We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman
Amy, her father-in-law Steve, a former cop, and bestselling writer Rosie have opened a detective agency. The don’t get much business in the small English town of Axley, where Steve enjoys pub lunches, quiz nights, and discussing the best routes to take to avoid traffic and road construction (I can certainly relate to that last one!).
After a quiet period, they get a client in Italy. Wealthy Vern Blackwood has lost one of his bodyguards, apparently to his chief rival Jakob Eriksson. Vern sells fake vitamins while Jakob sells fake pharmaceuticals. Vern’s ex-wife Georgie back in England sells fake beauty products. Amy, Steve, and Rosie fly to Italy to meet with Vern at his Tuscan villa. Rosie is worried that her latest book isn’t selling well, and even her agent hasn’t read it. The trio travel to Spain, Palm Springs, Sweden and back to England and Italy searching for Eriksson. They also spend time at Rosie’s castle, which has two moats. Amy’s husband is in Saudi Arabia on a work assignment. She worries that they won’t see each other on their 7th wedding anniversary, while finding a copper-themed gift is challenging for both of them. Also, Vern doesn’t seem very interested in having his rival found. It’s all delightfully puzzling. At least Steve has a reliable pet sitter for his cat, Trouble.
Fast-paced, thrilling, often funny and hard to put down, this sequel to We Solve Murders is a good read, though definitely not cozy. While it’s quite different from the Thursday Murder Club mystery series, there is crossover appeal.
Brenda
