Book Review: Easy Innocence

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Easy Innocence     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Bleak House Books, 2008, 396 pps.

A mentally challenged man is charged with the murder of a Sara Long. Cameron Butler a thirty-five year old man with the mind of a child. Cam is found holding the murder weapon. He is unable to explain to the police or anyone how he came into possession of the weapon.

Cam’s sister, Ruth Jordan, hires Georgia Davis to investigate the murder and uncover evidence that will prove that Cam is innocent.

Georgia is a private investigator. Georgia was suspended from the police department but still has a few friends there. Her former superior lets her know that he is not satisfied with the arrest of Cam Butler. The whole investigation process has been hurried along and many questions have been left unanswered.

As Georgia begins her investigation, she finds that Sara Long’s death took place during a hazing. This is something that was not revealed by the police at the beginning of the investigation. Georgia is not welcomed with open arms by any of the parents of Sara Long’s friends but Georgia does find a way to interview one of Sara’s friends and begins to find out more than she ever wanted to know about some of the young people today. The investigation reveals that some of the young girls today are more interested in designer clothes and expensive trappings than anything else and that they will go to any extent to earn the money to obtain these items. Georgia also learns that many of the wealthy businessmen in the North Shore area are more than willing to provide the money for services rendered.

This is a dark, suspenseful novel and reveals the flaws in today’s society where even girls with privileged backgrounds will do anything for money and a brief thrill. This is the first Libby Fischer Hellman novel that I have read but I do intend to read of her previous books.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM