The Black Stiletto: Secrets & Lies

Overview

It is 1961 in the fourth book of the Black Stiletto series. Judy, the Stiletto, meets Leo, a charismatic man who convinces her to move to Los Angeles when she is run out of New York by increasingly hazardous police heat. But soon Judy suspects that Leo is not the white knight she first thought. Leo, who has connections with the West Coast mobs, has plenty of skeletons in his closet. His mysterious sister, Christina, who once served time for armed robbery, could also be a threat to the Stiletto's new life in California. Meanwhile, in the present, Alzheimer's-stricken Judy takes a turn for the worse as Martin comes to grips with the imminent end of his mother's life. And when elements from the Stiletto's past once again appear to threaten Martin's family, it is up to his daughter Gina to step up and take matters into her own hands. In a novel bristling with mysteries, secrets, and lies, the Black Stiletto saga takes a dark left turn into even more treacherous territory.

Reviews

Praise for The Black Stiletto Series

“Benson has created one of the most original heroines I’ve read in a long time. Adventure and suspense made this book a rollicking good read. But the story is about much more than simply the evolution and escapades of The Black Stiletto. It’s about relationships and just how well we know—or not—even the people we love most.” —Sandra Brown, New York Times best-selling author


“Irresistible: Suppose you found out—just too late—that your mother had been a superhero crime fighter. What would you do? Sit back, take a deep breath, and let Raymond Benson tell you.” —Lee Child, New York Times best-selling author


“A thriller that brilliantly succeeds at that most difficult of authorial endeavors: blending the past and the present into a single compelling story. Filled with cutting-edge suspense, wry humor and heart-wrenching warmth, not to mention great period detail, The Black Stiletto will grab you instantly and simply not let go until the final page—no, make that the final sentence.” —Jeffery Deaver, New York Times best-selling author


“A terrifically fun thrill ride featuring an intrepid heroine you won’t soon forget.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times best-selling author


* “This fourth entry in The Black Stiletto Series is darker than earlier ones, given the escalating violence in both past and present story lines. But it’s no less entertaining, as fast-paced action leads to a cliff-hanger. Addictive escapism.” —Booklist (Starred Review)


“Reminiscent of heroes from the Golden Age of comics like the Black Canary and Lady Luck, thrill-seeking Judy makes an endearing protagonist.” —Publishers Weekly


“It’s action! It’s adventure! It appeals to women—and to men! It’s faster than a speeding bullet, and a truly terrific read.” —Heather Graham, New York Times best-selling author


“Judy is a fantastic character, and Benson absolutely nails the way women write in their diaries. I think this sort of strong woman will be enormously appealing to female readers. The action is great, and Benson writes in a voice that’s accessible and engaging.” —Tasha Alexander, New York Times best-selling author


“The Black Stiletto is a wonderfully stylish (and addictively page-turning) return to the days of yesteryear. Full of action, full of suspense, and brimming with originality, this sleek and charming adventure will win your heart.” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning author


“Benson moves effortlessly from 1961 to the present and back, and gives readers a cultural look at life during the '60s. His cast of characters is outstanding, including the supporting cast.” —Mystery Scene Magazine

Author Biography

Raymond Benson is the bestselling author of 28 published titles, including the first three novels in the Black Stiletto series: The Black Stiletto, The Black Stiletto: Black & White, and The Black Stiletto: Stars & Stripes. He is most well-known for being the official James Bond 007 continuation author between 1996 and 2002. In total he penned and published worldwide six original 007 novels, three film novelizations, and three short stories. An anthology of his 007 work, The Union Trilogy, and