Color Her Dead — Steve Brown

Color Her Dead introduces one of the most interesting, attitudinal and sexy mystery heroines in years, Susan Chase, a lifeguard who moonlights as a runaway finder.

When cranky, penny-pinching Mrs. Rogers wants her 26-year-old daughter found, Susan Chase almost refuses. To locate the missing woman, Susan must sort through a series of jealous lovers, artistic temperaments, drug pushers, lecherous art dealers, and spoiled rich boys.

She has the usual number of doors slammed in her face, and as she closes in on the location of the missing woman, Susan is thrown down a flight of stairs, assaulted on her houseboat, accused of trespassing--and of murder.