MURDER AMONG FRIENDS

by Frank McConnell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 16, 1983

Evoking shades of A. A. Fair's Bertha Cool and Donald Lam, McConnell introduces ex-nun Bridget O'Toole and her Chicago detective agency (taken over from a stroke-disabled father), whose chief operative is wiseacre/narrator Harry Garnish. . . always a step or two behind his boss. The opening case: the gruesome murder of Fred Healy--who leaves a posthumous tape for Harry, his old pal and fellow sleuth. (Harry was also having an affair with Fred's wife Marianne.) That tape pulls the agency into the doings of Ecology International, a philanthropic outfit owned by weirdo Harmon Wright and equally strange wife Yolanda--powerful members of Chicago's monied old society. And Harry soon realizes that there's more going on at E.I. than saving whales--with blackmail, drugs, and sex offering quite a tangle. . . till the unflappable Bridget sets it all straight, aided by her old pupil Inspector Carp. The dialogue's gritty, the pace is fast, rueful/ wry Harry is appealing--as is Bridget's calmly masterful way with the facts; so, if McConnell can ease up a bit and smooth out his plotting (barely coherent here), this series could have a bright, flair-ful future.

Pub Date: Nov. 16, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Walker

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1983

Categories: FICTION