Sometimes this is exactly the type of mystery you need. Just enough intrigue without the crazy goriness and grossness that goes along with some. I did not realize this was a a series but that’s ok it was still very enjoyable and I was able to understand what was happening and didn’t feel lost. Thank you NetGalley for the early read.

Did I realize that this was book 13 in a series...no...I did not. Will I be reading the other 12 books, yes. My TBR has grown thanks to this author. Excellently written.

Muriel Cantrell owns a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud; less than 3000 of them were produced. No one in the coop building knows where Muriel's money comes from, she carries $2,000 with her on a regular basis. One day a week she shops for shoes; one day a week she shops, being partial to Chanel suits; one day a week she has lunch with her dear friend and on Friday, they play bridge together. On Halloween, Muriel is murdered and her purse is stolen. Stewart Hoag is drawn into the case because Muriel lived in his building and he liked her...a lot. As Steward and Lieutenant Romaine Very investigate, they discover Muriel was the girlfriend of a former Mafia head and all of her money is in cash, located in various safe deposit boxes around the city. An interesting twisty plot with amiable characters.

Writer and, most recently ghostwriter, Stewart Hoag, is back with his ex-wife, sensational movie star, Merilee Nash, and he couldn’t be happier. His life is finally turning around and the ideas for his next book are literally rolling off the typewriter.

Everything seems to moving in the right direction for Hoagy and his beloved basset hound, Lulu. That is, until a sweet 75 year-old resident in Merilee’s apartment building dies under suspicious circumstance. Enter Hoagy and Lulu who help NYPD Lieutenant Romaine Very investigate the case.

The Lady in the Silver Cloud is the latest book in the Stewart Hoag mystery series by David Handler. A cozy with a bit of an edge, it is a well-written book, with humor, a good plot, and great characters. And don’t forget Lulu, the anchovy-eating dog and Hoagy’s constant companion and protector. She is certainly one of the stars of this series.

All in all, Mr Handler’s latest book is a very enjoyable read and I am not-so-patiently waiting for the next adventures of Hoagy, Merilee, and Lulu!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book

Another entertaining and compelling Stewart Hoag mystery, I read other before and always had a lot of fun in reading them.
It's a solid mystery that kept me guessing and having fun till the end. I liked the descriptions of the building and its inhabitants even if the side characters are bit on the caricatural side.
Can't wait to read the next story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the latest in a long line of Stewart Hoag mysteries (and don't forget his pooch, Lulu). The pair are a regular Sherlock & Watson, solving mystery after mystery while navigating 1990's New York City. The story is pure fluff, but sometimes that is exactly what you need - something to take you away for a few hours and just be entertaining.

The supporting characters are flat to the point of almost being caricatures, as Hoagy & Lulu are the stars. But the flip dialogue and lush descriptions of food & clothing help make the story worth reading. You're not going to learn anything ground-breaking here, but you will enjoy a good read.

Was happy to include this novel in February’s Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction. (In Zoomer magazine’s Zed Book Club section.)

Excellent fun and mysterious story about a death, a woman with a past - I love showgirls - and the mob.

Ghostwriting sleuth Stewart Hoag investigates the murder of his wealthy neighbor—and discovers her dark, mobbed-up past. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Giving this one 4 star

An entertaining mystery set in a luxury apartment building overlooking Central Park where a sweet 75-year-old woman is murdered. Stuart Hoag, a struggling writer, with the help of his beloved basset hound Lulu is determined to find out who did this dastardly deed. A witty story with interesting characters, the culprit didn’t shock me but there are plenty of twists in this story where lots of people are not what they seem.

While this is one in a series (the thirteenth I think) you can enjoy it on its own. I did. I would read another in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

Sometimes you read mysteries that make you laugh, and this one with little word plays “Very” much did! This was my first introduction to Hoagy and his sidekick Lulu (an fish loving basset hound), who helps out Lieutenant Very of the NYPD.
An elegant, 75-year old woman is found in the staircase of a luxury apartment building, dead and her pocket book is missing. As the trio digs into her, the neighbours and building employees history, we find connections to the mob, gambling, drugs, loyalty, …
This book is part of a series, but it was easy to get into without have to have read the previous book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my opinion.

