Julie Hyzy, Deadly Interest

Deadly Interest

Julie Hyzy

Five Star, October 2006, $25.95

ISBN 1594144943

Chicago TV reporter Alex St. James of the Midwest Focus Newsletter is running late for an award ceremony in which she is a nominee, so somewhat brushes off her neighbor Evelyn Vicks when the older woman wants to show her something. She does help Evelyn get back into her locked house before racing off to the gala where she watches her former lover, Dan Starck of a rival show win the award. He humiliates her in his rambling speech, dubbing her as the engine that could, implying no matter how hard she tries she can't with no hint that he stole her story.

When she returns home she learns someone killed Mrs. Vicks whose son Bart insists she help him with probate, because the president of the bank where Mrs. Vick work David Dewars insists Bart killed his mother because he needed his inheritance. Alex, who wants to help, is being stalked by a dangerous con just released from prison. As Chicago Police Detective Lulinski investigates, Alex finds she is caught in the dangerous middle, even as her older sister Lucy, who suffers from Williams Syndrome, temporarily moves in with her during renovations at the assisted living facility where she lives.

The second "deadly" tale is a terrific investigative thriller, starring a likable protagonist whose life becomes quite complicated when her sibling moves in with her, her neighbor is murdered just after speaking with her, and several men enter her life interested in her. The storyline is fast-paced, and the ending surprising but plausible, as readers will count their blessings that Alex is on the case. On top of that is a fascinating coda at a gas station between Alex and Chicago private detective Ron Shade (Michael A. Black's literary sleuth).