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Boston lawyer Brady Coyne, one of the most affable of mystery protagonists, has three passions: his law practice; women; fishing -- not necessarily in that order. His former girlfriend, Alexandria Shaw, has come to implore him to help her brother Gus with his divorce. Before she can fill Brady in on her brother's problems, a seventy-something couple (who provide most of the humor in the novel) appear to plead their case with Brady. They have downsized to a condo and hired a mover, who, Mary Epping said, "seemed a nice man." But the nice man didn't turn up on moving day. He sent a crew headed by a roofer who worked as a mover on his days off. The van they brought was too small for the furniture, and some antique pieces were badly damaged. They turn to Bradley and his solution may give hope to everyone who has had problems with movers. The more serious problem involves Alex's photojournalist brother, Gus, who has returned from Iraq, having lost his right hand. He sees life as utterly hopeless. His wife thinks he is a danger to her and their daughters and so throws him out. Gus is prepared to surrender everything in the divorce, but Alex and Brady insist he must protect his interests. When Gus is found hanged, his death is ruled a suicide. Only Alex - and a somewhat reluctant Brady - believe he was murdered. As it happens, they' re right as the investigation leads back to the support group Gus joined after returning from Iraq. Tapply never disappoints. Brady is intelligent, committed, and blessed with a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor. Gus is, at first, exasperating, but as his world continues to unravel, the reader develops a lot of sympathy for him. The plot is vintage Tapply - a twist here, a turn there, a befuddled reader - and finally a thoroughly believable solution.
Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Devine, January 2009
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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