The Miracle Strip (30 page)

“From the first page, I was captivated by the genuine and distinctive voice of Sierra Lavotini.”

—Jeremiah Healy, author of
The Stalking of Sheilah Quinn
and
The Only Good Lawyer

“Nancy Bartholomew is a major new talent in the mystery field. Her characters crackle to life and her tale moves without a false note and at a pace that should be the envy of many well-known writers in the field who have forgotten that character, story and pace are all essential. Nancy is terrific. I look forward to her next novel and will consume it the day it arrives.”

—Stuart M. Kaminsky, author of
The Dog Who Bit a Policeman

“From the first sentence, THE MIRACLE STRIP grips you by the scruff and zips you along … Humor abounds, dialogue rings true, and the situation is outrageous. A triumph of a first novel.”

—Clay Harvey, author of
A Flash of Red

“Fasten your seat belts because you're in for a wild ride with this amazingly funny and suspenseful debut novel. Ms. Bartholomew has created a magnificent take-no-prisoners heroine who is a true delight.”

—
Romantic Times

“A zany, satirical, and ultra-humorous look at the ever growing Florida literary detective community. The story line contains a wonderful who-dun-it, a great supporting cast, and a bubbly lead protagonist who will disrobe readers of any inhibitions … A miracle mix.”

—
The Midwest Book Review

OTHER TITLES FROM
ST. MARTIN'S MINOTAUR MYSTERIES

THE HANGING GARDEN

by Ian Rankin

THE MANGO OPERA

by Tom Corcoran

ZEN AND THE ART OF MURDER

by Elizabeth M. Cosin

THE MIRACLE STRIP

by Nancy Bartholomew

THE MURDER AT THE MURDER AT THE MIMOSA INN

by Joan Hess

BREAD ON ARRIVAL

by Lou Jane Temple

BIGGIE AND THE FRICASSEED FAT MAN

by Nancy Bell

MOODY FOREVER

by Steve Oliver

Minotaur is also proud to present these mystery classics by Ngaio Marsh

TIED UP IN TINSEL

VINTAGE MURDER

WHEN IN ROME

THE MIRACLE STRIP

Copyright © 1998 by Nancy Bartholomew Long.

Excerpt from
Drag Strip
© 1999 by Nancy Bartholomew Long.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-7330

ISBN: 0-312-97095-1

St, Martin's Press hardcover edition / September 1998

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / October 1999

eISBN 9781466856929

First eBook edition: October 2013