When wealthy socialite Lilah Murchison dies in an airplane crash, the locals in Pittsburgh’s North Boros shed no tears. The reclusive millionaire and rumored black widow was detested by almost everyone, including her own son, who expects to share his inheritance with the throng of Siamese that inhabit his mother’s dreary mansion. But when Lilah’s latest will delivers the bulk of her cash to another, unidentified heir, the cat litter flies.

The only local who seems genuinely sorry about Ms. Lilah’s passing is Leigh Koslow’s veterinarian father, who hasn’t a clue how the death of his long-term client could be connected to the bizarre series of break-ins and threats now plaguing his clinic. But daughter Leigh has a hunch that Lilah’s mystery heir may be hiding right under their noses, and wishes she could prove it before the entire staff runs screaming out the door. Because someone wants the past to stay buried--even if it means adding a little extra to the grave.
 

And The Dying Is Easy
-An anthology of great short stories

Check out "Never Neck at Niagara," Edie Claire's first short story featuring reluctant sleuth Leigh Koslow. A weekend at Niagara Falls with the love of her life sounds great -- but stumbling onto a murder plot wasn't supposed to be on the itinerary. Then again, neither was stumbling into the upper Niagara River!

Never Preach Past Noon
Third in the series.

October 2000
Signet Paperback
ISBN: 0451201442

Leigh Koslow's thrice-married Aunt Bess always was the black sheep of the family. That's why when Bess breaks her ankle falling down a flight of stairs in the middle of the night, Leigh isn't too surprised to discover that the stairs were someone else's. But when she discovers that the stairs belonged to Bess's happily wedded pastor, and that his house was burning down at the time, she can't help but be concerned. The First Church of the New Millenium has problems—and Bess, with Leigh as her reluctant aide, is intent on solving them. Is the charismatic reverend Reginald Humphrey a saint among men, or a soulless con artist? With arson, burglary, and a possible abduction on the bulletin, Leigh enlists the aid of her favorite detective, Maura Polanski, to keep her aunt from becoming the next offering. But Bess isn't one to give up on a good cause, even when the postlude is murder.

"Edie Claire is a bright new mystery writer who appears already to be a master of characterization...The fast-paced story line retains a serious tone with humorous interludes to ease the tension and turn the sleuthing relatives into real people. NEVER PREACH PAST NOON is a winning amateur sleuth tale that showcases a new talent." Harriet Klausner,www.Bookbrowser.com

Never Sorry - second in the series

November 1999
Signet Paperback
ISBN: 0451198859

In this zoo, the most dangerous species isn't behind bars…

With her fledgling advertising business a little short on cash, copywriter Leigh Koslow decides that a part-time job at the local zoo might be just what she needs. Unfortunately, stumbling onto a grisly crime scene behind the tiger run is not. When she realizes that the victim was her new boyfriend's ex, things look bad. But when the police discover that she was also Leigh's high school nemesis, things get worse. Getting out of this jam will require more than a little help from her friends, because if the law doesn't put Leigh away- the real killler well might.

What people are saying about Never Sorry...

"This is a riveting, mind-blowing book with an ending that will leave you in shock. This book is well written, and the plot is perfect for any mystery lover. The characters are well formed and very easy to picture. Leigh comes across as a caring, strong-willed amateur sleuth. I loved this one, and with the cliffhanger Ms. Claire leaves at the end, I can't wait for the next Leigh Koslow book."

Mystery News

"In her second mystery, Edie Claire again shows an affinity for solid plotting and engaging characters. Twists and turns abound in Never Sorry as Leigh learns what happens when the myth of high school crush becomes reality."

Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel

"A witty tale peopled with very amusing characters…Claire does a fine job in plotting and the solution is bound to surprise you."

Romantic Times

"A fun romp of murder, friendship, family, romantic entanglements and junk food."

Pittsburgh Magazine

"Edie Claire is a bright new addition to the mystery world. Along with appealing characters and a blessedly lucid writing style, she delivers a solid plot that keeps the pages turning. NEVER SORRY is ever entertaining."

Margaret Maron, author of the Sigrid Harald and Judge Deborah Knott Series

"A provocative puzzler with a real grabber of an ending. You'll never lookat a zoo the same way again."

Selma Eichler, author of Murder Can Singe Your Old Flame, a Desiree Shapiro mystery

"Leigh Koslow makes for an engaging heroine who is believable enough for any reader to identify with. NEVER SORRY is a fun mystery with unexpected twists and turns."

Jessica Speart, author of Bird-Brained, a Rachel Porter mystery

Published April 1999
Signet Paperback
ISBN: 0451197887

The truth about what happened in 1949 went to Paul Fischer's grave... Too bad his body didn't!

Advertising copywriter Leigh Koslow doesn't pack heat-just a few extra pounds. And she doesn't go looking for trouble. When she moved into her cousin Cara's refurbished Victorian house, she wasn't planning on discovering a corpse-certainly not one that had been embalmed ten years before. But as anyone in the small Pittsburgh borough of Avalon could tell her, her cousin's house has a history attached. A history dating back to two mysterious deaths in the summer of 1949.
Someone wants Leigh and Cara out of the house-someone who has something to hide. But that someone doesn't know Leigh's impetuous cousin, and when Cara digs her heels in, Leigh looks to her old college chum, local policewoman Maura Polanski, for help. But the answers the trio find only point to more questions. Were the scandalous deaths of fifty years ago really an accident and a suicide? Or were they murder?
The nearer the women get to the truth, the more desperate someone becomes. Because some secrets are better off kept. Especially when they hit close to home.

What people are saying about Never Buried...

"A funny, fast-paced, clever, and unusual mystery that will have readers clamoring for more. Edie Claire writes with style and dash. Sheer delight."

Carolyn Hart
Author of the Death on Demand series

Never Buried kept me up until 2:00AM. Leigh Koslow is a great addition to the ranks of amateur detectives. The setting was a welcome change."

Eve Sandstrom
Author of The Homicide Report

"A thoroughly delightful debut. Bright, breezy, and witty. I couldn't put it down."

Tamar Myers
Author of Eat, Drink, and Be Wary