I couldn't find the first book in the series recommended to me, A Trouble of Fools, so this book, the twelfth in the series, was my introduction to the Carlotta Carlyle series.
Lots has obviously happened in previous books, and Carlyle is working as a private investigator and is no longer with the Boston Police Department, although she's still friends with her old partner Mooney who heads Homicide. The story is mostly told by Carlyle first person, and I did find it jarring when in the Fourth Part it switches to third person from Mooney's point of view, only to switch back to Carlyle telling the story first person. Most books that do this kind of switch have a consistent pattern of switching back and forth so it feels more natural. I also felt Carlyle came across as far too naive about her fiance Sam and the significance of his association with organized crime, given she's none too young and a former cop.
Still, I liked this one, mostly I think because of the chemistry between Carlyle and Mooney and having spent three years in the Boston area, I enjoyed the setting.
