The Fifth Script — Ross H. Spencer

In this “pugnacious, feisty” mystery series debut from the author of Death Wore Gloves, a devious killer has it in for a poison penned beauty (Kirkus Reviews).
 
Chicago Detective Lacey Lockington has never been squeamish about taking out a few low lives in the pursuit of justice. But when tabloid columnist Stella Starbright calls him a “kill-crazy cop,” he suddenly needs to find a new line of work. Taking a job as a private investigator is a step down, for sure, but his first few cases certainly pique his interest: former “Stella Starbrights” are turning up dead on the streets of Chicago, and the current one -- the very same Stella who ruined his reputation -- is coming to him for protection.
 
Going against his gut, Lacey agrees to keep Stella from sharing the grisly fate of her former namesakes. In the midst of all the madness, Lacey hunts the real killer, someone looking to silence gossip columnists for good. But can Lacey crack the case before another victim gets a headline in the obituaries?
 
“Ross Spencer is wild, shrewd, mad, and unexpectedly funny.” -- The New York Times