“Murder, blackmail, and betrayal, all set against the glittering backdrop of Washington society.” —The Today Show
No one knows the world of high society better that New York Times bestselling author Jane Stanton Hitchcock—and no one captures its behind-the-scenes scandals and secrets better. In Mortal Friends, the Edgar® Award-nominated author of Trick of the Eye and Social Crimes offers readers a comedy of manners and murders which Barbara Goldsmith describes as a “dizzying dash through the heights of Washington society, a high velocity novel with more twists than a corkscrew.” Dominick Dunne said, “I had a great weekend with this book.” Find out how the other half live—and die—by spending some quality time with Mortal Friends.
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"I love Jane Stanton Hitchcock! Her psychological thrillers for the Dior wearing set are terrific. Loved (and feared) Social Crimes and Mortal Friends was just as good. I'm now going to read the submissions toClass Notes from my girls boarding school with greater care."
— Laura (4 out of 5 stars)
“Riveting murder mystery.”
— Vogue“Dazzling…unmasks most of Washington, which may never be the same.”
— Bob Woodward“Hitchcock manages to stew a convincing homicide plot, peppered with enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and guessing again, to the novel’s neat finish.”
— Publishers Weekly“Jennifer Van Dyck’s performance adds gloss to a polished story. She uses her sultry tones, whip-smart wisecracks, and spot-on pacing to keep listeners guessing. Well-drawn characters, lots of red herrings, a thrilling surprise ending, and Van Dyck’s accomplished narration make this worthwhile entertainment.”
— AudioFile" fun, easy holiday read where everyone gets thier just dessertsm- a fantasy basically :) "
— Colleen, 2/12/2014" It took awhile to get to the action. When it arrived there it became predictable for me. "
— Andrea, 2/6/2014" Murder Mystery takes place in DC "
— Cherie, 1/26/2014" I enjoyed this book. it was a fun read. "
— Angie, 1/20/2014" I looked for Hitchcock's books on the library shelves because Linda Fairstein mentioned her as a mentor and friend in her books, and I do like Linda Fairstein's mystery thrillers! At first I thought I was going to abandon this book as being shallow, but it got to be a fun mystery. It is nothing like Fairstein's, which are much more serious. Reven, the main character in Mortal Friends, owns an antique shop in Georgetown in D.C., attends a parties where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and powerful, and ever has a few dates with a Senator farmer from Kansas. A serial killer has everyone nervous in Washington, and, of course, Reven finds herself involved, as well as her best friend Violet, who is married to a rich and powerful (and connected) old-money Potomas banker. It is a quick and fun mystery. "
— Susan, 1/13/2014" This was fun to read while living in DC because a lot of the places actually exist. Nothing too morbid and you'll be kept guessing the whole book! "
— Hillary, 1/12/2014" Good read for a snowstorm weekend. Keeps you guessing and hoping for a conclusion that is defensible and surprising. I will read more of her work (when it is snowing)! "
— Mary, 1/6/2014" Kinda fun to read- some of the characters were likable- she did find some good twists. "
— Peg, 12/25/2013" Easy fun read, learned a lot about the social scene in D.C. "
— Valerie, 11/15/2013" A pseudo mystery set in Washington, DC. I liked it only because I'm familiar with many of the locales described in the book, but the characters seemed shallow and weren't particularly likeable. "
— Debbie, 11/11/2013" I thought this was a well-written and nicely plotted mystery. Good characters and setting with fun facts about Washington, DC, and its society. "
— Suzanne, 11/6/2013" It took me a bit to get into this one, but it ended up being a good summer read. My biggest problem was that I just really didn't like the protagonist. But it was definitely an interesting look into D.C. society - somewhere I never want to hang out! "
— Paige, 5/11/2013" I very impatiently wait for new Stanton Hitchcock books. This one, while not as good as Social Crimes, was good. I thought I had the end figured out but as usual she got me! "
— Aimee, 12/22/2012" A very light reading book. Nothing too deep with the political background of the storyline. "
— Alison, 7/27/2012" it was a good book but toward the middle it kinda lost my interest, it just could have gotten to the who done it a whole lot quicker for me. lots of twists and turns and surprises. "
— Shelly, 6/20/2012" Not up to Hitchcock's usual standard of entertainment, but still an enjoyable high-society mystery. "
— Elizabeth, 6/12/2012" Very engaging mystery. Takes you inside the world of the Washington elite. "
— Denine, 12/7/2011" I like it, couldn't stop reading it since the moment I bought it. :) "
— Maira, 10/29/2011" A very engaging and entertaining beach read. This was my first book by Jane Stanton Hitchcock to read; I'll be looking for others by her. "
— Phyllis, 6/8/2011" If I had wanted to read about the firm, I would have just sat in the lobby. "
— Kathleen, 5/31/2011" Fast, fun read "
— Nikki, 4/21/2011" Great summer book. Romance and mystery, what more can you ask for. I enjoyed it for start to finish. For me the end wrapped up a little fast and I was left wondering about some of the characters. All in all, I very much enjoyed reading this novel! "
— Jess, 4/13/2011" Kinda fun to read- some of the characters were likable- she did find some good twists. "
— Peg, 11/28/2010" Easy fun read, learned a lot about the social scene in D.C. "
— Valerie, 11/15/2010" Insider look at social Washington,DC, with old friends discovering that each is not what was expected "
— Mary, 8/9/2010" This was fun to read while living in DC because a lot of the places actually exist. Nothing too morbid and you'll be kept guessing the whole book! "
— Hillary, 7/28/2010" I very impatiently wait for new Stanton Hitchcock books. This one, while not as good as Social Crimes, was good. I thought I had the end figured out but as usual she got me! "
— Aimee, 7/14/2010" A very engaging and entertaining beach read. This was my first book by Jane Stanton Hitchcock to read; I'll be looking for others by her. "
— Phyllis, 7/4/2010" I thought this was a well-written and nicely plotted mystery. Good characters and setting with fun facts about Washington, DC, and its society. "
— Suzanne, 6/23/2010" A pseudo mystery set in Washington, DC. I liked it only because I'm familiar with many of the locales described in the book, but the characters seemed shallow and weren't particularly likeable. "
— Debbie, 4/10/2010" Good read for a snowstorm weekend. Keeps you guessing and hoping for a conclusion that is defensible and surprising. I will read more of her work (when it is snowing)! "
— Mary, 2/8/2010" I enjoyed this book. it was a fun read. "
— Angie, 10/7/2009" new author - have gone back to get others "
— Doreen, 10/6/2009" Very engaging mystery. Takes you inside the world of the Washington elite. "
— Denine, 9/12/2009" There is something about Jane Stanton Hitchcock's books I really like. A mystery to solve, interesting women characters, the world of the rich and famous, good writing. <br/>The whole mix makes it a good, fast and satisfying read. "
— Muriel, 9/6/2009Jane Stanton Hitchcock is the New York Times bestselling author of Mortal Friends, The Witches’ Hammer, Social Crimes, and Trick of the Eye, as well as several plays. She lives with her husband, syndicated foreign-affairs columnist Jim Hoagland, in New York City and Washington, DC.
Jennifer Van Dyck has appeared on Broadway in Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa, Two Shakespearean Actors, and The Secret Rapture. She has been in new plays by Keith Bunin, Ellen McLaughlin, Catherine Filloux, Douglas Post, A. R. Gurney, and Albert Innaurato. Her film and television credits include Series 7, States of Control, Bullets over Broadway, numerous Law & Order episodes, Ed, Spin City, and The Education of Max Bickford. Her audiobook narrations have won her three AudioFile Earphones Awards.