Backstab

 Backstab by Elaine Viets (1997) 309 pages

Francesa Vierling is a columnist for a St. Louis newspaper, The St. Louis City Gazette. Two of her friends, the owner of a popular bar and a rehabber who is gay, have recently died under what she thinks are suspicious circumstances, but her police department contact is doubtful. She delves into solving the murders, plus a third one, while hopping all around the St. Louis area, from South City to Florissant to Soulard. Fast read which catches the flavor of St. Louis well.