Karen E. Olson - Secondhand Smoke (2006)
Reviewed by David J. Montgomery
Tough-talking New Haven reporter Annie Seymour returns for her second go-around in Karen E. Olson’s winning Secondhand Smoke, a book even better than last year’s excellent debut, Sacred Cows (which was nominated for the Gumshoe Award).
When a popular local eatery burns down across the street from Annie’s home, she’s right there in the thick of things, covering the story with her usual deadpan cynicism. The crime starts to cut a little close to home, however, when it turns out that her own father might be involved.
Olson writes in a similar corner of the genre as Janet Evanovich, but her plots and her heroine are grounded much firmer in reality. Secondhand Smoke combines a nice sense of humor, deft use of setting and a solid collection of characters all together in one charming mystery. This book proves that Olson is no flash in the pan. She’s here to stay.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Book Reviews | Permalink
