The Blind Switch (A Rosedale Investigations Mystery) by Lyn Farrell
About The Blind Switch
The Blind Switch (A Rosedale Investigations Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (January 12, 2021)
Paperback: 230 pages
ISBN-10: 1603816968 ISBN-13: 978-1603816960 Digital ASIN: B08QBH2BHH
The first book in the Rosedale Investigations series finds Wayne Nichols, our doggedly determined Detective, and his sassy and irreverent partner, Dory Clarkson, starting new jobs as private investigators. Their first client, Cara Summerfield, comes with what appears to be a missing person's case. Cara got pregnant in high school and baby Danny was adopted. Her husband, Grant, an up-and-coming politician has never been told about the pregnancy. Their only clue is an unreadable return address on a letter sent to Cara from Danny's girlfriend. Danny is now a racehorse trainer and has been assaulted for non-payment of gambling debts. Cara charges Rosedale Investigations to find Danny and keep his existence completely confidential. When Danny is found, he's in the ICU and not expected to live. When he passes away, it appears to the pathologist to be natural causes, but Detective Nichols doesn't buy it. It looks like murder to him.
My Review
Wayne Nichols and Dory Clarkson are retired police officers looking to start a new career. They sign up with Rosedale Investigations and start new jobs as private investigators. Rosedale is an up and coming company with only the owner, Pascoe, and his assistant,Billie Jo, working there. The foursome quickly become friends and form a formidable team.
Their first case is a missing person’s case. Cara Summerfield, currently married to a political candidate, had a child in high school who she gave up for adoption and never told her husband. She fears if this news came out, it would destroy her marriage and his political career.
When Cara learns her son is in debt and in danger from loan sharks, she hires Rosedale Investigations to find him. She’s desperate to help her son, but when the private investigators find him, he’s been beaten and dies. Heartbroken that she is too late, she wants answers and asks the investigators to stay on and help her find them. The official cause of death is natural causes, so the police are no help at all. Rosedale Investigations is on the case and determined to get to the truth.
This mystery is filled with intriguing characters. I’m hoping to get to know them better in future books, if there are any. As with any book, some characters you love, some you hate. There were many I loved, especially Wayne, Dory and Billie Jo. I didn’t really get a good feel for Pascoe yet, even though he’s the owner of the company. I’m sure that will come in time, though.
The storyline moved at a nice pace as readers can sift through the clues along with the investigators. It is like a big jigsaw puzzle to figure out. I was totally taken by surprise at whodunnit. I was on the wrong track, which made it even more fun. There are a couple of sub-plots, as well, which added to the mystery. All mixed together, this is a riveting story.
The Blind Switch is the first book of a series and it gets off to an exciting start. It’s, also, a great way to meet the cast and get acquainted with them. This is a “new-to-me” author and I very much liked her writing style. Perfect for the mystery genre. I look forward to another trip to Tennessee.
For reading challenges:
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2021 (Tennessee)
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2021
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
About Lyn Farrell
Sounds good, I like surprise endings.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new to me author as well but I love PI books and this definitely has me intrigued.
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