Engaged in Danger
Series: A Jamie Quinn Mystery, #4
By: Barbara Venkataraman
ASIN: B0159LGVHA
Review brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Synopsis:
Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn–her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy–but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn’t Jamie just leave well enough alone?
Review:
Engaged in Danger is the fourth book in the ‘A Jamie Quinn Mystery series’ and I am delighted to have read this book as it is my fourth read in the series. Each book in the series has been an enjoyable whodunit which kept me guessing until the end and this book is no exception.
Jamie Quinn is a lawyer practicing family law in Hollywood, Florida. The story is a continuation of Jamie’s life as it was left in the previous book in the series, Peril in the Park (A Jamie Quinn Mystery, #3). Jamie is trying to get her father into the country and she is merrily moving along in her relationship with her boyfriend Kip. Just as all seems to be as she would like it, Kip breaks the news that he has been offered a 3 month opportunity in Australia – to save the wombats (and not just any wombats but the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats). I loved how Jamie coped when she found out she had even less time to say good bye to Kip:
“The drama queen in me wanted to drown my sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, curled up on the sofa listening to “Alone Again, Naturally” on an endless loop.”
Humour certainly abounds in the writing of Barbara Venkataraman, which is certainly a positive in my opinion. For example:
”Being the boss and sole employee can be awkward at times, like when I order myself to get to work and then tell myself to go to hell, but what can I say?”
Marmaduke Broussard III, P.I. (AKA Duke) is one of my favourite characters in this series. His sense of humour is priceless. He still thinks a Bloody Mary constitutes breakfast! 🙂 Duke certainly has descriptive dialogue which frequently made me chuckle:
“If the money’s green, I’m on the scene.” Duke always laughed at his own jokes. He appreciated having an audience, but he didn’t really need one.
As with any mystery, there is intrigue with numerous twists and turns. I am happy to report that I was kept guessing throughout (just the way I like it). Jamie takes on a high profile divorce where no other lawyer in the state would touch; and no wonder since the husband is himself a highly influential lawyer (Mr. Marvin Glasser). Through circumstances Jamie and her bestie Grace decide to work on this case together. Jamie is also knee deep in helping her neighbours, Sandy and Mike as they want to find out who owns the private plane that Sandy’ twin sister and brother in law were on when the crashed…leaving Katie (Sandy and Mike’s niece) an orphan.
The partnership with respect to Nan Glasser’s divorce with Grace is tested. That in itself turned out to be a mystery which held my attention until the details were finally revealed…..brilliant writing! Kept me guessing…and nervous since I was not all certain that Jamie and Grace could successful weather this storm….you will have to read the book yourself to find out how destructive their falling out was and to what extent it was resolved.
And let us not forget the Russian mob. They seem to insinuate themselves all over the place. This adds a bit of danger and intrigue…not that Jamie doesn’t attract enough intrigue and danger already 🙂
Ms. Venkataraman has crafted another wonderful story in the continuing saga of Jamie Quinn. I cannot wait to see where she takes Jamie next!
