“… an Event Planner… Death Planner… some caterer of murder.”

The opening piece on the beach would be an amazing opening scene for a movie! I enjoyed this book, and the character of Michael (Ms.) Tree! Good pace to the story, and a few twists at the end to boot! Also, my kinda dialogue! -

“You must be the little woman.”
“And you must be the dead whore.”

“He did. Stood there in his well-tanned, dick-dangling glory, with his hands up and his chin down.”

I'm definitely interested to check out the graphic novels now! ( )

Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins

Marcy killed her husband and the prostitute he was with, complete confession, no denying (it). Ms. Michael Tree, a Private Investigator, see more to the case. As She digs deeper, it appears there could be a connection to her Husbands death as well. With her life in danger she will stop at nothing to solve this crime.

A classic feel with intense moments, secrets, danger and plot twists. I was pulled in from the beginning until the end. Ms Tree is very likable, tough and determined. Overall I found Deadly Beloved very enjoyable. I highly recommend to those who like hard-case crime noir. ( )

A film noir type of book set in Chicago when Ms. Michael Tree is brought into investigate a murder where the woman is found over the bodies holding the gun. She finds the trail she has been seeking which involved her own husband's murder.

This was a good one, a quick read. I liked Michael Tree. She bold. She's kick-ass. Look out! I like the film noir feeling to the story. I also figured out one who was involved. Watching her go for that one and the rest was so good. I hope to find more with Michael Tree on the case. ( )

Apparently, Collins has also been known for his comic/ graphic novels about Ms Tree, the toughest woman PI in the business. Ms Tree worked with her husband, the head of the firm, who is murdered on their wedding night in a cheap motel near the airport. Having never heard of Ms Tree before, I had no preconceptions about what to expect in
this Hard Case Crime book.

It begins with a bang -- live action. It then alternates story lines with visits to Ms Tree's psychologist. Who wouldn't need one after a wedding night like that?
Ms Tree is hired to investigate a murder. Wife catches husband in the act with a sleazy hooker in a cheap no-tell motel. Wife guns down both the husband and the hooker. Although at times a little confusing, the story rockets ahead with
bodies flying left and right. A well told tale as Ms Tree connects the dots often without a second to spare. ( )

Michael Tree takes on a case that looks open and shut because there is something that is just not quite right. Are the murder victims the only victims or is the murderer also a victim. Is there a link between this murder and the murder of Michael's husband Michael Tree (yup, same names) that happened on their wedding night? Are the present and the past linked.
The characters are interesting and the curves wide yet tight. A female detective that can be sexy and deadly.
The backstory of this character and story is published at the back of the book and makes for a good read also. ( )