READ THIS: The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow

At first glance, you might think this is quite the morbid title. The cover of the book shows a ghost-like figure from the waist down in a red skirt, clutching a red handbag with black shoes that are a bit too frumpy for shoe of the week, but solid and sturdy, just like Molly is USUALLY, the character for whom the book is named.

However dreary and upsetting a murder might be, particularly for Manhattanites when it happens in a park that may be near and dear to us, the book is overwhelmingly exciting and Peachy Deegan had a hard time putting it down at all after the first 100 pages. (It totals 303). The characters are sharp, the language is cutting, and the twists and turns that the story has will leave you wondering what in fact did happen to dear Molly.

The book makes one question huge life topics like: Who is deserving of trust? Who are your real friends? Who can you count on? What if you marry the wrong person? What if you wreck your life?

If these questions don't haunt you while reading the novel that will suck you in, surely other ones will. We have never read Sally Koslow before, so are pleased to present an author that is both new to us and impressive. However, if you are not Jewish, you will need a Jewish friend to be your glossary as there are a lot of phrases and customs someone Catholic would not be familiar with, particularly at the beginning of the book.

As you read the book, you will love to grow Molly and route for those on her side, and seethe at those that wronged her. You will love her daughter Annabel, her crazy twin, and Brie, who sounds like someone that would read Whom You Know. We cannot give it all away though-so read it yourself and see what Molly's world looks like from the afterlife! And how did she die?

Thank you to Stacey and the fabulous people at Random House.