Murdering Mr. Monti: A Merry Little Tale of Sex and Violence

A humorous mix of murder, adultery, and obsessive-compulsive behavior, as revealed by a large and eccentric cast of characters, chronicles the mayhem that results when Brenda Kovner tries to control the lives of everyone around her Read more From Publishers Weekly Barbing her trademark insight with humor, the multi-talented Viorst, known for her verse (It's Hard to Be Hip Over Thirty and Other Atrocities of Married Life), children's books (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) and nonfiction (Necessary Losses), hits another bull's-eye with this mystery, subtitled 'A Merry Little Tale of Sex and Violence.' Syndicated advice columnist Brenda Kovner, recently turned 46, is also a wife (of pediatric surgeon Jake), mother (of entrepreneur Jeff and social worker Wally) and sister (of many- careered Rosalie), who lives in a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Optimistic, positive and with a characteristic 'can-do' attitude that she applies to all problems--not just her own--Brenda decides that only murder will end the dangers imposed on her family by Joseph Monti in his zeal to break the engagement between his daughter and her son Wally.