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What to Do When Someone Dies    by Nicci French Amazon.com order for
What to Do When Someone Dies
by Nicci French
Order:  USA  Can
William Morrow, 2021 (2009)
Hardcover, Softcover, Paperback, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

The bestselling husband-and-wife team of journalists Nicci Gerrard and Sean French (pen name Nicci French) always manage to start their mysteries from an unusual premise and What to Do When Someone Dies is no exception to this rule.

As the story opens, Ellie Falkner has just learned that her beloved husband Greg has died in a car crash, and that he was accompanied by Milena Livingstone, a femme fatale whom everyone immediately assumes was the other woman. Ellie just doesn't believe it and persists in trying to find out what really happened, though even her strong belief in her husband starts to fray when everyone around her is totally convinced he was having an affair.

Friends rally around - Greg's flamboyant partner Joe who tells her that 'Everyone has secrets'; Greg's best friend Fergus who had suspected nothing but now wonders; Ellie's close friends Gwen and Mary; her sister Maria; and others. Ellie just can't believe it. She searches Greg's office, mail and email - and finds nothing. She inserts herself into Milena Livingstone's business, volunteering to help Milena's partner Frances in the office (using Gwen's identity).

There's a death, and the police are not at all happy with Ellie's interference in a murder enquiry, suggesting that she needs to see a psychiatrist. But she can't help herself. She keeps digging, finds out what happened - and nearly dies doing it. Another great read from Nicci French!

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