Even though business has been non-existent for several weeks, Gidney is hesitant to take the job. It’s not just because it involves breaking and entering, a felony in many circles, but also because Gidney is hoping to adopt a two-year old Jamaican baby, Sarah, whom he rescued from a murder scene.

When the courts break Gidney’s heart and rule him unfit to be Sarah’s father, and with bills to pay, Gidney decides to accept Gemelli’s job. But there is something funny going on and before long, Gidney realizes that Gemelli is the son of former White House senior staffer Chuck Gemelli who is now the head of the Motion Picture Alliance. And Gemelli is blackmailing Gidney, which Gidney finds a little more than ironic since he only took the job because he had no money to begin with so what does Gemelli want? 

When Chuck’s partner turns up dead, Gidney really begins to feel he’s being set up, but just for what, he can’t figure. And all the while he has the little girl who broke his heart on his mind, a case worker who has it in for him and two gangs who also seem to be interested in seeing Gidney dead.   

Steal the Show never quite decides what kind of PI novel it wants to be.  Part wise-cracking, a whole lot of noir and the tender touch of Gidney willing to give a lot of it up for little Sarah.  Readers familiar with Golden Age noir detectives will appreciate the homage Kaufman pays them. The plot isn’t straight forward and takes readers on many twists and turns with many characters, some overdone to the point of caricature.

Entertaining, if a bit clichéd, Gidney’s affection for the little girl lost and the hope that she will remain in his life will be what remains in the back of everyone’s mind.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry