Dead in the Frame

A Pentecost and Parker Mystery

By: Stephen Spotswood

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

A New York Times Best Mystery of 2025

The most dramatic installment yet in the Nero Award–winning Pentecost and Parker series, as Will scrambles to solve a shocking murder before Lillian takes the fall for the crime.

NEW YORK CITY, 1947: Wealthy financier and ghoulish connoisseur of crime, Jessup Quincannon, is dead, and famed detective Lillian Pentecost is under arrest for his murder. Means, motive, and a mountain of evidence leave everyone believing she’s guilty. Everyone, that is, except Willowjean “Will” Parker, who knows for a fact her boss is innocent. She just doesn’t know if she can prove it.

With Lillian locked away in the House of D—New York City’s infamous women’s prison—Will is left to root out the real killer. Was it a member of Quincannon’s murder-obsessed Black Museum Club? Maybe it was his jilted lover? Or his beautiful, certainly-sociopathic bodyguard? And what about the mob hit-man who just happened to disappear after the shots were fired?

With the city barreling toward the trial of the century, each day brings fresh headlines and hints of long-buried scandals from Lillian’s past. Will is desperate to get her boss out from behind bars before her reputation is destroyed. Because the House of D is no kind place, especially for a woman with multiple sclerosis. Or one with so many enemies. Her health failing and being targeted by someone who wants her dead, Lillian needs to survive long enough to take the stand.

With time running out on both sides of the prison walls, Will and Lillian must wager everything to uncover who put their thumb on the scales and a bullet in Quincannon’s head. Before Lady Justice brings her sword down, ending Pentecost and Parker's adventures once and for all.

Critic reviews

On CrimeReads' "Queer Crime Summer Reading List"

"I adore Spotswood’s series featuring the ace private investigator Lillian Pentecost and her assistant Will Parker. . . Start here, then work your way through the earlier books." --Sarah Weinman, The New York Times

"Spotswood’s newest title takes on another closed-door mystery to great effect. He balances the tension, the red herrings, and the clues well, and fans of the series will be in for a treat. Mystery readers in general would do well to place this series on their TBR lists to enjoy the twists and turns that make these titles a joy to read." —Library Journal, starred review

"One wild ride . . . The satisfying wrap-up includes the promise of a follow-up investigation that Lillian feels compelled to undertake. Kudos to Spotswood for highlighting the realities of both women and transgender women in the justice system." --Booklist, starred review

“As always, Spotswood pairs voicey narration (especially in Will’s chapters) with a briskly satisfying fair-play whodunit. Series fans will be satisfied.” --Publishers Weekly

"Spotswood explores complex plots intertwining several stories, and his wry humour doesn’t hurt . . . I'm all in for book six." --Historical Novel Society

"A lively period frolic." --Kirkus

"Quite the corker" --Murder and Mayhem

"Hearkens back to Rex Stout’s iconic Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin series. . . Without giving away anything here, the murderer is just about the last person you would expect." --BookPage

"Morals, mores, loves and lusts swirl in dark eddies around the entire cast." --Lavender Magazine

Praise for the Pentecost & Parker Mysteries

“Razor-sharp style, tons of flair, a snappy sense of humor, and all the most satisfying elements of a really good noir novel.” —Tana French, New York Times bestselling author of The Searcher

“A delight . . . it’s a pleasure to watch [Pentecost and Parker] sifting through red herrings and peeling secrets back like layers of an onion. . . Just like his mystery-writing ancestor [Rex Stout], Spotswood understands that the detective story should be sound, but spending time with unforgettable characters is paramount.” —New York Times Book Review

“My new favorite sleuthing duo are Pentecost and Parker, the spiritual sisters of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin . . . Utterly brilliant!” –Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of Killers of a Certain Age

“Stephen Spotswood hard-boils with the best of ‘em!” –Alan Bradley, bestselling author of the Flavia de Luce Mystery Series

Fast-Paced, Fun Listen

This was my first Pentecost and Parker mystery, and I really enjoyed it. The narrator was fantastic and made the story easy to follow. The plot is a bit over the top at times, but it remains fun and fast-paced. I also appreciated how the author incorporated social issues without making it feel heavy-handed. It didn’t leave me rushing to start the rest of the series, but it was definitely an entertaining and worthwhile listen.

Great story

Loved the story, I guessed the ending but could not figure how it was done. Love the stories and the characters. I can see the types of characters(the asholes, the whitemen who cannot accept that a women just might be better than them, keep writing these stories, i cant wait for the next one) in today's world, and unfortunately that sucks. The U.S. is walking backwards and that truly sucks. Keep kicking ass ladies, I see you, we see you and we sit in awe of you.

Another home run

I can't figure out why more people don't know about this series. This entry, like the other four, is outstanding. Likeable protagonists, snappy dialogue, touches of humor, clever plot, great narration. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a mystery series that has touches of Nero Wolfe, Sherlock Holmes, film noir, Mickey Spillane and more.

amazing series

I particularly love this series. Clever. Well written. Extremely well done audio book. A great listen all around.

Great as always

I’ve loved these characters from book one, and am so happy to see them continue being themselves and being a source of inspiration.