Vice and Virtue

Libby Klein

$44.95

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Kensington Publishing
31 March 2026

Crime & Mystery

Series: A Layla Virtue Mystery

Layla Virtue, a blue-haired, 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop is trying to reinvent herself as a musician—between AA meetings, dodging eccentric neighbors at her trailer park, and reconnecting with her mysterious dad–in this unforgettable new mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.

Layla is taking her new life one day at a time from the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park she now calls home. Being alone is how she likes it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Though try telling that to the group of local ladies who are in relentless pursuit of Layla as their new BFF, determined to make her join them for coffee and donuts.

Meanwhile, since her first career ended in a literal explosion, Layla’s trying to eke out a living as a rock musician. It’s not easy competing against garage bands who work for tacos and create their music on a computer, while all she has is an electric guitar and leather-ish pants. But Layla isn't in a position to turn down any gig. Which is why she's at an 8-year-old's birthday party, watching as Chuckles the Clown takes a bow under the balloon animals. No one expects it will be his last.

Who would want to kill a clown—and why? Layla and her unshakable posse are suddenly embroiled in the seedy underbelly of the upper-class world of second wives and trust fund kids, determined to uncover what magnetic hold a pudgy, balding clown had over women who seem to have everything they could ever want. Then again, Layla knows full well that people are rarely quite what they seem—herself included…

By: Libby Klein
Imprint: Kensington Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Volume: 1
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 369g
ISBN: 9781496748560
ISBN 10: 1496748565
Series: A Layla Virtue Mystery
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Libby Klein is the author of the Vice and Virtue series and the Poppy McAllister mysteries. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she writes out of her Northern Virginia home with her sweet black Lab named Vader, and a very naughty Persian named Miss Eliza Doolittle. Visit her online at LibbyKleinBooks.com.

Reviews for Vice and Virtue

Praise for VICE AND VIRTUE by Libby Klein ""This perfect comination of mystery, humor, and romance explores serious social problems."" —Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW ""Layla is a lovably flawed, three-dimensional protagonist, and her sardonic humor will happily remind readers of Kinky Friedman…This is a winner."" —Publishers Weekly