Remember Naked Came the Manatee? This is the same sort of deal: The thirteen chapters are each written by a different author in the tradition of that 1969 book, Naked Came the Stranger.
Stranger was purportedly written by a Connecticut housewife named Penelope Ashe but was in reality written by 24 Newsday journalists. Editor Marcia Talley was approached by her publisher to do the book. She knew Val McDermid and Laurie King, and then contacted several other authors about the project, including Nevada Barr, Lisa Scottoline, and the sisters Perri (Mary and Pamela) O'Shaughnessy. Each was given a month to complete her chapter.
One of the things I really liked about Naked Came the Manatee was how each chapter demonstrated the author's style. In Phoenix, the chapters flow together so seamlessly, you forget you're reading a serial. I was particularly impressed with how well Laurie King wrapped up every loose end the others had created.
The writing is pretty light. Caroline Blessing, our heroine, takes her grieving mother to the Phoenix Spa for some R&R. It isn't long before trouble finds Caroline - the spa's owner is murdered and left in a mud bath. The story begins twisting there and keeps winding tighter until the end. The characters are colorful and witty. It's a fun read.
Mississippi author Nevada Barr is the award-winning author of the Anna Pigeon mystery series - the latest is Blood Lure. She is currently working on her tenth novel.
Mary Jane Clark is a producer and writer at CBS News, as well as the author of media thrillers Do You Want to Know a Secret? (1998), Do You Promise Not to Tell? (1999), Let Me Whisper In Your Ear (2000), and Close To You, which came out in September 2001.
Diana Gabaldon has just completed the fifth volume in her award-winning "Outlander" series - The Fiery Cross - and is heading out on tour soon.
J.A. Jance writes two police procedural series featuring Detective J.P. Beaumont (12 titles) and Sheriff Joanna Brady (9 titles).
Faye Kellerman is the author of 15 novels, including Stalker: A Novel and The Forgotten.
Laurie R. King writes two crime fiction series and has published 11 novels. Her most recent work is Folly (2001). She has won the Edgar, the Creasey, and the Nero Wolfe awards, and has been nominated for many others.
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