Deal Killer

Author:  Vicki Doudera
Genre:  Mystery

Five Stars

 

 

Realtor-turned sleuth Darby Farr arrives in the Big Apple and finds big trouble: her boyfriend Miles Porter is a suspect in the brutal stabbing of a Russian businessman.  Setting out to prove his innocence, Darby discovers that Central Park Place - the luxury residence where Miles lives - is a hotbed of wealthy tenants with well-guarded secrets.  One of them is Natalia Kazakova, a billionaire's daughter and the victim's not-so-distraut fiancee, wnose investigate journalism has caught the attention of Russia's shadowy security agency.  With the looming threat of Soviet-era spies and long list of rich and devious suspects, Darby must work fast to stop a killer who knows no bounds.

 

 ********

 

I found this book to be very well-written and the plot taut, with plenty of red herrings (which I love), enough to keep me interested throughout.  Although I don't agree with the blurb - Darby's boyfriend is never really considered a suspect - there isn't a dearth of them anywhere.  In fact, there are so many suspects that you're only really sure the two people who couldn't have done it are Darby and Miles.  It seems everyone had a reason to kill Alec Rodin (and there are no spoilers here, since he is killed off almost immediately). 

 

Just when you think you might have the right reason, and the right person, another comes along to change your mind; and before you know it, there are at least ten people who had reasons to kill him, and not because of things that he might have done, but because the little reasons all tie into other reasons, and other people.  Talk about being being twisted around...

 

In the midst of this we have Darby and her beau Miles furthering their relationship and sort of trying to cement it somehow, while Darby struggles with her past and their future.  And just when you think it's going to be smooth sailing, something else happens that will test their affection for each other.  Quite enjoyable, without too much drama.

 

In the end, it was hard to put down, because I really wanted to know how it all wound up at the end.  Stick with it; you'll enjoy the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Deal-Killer-Darby-Farr-Mystery/dp/0738734292/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/911007074