I’m thrilled to share the cover for DEADLY ASSETS, the second Allison Campbell mystery, on dru’s book musings. Thanks so much for having me here today, Dru!
Allison Campbell is a successful image consultant living on the Philadelphia Main Line. Not the first profession you’d think of when it comes to solving crimes? Probably not, but Allison sure finds herself in a lot of trouble, first with Killer Image and now in Deadly Assets (available July 22, 2014). In both novels, Allison draws on her own experiences as an outsider and her psychology background to uncover the dangerous truth.
Here’s the exclusive on DEADLY ASSETS:
Allison Campbell’s latest clients seem worlds apart in every respect.
Rooted in Italian nobility, schooled abroad, the aging Francesca Benini is thrust into the corporate limelight when her brother suffers a stroke and she becomes the new head of Benini Enterprises. Her family insists she decline the role, but Francesca, determined to leave her crumbling New York Finger Lakes mansion for the first time in decades, turns to Allison for help.
Tammy “Swallow” Edwards is a newly discovered eighteen-year-old pop singer from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Music producers see star potential, but the gangly, rough spoken Tammy must first transform from a swallow into a swan. And that’s where Allison comes in.
When both clients disappear on the same day–and Allison’s business manager, Christopher Vaughn, is the last to have seen each–Allison races to find her clients and clear Vaughn’s name. Her search uncovers an intricate web of family secrets, corporate transgressions, and an age-old rivalry that crosses continents. The closer Allison gets to the truth, the deadlier her quest becomes. All paths lead back to the sinister Benini estate and the suicide of a woman thirty years ago. Allison soon realizes that the lives of two clients and the safety of those closest to her aren’t the only things at stake.
**Praise for the Allison Campbell Series**
“This cleverly revealing psychological thriller will keep you guessing…as the smart and savvy Allison Campbell (love her!) delves into the deadly motives, twisted emotions and secret intrigues of Philadelphia’s Main Line.” – Hank Phillippi Ryan, Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Award-Winning Author of The Wrong Girl
“An intriguing psychological thriller. The book reminded me of Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series…I loved the book, it’s dark and hopeful at the same time. Five stars out of five.” – Lynn Farris, Mystery Books Examiner for Examiner.com
“Wit, charm, and deliciously clever plot twists abound in Wendy Tyson’s Killer Image, first in her new series of mysteries featuring intrepid image consultant Allison Campbell. The author has a knack for creating characters with heart, while keeping us guessing as to their secrets until the end. Readers will eagerly await her next book in the series.” – Mary Hart Perry, Author of Seducing the Princess
“An edgy page-turner that pulls the reader into a world where image is everything and murder is all about image. Great start to a new series!” – Erika Chase, Author of The Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries
“Nancy Drew gets a fierce makeover in Wendy Tyson’s daringly dark, yet ever fashion-conscious mystery series, beginning with Killer Image. Tyson imbues her characters with emotional depth amidst wit, ever maintaining the pulse rate.” – Deborah Cloyed, Author of What Tears Us Apart and The Summer We Came to Life
“This is hands down, the best mystery I have read so far this year. If you are fans of writers like Sara Paretsky, Particia Cornwall or Sue Grafton, you are going to love new author Wendy Tyson. I can’t wait for her next book.” – Kate Shannon, Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading.
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment below and you will be entered for a chance to win an “ALLISON CAMPBELL” combo pack: a signed copy of KILLER IMAGE and an advance reader copy of DEADLY ASSETS. Giveaway ends by 6 p.m. EST on April 28, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only. Thanks for stopping by!
Haven’t read the Allison Campbell series? You may want to start with:
Philadelphia’s premier image consultant, Allison Campbell helps others reinvent themselves, but her most successful transformation was her own after a scandal nearly ruined her. Now she moves in a world of powerful executives, wealthy, eccentric ex-wives and twisted ethics.
When Allison’s latest Main Line client, the fifteen-year-old Goth daughter of a White House hopeful, is accused of the ritualistic murder of a local divorce attorney, Allison fights to prove her client’s innocence when no one else will. But unraveling the truth brings specters from her own past. And in a place where image is everything, the ability to distinguish what’s real from the facade may be the only thing that keeps Allison alive.
Killer Image is available at Henery Press, retail and online booksellers.
About the author
Wendy Tyson’s background in law and psychology has provided inspiration for her mysteries and thrillers. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Wendy has returned to her roots and lives there again with her husband, three kids and two muses, dogs Molly and Driggs. Wendy’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals, including KARAMU, Eclipse, A Literary Journal and Concho River Review. DEADLY ASSETS, the second novel in the Allison Campbell series, will be released July 22, 2014. Find Wendy on Facebook or Twitter, or visit her at www.WATyson.com.
Pick me! Pick me! : )
Thanks for participating, Barb! Good luck!
Love trying new series! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Thanks for stopping by Dru’s blog! Best of luck, Linda!
Sounds like a fun series and a great giveaway!
Thanks, Gram! Good luck!
This sounds like a great series!
Thanks Dawn! I’ve had a great time writing about Allison & co. Good luck in the giveaway!
Looks great, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for participating, Lisa! Good luck!
Sounds like a good one.
Thanks Karen! Have a great day!
Can’t wait to read Deadly Assets!! Hoping to win the giveaway!
Good luck, Adrienne! Thanks for participating!
I will check out this series.
Thanks Lynette! Enjoy!
I always wonder how edgy a “psychological thriller” will be. Dare I try It? Should I pass? hm…
Hi Libby! Putting a label on KILLER IMAGE was tough. The fact that the main protagonist is an image consultant makes it sound, on its face, fluffy. But the book is on the darker side and touches some tough topics (like teen mental health and trafficking). DEADLY ASSETS was fun to write — but is still on the edgier side. Good luck in the contest and have a great day!
