Never knowing where his next case will come from, Private Detective Jarvis Mann is thrilled when his voicemail is lit up by the sexy tones of a lady looking to hire him. Successful business woman Emily White with girl next door looks, is certain someone is stalking her and wants Jarvis to track down the elusive shadow.
Even with three suspects, an ex-husband who lives to play softball, a sexist pig ex-employee and a mystery man who he encounters with painful results, Jarvis believes it’s all in Emily’s head until a killing in her home convinces him otherwise.
Further complicating matters a powerful business man and crime boss becomes involved muddying up the case, leaving Jarvis the prime suspect in the brutal beating of one of the possible stalkers, threatening to put his PI career on ice.
Navigating through each twist and turn in the case, and the affections of two desirable women both with an agenda, Jarvis uses dogged determination and razor sharp wit in Tracking a Shadow that moves across the Denver landscape with each shift in the sun.
Review
Not a cozy mystery, but more suspenseful, this was a compelling read. Jarvis Mann has to stay focused to help his newest client even if he's not sure he believes there is danger. He systematically sets out to identify who is stalking this impressive and beautiful lady but something doesn't seem right. On the personal side, he is drawn to Melissa, an attorney in the law office that represented his client five years earlier for her divorce. Throw in an ex-employee womanizer, the ex-husband, the ex-consultant, and any other man who comes in contact with Emily, and Jarvis has his hands full. He certainly doesn't need the two goons and alleged mob boss to further confuse matters. A tangled web of deceit, but who is weaving it? To his credit, as he muddles through Jarvis shows compassion and does seem to be making 'friends' with some members of the police department; Rufus puts a positive spin on the ending.
There are references to the short story, "THE CASE OF THE MISSING BUBBLEGUM CARD" but it is not necessary to read it first. The ending suggests another Jarvis Mann Detective Novel in the making - I'm looking forward to it!
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