Whitelaw, Stella 1941-

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Whitelaw, Stella 1941-

PERSONAL:

Born 1941.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Surrey, England. Agent—Pollinger, Ltd., 9 Staple Inn, Holborn, London WC1V 7QH, England.

CAREER:

Writer and journalist. House of Commons, Parliamentary Press Gallery, London, England, secretary; full-time writer, 2002—. Lecturer at Swanwick Wirters's Summer School and on P & Co. cruise ships.

WRITINGS:

(With Judy Gardiner and Mark Ronson) Grimalkin's Tales: Strange and Wonderful Cat Stories, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1983.

(Editor) New Cat Stories (anthology), Grafton Books (London, England), 1990.

NONFICTION

How to Write and Sell a Synopsis, Allison & Busby (London, England), 1993.

How to Write a Short Short Story, Allison & Busby (London, England), 1996.

How to Write and Sell a Book Proposal, Writers' Bookshop (Peterborough, England), 2000.

"JORDAN LACEY" SERIES

Pray and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2000.

Wave and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2001.

Spin and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2002.

Hide and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2003.

Jest and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2004.

Ring and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2005.

Turn and Die, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2007.

NOVELS

Weave a Loving Web, Hale (Kent, England), 1971.

Love Is a Star Garden, Hale (Kent, England), 1974.

Another Word for Love, Hale (Kent, England), 1977.

Sweet Chastity, Hale (Kent, England), 1979.

Desert Storm, Hale (Kent, England), 1983.

Secret Taj ("Rainbow Romance" series), Hale (Kent, England), 1984.

Flood Tide ("Rainbow Romance" series), Hale (Kent, England), 1986.

Baptism of Fire, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1989.

Pennyroyal, Hale (Kent, England), 1989.

Eagle's Eye, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1990.

This Savage Sky, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1990.

Dragon Lady, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1991.

A Certain Hunger, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1993.

The Owl and the Pussycats, HarperCollins (London, England), 1993.

Deluge ("Love on Call" series), Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1994.

Cruise Doctor ("Love on Call" series), Harlequin Mills & Boon (Surrey, England), 1996.

No Darker Heaven, Robinson (London, England), 1996.

Sweet Seduction, Robinson (London, England), 1997.

Veil of Death, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2004.

Mirror Mirror, Severn House (Surrey, England), 2005.

Second Sitting ("Casey Jones" series), Severn House (Surrey, England), 2008.

SIDELIGHTS:

Stella Whitelaw is a writer and journalist. Whitelaw was once one of the youngest editors to serve at a periodical in London. She also worked as the secretary at the House of Commons, Parliamentary Press Gallery. She began writing full time in 2002 and has published dozens of novels.

Whitelaw published Sweet Seduction in 1997. Kira Reed sets out to meet her grandfather on Barbados after a bad breakup and still recovering from a traffic accident. She wishes to keep her identity a secret from him and accepts a job from his biggest enemy in order to find out more about the grandfather she never knew as a child. Gerry Benninger, writing on Romantic Times Online, mentioned that "Whitelaw provides choice sultry reading."

In 2004 Whitelaw published Veil of Death. Fiona Kimberly is thrilled to marry Hal Vaughan, from the richest family in the region. However, just after their vows, Fiona is stabbed while changing out of her gown. The suspect list is huge, however, as virtually nobody, including Hal, was happy with Fiona for a number of different reasons. Hal's mother was insulted by Fiona's take on her rounded figure, and both fathers agree the marriage is not appropriate. Fiona's sister is jealous that while she was away at French school, Fiona moved in on her crush, and most of the tradesmen working to make the wedding perfect for the couple were not pleased with the way that Fiona or the rest of the wedding party and family treated them throughout the event.

A contributor to Kirkus Reviews described the novel as "a suspect-rich spin on Murder on the Orient Express," adding that it is "gimmicky but compelling." Karen Meek, writing in Euro Crime, commented that "this is a very enjoyable, cosy type of book and in a glorious setting." Meek added that "the family and their relationships came to life."

Whitelaw published Mirror Mirror in 2005. Gina Conway is a successful woman who runs a shipping company. On her wedding day, her fiancé, Timothy Trenchard, is a no-show. As if that wasn't bad enough, she starts seeing green eyes in every reflective surface. Fearing she may be crazy, she flees to a friend's castle to relax, only to start hearing voices. Her finacé's brother finds her at the castle, worried that her hallucination may be related to Timothy's disappearance. Booklist contributor Emily Melton thought that "fans of Whitelaw's ‘Jordan Lacey’ PI series may be a bit disappointed by this one," but noted that it may "please romance readers."

Whitelaw started the "Jordan Lacey" series in 2000 with the publication of Pray and Die. Former Latching policewoman Jordan Lacey leaves the force to become a private investigator, despite lacking any real experience. Lacey sets aside her missing turtle case when she stumbles upon a murdered nun. Booklist contributor David Pitt described the novel as a "treat." As for Lacey, Pitt called her "a delightful creation." Pitt noted that "the story itself is clever and well constructed, but it's Lacey herself who makes the novel so special."

