11/30/2020 Eve is assigned to investigate the murder of a sports equipment and clothing purveyor whose headquarters is located in Roarke’s tower. Tommy Anders was found in his bedroom, naked, with several, um, implements for personal pleasure, tied up and obviously asphyxiated by the rope around his neck. His wife, Ava, who was in St. Lucia on a girlfriend’s trip, claims he had been exploring alternative sexual practices for a couple of years; and being in St. Lucia, was clearly not in New York killing her husband. Eve looks hard at her because she “just doesn’t like her.”
Anders’s other heir is his orphaned nephew, Ben, whom he raised like a son. Roarke had been slightly acquainted with both Anders men slightly and liked them both. Eve learns that Anders had been a decent, generous man who had donated money and equipment to less privileged children and had set up scholarships. His clothes and belongings were casual, if somewhat conservative. Everything she learns causes her to question the conclusions induced by the crime scene.
Just about all the recurring characters appear. There’s a humorous bit with Eve and Feeney: Eve goes to Feeney’s office to talk about the case and finds him sick as a dog with a cold/flu and she sends him home. Feeney accuses her of “turning into a woman on him.” 😂 Peabody makes a solo appearance on Nadine’s news show; of course she’s nervous and frets about what to wear. Charles and Louise announce his retirement as a “licensed companion” and their upcoming marriage; Roarke offers their gardens for a spring wedding.
4 solid stars.
7/10/17
I read this one recently while traveling out of the country, which is why I didn't write a review immediately. It isn't the best of the series, but still a solid installment.