Jacob is sure drugs are being sold from two of the apartments next door, but his calls to the cops go unanswered -- he suspects because the landlord is a former cop. Jacob learns that the house was illegally sub-divided into apartments and plans to use this as leverage for getting his unsavory neighbors evicted. As he is about to go the town council meeting, landlord Pop Doyle applies for a zoning variance. That night in front of a meeting full of witnesses, Jake attacks Pop, and worse luck for Jacob, when Pop’s gun falls to the ground, Jacob grabs it out of his son’s hands, leaving his fingerprints on the weapon.

When Pop is shot with the same gun outside the house he owns that night, the police immediately arrest Jacob. No one down at the station seems interested in hearing Jacob’s side of the story and he is charged with Pop’s murder.

Out on bail, Jacob begins investigating on his own since the police seem convinced they have their killer. When one of Pop’s tenants is killed and Jacob is framed for the murder, he turns up the heat on his investigation. As he starts asking questions, he begins to think the entire police force is corrupted and willing to let Jacob take the fall for both murders rather than letting their dirty little secrets come out.

Grand Delusion is a strong sequel to Breakfast at Madeline’s. Jacob is a very likable hero with a good sense of humor and timing. His wife Andrea is very supportive and his two young sons are fiercely loyal to their dad, even if they don’t understand why. The secondary characters are good additions to the cast without being overpowering with too many quirks or problems of their own.

Grand Delusion is a cleverly plotted mystery that keeps the murderer well hidden until the end. Readers who will be rooting for Jacob to triumph and looking for the dirty cops to get their comeuppance will not be disappointed. This is an excellent addition to a fledgling series that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry