Killer Career
By: Morgan Mandel
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Choice One Publishing Co. (August 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981991602
ISBN-13: 978-0981991603
Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of writers? Particularly writers of crime, suspense, murder, you know, the more aggressive types of novels? To be honest, I have several times. What must go through the mind of someone who can write bloody brutality, torture, death, and sometimes just plain twisted scenes? Okay, so yes, Stephen King comes to mind (no offense, Mr. King!). Well, author Morgan Mandel dives into just such a notion in her latest release, Killer Career. World renowned murder mystery writer, Tyler Jensen makes his career from coming up with twisted, graphic and torturous murder mysteries, that readers of the world gobble up and can't get enough of. While at a conference, he meets lawyer and aspiring writer Julie McGuire. Julie is no push over and speaks her mind very freely. When she dares to question him, he becomes highly intrigued.
At the end of the conference, there is a contest in which a few lucky winners are allowed to meet with Tyler for a bit of personal tutoring on writing, Julie just happens to be one of the lucky winners. Julie is thrilled by this and comes to the conclusion that she must put aside her thriving career as a lawyer to pursue her writing full time. Her partner and long time friend, Dade Donovan, senses something not quite right about the all-great mystery writer, Tyler. Julie knows she is upsetting Dade and putting him in a bind, but at the same time must follow her heart and desire. Dade wonders, however, just how far this desire goes - is it just writing or is it Tyler.
Meanwhile, strange and brutal murders are taking place around the city; murders that mysteriously resemble the plots within Tyler's books. Is this coincidence, copycat or something much deeper, darker and sinister? How will Julie deal with Tyler's obsessive love for her and the blooming feelings between her and Dade?
Killer Career is filled with delightful twists, turns and satisfying suspense. Readers will have a hard time putting this down, once they have begun the first page. Ms. Mandel shows a great talent for storytelling and quickly and seamlessly draws her readers into the lives of her characters. With excellent dialog, plotting, suspense and romantic tension, Killer Career is a must read for lovers of suspense, thrillers, romance, and those just plain looking for a great book! This is my first by Morgan Mandel and I anxiously await reading more!
*overall rating 4/5
About Killer Career:
Meet Tyler Jensen, a sexy bestselling author, with serious hangups. Meet Dade Donovan, a just as sexy attorney who wakes up to his true feelings when it could be too late. Meet Julie McGuire, a burnt out lawyer, whose passion for writing leads to the death of more than one person. A lovely lawyer's career change could be a killer when her mentor,a NY Times Bestselling Author,does more than write about murders. And what about her bestfriend and partner? Does he mean more to her than she thought? Will he let her go without a fight?
Excerpt:
Julie sighed. Vacation must wait until she waded through the mounds of paperwork which claimed her
attention. Legal descriptions to examine, trials to get ready, new cases to consider, telephone messages to
answer, her duties were endless. Would she ever break loose?
She needed to remind Dade to look for a partner. He seemed to be ignoring the inevitable, as if that would
make her stay longer. He had to accept she couldn’t go on like this. It wasn’t her anymore.
She’d driven downtown early his morning instead of relaxing on the train, since she’d be working late again.
Julie swung the top of the holder closed and took a deep breath. In a few minutes she’d tear herself away
from the office and trek to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission where she’d fight for her
clients’ rights. Before that, she’d relax a few more minutes, enjoy the loons on the paperclip holder, and
think good thoughts.
Like how in a few days she’d be at the workshop. Delicious anticipation shot through her at the thought.
She loved the learning process and could hardly wait to incorporate some of it in her book. Also, she had to
admit Jensen’s continued interest in her was flattering.
It was fun daydreaming and not thinking of chores. With her mind still in the clouds, she grabbed her
briefcase and told Dee she’d be back around noon.
As she stepped into the dreaded elevator and the doors closed behind her, the familiar helpless feeling
rushed over her, making her feel faint. The slow descent began. Would the torture every stop?
It wouldn’t hurt to adopt Jensen’s advice. Transferring her fears to the typewritten page would be daring,
but ignoring them hadn’t helped. As soon as she got a chance, she’d explore that possibility.
As the doors swung open on the ground floor, she breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it. She was safe.
* * *
Julie was almost in front of the Thompson Building, when her cell phone rang.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but do you know where Dade is,” Pam, the receptionist asked.
“He didn’t say anything to me. What’s the problem?”
