Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Death on Demand: A Shaw and Valentine police procedural by Jim Kelly

It's supposed to be her 100th birthday party, but the birthday girl has been strangled...

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published November 1st, so you can grab a copy then.

When they begin investigating the old woman's death, they discover she's not the only one.  Several older people in the neighborhood have passed on.  One doctor seems to have signed off on those deaths.  Of course, by the time they discover that, they've also found that doctor dead.  Who is killing these old people before it's their time to go?

While they are investigating, Valentine is trying to determine what he's going to do for his health issue.  The doctor tells him he has lung cancer and doesn't have long to live.  He wants to start with surgery.  Valentine is wavering back and forth:  Surgery or not?  He says yes, he says no, he says he doesn't know.  It's hard to worry about himself when he has an active case.  However, the woman he is living with tells him if he opts out of surgery, she's going to have to leave.  She can't watch him die, her deceased husband was enough pain and suffering to watch.

Shaw is talking to a number of people and every little tidbit he gets suddenly starts to build a picture.  Even knowing why doesn't tell him who.  But he has his suspicions.

The story plods a bit.  It's not as exciting to follow people who urge people into the afterlife for their money as it is to catch a monster.  The greedy folks who are coveting the money are monsters, yes.  But seemingly tame monsters compared to a psychopath.

The author creates an interesting ending.  He tucks all the little strings back in their places and people will get on with their life.  But they won't forget what happened.

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