I made a stupid mistake, in fact I made twelve of them. Even knowing the name of David Handler this is the first book of his that I have actually read. What an idiot. This was such a good book, I really enjoyed it and would be kicking myself over the first twelve but for the fact that I now have them to look forward to!

If you, like me, are making this your first Hoagy and Lulu book, never fear, you will not be confused. Any information you need is provided. I really liked the cast of characters, and look forward to knowing some of them better.

This book was highly amusing, and even had me laughing out loud in places. The mystery was a bit simple, but I didn't guess whodunnit. I loved Lulu the basset hound. All in all, this was a fun book to read, and I'm glad I did.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Muriel seemed like such a nice wealthy older woman. And then someone murdered her. Stewart Hoag (Hoagy) and his stalwart dog Lulu fund themselves working with NYPD Detective Romaine Very to investigate the crime. Oh, and Hoagy's ex Marilee is back (he's actually living in her apartment) and she'd like to rekindle their relationship. There are lots of suspects in the Central Park building (great characters), some of whom might have been targets of the killer. It's set in 1993 so keep in mind that technology wasn't what it is today but that doesn't really bother Hoagy. This is a sort of cozy in some ways- it has most of the elements and it's fairly mild. You might figure out who did it before Hoagy but it's nice ride. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's fine as a standalone but I suspect fans of the series will be especially pleased with it.

GREAT cover!! I was completely pulled in by the beautiful cover (don't judge me). But the story by new to me author was entertaining as well. Mysteries aren't my go-to genre but this one kept me interested right to the end. Recommended! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

In David Handler’s latest book, The Lady in the Silver Cloud, Stewart Hoag (Hoagy) is back with his unique tongue in cheek narrative covering his latest adventure with crime. While this is part of a longer series, the book stands alone, with the mystery being fully contained within the pages of this novel. There are some threads that are continuations from previous books, primarily having to do with his relationship with his wife, er ex-wife, er it’s complicated wife, but Handler does a good job of weaving enough of the backstory in so that the reader never feels lost in terms of where Hoagy is in his personal relationships or his own personal quirks. While the reader may enjoy this one enough to want to go back and read the series in its entirety in order, that isn’t necessary to enjoy this book fully.

Hoagy, and his lovable basset hound Lulu, have moved back into the exclusive highrise where Merilee (said former wife) owns a penthouse. He has recovered from years of writer’s block and is immersed in writing his next novel, following a strict routine of writing every morning, exercising, then re-typing. He does make some observations about his fellow high-rise dwellers that help put these characters in high relief. While the book opens with Hoagy and Lulu being in the flat alone, Marilee soon moves back as the producers of her current movie place it on hold.

One of the most intriguing characters in the book is Muriel, a seventy something woman who lives in one of the penthouses and has a chauffeur who drives her wherever she wants to go in an exclusive Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. Muriel is introduced as a delightful, eccentric, extremely wealthy woman who has a routine of particular activities each day of the week, including one day a week to shop for Chanel Suits, which she wears exclusively.

It’s Halloween and the highrise is having their annual party where one flat on each floor holds an open house for residents. The children who live there go throughout the building, trick-or-treating while each floor’s adults have drinks and nibbles at their respective floor’s open house. Hoagy and Marilee attend the open house on their floor which this year is hosted by a gifted pianist who has chosen to cheat on his girlfriend with another of the floor’s residents. Ooops, it all makes for an interesting costume party, and that’s just the beginning of the activities Hoagy and his friend Detective Romaine Very get up to throughout the book.

As you might expect, Muriel turns out to be much different from the classy, wealthy retired woman she appears to be which Hoagy learns as he and Very start to investigate her murder. From that point, the reader is off and running, taking twists and turns that are totally unexpected and fully enjoying the ride which is narrated in Hoagy’s wonderful flippant style. It all gets resolved, as you would expect, with Lulu having given some strong hints about the guilty party. That is, she did so in between enjoying her favorite treats of sardines.

