Created by Ruthe Furie
(1930-)
Once upon a time, FRAN KIRK was a battered wife. But she survived both a nasty divorce and the death of her ex to become a private eye in Cheektowaga, New York, right outside ofBuffalo), in this well-regarded but now forgotten hat trick of novels by Ruthe Furie.
The debut, 1995’s If Looks Could Kill, finds Fran living with her dog Horace and trying to regain control of her life. She’s working as a sort of do-everything gal for a shady dating service/insurance investigation firm.
In fact, two of the books were nominated for Shamus Awards, although neither won. If Looks Could Kill (1995) was nominated for Best First P.I. Novel, and A Natural Death (1996) was a finalist in the Best P.I. Paperback Original category.
There’s a lot of talk about women’s rights, dysfunctional relationships, and plenty of demonstrations of toxic masculinity in the first two, while the third book, A Deadly Paté (1997) , has Fran reluctantly zipping off to France for a funeral and finds herself working to defend her ex’s aunt’s rep as a gourmet chef when a culinary rival is poisoned.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ruthe Furie is a journalist who has worked at The New York Daily News, The Buffalo News and The Hackensack Record. She’s also written at least one short story featuring caterer/P.I. B.T. Jefferson (Furie’s heroes seems to have a thing for side gigs) and has co-written a mystery novel, Hell Gate (1991), with her former husband, David Stout (1942-2020), who won an Edgar for his first novel, Carolina Skeletons (1988).
NOVELS
- If Looks Could Kill (1995) | Buy this book
- A Natural Death (1996) | Buy this book
- A Deadly Paté (1997) | Buy this book
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- A New York State of Mind
Empire State Eyes
THE DICK OF THE DAY
- October 12, 2026
THE BOTTOM LINE: It’s bad enough being married to an abusive drunk and going through a nasty divorce, but to then be accused of his murder? Sheesh! Fortunately this ex-battered wife turned Buffalo area PI rises above it all, even if she has to work part-time for a dubious dating service/insurance investigation firm.
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
