Short Change: A Tucker Sinclair Mystery

Tucker Sinclair decides to help a detective-friend, and she becomes deeply involved in a murder mystery. I listened to the book on CD while driving across country. The book was interesting, engaging, and enjoyable. Although I like to think I can predict and solve well, the book had surprising twists and turns. I found it easy to picture the images painted for this likable character. I recommend this book, and I'd gladly read another in the series.

Patricia Smiley's mysteries have been favorably compared to both Janet Evanovich's and Sue Grafton's successful string of novels, and for good reason. Her books are well paced, and the stories evolve organically. Most importantly they're just plain fun to read. As if that isn't enough, the setting of Smiley's novels leads to a comparison with another author, this one from a bygone era. Smiley captures today's Southern California as effectively as Raymond Chandler did in the `30s and `40s. But where Chandler sometimes employed pseudonyms for real locations - Bay City for Santa Monica, Idle Valley as an amalgam of various San Fernando Valley neighborhoods - Smiley's landscape is as accurate as a Thomas Brothers map. You could follow her directions down Sepulveda, La Cienega, or the 405 and see the very offices, restaurants, and denizens she describes so convincingly. Along the way she gives us bits of local South Land history, all the while conveying the very essence of what it means to be an Angelino. In "Short Change", Smiley's latest effort, heroine Tucker Sinclair is caught in a web of deceit fueled by greed. This time she must appease competing land moguls, decipher a manipulating psychopath, and locate a troubled, missing client. And that's just during work hours. In her personal life Tucker is forced to confront her own lineage, even as she squeezes in a little love of her own. All of this is accomplished with the protagonist's signature wry humor and very human self-doubts. Smiley gets better with each book, and Short Change is her best yet. As much fun as a fast ride along Mulholland Drive in a top-down Boxter. --- Steve Long

Patty Smiley has again created a fast-paced and exciting read about Tucker Sinclair, a business consultant who does "business" and "consults" --- sometimes together, and sometimes not. The many characterizations will draw you in to her well-woven story line.

(Also available as CD) Los Angeles business consultant, Tucker Sinclair, has left corporate America and is trying to build her own business. She's currently working with Charley Tate. Charley is a P.I. who is also trying to get his business off the ground. But Charley's been sidelined by a hit-and-run driver (and a wife who rather he spent all of his time with her) and Tucker steps in to save the day. Eve Lawson is a strange woman. It's as if she stepped out of the 1980s. She breezes into Charley's office and hires Charley to find out who is following her. The question is: who would want to follow a writer who is working on a book about the post-World War II real estate boom in Los Angeles? But while Charley's back is on the mend, Eve's boyfriend turns up dead and Eve goes missing. Tucker had better start working overtime to solve the crime before anyone else dies. And while she's at it, Tucker has to build her own business, save Charley's, salvage what's left of her own love life and figure out a way to get her conniving aunt off her `back.' Auntie Dearest wants to evict Tucker from her ocean digs--and it might be that Tucker's mama will have to save the day. Short Change is a fast and fun romp into Tucker Sinclair's world. She's smart, savvy and unique with enough dysfunction to make her a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to Patricia Smiley's next Tucker Sinclair novel. I want to see what happens with Deegan. Armchair Interviews says: A new mystery series worth reading.

Management curmudgeon Tucker Sinclair left her corporate job when the partners failed to support her during a murder investigation. She opened up her own business and scrambles to build a solid client base. Ex-cop turned private investigator Charles Tate asks for Tucker's help; ergo she gets sucked into one of his investigations. Evie Lawson asks Charles to help her because she thinks someone is stalking her. They are to meet, but she is a no-show; Tucker as a favor to Charlie goes to Evie's house, but she is not there either. Tucker's police officer boyfriend describes a homicide victim to her, who is Evie's former lover; Evie is a person of interest to the police. Charlie is in a car accident so he asks Tucker to continue to help him on the case. Evie's stepbrother demands Charles find her before she harms herself as he insists she is mentally unstable and probably suicidal. Tucker discovers that Evie is holding up the construction of a multi-million dollar development project by refusing to sign away her property. She now knows why seemingly everyone is desperately seeking Evie, but like the others on the hunt she has no idea where the woman hides. Though the tale can turn a bit confusing with the universe searching for Evie, readers will agree that Patricia Smiley has written an appealing amateur sleuth mystery due to the intelligent, determined, and caring heroine. Charles provides comic relief when the tension looks overwhelming especially as the taut noose chokes Tucker. There is a lot of action in this fast-paced tale, but it is the characters especially tough and tender Tucker who make SHORT CHANGE a fun investigative thriller. Harriet Klausner