The biography of Craig Rice, a mystery writer of the 1930s -1950s. In her day, she was popular and famous enough to have her name in the title of a magazine. However now days she is mostly forgotten, but she still has 4 books in print. 
 An author is remembered by the public, not by their life, but by their work. So one needs to start there. Her work is good, and the book does describe each novel, and has a biography of known short stories and other works - including films based on her stores, and films she worked on. 
 Her life was not so good, and the author of the book is constantly explaining her behaviors (not justifying, but explaining). Most of the explanations are plausible. Certainly explains why she died in her late 40s - and was not writing too much that last decade. Author talked with the family and many other folks who knew Rice. If you want to know about Craig Rice the person, this is the book.