Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: William Morrow / Harpercollins
Release Date: Aug. 17, 2004
ISBN: 0060538996
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
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Genre:   Suspense
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Barbara Buhrer
Reviewer Notes:  
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Fall Guy
A Rachel Alexander Mystery  
By Carlo Lea Benjamin

    Rachel Alexander, a low-key private investigator, attends pet therapy sessions and visits nursing homes with her pit bull, Dash (Dashiell). Her latest visit is a 9/11 support group. NYPD detective Timothy O'Fallon was a member of this group but did not participate with the group or seem to be helped by it. He was a neighbor of Rachel's in Greenwich Village, but had no other contact with her; therefore, it comes as a surprise when Detective Michael Brody informs her that she has been named executor of O'Fallon's estate. Brody tells her that Timothy had a fatal accident while cleaning his gun.

    Rachel attempts to put together Tim's affairs and to try to learn why he had selected her rather than his sister, Mary Margaret (Maggie). In doing so she finds evidence that Tim did not have an "accident" or commit suicide as the police ruled, but was shot to death in his bathroom. She learns that Tim made a habit of adopting troubled men to attempt o rehabilitate them. One of these is Parker, a charmer who constantly betrayed Tim's generosity and has a very shady background. With the help of Tim's neighbors, Jin Mei, an artist, and Irwin, an ex-circus dwarf, Rachel is finding pieces of Tim's life. Suspicion falls on Parker. Rachel uncovers information about a tragedy in the O'Fallon family 30 years ago, which has affected the entire family. When Tim's brother, Dennis, is found murdered, all evidence seems to point at Parker. Rachel feels he is being set up and she looks for a more likely suspect. What she finds places her life and that of Maggie in peril.

    This is a well written canine mystery. The painstaking scrutiny of Rachel into the life of O'Fallon keeps the reader's interest as each element unfolds. The interplay between Rachel and Detective Brody is well executed. The discussions of pet therapy and of the training of the dog to be a cadaver dog are of great interest. The dog, Dashiell, is a delightful addition to the story and certainly does much to defuse the bad reputation that pit bulls have.

     This is a story that holds the reader's attention with a diverse cast of characters. You have to like Irwin, the dwarf! The dialogue is realistic. The action is constant with a conclusion unexpected and shocking.

     I cannot recommend this book too highly.