Book Review: Too Darn Hot

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Too Darn Hot     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Sandra Scoppettone
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Woman Main Character   Private Investigator   WW II
Series: Faye Quick # 2
Ballantine Books, 2006, 268 pps.

This Dame For Hire, Faye Quick, P.I., is back and this time her case is a lollapalooza!

Faye’s old boss Woody Mason went off to World War II and left Faye in charge of his business – that of being a private investigator. Birdie, who is a lively personality, is still Faye’s secretary and the office is running smooth.

Claire Turner hires Faye to find her boy friend, Charlie Ladd, a private in the army and in New York, City on leave. Charlie was to meet with Claire a couple of days before and failed to show up. Claire didn’t have too many leads to pass on to Faye but Faye began her investigation.

First stop, The Commodore Hotel where Charlie was staying but although Charlie wasn’t there the room wasn’t vacant. A dead body occupied his room but was it Charlie?

Faye had a time convincing Claire to go to the morgue and identify the body but finally she got her there. It turns out the body isn’t Charlie at all. Next Claire receives a call that Charlie has been kidnapped and demands that Claire deliver the ransom money. Faye tries to be the go-between for Claire and Charlie’s dad and soon finds herself in the middle of a really big mess.

Faye finally uncovers the culprit in this case but another murder takes place along the way.

The 1940’s NYC setting is interesting and the slang is fun. Sometimes it gets to be a bit much but I did enjoy the book.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM