Mischief 24/7

This is the last book of a trilogy. All three are excellent. I read them in order, as the story flows better, but they can stand alone. Only in this last one, however, do you get the final closing. The daughters of Teddy Sunshine, a retired police detective, do not believe that their father committed murder and then killed himself. He had set up a detective agency and worked on four cold cases when he wasn't busy with other work. The women feel that one of these cases caused him to be murdered and framed. As they solve the cases, more and more evidence comes out that he hadn't committed suicide. The last two cases, a murdered woman, and a dead baby in a dumpster, seem to merge, although they occurred two months apart. They discover that a well known politician had been supporting the woman and that she was not a prostitute, as had been assumed because she was one death in a series of murders of prostitutes. They find that her death was different from the others, and that she had recently given birth. Although not the one they suspected, the guilty person is identified, their father's name is cleared, and he is given a formal police ceremony, complete with bagpipes.

As always the oldest Sunshine sister, Jade remains the responsible last one standing trying to prove their father Teddy did kill Melody Brainard or commit suicide. She refuses to give up while Jolie has found a distraction (see DIAL M FOR MISCHIEF) and so has Jessica (see MISCHIEF BECOMES HER). Jade worked for her dad in his private investigative agency and assumes his last cases contain the key clues. She is stunned when her former husband, Courtland Becket offers to help her. His ulterior motive is for a second chance at their love now that high maintenance Teddy is gone. As they investigate the cold case files that Teddy was searching before he died, their attraction remains strong, but not quite as powerful as Jade's obsession that Teddy goes to his grave a hero not a killer. Although the readers will know early on what Teddy did and did not do in his last moments, fans will relish this often amusing romantic suspense thriller. The current day cases are resolved while the ties back to the Regency saga Romney Marsh is brilliant. Jade is the most convoluted of the Sunshine siblings as even in death her father comes before her needs; Court hopes to gain that role on his second chance, but knows Teddy must be more than just exonerated; he must receive homage from the Philadelphia police, the media, and the sisters. Harriet Klausner

This is the third (and final, by my understanding) book about the Sunshine sisters. Three sisters finding love and answers in unsolved cold cases that they believe caused the murder (that looked like suicide) of their father. There are 4 cases he had open, two of which are solved going into this book. (two remain open, with some leads already being investigated) I would not recommend reading this book alone, I think it is best served as part 3 of the series. Our final glimpse into the lives of the Sunshine sisters, and this focuses on the eldest sister Jade and her ex-husband Court. The book is in 'real time' written so that the events happening are taking course over a 24 hour period. We also get glimpses at Court and Jade's beginning (their quick courtship and marriage) shown in flashbacks between chapters about the present. Of the three heroines I definitely liked Jade best, and could see her as the most tortured, real, and relatable. Seeing her realize what she wants for the future, and realizing just how much she loves Court was wonderful. Also watching her realize who her father really was, how troubled and how he did manipulate her was heartbreaking- and a truly good read all at the same time. I would have preferred to have more present-time depth vs so many pages devoted to the past history of Court and Jade. Also much time was spent (overall in the series) about the Beckets of Romney Marsh and their mysterious emerald. I understand the author wrote a number of novels about the Beckets ancestors, so perhaps some that have read those would be more interested. I was not. I've got a feeling the author may intend for a future book to focus around that, but since it had no resolution in this series so much energy being spent on Becket history irritated me. Despite my few complaints, the time I spent reading this trilogy was done with a smile on my face, and I indeed enjoyed the books. Three strong, stubborn, and beautiful sisters clear their father's name and can move on with the loves of their lives. It's a feel good story.