a Luce and Wilde Hollywood Mystery

The Case of the Stained Stilettos

When Hollywood actress Dana Montgomery throws a party, murder is on the menu.

In the mix...

Dana's husband, actor and womanizer Blaine Jeffries, her son, Mark, Mark's fiancée Susana, Mark's ex Beth, and Beth's fiancé, who also happens to be Mark's best friend.

But wait! There's more!

Besides the Los Angeles County District Attorney, the Chief of Police, brilliant detectives, Hollywood hotshots, a homeless woman with a daughter, and a championship basketball player, there is a butler with a past.

Upcoming novels by Melissa J. L. Smith

The Expendable Ex, A Luce and Wilde Hollywood Mystery

The Expendable Ex brings back the crimefighters of "the beautiful people." Elegant private detective Mercy Wilde and her gorgeous husband, attorney Joseph Luce, investigate a murder at the studio where Mercy's mother, actress Francesca Wilde and her castmates are shooting a film.

The Stunned Stuntman, A Luce and Wilde Hollywood Mystery

At the request of her mother, EGOT actress, Francesca Wilde, private investigator, Mercy Wilde, and her attorney-husband, Joseph Luce, look quietly into the circumstances surrounding the death of a stuntman.

But the quiet does not last...

Once in a Blood Moon, A Once Supernatural Story

At first glance, physicist Gryphon Glashtyn and writer/wife, Etha, appear to be just like other horse breeders in Lexington, Kentucky.

But, a deeper dive into the couple reveal an enclave of witches, sorcerers. and even Morgan LeFey and Merlin.

Once on a Dark Night, A Once Supernatural Story

Sorceror/physicist Gryphon Glashtyn and his wife, the Enchantress Etha, live a quiet, semi-normal life in the horse country of Lexington, Kentucky. Part of a community of magical creatures, Gryphon and Etha's lives are upended when teenage twins with extensive abilities are orphaned and end up on the doorstep.

Once on a Midnight, Cherie: A Once Supernatural Story

When two con artists stumble onto the magical enclave of sorcerors, witches, warlocks and familiars, things in the confidence game take a turn for the worst.

Follow the ley lines through the bluegrass of Kentucky to the magic of New Orleans and discover the supernatural society that few know exist.

Meet the players in the Stained Stilettos, On Sale Now

Mercy Wilde, Private Investigator

Francesca Wilde, Award-Winning Actress

Mercy Wilde, Private Investigator

Intrepid sleuth, Mercy Wilde...devoted to her family, friends, felines and fashion

Click to order The Stained Stilettos from Amazon

Joseph Luce, Attorney-At-Law

Francesca Wilde, Award-Winning Actress

Mercy Wilde, Private Investigator

Suave Beverly Hills attorney, Joseph Luce. The man every woman wants and every man wants to be.

Click to order from Barnes & Noble

Francesca Wilde, Award-Winning Actress

Stunning, vivacious bon vivant with serious talent. Box office guarantee

Click to order from Chapters/Indigo

Easy ordering worldwide using the links below

Ethan Luce, District Attorney Los Angeles County

Media darling. Brilliant tactician. Handsome eligible widower.

Click to order from IndieBound

Lucienne Wilde, LAPD Homicide Detective

Ethan Luce, District Attorney Los Angeles County

Youngest detective in LAPD history. Beautiful without the fashion sense of her mother, Francesca or sister, Mercy

Click to order from Apple Books

Frank Lawshé, Homicide Detective

Ethan Luce, District Attorney Los Angeles County

Frank Lawshé, Homicide Detective

His co-workers at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department tease Frank with the colorful nicknames given to him by the press, including "Detective Brooks Brothers," "Inspector Rothschild" and "Homicide Hottie"

Order from Rakuten Kobo

The Stained Stilettos also is available from local outlets

Dana Montgomery, Legendary Actress

Mark Lathem, Aspiring Actor, Trust Fund Baby

Dana Montgomery, Legendary Actress

"Surely, you can't suspect me of murder, Dahhlling. I could never do such a thing," purrs legendary actress, Dana Montgomery. The EGOT-er loves that word, "Legendary."

Click to order from Waterstones, UK

Blaine Jeffries and Susana Alfonso

Mark Lathem, Aspiring Actor, Trust Fund Baby

Dana Montgomery, Legendary Actress

Both outrageous flirts, Dana's 4th husband, acting teacher/character actor, Blaine Jeffries, turns on the charm for his best student (and his stepson's fiancée), the beautiful heiress, Susana Alfonso

Click to order from Book Soup, West Hollywood