Whitelaw followed up her series debut the following year with Wave and Die. The sequel starts with Lacey again dealing with petty cases when her investigation of a straying councilman finds him murdered in the safe of a building set on fire. Lacey is framed for the crime and attempts to solve it on her own to clear her name. She also pines for detective inspector James in the process.

Rex Klett, writing in Library Journal, observed that the plot is "nicely complicated" and that there is "plenty of entertaining human eccentricity" in the story. Klett concluded by calling the novel "good reading." In a Booklist review, Pitt noted that Lacey "possesses an absolutely compelling narrative voice." Pitt recorded that the sequel "isn't better than its predecessor, but it is a real charmer." A contributor to Kirkus Reviews remarked that "Whitelaw creates a convincing heroine who's worthy of solving this ingenious puzzle." A contributor to Publishers Weekly, however, found the tale a bit "disjointed," observing that "before we get to the windup, we must endure a long-winded confession from a culprit who was rarely mentioned before the final mea culpa."

In 2002 Whitelaw published Spin and Die. Lacey struggles to manage her time commitments to a secondhand shop she runs and her fledgling private detective agency. While uncovering information for Oliver Guilbert, he mysteriously dies. His father then seeks solace in Lacey herself as she holds out for James.

Klett, again writing in Library Journal, called the novel a "heady adventure." A contributor to Kirkus Reviews, on the other hand, felt that "the hectic pace and soap-opera complications give Whitelaw's third a slapdash feel missing from Lacey's crisp earlier work." Booklist contributor Pitt praised Whitelaw for being "a splendid storyteller." Pitt added that "Jordan [Lacey] remains a charming character." Of this installment, Pitt noted that "there's plenty of fun in these pages."

In Hide and Die, Lacey helps a client dispute a paternity claim while another client ends up dead after performing in drag. Further investigation uncovers that client's involvement in a double murder case. In a Library Journal review, Klett noted that this installment "features some humorous situations, a few unlikely characters, and the British seashore," pondering what more could anyone ask? A contributor to Kirkus Reviews remarked that "although Jordan's still quirky and unconventional, romance finally overtakes mystery in Whitelaw's meandering fourth."

Whitelaw came out with Jest and Die in 2004. With more credibility from recent solved cases, Lacey takes on assignments from Samuel Steele and George "the jester" Hill. Things heat up when Steele's wife and Hill are found murdered. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews wrote that this story in the series is "another offbeat, engaging mix of mystery and romance." Booklist contributor Melton called the novel "entertaining reading," owing that to the lead character, "Lacey, an abundance of clever plot twists, and a surprising conclusion." Library Journal contributor Klett called the book "dependable entertainment."

The following year Whitelaw published Ring and Die. Lacey tries to uncover who stole three purebred Chihuahuas, and to find the thief who stole fishing rods from the pier, when her cases expand beyond seeming simplicity. Melton, writing in Booklist, noted that "the shock ending will leave readers anxious for the next installment in this likable series."

In 2007 Whitelaw published Turn and Die. Recovering from a nearly fatal accident, Lacey is depressed as James still lies in the hospital, paralyzed from the waist down. In order to pay her bills, though, she accepts two cases from opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum. However, someone is intent that she does not solve her cases.

Melton, again writing in Booklist, described Lacey as "a disarmingly appealing heroine." Melton remarked that the tale "combines meaty plots with plenty of zany goings-on," adding that the series is gaining in popularity due to the "comic edge" Whitelaw brings to the typical crime novel. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews mentioned that the heroine "serves each client, rich or poor, with grace and persistence, never losing her nerve, her sense of irony or her passion for James."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 15, 2000, David Pitt, review of Pray and Die, p. 624; December 15, 2001, David Pitt, review of Wave and Die, p. 707; September 1, 2002, David Pitt, review of Spin and Die, p. 64; April 1, 2004, Emily Melton, review of Jest and Die, p. 1354; May 1, 2005, Emily Melton, review of Ring and Die, p. 1540; February 1, 2006, Emily Melton, review of Mirror Mirror, p. 34; April 1, 2007, Emily Melton, review of Turn and Die, p. 33.

Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2001, review of Wave and Die, p. 1652; September 1, 2002, review of Spin and Die, p. 1271; September 15, 2003, review of Hide and Die, p. 1159; February 15, 2004, review of Jest and Die, p. 159; August 15, 2004, review of Veil of Death, p. 782; May 15, 2007, review of Turn and Die.

Library Journal, January, 2002, Rex Klett, review of Wave and Die, p. 157; October 1, 2002, Rex E. Klett, review of Spin and Die, p. 132; November 1, 2003, Rex E. Klett, review of Hide and Die, p. 127; May 1, 2004, Rex E. Klett, review of Jest and Die, p. 144.

Publishers Weekly, August 2, 1985, review of Grimalkin's Tales: Strange and Wonderful Cat Stories, p. 58; November 27, 2000, review of Pray and Die, p. 58; January 21, 2002, review of Wave and Die, p. 68; September 16, 2002, review of Spin and Die, p. 54; October 27, 2003, review of Hide and Die, p. 48.

School Library Journal, January, 1986, review of Grimalkin's Tales, p. 84.