Patricia Smiley, Short Change Review

Short Change

Patricia Smiley

NAL, June 2007, $23.95

ISBN: 0451221443



Management curmudgeon Tucker Sinclair left her corporate job when the partners failed to support her during a murder investigation. She opened up her own business and scrambles to build a solid client base. Ex-cop turned private investigator Charles Tate asks for Tucker's help; ergo she gets sucked into one of his investigations. Evie Lawson asks Charles to help her because she thinks someone is stalking her. They are to meet, but she is a no-show; Tucker as a favor to Charlie goes to Evie's house, but she is not there either.



Tucker's police officer boyfriend describes a homicide victim to her, who is Evie's former lover; Evie is a person of interest to the police. Charlie is in a car accident, so he asks Tucker to continue to help him on the case. Evie's stepbrother demands Charles find her before she harms herself, as he insists she is mentally unstable and probably suicidal. Tucker discovers that Evie is holding up the construction of a multi-million dollar development project by refusing to sign away her property. She now knows why seemingly everyone is desperately seeking Evie, but like the others on the hunt she has no idea where the woman hides.



Though the tale can turn a bit confusing with the universe searching for Evie, readers will agree that Patricia Smiley has written an appealing amateur sleuth mystery due to the intelligent, determined, and caring heroine. Charles provides comic relief when the tension looks overwhelming, especially as the taut noose chokes Tucker. There is a lot of action in this fast-paced tale, but it is the characters, especially tough and tender Tucker who make SHORT CHANGE a fun investigative thriller.