Murder by Definition

Crime-fiction librarian Ray Ambler gets more than he bargained for when he acquires the archives of a controversial hardboiled crime author in this contemporary twisty mystery set in New York City.

Hardboiled crime writer Will Ford might be critically acclaimed, but he''s every bit as debauched and disreputable as the ne''er-do-well private eye in his novels. So when Ford offers Raymond Ambler - crime-fiction curator at New York City''s prestigious 42nd Street Library - a collection of his papers, Ambler wonders if the project will be more trouble than it''s worth. Still, the disgraced author is an important talent, and Ambler''s never been afraid of a fight.

Ambler''s ready for the controversy that greets news of the acquisition. He''s not ready, however, for what he finds when he finally receives the papers: a gripping unpublished short story apparently based on a real case, with an explosive author''s note. If it''s true, there''s been a shocking cover