The Black Stiletto: Stars & Stripes
by Raymond Benson
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon
Buy on BN.com
Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Apr 02 2013 | Archive Date Jul 29 2015
Description
It's 1960. The Black Stiletto, in her civilian persona as Judy Cooper, volunteers to work for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign, only to become involved in a devious behind-the-scenes plot that could change the course of history. Is the mysterious Eastern European man she briefly dated associated with a Cuban/Soviet spy ring? Closer to home, the Stiletto must challenge dangerous tongs in Chinatown after befriending a teenage boy whose father was killed by the gangs. She soon discovers what a different--and very deadly--world exists in lower Manhattan. In the present, Martin, the Stiletto's son, must deal with his mother's worsening Alzheimer's symptoms, his own mental health issues, and the dilemma of whether or not to reveal his family's secrets to the new woman in his life. Meanwhile, his daughter, Gina, continues to bring trouble to herself, exhibiting behavior that suggests she is closer in spirit to her grandmother than Martin would like. Every major character, past and present, experiences a turning point in this third chapter of the Black Stiletto series.
Advance Praise
Praise for The Black Stiletto series:
"...this is a completely captivating and exciting suspense novel. Though it's brought to a satisfying conclusion, there are still enough unanswered questions for subsequent books, which is good since THE BLACK STILETTO is the start of a thrilling new series." Freshfiction.com, August, 2011
“…Benson captures the style of a young woman’s diary and moves with ease between time periods…nonstop action. Prime escapism.” ~Michele Leber, Booklist, August 2011
"The appeal in this series-opener lies in the transformation of Judy Cooper into 'an international icon of feminist strength and power' who assumes near-mythic proportions. Prolific crime-fiction writer Benson captures the style of a young woman's diary and moves with ease between time periods in this comic book-like novel of nonstop action. Prime escapism." BOOKLIST Starred Review
"a mashup of the work of Gloria Steinem, Ian Fleming, and Mario Puzo, all under the editorship of Stan Lee." The July 2011 issue of Library Journal
“Given such an unlikely setup, this book shouldn’t work, but it does – we follow Judy “Black Stiletto” Talbot’s adventures with a mixture of delight and awe…Benson has packed her exploits with so much heart that we want them to be true” Mystery Scene – Betty Webb
“…an amazing read and it kept me up long after bedtime with a book light because I was dying to find out what happened next. It had all the complexity of a novel with all the action of a comic book… (The Black Stiletto) stands on her own as one of my favorites and while it took me a long time to post this review, I have been anxiously awaiting book two the whole time.” The Top Shelf, March 2012
"Serious adult novels about caped or costumed super hero crusaders never work--until now. Fans of action-adventure are going to love this... Benson brilliantly forms the story and masterfully turns it from a comic book, to an adult novel. He could have kept Judy as some reincarnation of Wonder Woman or Super Girl--a cartoon character. Instead, he makes her very real... The scenes, the descriptions of the city, the language, the music, the current events all make the story real and familiar. The action is perfectly paced, and the fight scenes, technically described, are at once fast and realistic but don't slow the story. The characters come alive in personality and motivation... The plot is simple, but beautifully crafted in the way that Benson fulfills it. The pace is excellent, filled with just the right amount of detail, personal revelations of the characters, and realism in action as well as background... Bravo, Raymond Benson." THE DIRTY LOWDOWN, BlogCritics.org
"...this is a completely captivating and exciting suspense novel. Though it's brought to a satisfying conclusion, there are still enough unanswered questions for subsequent books, which is good since THE BLACK STILETTO is the start of a thrilling new series." Freshfiction.com, August, 2011
“…Benson captures the style of a young woman’s diary and moves with ease between time periods…nonstop action. Prime escapism.” ~Michele Leber, Booklist, August 2011
"The appeal in this series-opener lies in the transformation of Judy Cooper into 'an international icon of feminist strength and power' who assumes near-mythic proportions. Prolific crime-fiction writer Benson captures the style of a young woman's diary and moves with ease between time periods in this comic book-like novel of nonstop action. Prime escapism." BOOKLIST Starred Review
"a mashup of the work of Gloria Steinem, Ian Fleming, and Mario Puzo, all under the editorship of Stan Lee." The July 2011 issue of Library Journal
“Given such an unlikely setup, this book shouldn’t work, but it does – we follow Judy “Black Stiletto” Talbot’s adventures with a mixture of delight and awe…Benson has packed her exploits with so much heart that we want them to be true” Mystery Scene – Betty Webb
“…an amazing read and it kept me up long after bedtime with a book light because I was dying to find out what happened next. It had all the complexity of a novel with all the action of a comic book… (The Black Stiletto) stands on her own as one of my favorites and while it took me a long time to post this review, I have been anxiously awaiting book two the whole time.” The Top Shelf, March 2012
"Serious adult novels about caped or costumed super hero crusaders never work--until now. Fans of action-adventure are going to love this... Benson brilliantly forms the story and masterfully turns it from a comic book, to an adult novel. He could have kept Judy as some reincarnation of Wonder Woman or Super Girl--a cartoon character. Instead, he makes her very real... The scenes, the descriptions of the city, the language, the music, the current events all make the story real and familiar. The action is perfectly paced, and the fight scenes, technically described, are at once fast and realistic but don't slow the story. The characters come alive in personality and motivation... The plot is simple, but beautifully crafted in the way that Benson fulfills it. The pace is excellent, filled with just the right amount of detail, personal revelations of the characters, and realism in action as well as background... Bravo, Raymond Benson." THE DIRTY LOWDOWN, BlogCritics.org
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781608090723 |
| PRICE | $25.95 (USD) |
Average rating from 11 members
Readers who liked this book also liked:
