Book Review: Deep Pockets

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Deep Pockets     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Linda Barnes
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator
Series: Carlotta Carlyle # 10
St. Martin’s, Mar 2004, $24.95, 320 pp.

Boston area private investigator Carlotta Carlyle noticed the mark trailing her throughout Harvard Square. She pulls a magician’s trick and accosts her tracker. He insists he was not stalking her, but instead working up the courage to consult with her in a professional capacity.

He explains that “his friend” is being blackmailed and paying failed to end the nightmare. Tenured Harvard Professor Wilson Chaney admits he had an affair with a freshman student Denali Brinkman. Realizing that revelation of his taboo indiscretion would end his career Wilson hires Carlotta to uncover the identity of his blackmailer so he can persuade the person to stop. Though Carlotta literally (only slightly that is) and figuratively (totally) looks down at her client especially over the age of his lover, she accepts the case.

Carlotta digs deep into the background of her client and his former teen lover. She searches for threads at the University and in Wilson’s personal life, finding a vehicular death link. Unable to resist, Carlotta goes down the side path that this death takes her not realizing how dangerous her detour will soon prove as there is much more to this case than simply a blackmailed cheating husband

In her tenth appearance, Carlotta remains an invigorating private investigator. Her latest case DEEP POCKETS is a fabulous detective story that starts rather differently, but quite exhilaratingly before turning into a suspense thriller. Carlotta deals with ethics issues throughout the tale beginning with her odious client and continuing when she chose a lane that might not be in the best interest of the professor. This six foot one former police officer still kicks butt as one of Boston’s finest.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner