Searching for Gatsby (Ronnie Lake Mystery #3) by Niki Danforth | A Book Review

This is my second time to read a Niki Danforth novel. The first time, I had a slight concern because the copy I got seemed to have been a condensed one. Fortunately, this time, this one is a full-length version. I was sent an email asking if I wanted to review this one since I seemed to have enjoyed the second book. Good thing I agreed because this was a really entertaining story.

This is the third book in the series. I had not read the first book but each story is different from each one. This third installment is about mysterious first book editions. The hero in this story, Ronnie Lake is a novice PI. She is like my favorite sleuth Mrs. Pollifax. The circumstances that pushed them to pursue a career in crime detecting or solving mysteries has something to do with the new chapters in their lives. Ronnie, just gotten divorced and is still dealing with the loss of his son, who was a soldier sent to Afghanistan. Mrs. Pollifax and Ronnie Lake, both wanted to do something they have not done before and they are both past their prime. Ronnie is in her fifties. If you are curious about who Mrs. Pollifax is, then you can refer to the following posts. Believe me, she is one amazing woman. You will definitely be addicted to her adventures.

1. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
2. Mrs. Pollifax on Safari
3. Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station

Back to Searching for Gatsby. The title may not be obvious but it actually says a lot about what the story is about. It is literally searching for Gatsby. A first edition of The Great Gatsby. A unique edition issued to soldiers during the war.

I think of the two books I have read, this is the more engrossing and exciting one. This involved a lot of suspicious characters and will have you reeling who really is the culprit. Who is guilty? This story will have you theorizing and formulating your own hypothesis and come up with possible suspects. You will be so involved in this story that when the bad guy is caught you will also feel relieved. 

I give this book 4/5 old covers of The Great Gatsby. I am looking forward to the next assignments of Ronnie Lake. I actually like that the titles of the two stories. They are really catchy. The both pertain to very popular things. I hope the next book would also sport a very intriguing title.

...how well do you know anyone? You can think you do, and still, sometimes the nicest people turn out to be sociopaths.

- Niki Danforth, Searching for Gatsby - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com

Delilah (Ronnie Lake Mystery #2)

Delilah ( A Ronnie Lake Mystery #2) by Niki Danforth | A Book Review

Delilah is a story about a cold murder case. Ronnie Lake is a PI-in-the-making (private investigator). Steve Lyla wants to grant his old father's wish to find his aunt's killer. The cold case is assigned to Ronnie. Will she be able to solve the murder that happened about thirty years ago?

Ronnie Lake's character reminds me of my favorite senior citizen spy Mrs. Pollifax. Mrs. Pollifax is a character created by the late Dorothy Gilman. They are both very resourceful and have very strong intuition. It is probably because they are both women and women are known to be more in touch with their intuition. I am always fond of women detectives, spy or PI's. Like Veronica Mars, Rizzoli and Isles, Agent Kensi Blythe and Siva of NCIS and Detective Katherine Chandler of Beauty and the Beast. It is always refreshing to see kick-ass women excel in a profession dominated by males.

This is a very well-written short story which I really hoped was longer. I had no idea who the killer was and Miss Lake was so smart to be able to connect the clues that she has. I never would have figured it out. There was no obvious hint. I liked that even though the story was short, the suspense was never in shortage. It was feat to be able to keep you readers guessing in just a limited time. Other writers do that in a full novel. Good job Miss Danforth! I had my nose in the book the whole time and I was a bit sad that it ended but the ending was good. 

I give the book 4/5 microphones. I wish it were longer so I could see more of Ronnie Lake in action. Guess, I will have to read the prequel to this book so I could get to know more of Miss Lake. I think she is one of those unassuming and amazing characters that I would like to follow. We'll see where her next assignment would take her.

Thank you ebooksforreview.com for the copy in exchange for an honest review.