Cirrus@Austlit

'Kylie Kendall thought Los Angeles was far enough away from the meddling affairs of her family Down Under. But then comes word that her cousin “Dingo” O’Rourke is not only in town, but in trouble. Word is that Dingo is working as a security guard on the hit new TV series, Darleen Come Home, a modern-day Lassie starring, what else—a dingo—and one that kidnappers would love to wrangle.

'Add in a ruthless real estate developer, a pair of mysterious “feds,” and another relative showing up at her agency, and suddenly Kylie’s got her hands full. Oh, and Kylie has accidentally just been cast in a small role in Darleen.

'You think being a private investigator is tough? Try acting!'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Kylie Kendall is hired for a routine security detail to prevent an academic rival from disrupting Dr. Oscar Braithwaite’s keynote address at UCLA’s Global Marsupial Symposium. Sounds easy enough to be downright dull, but then Dr. Braithwaite is murdered, and his sister, the sexually voracious and irresistibly attractive Dr. Penelope Braithwaite, hires Kylie to investigate his death. Can Kylie keep from mixing business with oh-so-much pleasure? Can she remain true to her barely requited love for her ice-queen business partner, Ariana Creeling? Oh yes, and can she figure out who killed Oscar? All of these questions and more are answered in this latest installment of Claire McNab’s Kylie Kendall mystery series.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Middle sister Adelina has remained aloof and amused by the string of suitors for her elder sister's hand – and dowry. But when the swaggering Rafael arrives with an equally eye-catching, bold sister of his own, Adelina's pulse stirs at last.

'Aware from the first that she has caught the lovely Adelina's interest, Silvana yearns to court her openly, but she and her brother are not what they seem. Moonlit nights in the summer gardens may lead to kisses and whispers of love, but she knows that the lady's heart will be lost forever if the truth is discovered.' (Source: Goodreads website)

'Frustrated, transplanted Aussie Kylie Kendall mostly hangs out with her secretary and samples LA nightlife. Owning half a detective agency is boring when your partner won’t let you detect. But twins Alf and Chica Hartnidge, hosts of Australian hit children TV show The Oz Mob ask who smuggles opals into the U.S. inside their Kelvin Kookaburra plush toys, and murder follows.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Royal Envoy Rema is determined to broker a successful marriage between her master, Emperor Ormun, and a young princess of neighboring Danosha. The Danoshans need protection and Ormun wants their unwavering loyalty. The sanctity of a royal wedding would resolve many diplomatic issues.'

'Upon arriving in the Danoshan court, Rema does not discover a biddable young princess in awe of the high honor being accorded to her and her family. Princess Elise instead proves a woman of many surprises.'

'As her acquaintance with Elise grows, Rema’s arguments for the common sense of the marriage sound weak even to her own ears. Her duty is clear, and what belongs to her master cannot ever be hers…' (Source: Goodreads website)

'Abby Benton thought she’d have the last laugh when she painted her competition portrait of the arrogant Victoria Myers. In her opinion, the beautiful, poised mining magnate needed to be taken down a peg.

'When their paths cross again it’s Victoria’s chance to turn the tables. There’s no way the struggling artist can refuse the job Victoria has for her, not when it comes with a breathtaking paycheck.

'Six months doesn’t seem so long for Abby to have to put up with the insufferable Ms Myers. Not when it means giving her dependent mother a better life. Victoria might think she’s in charge, but Abby is going to pipe her own tune…' (Publication summary)

'Aussie dyke Kylie Kendall leaves tiny Australian outback Wollegudgerie pub when unknown dad leaves her 51% of his LA detective agency. Lovely enigmatic Arianna Creeling offers to buy her out, but Dr Deer, celebrity psychiatrist to the stars, hires them to investigate his stolen records, and apparent suicide of successful reviled film director client.'

Source : publication summary

'Four women dead, each strangled with an orange cord, their bodies ritually arranged. Detective Inspector Carol Ashton and Detective Sergeant Mark Bourke have a serial killer on their hands.'

Source : publication summary

Detective Inspector Carol Ashton investigates, bringing with her a formidable reputation for competence. She soon uncovers tangled relationships and motives for murder among the six teaching staff, along with a maze of malicious anonymous letters and threatening phone calls. And then there is yet another corpse.

Carol's investigation is further complicated by the flashfire attraction between herself and prime suspect Sybil Quade. Carol fights her desire, knowing its potential to compromise her investigation. Nor does Sybil welcome an "unnatural" obsession with the alluring woman who is inexorably gathering the evidence to convict her of multiple murder.'

Source: back cover (Naiad, 1988)

'Detective Inspector Carol Ashton is close to burnout, tired of hiding the fact that she is gay and, for the first time, seriously considering leaving the police force. Her colleague - the reliable Sergeant Bourke - mentions an "open and shut" case. Charlotte Darcy, the suspect, is obviously guilty of the murder of her brother. Carol is less sure. Darcy Designs has depended on Charlotte's creativity. So why is Charlotte now so zombie-like? And what else is hidden in the stylish closets of this famous family? Carol's interest in her work rekindles as she solves a mystery as intriguing as any in her long career. But even as she does so she is reminded that her personal life cannot be put on hold forever ...'

Source: Back cover (Allen & Unwin, 1991)