A day in the life of Nora Blackbird? Darling, my day usually starts with one of my exasperating sisters breaking into my house with the latest wacky problem that’s going to bug me for days. Libby has too many children and a lot of time to worry about her diet (or lack thereof) and the cosmic forces of her life, and Emma is training Olympic show jumpers when she isn’t dating inappropriate men to drive me crazy.
But I can often sort out their problems by afternoon when I put on a party dress and head into the city of Philadelphia. You see, I’m a lifestyle reporter covering the social scene for a newspaper called The Philadelphia Intelligencer. (Some might call this newspaper a tabloid, and others might call it a lowdown dirty rag, but I’m trying to take the high road. Hey, they pay my salary, and heaven knows I really need that salary!) I attend parties for a living—tea parties, dinner parties, holiday galas, and fancy-dress fundraisers that benefit everything from the ballet to building a new hospital wing. It’s a peripatetic life—and I love it.
My work is fun. Who wouldn’t love to party every night? I rub elbows with Philadelphia’s high society—people I’ve known ever since I cut my teeth on my own silver spoon. While prowling the social circuit, I always see good friends . . . and a few sworn enemies. (Don’t get me started on that ratfink Jamie Scaithe.)
Of course, I can’t afford a new party dress every night. I’m living in abject poverty because my parents ran off with my trust fund (and those of my sisters, too) and I inherited Blackbird Farm—our ancestral home that hasn’t had a new roof since Ben Franklin’s day. (If you’d like to see some pictures of Blackbird Farm, go here: a tour of blackbird farm) I do my best to maintain the house before it falls down. And to pay my bills, too. I’m very lucky that Grandmama Blackbird collected some of the most beautiful clothing in the world. (Everything from Pucci print dresses to Chanel suits and the occasional Givenchy.) I raided her trunks of old clothes, and I have had her vintage clothing tailored to fit me, so I attend all those parties in the haute-est of haute couture. (If you’d like to see some of my clothes, go here: nora blackbird’s closet)
After my last party of the night, I’m likely to be picked up in a souped-up muscle car driven by—well, I hate when people say he’s the son of a mob boss. My friend Delilah Fairweather calls him my mafia prince of darkness, and I suppose that’s exactly what he is. But I think of Michael “the Mick” Abruzzo as my knight in tarnished armor. Yes, he has a skewed view of crime and police work, but I do find his opinion very helpful.
Why do I need help? You’d be surprised to hear how much murder and mayhem happens on the Philadelphia Main Line, and I’m often drawn into solving crimes among the rich and famous. In my latest adventure, I’m mixed up with the cast of a new Toodles Tuttle Broadway musical, who are rehearsing at their Bucks County mansion. It’s A LITTLE NIGHT MURDER!
Needless to say, it’s a glamorous life. Most of the time. At other times, I’m wrestling a pig. No kidding.
If you’d like to see some photos of a day in my life, click here: a day in the life of nora blackbird.
You can read more about Nora in A Little Night Murder, the 10th book in the “Blackbird Sisters” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is How to Murder a Millionaire.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 7 for the chance to win a copy of LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MURDER. (US entries only, please.)
Meet the author
Nancy Martin is the author of nearly fifty popular fiction novels in various genres—mystery, romance, historical and suspense. She has written ten Blackbird Sisters mysteries that feature Nora Blackbird and her wacky sisters. Nancy lives in Pennsylvania.
To read an excerpt of Nancy’s Martin’s new Blackbird Sisters Mystery, A Little Night Murder, go here, or find Nancy on Facebook.
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This book looks fascinating with all the fancy clothes and also a cute baby in the pictures.
I got caught up in the pinned pictures…Love those vintage gowns. 🙂
I need to start this series!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I pre-ordered this back in July. So excited it’s finally here. One of my most favorite series. This does skate that thin line between romance dressing in mystery clothing and actual mystery for me, but I love the characters and descriptions, so I don’t really care.
Love this series. I have read every book up to this one. I am excited to read this book, and see what Nora has been up to. Would be great to win a copy.
Nancy’s book covers are always so sophisticated looking and I do enjoy this series very much. I’d love to win a copy to add to my collection.
I love Nora and the series is one of my favorites.
There is just something wonderful about this cast of characters that makes you laugh, cry and even get a little frustrated. I always feel like I’m eavesdropping on my own family when I read a Blackbird Mystery.
Love the cover and sounds great Would love to win this
It sounds like a fun and interesting book. I had heard of Nancy’s books, but I have never read one. I’d love to start with this one.
Those are the parties I am never invited to. I like looking through the windows and watching.
Another series that I can’t wait to read. I agree, great pictures on Pinterest.
thank you for the chance to win
OmG, you are all up early! Thanks so much for commenting. Anita, if you win, let me know and I’ll send you a copy of the first book. Doesn’t make sense to start with #10! xxx, Nancy
So excited to get an opportunity to win this book. I am anxious to read one of the books involving Nora Blackbird but as of yet have not been able to. Once again thanks for the opportunity.
A new (to me) series to start . Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great series.
Can’t wait for the new book! It’s hard to wait a year for the newest installment.
I love this series, would love to win a copy of the book!
Love Nora and her sisters…looking forward to the latest Blackbirds mystery!
Sounds like great fun!
Love Nora and Mick! This is a fabulous series. Glamour, humor, murder, romance, and fun. Thank you Nancy!
I can hardly wait for this book and to see what Nora is going to wear for the big occasion.
I love these characters, so much fun. Great series!
So excited to read about Nora’s latest escapade!!!
I love the cover! I need to do some catching up with this series, this one sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love these books so much. It’s so easy to visualize the whole scene, Nancy’s a great writer.
I bet it is fun to party every night.
I cannot believe that this is the 10th book in this series; seems like such a short time ago that I read book one and two but sorry to say, I don’t think that I have read any others since that. Would love to catch up as this was a very different kind of story and I enjoyed it a lot.
Thank you.
Love this series!
I’d love to win this, I’ve heard so much about this series
Parties and murder on the Main Line–what fun! I want to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would love to attend parties for a living!
Oh so looking forward to a return to Nora’s life . . . My own glamorous life included telling stories at a pre-school . . . followed by ICE CREAM and then a nap. No vintage Dior in my closet either. I need to vicariously hang out with Nora.
I would love to win a copy!
I love these sisters, it has been too long! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Sounds interesting. My father’s family was from the Mainline although I grew up in the Midwest. I would love to win. Thanks for all you do.
I toured the farm and I’m in. Eager to get into the story.
Sounds perfect for me.
Sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway.
Excited about another adventure to follow of Nora Blackbird. Hope I get lucky. Thanks for the chance.
First timer to your blog … won’t be my last. I love cozy mysteries too.
First timer to your blog .. I’m a lover of cozies too.
I just found out about this series and the theater elements in this story make me want to start with this book first.
This series is new to me and I would love to begin with this book. (Fingers crossed.)
Oh to be rich (sigh)…Those Blackbirds aren’t hurtin’ that’s for certain! Thanks for a chance to win Dru Ann.
Sandy in So. Cali
contest is closed.