Review: The next right thing
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 8, 2013
In this PI tale written by an actual PI, smartphones track GPS bugs, but the woman who plants a tracker unit is arrested because a concerned citizen thinks she was planting a bomb under the truck. High tech it seems doesn't mean you're going to have a good day!After an entertaining start we discover that Cammie the PI isn't legally allowed to do what amounts to a wiretap; she loses her licence and has to pay a fine. A lawyer named Marc is hoping Cammie will track down his ex girlfriend who stole from his firm and clients. Cammie would rather not talk to him as they have unresolved issues. But Marc persuades Cammie to work for his law firm; his engagingly serious young daughter Emily keeps issuing commands to make their lives greener and fairer. Marc has a second dilemma as Gwen, his ex, was thought to be pregnant - it may be his child.The story slows down and addresses various drawn-out family matters and only halfway through the book does Cammie take up the case of the elusive Gwen. She searches on line for nicknames, cars and sports Gwen liked. Later she and Marc realise that hidden feelings have come to light, but somewhat strangely they kiss in a beach cabin and proceed to discuss a Chagall painting. Cammie is later arrested for disorderly conduct and may lose her licence permanently. So when a dubious moneymaking proposition is put to her, she's in the mood to listen.This adult tale needs to decide whether it is a family romance or a PI story. When it concentrates on one or the other it is enjoyable but too much family discussion goes on for long stretches and doesn't contribute to either plot. The PI work tends to be more gadgets and less Sue Grafton, but maybe that's how the work is done nowadays. I felt that given her background, the author should focus on the crime aspect in her next outing.