Die Laughing

Amateur sleuth Steve Allen and his lovely, vivacious wife, Jayne Meadows, are back to solve another murder mystery. This time, the setting is their own home town — Hollywood — and their own line of work — show biz.Aging, cigar-smoking Benny Hartman, veteran of stage, screen, and vaudeville, has a dying wish — that Steve will emcee a Comedy Award ceremony in his posthumous honor. The town is abuzz with the question: who will get the award? But when Benny dies, and the crowds turn out for his funeral, comedy turns to murder — and mayhem. Slapstick king Terry Parker is found stabbed behind a mausoleum, a final, mysterious word on his lips: Ham.Which one of Steve and Jayne’s cronies could have done it? Hartman’s floozie widow? Or perhaps his long-time rival for the comedy spotlight? Before Steve and Jayne can start eliminating suspects, another body turns up, face down in a swimming pool. Now, Steve must call upon his longtime talent for perfect timing. Because if he makes one false move, he could be the next victim…and a coldblooded killer could get the last laugh.