The Rooftop Party by Ellen Meister

Disclosure: I receive a free copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

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One of my greatest joys is finding a wonderful new author. This past week I did just that found a new author whose work I enjoyed very much.

Book Description

A Host of Trouble...

In this witty and engaging novel, Dana Barry, the Shopping Channel’s star host, stops by the company’s rooftop party to pitch the new CEO her brilliant idea that just might save the flagging business, her job, and possibly her love life.

As she chats with the smarmy executive, he backs her into a dark corner. For Dana, it’s a quid pro-oh-hell-no. She escapes his lecherous grasp and grabs her drink on her way to the dance floor. Woozy, she blacks out.

When she comes to, the CEO is dead, fallen from the roof. Or was he pushed? And if so, by whom? It’s hard to know, but one thing is certain: Dana was close enough to be suspect.

Sure, she loathed how the creep moved in on her, but she’s no killer. Or is she? Truth is, Dana can’t remember much about those minutes. Now she has to use all her skills to prove her innocence to everyone, including her police detective boyfriend--and herself.

About Ellen Meister

Ellen Meister is the author of LOVE SOLD SEPARATELY (Mira, August 2020), DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE (Putnam 2015), FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER (Putnam 2013), THE OTHER LIFE (Putnam 2011), THE SMART ONE (HarperCollins 2008), and SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA (HarperCollins 2006). She is also the author of SPARKS: 500 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination. Honors include foreign language translations of her work, being selected for the prestigious Indie Next List by the American Booksellers Association, appearances on NPR, and receiving a TV series option from HBO. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal blog, Huffington Post, Daily Beast, Writer's Digest, and Long Island Woman Magazine, where she is a frequent contributor. In addition to writing and lecturing, Ellen is an editor, book coach, creative writing instructor. and ghostwriter.

My Thoughts

This story had everything murder, drugs, family drama, relationship issues, and a boatload of other fun intrigues.

Dana Barry is a shopping channel star seller who dreams of being an actress one day. But an air-tight contract and the possibility she may have murder someone just may keep her from fulfilling those dreams.

This story had so much drama I thought it was a script from a soap opera. What I didn't know was this was a continuation of a previous book starring Dana Barry. Even so, that did not distract from this one. I read it as if it were a stand-alone story because in many ways it was. 

I got so wrapped up in Dana's story though there were times I wanted to smack her and tell her to grow up. But overall this story was fun and lead me on a merry chase trying to discover who was the real murder.

Definitely a great read to even a lazy afternoon.