Jinxed (A Jinx Fogarty Mystery)

Jinxed (A Jinx Fogarty Mystery)

Back on the comeback trail, actress Meg Barnes, beloved for her role as amateur sleuth Jinx Fogarty in a renowned detective show, assumes she’ll star as Jinx in the revamped TV series, only to discover that a young ingénue has been cast instead. Meg swallows her pride for a paycheck to coach Chelsea Horne—until temperamental Chelsea goes missing before filming begins. Meg ignores the warnings from Jack, her FBI-agent boyfriend, not to do her “Jinx thing.” But when Jinx’s iconic top hat goes missing and someone from her past is murdered, it’s clear Meg’s life—and more—is in jeopardy.<br /><br /><b>Praise for <em>Down and Out in Beverly Heels</em>:</b><br /><br />“A fast-paced story complete with eccentric characters and a plethora of mysterious twists and turns.”—<em>Publishers Weekly</em><br /><br />“An enticing, witty romp; a sparkling, Hollywood-set tale that will entertain and satisfy.”—<em>Kirkus Reviews</em><br /><br />“A classic story of love and loss spiced with mystery that will surely keep readers entertained until the very end.”—<em>Booklist</em><br /><br />“5 stars out of 5…Well-written, fast paced; has quirky characters, some great lines…and a surprising and dangerous conclusion.”—Love Romance Passion<br /><br /><b>Excerpt:</b><br /><br />“I’ll ask you again,” he says, his voice low. “Your husband’s kidnapping was a hoax. You helped him disappear, right? Where is he?”<br /><br />The FBI agent, his blinding white shirt open at the neck, leans in so close I can smell the warm raisin scent of his body. The question echoes in my mind with a dizzying sense of déjà vu. Why can’t I remember anything?<br /><br />He glances at the pages in his hand, then back to me, a sly gleam in his eye. “C’mon, you should know this, Meg.”<br /><br />Then it comes to me and I blurt, “No! “You’ve got it all wrong. I had nothing to do with his disappearance. You have to believe me!” I really do have nothing to hide, but the truth sounds strained even to my ears, especially with a pair of caramel-brown eyes looking intently into mine.<br /><br />“I know you were in on it, sweetheart, but that’s okay.” His voice is husky as he pulls me close and whispers, “Because it’s you I’m after, not him.”<br /><br />I give him a quick punch in the shoulder and burst into laughter. “I’m reporting you to the Bureau, buster. You’re not getting away with this!”<br /><br />Jack drops the script in my lap and grins. “Try me.”<br /><br />“Later.” I swing my legs up on the couch and bury my toes under his knees, wriggling them against the soft sun-bleached denim of his blue jeans. “Come on, you’re supposed to run lines with me, not make them up.” I toss the script back in his lap.