They say a great actor is one that excels at drama as well
as comedy. I believe the same is true for writers. Here we have a writer who is
as comfortable writing an epic story set in biblical times (The Third Servant)
as he is writing this sassy crime thriller. In Marcy Pantano he has created a
woman after my own heart; sassy, intelligent, independent but not without her
flaws. She has overcome a bad marriage and a nasty divorce that left her penniless,
but Marcy picked herself up, started her own consultancy and now dates a hot
young photographer. Her help is being sought by the public prosecutor when a
mutual friend is being accused of murder. He is lying about his whereabouts to
the authorities. Is he protecting someone even though the truth might clear
him? The story is mainly character driven and there is an interesting sub-plot
involving the ex-husband. The actual solving of the crime is a bit sudden, but
this didn’t take away from the fun read this is; there is plenty of other
things besides the murder going on. The best bit about this book is the depth
to which the author explores his main character. We get to know this woman intimately;
what makes her tick, what ticks her off and what gets her hot under her bib
overalls. I would love to have Marcy along for a girl’s night out. This is the
first of a series of books and I would certainly like to read what Ms. Pantano
gets up to next. I would like to read more in general of this author, as I have
no doubt that whatever genre he tackles next, he will do it well.I give this 5 stars.
