Murder, Suicide, Whatever

by: Mystery

Published by: Capitol Crime Press

Reviewed by Diane Kaspersk

Fifi Cutter and her half brother Bosco are about as different as night and day. Fifi is blunt, very honest and a hardworking insurance adjustor. She really doesn't have a lot of friends because she is so straightforward and tells it like it is. Bosco is super friendly, very outgoing, unemployed and could charm the pants off anyone. They get along like oil and vinegar.

Bosco shows up on Fifi's doorstep one morning telling her that they are hired to investigate the death of "Uncle Ted" Heffernan. Eddie Waller, a fellow employee at the insurance firm where Ted worked, hired them. He is a sleaze and only out for himself, but they are supposed to be paid by the hour, and Fifi really needs the money to keep her house. To all outward appearances, Ted died of a heart attack. Even the autopsy did not shown any evidence of foul play.

Fifi is almost convinced that there wasn't any foul play, but then strange things start happening. First she gets a phone call warning her to stay out of business that doesn't concern her. Someone tried to break into her house, and then someone did leave a dead rat in her kitchen. After interviewing one of Ted's clients, as she was walking to her truck--it blew up. The topper was when Eddie was shot in the head in the parking garage at the insurance firm. Okay, so maybe it wasn't just a 'death by natural causes.'

There are twists and turns throughout the whole book with any number of suspects. The banter between Fifi and Bosco keeps the tone lively and fun. Even though Fifi gives the impression of not having much use for her freeloading brother, at the end when push comes to shove she was desperate to keep him safe.

Armchair Interviews says: Recommended to all cozy mystery readers!