Holland Taylor, the likeable P.I. in this new series, is a former St.
Paul, MN Homicide detective. He quit the force after his wife and
daughter were killed by a drunk driver. Now that driver is out of
prison and when he's found dead, Taylor is a logical suspect.
Then when he sets out to clear his name
he uncovers an elaborate series of plots and counter plots, involving
Minnesotta politics, police wrong doing, bookies & bettors, lesbians,
etc. It all gets to be a little much, but a first time novelist can
surely be forgiven for pulling out all the stops; after all, who knows
if there'll be a second book in which to use leftover plotlines.
The characterization of Taylor is a little uneven, as Housewright struggles
with balancing hard-boiled conventions with totally unnecessary 90's political
correctness, but I enjoyed the book, especially the unusual Twin Cities
setting and I look forward to more from Mr. Housewright.
(Reviewed:)
Grade: (B-)
