Secret Lives and Private Eyes
Mystery/Suspense
Setting – Virginia
Paperback
Publisher: Koehler Books (June 20, 2016)
Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1633932562
E-Book – ASIN: B01FGRFI1C
Synopsis
Business has been slow for Private Investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star Johnny Velvet. Could the singer—whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago—still be alive?
As if sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad enough, Delanie is hired by loud-mouth strip club owner Chaz Wellington Smith, III, to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz becomes the key suspect, and Delanie must clear his name. She also has to figure out why a landscaper keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two cases before another murder—possibly her own—takes place?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Private Investigator Delanie Fitzgerald goes to great lengths to get her clients what they need. She puts herself out there even wearing several different disguises, changing her voice as needed. Her partner, Duncan Reynolds handles any needed computer research. He is quite an internet master. Duncan’s bulldog, Margaret, is the office mascot/rug, unless treats are involved. Delanie’s current cases involve a strip club owner and a rock star that supposedly died years ago. For one case she jumps in with her whole heart and the other investigation could end up costing her her life.
I loved this story. Delanie is a fabulous protagonist. She reminded me a little bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, but even better. A fiery redhead focused on her cases. She is smart but she puts herself in harm’s way to get the answers she needs. She was awfully lucky on several occasions. Duncan reminded me of my son. He is into video games and even has game nights. Delanie knows she must be in dire straits to interrupt one of those. Unlike my son at least that I know of, Duncan is also quite the internet hacker and can usually find things to move their cases forward. Which may be the reason he disappears when the police show up.
Our Private Eye really digs into many Secret Lives making the entire story is very fast paced. We travel around with Delanie as she follows clues to several cases at the same time. We meet several interesting characters in addition to the strip club owner and the man that may be Johnny Velvet. The mayor, a bouncer, a landscaper, Delanie’s brothers, 2 alpacas, assorted dogs and more. Woven within this suspenseful story in plenty of humor and the expected Southern charm too.
This was a story I started and just couldn’t put down. I tried the just one more chapter thing several times, but ended up reading it all in one sitting.
A strong plot with impressive characters set in Richmond, Virginia. I call this one a perfect escape!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She currently lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers. She is a member of Sisters in Crime International, Guppies, and Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia. She is currently President of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia.
Author Links
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+
Tour Participants
June 16 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
June 16 – Author Spotlight – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – My Funny View of Life – REVIEW
June 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
June 19 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW
June 20 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST
June 21 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
June 22 – Lori’s Reading Corner – GUEST POST
June 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 24 – Omnimystery News – INTERVIEW
June 24 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This sounds like a super fun read. Thanks for the review.
It’s high praise indeed if you can’t put the book down.
Ann
Very high praise from you. Can’t wait to read it.
This book has gotten very positive feedback.
Thank you for the giveaway! This books sounds fantastic!
This sounds pretty good.