicitor suits intimidating or stalking undervalued female coworkers. Worse luck, the deeper she delves into the investigation, the more her comfortable world falls apart. Friends are viciously attacked...potential lovers may not be what they seem...clues pop up in Italian opera, Shakespeare, and a cat.

Alicia soon finds her willingness to risk her own life for the sake of justice is sorely put to the test in a world where Fate plays no small role. (From the publisher.)

This is the first book in the Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy. Wilful Murder (2012) is the second, and Murder in Hand (2012) is the third.

Author Bio
• Birth—N/A
• Where—London, England, UK
• Education—J.D., University of London
• Currently—lives in West London, England


Celia Conrad is a British author who shares similarities with the heroine of her Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy in her own Anglo-Italian heritage and solicitor experience (aka "lawyer" in the U.S.). Together they share an enthusiasm for crime solving, Shakespeare, All Things Italian and, of course, Pringles. A Model Murder was her debut novel, written at the suggestion of a mentor who encouraged her to write mysteries based on real-life stories she has encountered while working within the law. She followed it with Wilful Murder and Murder in Hand, Books 2 and 3, respectively in the Alicia Allen Investigates series. (From the author.)

Visit the author's website.
Follow Celia on Facebook.

Book Reviews
Conrad draws disturbing, often painfully entertaining, parallels between strip clubs and law firms where Neanderthals still roam the Earth. Her down-to-earth heroine has no superpowers of intuition and deduction, but is quite simply a good neighbor who will stop at nothing until a wrong is made right. All clues are juggled in midair until the breathtaking conclusion: no small feat for a first-time author.
Midwest Book Review


A craftily woven tale of friendship, deception and murder.
Maria Miller -  Amazon U.S.


A subtle satire about the law and lawyers. Here is a debut thriller that kept me page turning until the final unexpected twist.
Multrus - Amazon U.K.


Like a delicious meal cooked with love, you will want to savour every mouthful slowly and nibble every morsel. And once completed, enjoy the memory of a satisfying experience yet not wanting the moment to end.
Hermes 3Magistus - Amazon U.K.

 

Gripping suspense...Celia Conrad has woven a wonderful tapestry of complex and interesting characters, not a few of whom are potential suspects in a horrific murder.
Robert Worden - Amazon U.S.

 

A contemporary murder mystery written in a straightforward style with discreet clues and naturalistic dialogue. Conrad reserves plot intricacies until the unexpected denouement.
C.S. England - Amazon U.K.

Discussion Questions
1. What makes Alicia unique as a character? What do you think her passions are? How do your own passions manifest in your life?

2. What do you think drives Alicia in her quest to find the murderer? Why does she choose to get so embroiled in the investigation?

3. How do you feel Alicia’s Anglo-Italian background influences her personality and decisions? How are the other characters influenced by her multi-cultural heritage?

4. In what ways can you relate to having a multi-cultural background or perspective, or do you know someone who does? How is this useful?

5. What did you think about Ivano’s character and Alicia’s feelings towards him? How do your feelings towards him change as the plot unfolds?

6. How did you feel about the character of Cesare and Alicia’s relationship with him?

7. How do you feel about the character of Alex and Alicia’s involvement with him?

8. How did you feel about Alicia’s interaction with the police?

9. What do you think about Alicia’s relationships with women in her personal life? Did you suspect that any of her “friends” might turn out to have something to do with Tammy’s murder?

10. What do you think about Teresa’s character and Alicia’s professional relationship with her? How do your feelings towards her change as the plot unfolds?

11, Did you suspect any of Alicia’s co-workers might be the murderer or have something to do with the murder?

12. What do you think the author wishes to portray about the nature of sleazy clubs and law firms?

13. What insight does this book give you into the working life of a young female lawyer?

14. How do you feel about the action leading up to Tammy’s murder? Did you wonder how the story was going to develop or why certain characters were being introduced in the way they were at a specific point in the plot?

15. How did you feel about Alicia’s elderly neighbour Dorothy, and what happens to her?

16. How were the references to opera and Shakespeare relevant to plot and character?

17. What was your reaction when the identity of the murderer was revealed?

18. What does the novel tell you about good and evil and the distinction between them?

19. What part do you feel Fate plays in the story?

20. How do you feel about the way language and culture is portrayed? Did you learn anything new about Italian or Australian culture? If you are American, did you learn anything new about British language or food?"

21. A Model Murder is the first book of a trilogy. Certain characters appear in the remaining parts of the trilogy. Which characters do you envisage returning, which characters would you like to see return and how would you like Alicia’s relationship with those characters to develop?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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