Book Review: Calculated Loss

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Calculated Loss     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Linda L. Richards
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Madeline Carter # 3
Mira, 2006

A marriage can be ended by divorce, but the influence of the relationship lingers on and may not be fully understood until long after the divorce papers have been signed. Madeline Carter has neither seen nor heard from her ex-husband for years, but the news of his suicide triggers a re-evaluation of their relationship and her part in its ending. When, on the urging of her former sister-in- law, she attends the funeral in Vancouver, she discovers that her former in-laws want her business expertise as well as her presence at the funeral. The man who has just died seems to have been completely different from the man she remembers - he had found the drive and skill needed to build an extremely successful business. However, now that he is dead, his relatives distrust the business decisions of his new wife's brother, the former Chief Financial Officer and now Chief Executive Officer. As Madeline discovers how much of her ex-husband's new life was a mere shell rather than solidly real, she begins to wonder about the truth of the verdict of suicide.

The story gets off to a slow start, and continues at a fairly leisurely pace. In many respects, this is appropriate to a tale of reflection and reassessment. It may not suit those looking for a more action-filled story, and in fact, some of Madeline's more adventurous investigations seem to be slightly ill-advised and out- of-place. On the other hand, Madeline's life and work are interesting and clearly presented, and she is a very believable and interesting character. Overall, I would describe the book as a solidly readable tale in the cozy vein, but with better characterization and description than the run-of the mill book in this sub-genre.

Cheryl - RAM

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