Count me in on this one. I like the idea of an image consultant who has to work on her own image, and how surface things can impact serious issues. Plus I want to know what happens to the Goth daughter.
Thanks for stopping by, Denise! You hit on the very reason this character appealed to me — there is so much material in the concept of image (nothing is as it seems), and an image consultant who never quite fits in seemed like an interesting protagonist for a mystery. I hope you enjoy the books! Good luck!
I was lucky enough to get my hands on the galley and have not been able to put it down. I love it even more than Killer Image (& I was a big fan). Awesome suspense!! Please don’t include me in the giveaway, I just wanted to comment on what a great book this is!
Larissa, thanks for your kind comments! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying DEADLY ASSETS. Thanks for being an early reader. I’m working on DYING BRAND now and having a blast. Have a great day!
Loved Killer Image. Can’t wait for Deadly Assets!
Thanks Bev! I’m so happy you liked KILLER IMAGE! Good luck in the giveaway!
This sounds really interesting. Would love a copy of one or both.
Thanks for participating, Nancy! Good luck!
Can’t wait to read this. Looks great! I’m a big fan of Wendy Tyson!
Thanks Marnie! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you so much for hosting the DEADLY ASSETS on your site today! Thrilled to be here with you and your readers!
Thanks Wendy for giving me the honor of revealing your cover for Deadly Assets.
Sounds like a new series I must read. Thanks for always keeping my reading list up to date. Ruth Nixon
Thanks Ruth! Good luck — have a great day!
I know nothing of image consultants. So, this would be a way to learn and read a mystery all at once.
Hi Annette! I had to do a lot of research on image consultants, and what I found is that they vary greatly. Some focus strictly on improving appearance, and others are like life coaches. Allison has a psychology background, so I probably take some liberties and have her do things real image consultants would not. In any case, the concept of image has been fun to play with in the mystery context. Thanks for participating! Good luck!
Wow! It looks really great.
Thank you! Good luck!
Really looking forward to the next Allison Campbell Mystery as the first left me wanting for more!
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m thrilled you liked KILLER IMAGE! Good luck in the giveaway!
LOVE the cover! LOVE the title! Can’t wait to read what Allison’s up to this time!
Oh, I’m so glad you like the cover, Stephanie! I love it, too! Have a great day — and good luck!
Sounds different from my usual cozy. Very intriguing.
Thanks for participating, Barbara! Good luck in the giveaway!
This sounds so good! Thank you for the chance to win and read about something new to me.
Thanks Mary! Good luck!
This looks wonderful, Wendy! Love the cover – which takes me back to Chester County, PA! What awesome reviews DEADLY ASSETS has received so far. Can’t wait to read it! Write ON!
Thanks Heather! DEADLY ASSETS was so much fun to write. Allison, Jamie, Vaughn and Mia all have roles in solving this one, but Allison and Mia take on much of the sleuthing. It takes place on the Main Line and near Ithaca, New York — in the Finger Lakes (one of my favorite places). Have a great day!
Sounds like a good beach day series!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Kim! Good luck in the giveaway!
Sounds like a great series to start reading at the beach!!!!
I would agree! I hope you enjoy the series! Good luck in the giveaway — and thank you for participating!
I am currently reading Killer Instincts, and I am really enjoying this complex mystery very much. I am really looking forward to her second book, Deadly Assets knowing how good Killer Instincts is so far. If I were to win, I would gladly give the book to my neighborhood book group as I am sure that more than a few would love to read both of these books (but not until I were to read Deadly Assets first, however 🙂
Thank you.
Cynthia, I’m so happy you’re enjoying KI! DEADLY ASSETS was a blast to write. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, Jamie, Mia, Vaughn and Allison all have roles in solving the mystery, but Allison and Mia do the lion’s share of sleuthing. (Girl power!) Thanks for participating in the giveaway! Good luck!
Sounds like a good series.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Thank you! Have a great day — and good luck!
Wendy’s name is familiar so googled her & found W.A. Tyson (pseud) The Seduction of Miriam Cross (A Delilah Percy Powers mystery which also sounded familiar. Think I’ve read it even its not in my book diary. So, yes, I want read killer image & deadly assets. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
I’m so thrilled you associated me with my other novel, THE SEDUCTION OF MIRIAM CROSS. 🙂 I do also write as W. A. Tyson. The Campbell series is a little more mystery, a little less thriller than TSOMC, but along the same lines. Thanks for participating in the giveaway — good luck!
huh! Image consultant…..should be interesting…especially learning exactly what that type of consulting involves..have heard of them..for politicians..but never knew much more beyond that.
Hi Sue Ann! I did lots of research on image consultants for the books and found that their services vary a great deal. Some focus on appearance and others are more like life coaches. Allison is a dissertation shy of a PhD in psychology, so she takes some liberties and probably does more counseling than your typical IC (although she would never admit it)! But the concept of image — nothing is as it seems, and all that — has been a fun theme for a mystery series. Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck!
can’t wait to read both books!
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
a new series that sounds so good. just went on my to read list!
Thanks for participating, Pamela! I hope you enjoy the series! Good luck!
Thanks Wendy for interacting with my readers. I also like to thank you again for the opportunity to reveal your cover.
My pleasure, Dru! I had so much fun interacting with your readers. What a great reveal! Thank you!
Did someone say free? Looking forward to Wendy Tyson’s next book release!
Thanks Sue! Good luck!
I love thrillers, and this one sounds fantastic. I would enjoy reading this one very much. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks Anita! I wish you luck in the giveaway! Have a great night.
contest is closed.
I know I missed the contest, love the cover.