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Rating: 
Summary: A great work in a terrific P.I. Series
Review: Boston investment counselor Cynthia MacDonald hires private investigator Angie Matelli to uncover the identity of the person using her stolen credit cards to run up a sizable debt. Angie quickly but cleverly traces the scam to Lisa Browning, a single mother in the midst of a financial crisis. Feeling sorry for the desperate woman, Angie promises not to turn her into the law if she names her associates. Lisa insists she has no partners. However, someone must have disagreed because Lisa is soon murdered. The ex-marine takes the woman's death as a personal affront, investigating the killing even if it means placing her own life on the line. The third Angela Matelli mystery is an interesting tale, yet has even more appeal than the first two novels (MISSING EDEN and THE GOOD DAUGHTER). Angie remains a first rate-working stiff and her middle class Italian family adds a flavor of Boston to the novel. However, the story line is more subdued than the previous works contained because too much of the novel is spent touring the city through Angela's eyes. Still, a well-written female sleuth novel by the gifted Wendi Lee that fans of the sub-genre will enjoy. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Pass this one by!
Review: I love female detective fiction. There are many fine examples in the genre, the sadly neglected Anna Lee written by Liza Cody; Carla written by Linda Barnes; and the gold standard of Kinsey Milhone by Sue Grafton. This book "Deadbeat" features a poor, pale wanna-be as its "heroine". Dull, poorly written, maddening in some way I'm unable to put my finger on - perhaps all the facts of this character's life are presented one after the other, but we never get a clear concept of who she is or her inner life. The story is so dull, I gave it a good shot but tossed it aside in disgust and boredom after 50 pages. Beware the amateurs, let's hope there's another Sue Grafton out there, long may she live - but skip this pathetic thing.
Rating:
Summary: thoroughly enjoyable
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Angela Matelli is a delightful character -- she's smart, funny and has the same kind of family issues that both bless and plague many of us. The mystery itself, involving a stolen identity, had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Also a nice twist in making the perp more sympathetic than the victim. It's a fast read -- Lee's breezy style sort of pulls you along. This is a perfect book for curling up with on a dreary afternoon. I'm looking forward to the next addition to the series.
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