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Publisher:
William Morrow / Harpercollins |
Release
Date: Aug. 17, 2004 |
ISBN:
0060538996 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Hardcover |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Suspense |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Barbara Buhrer |
Reviewer
Notes: |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
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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.
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