"Fine Manhattan cozy"

Sarcastic Blossom Goody informs Manhattan private investigator Desiree Shapiro that her cousin Gordie wants to hire her because he believes someone is trying to kill him, but lacks evidence to go to the police. Desiree argues with The Mouth at first, but knows no one human can win a debate with Blossom nor avoid wilting from the acerbic verbal assault.

Not long after the call, Gordon Curry explains to Desiree that he and his wife Rhonda went on their annual fall vacation in the Pocono Mountains. With a warm Indian summer, he was swimming in the lake when a motorboat tried to run him over. Not long after that in the same area, someone fired a shot that just missed Gordie while he was hunting. He wants Desiree to insure no more attempts on his life and provides her with the name of the only person he believes might want him dead, former employee Roger Clyne. As Desiree searches for the vanished Roger, someone kills Gordie as he leaves his monthly poker game. Blossom tells Desiree to find the killer.

Plus-sized Desiree Shapiro stars in a fine Manhattan cozy that fans of the series will enjoy in spite of the heroine being her usual unconfident self except over pizza at Little Angie's in her twelfth appearance. The Mouth adds depth and humor as no one peels skin off a person than the abusive queen of derision Mrs. Goody (an apropos ironic surname). Shapiro supporters will appreciate the case switching from keeping the client alive to finding his killer, not easy when the only suspect died a couple of months ago.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 2, 2005

Summary

New York's plus-size PI, Desiree Shapiro, discovers that her latest would-be client is harder to say no to than a second—make that a third—slice of Little Angie's pizza. There have already been two attempts to kill charismatic pharmaceutical exec Gordon Curry, and he wants Desiree to prevent number three. Fearful of accepting the responsibility for someone's life—or death— Desiree prefers to take cases after the body has been carted away. However, the charming Curry wins her over. He even supplies her with the name of the disgruntled ex- employee who, he is convinced, is the only one who could possibly want to do him in. But before Desiree has the chance to follow up, Curry is shot to death. What's more, she learns that the ex-employee—her sole suspect—committed suicide two months earlier! With a tough case like this on her hands, Desiree needs to get cracking... but not before she polishes off that pizza.