THE NEXT RIGHT THING is a PI tale written by an actual PI, in
which smartphones
track GPS bugs, but the woman who plants a tracker unit is
arrested because a concerned citizen thinks she was
planting a bomb under the truck. High tech doesn't
necessarily mean you're going to have a good day!
THE NEXT RIGHT THING gets off to an entertaining start and
we discover that Cammie the PI isn't legally allowed to do
what amounts to a wiretap; she loses her licence and has to
pay a fine. To make ends meet she takes work in a Vegas
casino. A lawyer named Marc is hoping Cammie will track
down his ex who stole from his firm and clients. Cammie
would rather feed a stray cat than talk to him as they have
unresolved issues. But Marc knows she's good, and
perseveres. He persuades Cammie to work for his law firm;
his engagingly serious young daughter Emily keeps issuing
commands to make their lives greener and fairer. Marc has
a second dilemma in that Gwen, his ex, was thought to be
pregnant - it may be his child.
The story slows down however and addresses various family
matters and only halfway through the book does Cammie take
up the case of the elusive Gwen. She searches on line for
nicknames, cars and sports Gwen liked, on the basis that
the name may be false. Later she and Marc realise that
their reunion has brought hidden feelings to light, but
somewhat strangely they kiss in a beach cabin and proceed
to discuss a Chagall painting. Cammie is later arrested for
disorderly conduct at a rally with Emily and may lose her
licence permanently. So when a moneymaking proposition is
put to her, she's in the mood to listen.
This adult tale by Colleen Collins needs to decide whether
it is a family romance or a PI story. When it concentrates
on one or the other it is enjoyable but too much goes on
for long stretches that doesn't contribute to either plot.
The PI work tends to be more gadgets and less Sue Grafton,
but maybe that's how the work is carried out nowadays. THE
NEXT RIGHT THING is readable with good characters and
settings, but I felt that given her background, the author
should focus on the crime aspect in her next outing.
Cammie Copello gets results—even if it means stretching the
rules. That's what makes her a great private investigator.
It's also what caused the little breach between her and
attorney Marc Hamilton. It's too bad, because they made a
great team. And, honestly, her career hasn't been the same
since.
So imagine her surprise when Marc shows up begging for her
help with a personal case. When he turns on the charm…well,
she can't refuse. But she can keep her attraction to Marc a
secret—regardless of how tempting he is. Her intentions are
put to the test, however, when he proves that the
attraction is not one-sided!
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy