Book Review: Mugshots of Manhattan by Christin Brecher
By Doreen Sheridan
October 20, 2023
Mugshots of Manhattan by Christin Brecher, the effervescent sophomore installment of the Snapshots of New York series, delivers yet another charming look at the high life of the Big Apple, as seen through the lens of a keen-eyed photographer with a penchant for solving mysteries.
Liv Spyers is happily building up her own brand while freelancing for the prestigious and well-connected Regina Montague Studios. When Regina takes a photography-hampering spill one day, Liv is sent in her boss’ stead for the assignment of her career (so far).
Bisa is the mono-monikered superstar singer who’s about to take New York by storm as she promotes the launch of her very first movie, All About Love. In addition to starring in the romantic comedy, she’s contributing three new original songs to the soundtrack. The promo tour is all-out, as Bisa converts a mansion on Roosevelt Island into her headquarters, nicknamed Todo Amor, from which to launch parties as well as pop-up concerts all over the city.
Liv’s brief is to take behind-the-scenes personal photos of Bisa and her entourage, capturing moments that, if approved by the diva herself, could be kept as mementos, used as publicity, or sold to the many news outlets clamoring for coverage. Liv is more than game and soon finds herself getting sucked into Bisa Mania as she becomes immersed in the diva’s daily life.
Not everyone is as enamored of Bisa as her adoring fans are though. Anna Reyes, Bisa’s sister, is more than happy to rain on the singer’s parade as she crashes the proceedings and causes more than one scene. When Liv witnesses what she’s convinced is Anna’s murder, she’s the only person who seems more concerned than relieved at Anna’s sudden departure from Todo Amor.
Disoriented by the reaction of Bisa’s entourage but certain of what she saw, Liv begins to investigate what happened. Searching for information and clues leads her down strange investigative paths, some more fruitful than others, as Liv discovers when she tries to work a celebrity party crowd for more than just photos:
I was naive to think that these celebrities were a club or that their inside family dramas were part of shared confidences. This party was as much of a work event for them as for me. They needed their photos in the thick of New York’s Bisa Mania. I needed to take their photos for my job. Bisa needed all of us to prove to the world that they should spend their money on her songs, movies, merchandise, and more. Everything about the night was transactional. We were all part of a well-oiled machine, each of us playing our parts, some of us having more fun doing so than others.
The more Liv peels back the glitzy facade of stardom in her search for answers, the more convinced she becomes that Bisa had something to do with Anna’s death. She knows, however, that she’ll need rock-solid evidence before she can make any accusations. But how will she be able to do that when so many people’s livelihoods and happiness depend on the diva, some of whom would go to very great lengths to protect her?
At least she has her investigator boyfriend Harry Fellowes to help, when she’s not busy assisting him in turn. After an invitation to a fancy dinner turns into an opportunity for her to play a pivotal role in apprehending the criminal he’s been pursuing for months, Liv is reassured that she can probably handle the goings-on at Todo Amor, with or without him:
“You show off,” I said as Harry joined me at the corner with a satisfied grin.
“You make an excellent assistant,” he said with a wink. With his arm linked through mine, he walked us toward a waiting car as the police behind us did their thing.
I liked the sound of being Harry’s assistant. I didn’t need a hero on horseback to protect me at Todo Amor. A little adventure on both sides was healthy for a couple.
“Happy to help, but I don’t count that as a real dinner date tonight,” I said, snuggling up to him in the back seat.
Harry and Liv’s supportive partnership is only one delightful aspect of this adventurous, modern cozy mystery that delves into both the glamorous and the ugly sides of being a celebrity. Their professional lives continue to collide in surreal but ultimately satisfying ways, as this fun series goes from strength to exciting strength.