“Mr. Burns says Dade was supposed to meet him an hour ago at the Commission about an offer, but he
hasn’t shown up. I can’t reach him on his cell.”
“The client may have gotten the date wrong. Dade’s good at remembering appointments. Just in case, I’ll
look around for him inside. If I see him, I’ll let you know. Don’t worry, he’ll show up.”
As she replaced the phone in her purse, she smilingly admired the play of sunlight across the glass panes of
the octagonal architecture of the James R. Thompson Center, which housed the Illinois Workers’
Compensation Commission. On such a gorgeous July day, nothing could go wrong. Sure, she had tons of
work and it might take a while to follow her dream, but she’d survive.
Another good thing was her dizzy spells had vanished. They’d probably been caused by overwork. That
situation wouldn’t last forever. Her goal was within reach.
She just knew she’d win all of her cases today.
Stop woolgathering, she told herself, using a favorite phrase of her mother’s.
Upstairs on the eighth floor, she glanced around for Dade but didn’t see him. Just in case he turned up, she
left a message with the receptionist for him to call the office. She called Pam back and told her what she’d
done. After that, she gathered her client, Danny Devers, out of the waiting room. “Let’s go get ‘em,” she
said.
He flashed her a timid smile.
“Don’t be nervous. Just tell the truth.”
The man had a good case. They’d get through in no time.
Her prediction proved correct. It wasn’t long before Julie smilingly sent her client on his way. She sailed
through the next case as well, then strolled across the concourse to look for Dade. She didn’t see him in the
hallway, meeting rooms or the downstairs eating area where the attorneys often met to hash over cases.
He must have already gone back to the office.
She may as well head back too. When she saw him, she’d learn soon enough how the mix-up had occurred.
As soon as Julie stepped into the office, Pam’s frantic voice greeted her. “You didn’t see Dade at all at the
Commission?”
“No. You mean he still hasn’t called?”
Pam shook her head. “He never did. I don’t know where he is. The phones are going crazy. What do I tell
the clients?”
“Just say he’s at an emergency trial and will get back to them.”
Julie frowned. A strange uneasiness gripped her, making her terrific mood evaporate. Dade was meticulous
about advising the office of his whereabouts. Something was wrong.
Her steps quickened. Even before she reached her desk, she grabbed her cell phone from her purse and
punched the quick dial. “Be there,” she said.
It didn’t even ring. Strange. If the telephone were out of range, at least his voice mail should kick in.
Maybe his phone was broken.
Or maybe his mom was sick and he had to rush her to the hospital and didn’t have time to call. No, it couldn’
t be that. Marcia and Avery had gone to Wisconsin. They wouldn’t be back for a week.
Now what to do? Julie glanced at her watch. It was past one. Maybe she was being an alarmist, but she
couldn’t help it. What if Dade had fallen and banged his head in the shower this morning. His life’s blood
could be flowing out of him while he hung on, hoping to be rescued. God forbid, it might already be too late.
She called the operator and asked for his condominium’s office. Once she was connected, she requested a
well being check. Ten minutes of pacing passed. Julie was about to dial back when Dee’s voice rang over
the intercom, “There’s a Linda, from Dade’s building on line nine.”
Julie snatched up the receiver. “Is he all right?”
attention. Legal descriptions to examine, trials to get ready, new cases to consider, telephone messages to
answer, her duties were endless. Would she ever break loose?
She needed to remind Dade to look for a partner. He seemed to be ignoring the inevitable, as if that would
make her stay longer. He had to accept she couldn’t go on like this. It wasn’t her anymore.
She’d driven downtown early his morning instead of relaxing on the train, since she’d be working late again.
Julie swung the top of the holder closed and took a deep breath. In a few minutes she’d tear herself away
from the office and trek to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission where she’d fight for her
clients’ rights. Before that, she’d relax a few more minutes, enjoy the loons on the paperclip holder, and
think good thoughts.
Like how in a few days she’d be at the workshop. Delicious anticipation shot through her at the thought.
She loved the learning process and could hardly wait to incorporate some of it in her book. Also, she had to
admit Jensen’s continued interest in her was flattering.
It was fun daydreaming and not thinking of chores. With her mind still in the clouds, she grabbed her
briefcase and told Dee she’d be back around noon.
As she stepped into the dreaded elevator and the doors closed behind her, the familiar helpless feeling
rushed over her, making her feel faint. The slow descent began. Would the torture every stop?
