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"Interesting murder mystery with a touch of humor."
Reviewed by Vicky Gilpin
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted February 16, 2004

Having just finished with a pro-bono case, full-figured PI Desiree Shapiro is reluctant to take on another one. She can't refuse, however, when a teenager with multi-hued hair offers to pay with her hard-earned babysitting money to clear her daddy's name of murder. The only problem is the case is Read more...

"Upbeat private investigative novel"
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 24, 2004

She can really use a high profile, lofty fee case but when sixteen year old Vicki Pirelli comes to her office begging for help, New York Private Investigator Desiree Shapiro can't refuse her heartfelt request. Ten years ago her father was sent to prison for killing his mistress but Read more...

"Not only is the murder 10 years old, the convicted killer is dead"
Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle
Posted February 24, 2004

This is a great cozy, a quick read and very enjoyable! Desiree Shapiro is a private investigator in New York City but she is not your stereotypical P.I. She is five- two and considers her best feature to be her glorious hennaed hair. Teenager Vicky Pirrelli comes to Desiree's office Read more...

Summary

No one can say that Desiree Shapiro, New York's chubbiest PI, isn't a soft touch. That's why when teenager Vicky Pirrelli wants to find out who really killed her father's mistress—a crime for which he went to jail—Desiree decides to ignore all the reasons she'd have to be crazy to take the case. The murder occurred a decade ago, on the eve of Vicky's sixth birthday, so it's almost certain the evidence will be tainted or even nonexistent. The truth won't help Victor Pirrelli, who died in prison two weeks earlier, and Desiree has been assured that she'll be adequately compensated for her services with Vicky's baby-sitting money. Still, Desiree agrees to look into things—and promptly comes up with four suspects, including her young client's own mother!

Meanwhile, Desiree's personal life isn't going so well. The man who could be her new love has a malicious nine-year-old son. And it's apparent that the little *#!!$%!# wouldn't mind doing to Desiree what someone did to Victor's mistress...

INCLUDES A TASTY NEW RECIPE FROM DESIREE SHAPIRO!