Date With a Plummeting Publisher — Toni Brill

There are meddling mothers and then there is Pearl Cohen. All she wants is the best for her daughter and, of course, some grandchildren. So what's the harm in a few blind dates? Although her previous attempt to fix her daughter up with a nice doctor did end up in disaster - and death. But this time her hopes lie with a publisher of Russian literature, and this time Midge is willing. After all, she's feeling down after both her Girl Scout mystery novels and her attempt at an adult novel have met with a lukewarm reception. Why not take a chance? Famous last words.... The date is awful: Midge learns she is nothing more than a pawn in the publisher's strange game of blackmail and Soviet politics. And when the publisher plummets out of his hotel window the morning after the date, everyone thinks suicide - and Midge thinks, Oh no, not again. With the help of handsome policeman Mike Russo, Midge is once again the reluctant but persistent sleuth.