Shay’s first reaction is to hide Coop from the police because she knows there is no way he would have murdered anyone. Her landlady, Eddy Quartermaine, the woman who became Shay’s surrogate mother after Shay’s own mother was killed in a car crash that also killed Eddy’s young son, agrees and lets Coop stay in the loft above the garage until Shay and Eddy can learn more about the police’s interest in Coop.

When attractive detective JT Bordeaux shows up looking for Coop, Shay remembers the attraction she felt toward the policewoman before JT was transferred and figures out that the best way to help Coop is to trust JT, and, of course, investigate the murder herself, with a little help from Coop. A madcap investigation follows, as Coop and Shay follow a trail of nuts, literally, and come up against the Mob. The stakes are raised when Eddy is kidnapped and Shay will stop at nothing to help her landlady and dear friend.

With humor and unforgettable supporting characters, this debut mystery will appeal to readers who like their murder a little off-beat. A surprising number of secondary character development is included as each character is introduced, but it is worked into the story line and doesn’t feel forced as it often can. Shay is the hardest character to get a read on, and there are several times when her actions or words are surprising given what readers know about her at that point.

Once Coop is off the hook as a suspect, there seems little reason for Shay to continue the investigation and the kidnapping of Eddy seems a little contrived as a way to keep her involved. The investigation takes a lot of twists and turns that may make some readers feel a little off-kilter and it isn’t too hard to put all the pieces together once they have all been revealed.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry