Julianne, Kristen and Kari Larsen are three sisters who, when combined, become mystery writer K.J. Larsen, author of the Cat DeLuca mystery series. Poisoned Pen Press will release Sticks and Stones, Larsen’s second book in that series, on Feb. 7, 2012.
In Sticks and Stones private investigator Cat DeLuca is forced to expand the range of her Pants On Fire Detective Agency when her assistant, Cleo Jones, becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Cleo’s husband, Walter. No longer is Cat limited to the business of locating “serial cheaters” – her term for husbands with a habit of infidelity. Cat must now find a killer.
The police have a video showing Cleo threatening Walter’s life, which convinces them of her guilt. Unfortunately, they also believe Cat acted as her accomplice since both women discovered Walter’s body while on a mission to recover Cleo’s dog, Beau. If the police can prove this charge, Cat could lose her detective agency.
Cat soon learns that Walter’s bad habits were not limited to infidelity, a fact that increases her pool of suspects. He was embezzling from his boss, Cat’s friend Ken Millani, and blackmailing him as well. Chicago designer Roxanne Barbara was an additional target of Walter’s blackmail attempts, since Roxanne’s friend, Courtney Kelly, had been the victim of an unsolved murder 20 years earlier.
As was the case in Larsen's series debut novel Liar, Liar, Cat continues to get assistance in her crime solving efforts from her supportive Italian family, which is composed largely of members of the Chicago police force. More help comes from her elderly friend Tino, owner of Tino’s Deli, whom Cat believes to have been a spy, from Tino’s younger colleague Max and from Cat's lover, FBI agent Chance Savino.
Although Sticks and Stones shares the frequent humor that typified Liar, Liar, Larson digs deeper in this novel into Cat's character. On display are two of Cat’s defining traits – her strong emotional attachment to her friends and family and her equally fervent need to see justice done. Both elements combine in the novel’s conclusion, forcing Cat to an action that is legally wrong but ethically right.
FTC Full Disclosure: A review copy of this work was provided by Poisoned Pen Press.
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