Paula is hesitant to get involved in another business venture and is very surprised, along with the rest of Springfield, when Caroline is arrested as a fugitive who escaped from prison over twenty years ago.  Caroline is extradited to Michigan and while she is waiting to learn her fate, her husband Grant approaches Paula and asks her to find the person who turned Caroline in. 

Paula agrees, even though she feels a little out of her element, but soon realizes there have been several new, strange men in town recently, most often seen hanging around Babe’s Paradise Diner or inquiring after the same property Caroline is considering purchasing.  Starting with these men, Paula is able to trace one to Caroline’s hometown in Michigan where she learns more about Caroline’s past, things that won’t condemn her but may well save her life.  

Once again, Rosemary Harris has written a mystery full of all the things mystery readers love:  a no-nonsense, down to earth (literally) heroine with friends she can count on to help keep her real, a fast-paced, engrossing plot with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing and a little something left in question at the end that will pique readers’ interest, wondering if this will appear in a future mystery, or just left as one of life’s little mysteries. 

Caroline’s past, told in flashbacks, works well, giving just enough background so readers learn how she ended up where she is today and what she gave up to get there. This makes her a sympathetic character, rather than someone to disdain for being on the lam.  Paula is a first-rate character, not afraid to get her hands dirty or turn to her friends when she needs them, and at the same time, loyal enough to them to put herself in danger to help them.  Paula’s investigation is worked nicely into the plot and she doesn’t investigate to the exclusion of the rest of her life.   

The “Dirty Business” mysteries get better with each entry and will quickly take root as favorites of many readers.                                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry