book details

Book: DIVA (A Frank Renzi mystery) by Susan Fleet

categories: Book, Revenge Novel, Frank Renzi Novel, Mystery Series, New Orleans Mystery, Gritty Mystery, Jazz Fiction, Kidnapping, Stalker Novel

Susan Fleet

about this book: This book was inspired by an actual event. I am a professional musician, a trumpet player, who worked in New England for many years. One of my friends, another female trumpeter was stalked by a man who was obsessed with her.

Hence, Diva features a stalker who is sexually obsessed with a female flute soloist who lives in New Orleans. Belinda wants to be a star, but fame can be dangerous. The stalker insinuates himself into her life. When she rejects his clumsy advances, he seeks revenge. He kidnaps her and holds her hostage in a Katrina ravaged deserted house. Will NOPD Detective Frank Renzi be able to save her?

An important sub-plot involves a young black jazz saxophone player threatened by the drug dealers who plague New Orleans after Katrina.

• "DIVA is a very suspenseful book!" — Feathered Quill Book Reviews

• "Fleet subtitles her new killer thriller a novel of psychological suspense. That's an understatement!" — Jan Herman, Arts Journal

Because this is the second in my Frank Renzi mystery series, I chose to use the same background for the cover, adding new element that suggest the theme: a broken flute and disembodied red lips. In my research, I concentrate on the psychological makeup of the characters, in this case, the twisted stalker and his prey, flutist Belinda Scully.

On my blog, I present case studies of serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. I hope that readers of DIVA will heed its message: be wary of any man won't take no for an answer!