Secondhand Smoke
by Karen E. Olson
Mysterious Press
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Reviewed by Gerry Hartsoe
Annie Seymour is a gal reporter with a tough attitude and mouth who works for the New Haven Herald. She wakes on Thanksgiving morning to the smell of smoke. As she looks out the window she sees the well-known Italian restaurant Prego burning. As she stands naked in her front window, she realizes she will have to go out in the cold, snow and slush to get a story for her paper. Maybe this will be the excuse to get out of Thanksgiving dinner at her mothers.
She soon finds that the fire is not a typical one and there is an unidentified body inside. The assumption is the body is the restaurant owner Sal Amato. Since Sal is missing, it appears the logical answer. Annie starts her investigation thinking that because she has lived in the neighborhood all her life, and knows everyone, that she will be able to get her story. She soon learns that she is not on the inside like she thought.
There are secrets in the neighborhood, and there are hints of mafia ties. The sudden return of her father to the area from his work in a Las Vegas casino has Annie worried.
Along with the sometimes help and sometimes frustration from the two significant men in her life, Tom and Vinny, she sets about putting herself in the line of fire to try to solve the mystery.
There is fast-paced action, foul language and excitement as Annie winds her way through the dilemma. She seems to cope with two sometimes boyfriends, an irritating co-worker, a father that seems to be involved more than she wants, and shots being fired at her.
I would recommend this book to my friends. I expect to see Annie again running down another story for her paper.
Armchair Interviews says: The book is a quick and fun read.