It wouldn’t hurt to adopt Jensen’s advice. Transferring her fears to the typewritten page would be daring,
but ignoring them hadn’t helped. As soon as she got a chance, she’d explore that possibility.
As the doors swung open on the ground floor, she breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it. She was safe.
* * *
Julie was almost in front of the Thompson Building, when her cell phone rang.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but do you know where Dade is,” Pam, the receptionist asked.
“He didn’t say anything to me. What’s the problem?”
“Mr. Burns says Dade was supposed to meet him an hour ago at the Commission about an offer, but he
hasn’t shown up. I can’t reach him on his cell.”
“The client may have gotten the date wrong. Dade’s good at remembering appointments. Just in case, I’ll
look around for him inside. If I see him, I’ll let you know. Don’t worry, he’ll show up.”
As she replaced the phone in her purse, she smilingly admired the play of sunlight across the glass panes of
the octagonal architecture of the James R. Thompson Center, which housed the Illinois Workers’
Compensation Commission. On such a gorgeous July day, nothing could go wrong. Sure, she had tons of
work and it might take a while to follow her dream, but she’d survive.
Another good thing was her dizzy spells had vanished. They’d probably been caused by overwork. That
situation wouldn’t last forever. Her goal was within reach.
She just knew she’d win all of her cases today.
Stop woolgathering, she told herself, using a favorite phrase of her mother’s.
Upstairs on the eighth floor, she glanced around for Dade but didn’t see him. Just in case he turned up, she
left a message with the receptionist for him to call the office. She called Pam back and told her what she’d
done. After that, she gathered her client, Danny Devers, out of the waiting room. “Let’s go get ‘em,” she
said.
He flashed her a timid smile.
“Don’t be nervous. Just tell the truth.”
The man had a good case. They’d get through in no time.
Her prediction proved correct. It wasn’t long before Julie smilingly sent her client on his way. She sailed
through the next case as well, then strolled across the concourse to look for Dade. She didn’t see him in the
hallway, meeting rooms or the downstairs eating area where the attorneys often met to hash over cases.
He must have already gone back to the office.
She may as well head back too. When she saw him, she’d learn soon enough how the mix-up had occurred.
As soon as Julie stepped into the office, Pam’s frantic voice greeted her. “You didn’t see Dade at all at the
Commission?”
“No. You mean he still hasn’t called?”
Pam shook her head. “He never did. I don’t know where he is. The phones are going crazy. What do I tell
the clients?”
“Just say he’s at an emergency trial and will get back to them.”
Julie frowned. A strange uneasiness gripped her, making her terrific mood evaporate. Dade was meticulous
about advising the office of his whereabouts. Something was wrong.
Her steps quickened. Even before she reached her desk, she grabbed her cell phone from her purse and
punched the quick dial. “Be there,” she said.
It didn’t even ring. Strange. If the telephone were out of range, at least his voice mail should kick in.
Maybe his phone was broken.
Or maybe his mom was sick and he had to rush her to the hospital and didn’t have time to call. No, it couldn’
t be that. Marcia and Avery had gone to Wisconsin. They wouldn’t be back for a week.
Now what to do? Julie glanced at her watch. It was past one. Maybe she was being an alarmist, but she
couldn’t help it. What if Dade had fallen and banged his head in the shower this morning. His life’s blood
could be flowing out of him while he hung on, hoping to be rescued. God forbid, it might already be too late.
She called the operator and asked for his condominium’s office. Once she was connected, she requested a
well being check. Ten minutes of pacing passed. Julie was about to dial back when Dee’s voice rang over
the intercom, “There’s a Linda, from Dade’s building on line nine.”
Julie snatched up the receiver. “Is he all right?”
About Morgan Mandel:
Morgan Mandel creates romances and mysteries onboard the Metra commuter train to and from her day job as an administrative assistant in Chicago´s Loop. She and her husband, Paul, enjoy suburban life with their dog, Rascal, who lives up to her name.
Morgan´s mystery, TWO WRONGS, a tale of revenge and a second chance at love, and her romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, a Cinderella story about a reality show contestant, are out now.
Morgan is the Library Liaison for the Midwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She is also a past president of the Chicago-North Chapter of Romance Writers of America®, where she´s served in many other capacities on the board and is still an active member. She also belongs to Sisters in Crime and EPIC.
Be sure to visit Morgan's website (click here) for great info and all of the wonderful links to her blogs, additional websites, signings, etc!
