Flies in the Punch Bowl
by Erika Simms
“An intoxicating mix of escapade, sass, and olives.” — Samuel Clare Knights, PEN Award-winning author
“A superior story… highly recommended for anyone looking for a rollicking good read.” — Midwest Book Review
Seattle’s finest are reeling from a spree of unsolved art thefts. Annabel Riley—an adventurous art aficionado eager to rebuild her career after a wily art forger derailed it—has just entered the scene. After witnessing a suspicious chain of events at a resurrected prohibition speakeasy that seems linked to the thefts, Annabel sees an opportunity to restore her reputation. But only if she can identify the culprit.
With promises of glory and absinthe martinis, she convinces close friends Evan Neruda, a struggling journalist with Latin charm, and Lyla Finch, a corporate worker bee with an irreverent streak, to help her investigate the thefts. Humorous interactions abound as their paths collide with a zany ensemble of characters. But as the friends dig deeper into the crimes, the facts become murky, the list of suspects grows, and in a startling crescendo, Annabel finds herself face-to-face with the perils of pursuing the truth.
Erika Simms
Erika Simms is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Business. She spent several years working in the technology industry before transitioning to writing. After publishing Flies in the Punch Bowl, she created Colorado Culture Magazine. Erika was born in Anchorage, raised in Seattle, and calls Denver home.
PRAISE
Pair an original voice, realistic characters and motives, and solid descriptions of artistic circles and Seattle society for a superior, engrossing, fun story that is highly recommended not just for mystery fans, but for anyone looking for a rollicking good read. – Midwest Book Review
Simms tends to details with hypnotizing mystique that butters the reader up by way of a page-turning binge. Here we drink in a mystery poured over thirty-eight chapters that poke the bear with an intoxicating mix of escapade, sass, and olives. – Samuel Clare Knights, PEN Award-winning author of The Manual Alphabet
Flies in the Punch Bowl is a brisk, energetic mystery, which is reminiscent of a caper style adventure. Recommended to all mystery lovers. – InD’Tale Magazine
Cleverly written, colorful characters and laugh out loud wittiness abound in this wonderful mystery tale. Great flow, amusing characters and vivid details capture the reader. – Aspen Tree Reviews
WHERE TO BUY
Flies in the Punch Bowl is available in paperback and ebook formats everywhere books are sold.