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A review by perednia
The Little Death by P.J. Parrish
5.0
Private eye Louis Kincaid has found himself rudderless, and, without really agreeing to it, is now in the middle of a sordid Grand Society murder case in Palm Beach.
His partner, Mel, talks him into talking to a potential client. Reggie Kent is a walker, that old-school escort of Grand Society Dames who never, ever, ever gets notions beyond his role. Reggie was mentoring a young man who he genuinely cared for, but who brushed him off. Mark Durand is found without his head in a Florida cattle pen. Reggie is an easy suspect to a homophobic detective.
The foreman of the ranch where the body is found doesn't want anyone intruding. Society in Palm Beach certainly doesn't want anyone intruding. The Palm Beach police not only don't want anyone intruding, Kincaid is ticketed for having an ugly car. And the sheriff's detective who actually is investigating the murder doesn't care if anyone tries to intrude, because he thinks he's got his man.
So, of course, Kincaid finds himself intruding.
During the course of this perfectly paced investigation, Kincaid also finds himself looking into relationships and redemption. His lover, Joe, is busy as a sheriff herself and wants him to want something for himself. So he goes along with the first woman who crooks her finger at him. Mel, who is losing his eyesight, still knows a good thing when he sees it in a tony restaurant bartender. The ranch foreman shows a quiet dignity and strength that has lasted decades. A puppy dog policeman with a too-perfect father and a secret of his own has a superb story arc. And one of Palm Beach's oldest matrons, who calls champagne "shampoo", turns out to be more of a treasure than all her bank accounts combined.
Sisters Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols, who are P.J. Parrish, have a smooth writing style that propels the story along, keeping the investigation and new revelations at the fore. At the same time, the story is filled with ideas that make Kincaid himself an extremely interesting person who is on his own journey of discovery.
Even though resolution involves some characters going completely over the top, THE LITTLE DEATH ends on a high note with many avenues possible. The next novel in the series cannot come soon enough. And I've already glommed onto the entire backlist.
His partner, Mel, talks him into talking to a potential client. Reggie Kent is a walker, that old-school escort of Grand Society Dames who never, ever, ever gets notions beyond his role. Reggie was mentoring a young man who he genuinely cared for, but who brushed him off. Mark Durand is found without his head in a Florida cattle pen. Reggie is an easy suspect to a homophobic detective.
The foreman of the ranch where the body is found doesn't want anyone intruding. Society in Palm Beach certainly doesn't want anyone intruding. The Palm Beach police not only don't want anyone intruding, Kincaid is ticketed for having an ugly car. And the sheriff's detective who actually is investigating the murder doesn't care if anyone tries to intrude, because he thinks he's got his man.
So, of course, Kincaid finds himself intruding.
During the course of this perfectly paced investigation, Kincaid also finds himself looking into relationships and redemption. His lover, Joe, is busy as a sheriff herself and wants him to want something for himself. So he goes along with the first woman who crooks her finger at him. Mel, who is losing his eyesight, still knows a good thing when he sees it in a tony restaurant bartender. The ranch foreman shows a quiet dignity and strength that has lasted decades. A puppy dog policeman with a too-perfect father and a secret of his own has a superb story arc. And one of Palm Beach's oldest matrons, who calls champagne "shampoo", turns out to be more of a treasure than all her bank accounts combined.
Sisters Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols, who are P.J. Parrish, have a smooth writing style that propels the story along, keeping the investigation and new revelations at the fore. At the same time, the story is filled with ideas that make Kincaid himself an extremely interesting person who is on his own journey of discovery.
Even though resolution involves some characters going completely over the top, THE LITTLE DEATH ends on a high note with many avenues possible. The next novel in the series cannot come soon enough. And I've already glommed onto the entire backlist.