Imitation of Death (Nikki Harper Mysteries) (2012)

by Cheryl Crane

Series: Nikki Harper Mystery (2)

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Fiction. Mystery. HTML: Cheryl Crane, daughter of movie icon Lana Turner, brings her Hollywood insider expertise to the second book in a star-studded mystery series featuring celebrity realtor-turned-sleuth Nikki Harper and her screen goddess mother, Victoria Bordeaux. . . Nikki Harper is a superstar among Hollywood realtors. Among private investigators however, she's strictly amateur, and her first case was a Waterworld-sized disaster. But when a body turns up in a dumpster behind Victoria Bordeaux's mansion, Nikki feels duty-bound to get involved. Before his demise, Eddie Bernard was the uber-privileged son of one of the biggest TV producers of all time, and a spoiled, violent, party-boy loser. The list of people glad to see him gone could stretch from one end of Bel Air to the other. In fact, about the only person Nikki's sure is innocent is the prime suspect: Jorge Delgado, her childhood friend and the son of Victoria's housekeeper. With the D.A. and the media throwing the words "death penalty" around, Nikki has to help. Victoria, of course, can't wait to delve into another Tinseltown scandal, and soon Nikki is submerged in a secret world of celebrity drug-dealing, dangerous cults, conniving stars, illegal aliens and, of all things, the Food Network. With the aid of a voyeuristic neighbor and some good old-fashioned bribery, Nikki starts to close in on the truth. But can she keep Jorge from facing the final curtain. . .while keeping herself out of a killer's spotlight? .… (more)

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Showing 4 of 4

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I made it to page 21 and nope couldn't finish it. The reason being is because it was too much advertising. I really don't care if the neighbor had Gucci, Prada, etc. crap. All I wanted was a good mystery story not telling us what the rich wore at a party. Yup I'm glad I didn't get the book 6 years ago when I was supposed to win it. Not the book for me.

booklover3258 | Aug 14, 2018 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I was selected to receive this book, but it did not come in the mail. It does sound interesting and from the other reviews, I suspect mystery readers would enjoy the series (apparently this is book 2). I need to write something as I am a regular to the Members' month book review and I do not want to fault the author or publisher. These things happen. I would recommend that you give it a read. Paul Floyd, Mpls, MN.

pmfloyd1 | Mar 3, 2015 |

I was very interested in reading IMITATION OF DEATH by Cheryl Crane after I knew a little of the author’s background. Cheryl Crane is the daughter of Hollywood movie legend, Lana Turner. Interestingly, Crane herself committed murder in 1958 at the age of 14 when she fatally stabbed her mother’s abusive boyfriend. The stabbing was ruled to be justifiable homicide because she was protecting her mother at the time. Crane has written an autobiography, Detour: a Hollywood Tragedy – My Life With Lana Turner, My Mother and other books.

IMITATION OF DEATH is the second book in the Nikki Harper Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone novel. IMITATION OF DEATH seems to be a story that is parallel to Crane’s personal life. Today, Crane works in real estate in California. Her heroine, Nikki Harper, also works in real estate and has a mother who is a Hollywood legend. Crane’s personal background in old Hollywood has apparently been a positive factor in creating Nikki and the other characters in this series. Her inside knowledge of celebrity life has enabled her to create a believable and exciting fictional mystery. I found myself fully engaged in this mystery involving celebrities and scandal. The plot is excellent and there’s a surprising twist in the end. I think all mystery lovers will enjoy IMITATION OF DEATH.

RATING: 4

Heat Rating: Mild

REVIEWED BY: Molly Waters

Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More (

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MyBookAddiction | Feb 16, 2014 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I was supposed to receive an advanced reader copy of this but never did. I had forgotten about it but happened to start reading the series by this author and ended up checking it out from the library. Afterwards I realized this was one of the books I was supposed to receive. I absolutely love this book and this series and hope the author continues on with it. She may want to reconsider her publisher though since they had trouble with the follow through in getting books out to readers and hoping for good reviews. (

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JenniWindsor | Dec 8, 2013 |

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2012

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To JER... We've been so many places in our life and time...

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Nikki walked into her mother's kitchen, flip=flops slapping on the Italian tile floor, and opened the huge commercial stainless steel refrigerator.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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Fiction. Mystery. HTML:

Cheryl Crane, daughter of movie icon Lana Turner, brings her Hollywood insider expertise to the second book in a star-studded mystery series featuring celebrity realtor-turned-sleuth Nikki Harper and her screen goddess mother, Victoria Bordeaux. . .

Nikki Harper is a superstar among Hollywood realtors. Among private investigators however, she's strictly amateur, and her first case was a Waterworld-sized disaster. But when a body turns up in a dumpster behind Victoria Bordeaux's mansion, Nikki feels duty-bound to get involved.

Before his demise, Eddie Bernard was the uber-privileged son of one of the biggest TV producers of all time, and a spoiled, violent, party-boy loser. The list of people glad to see him gone could stretch from one end of Bel Air to the other. In fact, about the only person Nikki's sure is innocent is the prime suspect: Jorge Delgado, her childhood friend and the son of Victoria's housekeeper. With the D.A. and the media throwing the words "death penalty" around, Nikki has to help.

Victoria, of course, can't wait to delve into another Tinseltown scandal, and soon Nikki is submerged in a secret world of celebrity drug-dealing, dangerous cults, conniving stars, illegal aliens and, of all things, the Food Network. With the aid of a voyeuristic neighbor and some good old-fashioned bribery, Nikki starts to close in on the truth. But can she keep Jorge from facing the final curtain. . .while keeping herself out of a killer's spotlight?

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