MURDER MY PAST

A New York murder mystery dredges up the sins of an investigator’s past in Pitts’ novel.

This fifth entry in the Ross Agency Mystery series is again set in present-day Harlem and stars resilient private investigator SJ Rook, who’s spent the last few years dealing with past trauma, including PTSD from his time in the military, and struggling with alcohol dependency. Together with his partner, Sabrina Ross, who’s also the agency owner’s daughter, he tackles a new mystery that hits a bit too close to home. Pitts’ distinctive flair for havoc and melodrama kicks into high gear from the outset with the appearance of Rook’s wealthy, entrepreneurial ex-wife, Anniesha “Annie” Perry, who’s in town from Miami for a work conference. She says that she wants to shake things up with a shocking, “blockbuster” presentation that will “Expose the dirty underside” of the cleaning-service business. She also seems poised to rekindle her long-since-extinguished romance with Rook. This poses a direct challenge to his strong, long-standing relationship with Sabrina, but before Annie can cause any trouble, she’s found murdered in her hotel room. Rook must put aside his vulnerability and his memories of his violent past to solve the crime and prevent himself from falling back into old ways. Although the investigation unspools methodically, there are several unexpected twists. Readers will find themselves hooked as Rook and Sabrina expertly pursue an investigation that eventually leads them to the world of academia. Pitts also provides a side case of an elderly widow who frequently wanders away from her nursing home, but it doesn’t shift focus away from Annie’s murder. Rook’s intuitive skills allow the pieces of the plot to fall into place seamlessly, and the work has a breezy but compelling tone throughout. For series regulars, this installment also lays to rest an unanswered question about a two-decade-old cold case. Overall, Pitts again demonstrates an outstanding knack for locomotive suspense and intelligent characterization.

Another engaging whodunit featuring two entertaining detectives.