Spotswood has done it again, creating another great addition to the Pentecost and Parker series. Lillian Pentecost has been imprisoned in the infamous Women's House of Detention in New York. Her MS is flaring without adequate rest and nutrition, she has a guard determined to make her life a living hell, and there seems to be no way for her to be released as the judge denied her bail. And why is she awaiting trial? It seems she attended an event and Jessup Quincannon, true crime artifact collector and owner of a very macabre museum, winds up dead. Pentecost is arrested and charged with his murder.

It falls on Will, Lillian's assistant, to find the answers and the real killer and there is no time to waste. Many people could have done it as Quincannon was not well-liked. People who do agree to talk are not telling Will the whole story, while others are dead or relocated and out of reach. Will finds herself working day and night to find the person or person who might have the answers she needs. Meanwhile, even in jail, Lillian Pentecost is concerned with the rights of other women, as she strives to help her trans cellmate.

The story never drags - prepare to read this one start to finish.

As an afterword, Mr. Spotswood addresses the rights of women who find themselves in the justice system.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Stephen Spotswood’s latest installment in the Pentecost and Parker series, Dead in the Frame, is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Set in the bustling and shadowy streets of 1947 New York City, this novel delivers a compelling blend of suspense, historical detail, and character-driven storytelling.

The story begins with the shocking murder of wealthy financier Jessup Quincannon, a man known for his macabre fascination with crime.

The twist? Famed detective Lillian Pentecost is arrested for the murder, with seemingly irrefutable evidence pointing to her guilt. However, her loyal assistant, Willowjean “Will” Parker, is convinced of her innocence and embarks on a desperate quest to uncover the real killer.

Spotswood excels in character development, particularly with his protagonists. Lillian Pentecost, despite her incarceration and deteriorating health, remains a formidable presence. Her resilience and sharp intellect shine through, even from behind bars. Will Parker, on the other hand, is a dynamic and resourceful investigator whose determination to clear her mentor’s name drives the plot forward.

The author’s writing is vivid and evocative, painting a rich picture of post-war New York. Spotswood’s attention to historical detail immerses readers in the era, while his crisp dialogue and tight pacing ensure the story never loses momentum.

Dead in the Frame explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. It also delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the corrupting influence of power and obsession.

Overall, Dead in the Frame is a standout addition to the Pentecost and Parker series. Stephen Spotswood has crafted a masterful mystery that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Fans of historical mysteries and detective fiction will find much to enjoy in this book. While the plot’s complexity occasionally slows the pacing, the richly drawn characters and intricate storyline make it a highly rewarding read.

As always, a great story! Lillian Pentecost has been arrested for the murder of her nemesis and it's up to Will to save her. To really appreciate the story, I recommend starting at the beginning.

"Dead in the Frame" is another strong title in this series. The characters and the motivation for the central crime in this book have developed thoughout the series, To fully enjoy this particular title, I would recomment to my readers that they start the series from the beginning. "Dead in the Frame" is not a stand alone.

Will Parker returns from vacation to find that her boss and mentor, Lillian Pentecost, has been arrested for murder. And it looks really bad. There was bad blood. And, after receiving a late invitation to a party, Lillian had approached her arch enemy in his study. It didn't end well. Now Lillian is incarcerated in one of the worst women's detention facilities in the world. And one of the guards is bent on revenge.

Will has to find out who actually committed the murder. And, with Lillian's deteriorating health, she needs to do it quickly. She enlists a group of loyal helpers. But things aren't going well. Can Will solve the murder? Can Lillian help her out from behind bars?

This award-winning series is always a pleasure to read. The characters are fun. The action is lively. The dialogue is crisp and witty. I strongly recommend this book for all mystery readers.

This strong historical fiction mystery series shows no signs of slowing down! Picking up exactly at the blockbuster moment the previous book left off, our intrepid Will must prove the innocence of her boss Lillian Pentecost - while she's locked up in a notorious women's prison and unable to help. The multitude of threads and complications all come together so well. One of my favorite series!

This is one of my absolute favorite series, and I cannot wait to get my hands (ears?) on the audiobook.

This was another cleverly plotted, fast paced, intriguing mystery from Spotswood. Despite the many characters, they were fleshed out enough for the reader to keep track and differentiate. The plot was fresh, and I enjoyed hearing from Lillian through her journaling and meeting her father. I was also glad to see Holly back! 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I read many mystery series and this is one of my favorites. Pentecost and Parker are unlike any other detective duo and I found it fascinating how the author brought a whole new spin to this series. Without giving away too much, the fresh perspective in this installment was fun and I can't wait to see what the ladies and their friends have in store for the next book.

I thought I knew "whodunit" various times. I love these characters, even the ones that I don't like very much! I hope this is not the last book in the series, because the individual mysteries are compelling, but I also want to see what's going to happen next with the characters.

Lillian Pentecost and Will Parker make for a great team in 1947 Brooklyn. Lillian gets locked up in prison, and it's up to Will to solve the case--the death of a ghoulish memento more collector--with Lillian's help of course.

A fun read and a definite recommendation.

Dead in the Frame, the fifth in the Pentecost and Parker historical mysteries series, is equally as enjoyable as the first four books. And the premise is shocking. Prominent private detective Lillian Pentecost is accused of murder and imprisoned, which doesn't bode well for her health, as she suffers from multiple sclerosis. And it leaves her young, street-smart lead investigator, Will (Willowjean) Parker, with the primary responsibility for finding the real killer of a millionaire who is known for his Black Museum of grisly murder memorabilia, while trying to deal with the firm's other clients.

Set in New York in 1947, the story is convoluted and the charges are tough to fight--after all, Lillian was present when the murder happened and fled the scene. Will uses her analytical skills, acquired contacts on both sides of the law, and sheer fearlessness to vindicate her boss before it's too late, and Lillian does what she can from the confines of prison to help her own cause. Will's narration is sometimes interrupted by excerpts from the journal Lillian is trying to keep, some of it written in code that only the two understand (thankfully decoded for the reader).

The two main characters have been defined and developed over the course of the series and are always a delight to encounter again. Supporting and incidental characters are also brought to life in an interesting and memorable way. You can't go wrong with this excellent series.

My thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an arc of this title. Spotswood has knocked it out of the park again with this mystery. While Will and Lillian were apart, each storyline was great on their own. Looking forward to see what happens next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book.

The 5th book in this series picks up exactly where book four ended. In the past, I haven't liked it when Will and Ms. Pentecost have been apart, but it works in this book. It's odd to say this since she's the narrator in the story, but Will really shines in this book. She knows that her boss is innocent and will not let anything or anyone stand in her way.

I also enjoyed learning more about Ms. Pentecost's past life and look forward to learning even more in the next novel.

If you enjoyed the other ones, I see no reason to why this one would be any different. If you didn't enjoy the others...why are you still here on book 5?

When true crime artifact collector Jessup Quincannon is found dead in his macabre museum, private investigator Lillian Pentecost is arrested and jailed for his murder. It's up to her assistant, Willowjean Parker, to find the real killer with the help of her friends and associates.

This fifth title in the Pentecost and Parker series is my favorite yet. Spotswood paints a vivid picture of what life was like for women imprisoned in the eleven-story New York Women's House of Detention and shines a light especially on the unfair treatment of trans people. The plot is complex but believable, and the stress Willowjean experiences while her employer is incarcerated is palpable. The storyline never drags, and the ending is more than satisfactory. Thank you, too, to Mr. Spotswood for his thoughtful afterword addressing both the realities of women in the justice system and women's rights both historically and today.