Marilee is a small part of the book, but she offers a picture of contentment and satisfaction with the life she and Hoagy have now. Very reveals himself to be a genuinely upstanding man, and everyone else falls somewhere along the spectrum. All of the characters are so well drawn you can see them in your mind if you simply close your eyes. You may have second thoughts of wanting to live in an exclusive highrise overlooking Central Park, but that’s a personal choice.
Regardless, I found this book to be highly entertaining and engaging in a unique way. I enjoy Hoagy’s humor as well as the honesty that projects itself across the page. I received an advance copy of this book from Penzler Publishers Mysterious Press for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Lady in the Silver Cloud is the thirteenth in the series, though my first experience reading a book by author David Handler. This witty mystery takes place mostly in a posh apartment building in New York City where several of the characters reside, including the eccentric, kind and elderly Muriel. Her lifestyle is extravagant and she owns a Rolls Royce, Silver Cloud, with a chauffeur, Bullets. Er...used to. She is found dead in the building. On the surface she appears to be beloved but scratching deeper, the truth comes out. Not all her neighbours are as sweet as she.

Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag is a ghostwriter who has ridden on the success of his first novel and is struggling off and on with writing as of late, though he is now enveloped in a flurry of words. He and his friend Inspector Very investigate Muriel's death and wind up involved in other crimes, too. Secrets abound and deceit is as thick as a curtain. Hoagy and his actor ex-wife Merilee reignite their relationship which is one of the subplots. Lulu is Hoagy's almost-human sidekick.

My favourite aspects of this book are the wit, originality and writing style, especially the character descriptions. If you are a Mystery reader, you may enjoy this a lot, particularly if you are seeking something different.

My sincere thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for introducing me to this intriguing author!

Muriel is an eldery socialite living in a posh 16th floor apartment in Manhattan until she is found dead in the service stairway on Halloween night. Unlikely detective Stewart Hoag (a.k.a Hoagy, self proclaimed rising literary voice of the 80's) was one of the last to see Muriel alive at the Halloween party and unofficially joins investigation with his trusty and intuitive bassett hound Lulu. Muriel's life starts unraveling in mysterious and intriguing ways with more possible suspects emerging as Hoagy and Detective Very dig deeper into her past. It appears she was much more than a sweet lady getting chauffeured around town in her rare and luxurious 1955 "Silver Cloud" Rolls Royce.

This was my first Stewart Hoagy mystery book and found it to be quite a delightful cozy-type mystery! I enjoyed meeting the eclectic cast of characters and learning more about them as the mystery and story unfolded. The author has a knack for hilarious dialogue, especially the dry humor witty banter executed between Hoagy and virtually all the other supporting characters. I laughed out loud a handful of times. Although the reveal wasn't all that surprising, I was highly entertained and devoured this in two quick sittings. It read like a movie and I easily could visualize the scenes which certainly added to the overall enjoyable experience.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for extending me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review. This was fun!

I'm new to the Hoagy Series, and what a fun way to pick up the series it was! Stuart "Hoagy" Hoag and his (arguably the best character in the book) beloved dog Lulu prove quite the crime-fighting duo in this delightful caper. I also immediately Googled the Silver Cloud, which was a beautiful image to have in mind while reading this story and helps bring Muriel's character to life even more. I'd love to see a spin-off series of Muriel's younger days and the romps she experienced in that life (not to give any spoilers!).

David Handler once again delivers a novel brimming with his trademark signatures of wit and humor--plus a cast of characters it's impossible to resist. The perfect, perfect read for a grey winter's day: a real charmer from first word to last.

The way Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag tells a story, it's not like reading a book. It's like watching a movie.

The opening shot shows 75-year-old Muriel Cantrell settling into the back seat of her classic Rolls Royce, which gives the book its title, "The Lady in the Silver Cloud."

Bullets Durmond, her chauffeur, follows a weekly schedule, taking Muriel to her hairdresser, her bank, a matinee, a bridge club and shopping for Chanel suits.

How can she afford all that? No one knows, but they figure money has something to do with it when she dies in the stairwell following a Halloween party and her purse is missing.

After a decade of writer's block, Hoagy is hard at work on a second novel. However, he takes a break to solve the murder of Muriel, who lives next door to his ex-wife and lover, Merilee Nash. Hoagy and Lulu, his basset hound, team up with a hunky police detective to track the killer.

This is David Handler's thirteenth in the Hoagy series. It's his most colorful so far.