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A Charlie Swift Mystery #1
Swift Justice
Former air force investigator turned Colorado P.I. Charlotte "Charlie" Swift works alone and likes it that way. But when her wealthy, silent partner's clueless, socialite wife, Gigi, shows up and announces she's on the payroll, Charlie finds herself in potted-plant, potpourri-scented purgatory. Luckily Charlie's got a case of an abandoned baby to focus on, and she dispatches Gigi undercover at a burger joint to find out who's skimming the cash register. Nobody is more surprised than Charlie when Gigi nails the culprit—setting the place on fire in the process.
Apparently guileless, inept Gigi has people skills—which is good, because the baby case is quickly becoming twisted and deadly. With the infant's teenage mother murdered and a convoluted trail of suspects, Charlie's going to need some help—even if it wears coordinated butter-yellow separates and can't be trusted with a loaded gun.
Apparently guileless, inept Gigi has people skills—which is good, because the baby case is quickly becoming twisted and deadly. With the infant's teenage mother murdered and a convoluted trail of suspects, Charlie's going to need some help—even if it wears coordinated butter-yellow separates and can't be trusted with a loaded gun.
250 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2010
9 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Laura DiSilverio
20 books393 followersI'm the author of the Swift Investigations, Mall Cop and Readaholics mystery series.
After twenty years as an Air Force intelligence officer – serving as a squadron commander, with the National Reconnaissance Office, and at a fighter wing – I retired to parenting and writing full-time.
Spying was easier.
(Laura DiSilverio is also Ella Barrick.)
After twenty years as an Air Force intelligence officer – serving as a squadron commander, with the National Reconnaissance Office, and at a fighter wing – I retired to parenting and writing full-time.
Spying was easier.
(Laura DiSilverio is also Ella Barrick.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 7, 2017
Every once in a while I pick up a cozy to get away from the psycho-thriller-serial killer books. I'm very glad a friend here at GR told me about this series and suggested when I was in the mood for a fun/cozy book- to try this series! Well, I'm glad a did. A cute book, I got a few chuckles here and there. Nothing really new - a PI doing what they do best- drive the 'local' detectives crazy while the PI tries to solve the case. A really fun read- and for sure - I'll pick up book number 2 in this series!
December 2, 2010
I liked this, but I liked the inaugural book in her other series much more. Charlie & Gigi make a nice duo. The supporting cast might be a bit too full of hunky guys...but I like the supporting cast (Father Dan, Montgomery, Gigi's bratty kids, the lady who runs the restaurant down the way whose name escapes me at the moment). I AM looking forward to future adventures...
Here are the two reasons for the three star instead of four star rating:
1) It was kind of obvious what was going on with Lizzy (and I'm not going to say more because I don't want to be a spoiler). I guessed the first part around page 5 & the second part when the first part was "revealed."
2) The main reason --> There is never, NEVER, (is that emphatic enough? I don't think so NEVAAAH!) a reason to switch from first person point of view to third person point of view in a popular fiction novel. James Patterson's minions do it in writing books under his brand and it's one of the reasons they are all hacks. (Yes, they are rich hacks--or he is--but they are hacks nonetheless). If you are writing a novel in first person, stay with the first person. If you feel the need to follow multiple characters in your narrative, then use only third person. Mixing them (sorry to put it bluntly) is lazy. Gigi's misadventures would have been twice as hysterical had Charlie entered "in medias res" & then had to have things explained to her...and we could have had first person narration all the way.
Descending from soapbox. This is worth your time if you like lightly humorous, character-driven mysteries. I have faith that the next book will hold surprises for me. In the meantime, I'm anticipating "Polished Off" the second book in her other series.
Here are the two reasons for the three star instead of four star rating:
1) It was kind of obvious what was going on with Lizzy (and I'm not going to say more because I don't want to be a spoiler). I guessed the first part around page 5 & the second part when the first part was "revealed."
2) The main reason --> There is never, NEVER, (is that emphatic enough? I don't think so NEVAAAH!) a reason to switch from first person point of view to third person point of view in a popular fiction novel. James Patterson's minions do it in writing books under his brand and it's one of the reasons they are all hacks. (Yes, they are rich hacks--or he is--but they are hacks nonetheless). If you are writing a novel in first person, stay with the first person. If you feel the need to follow multiple characters in your narrative, then use only third person. Mixing them (sorry to put it bluntly) is lazy. Gigi's misadventures would have been twice as hysterical had Charlie entered "in medias res" & then had to have things explained to her...and we could have had first person narration all the way.
Descending from soapbox. This is worth your time if you like lightly humorous, character-driven mysteries. I have faith that the next book will hold surprises for me. In the meantime, I'm anticipating "Polished Off" the second book in her other series.
May 28, 2021
I enjoyed this book enough to read the other two in the series. Charlie is somewhat rigid in her thinking. However events set in motion by Gigi get her to loosen up a little. Gigi also provides great comic relief. I found myself laughing uncontrollably at some of her exploits!
The story was interesting and had plenty of red herrings. But it was relatively easy to solve the mystery. There was a small plot twist at the very end that left baby Olivia's fate unresolved. I would have liked to see how that worked out.
The story was interesting and had plenty of red herrings. But it was relatively easy to solve the mystery. There was a small plot twist at the very end that left baby Olivia's fate unresolved. I would have liked to see how that worked out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2016
I couldn't resist checking this out of the library, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. there are so many different fun elements: I liked seeing Charlie's relationship with Gigi, her unexpected new business partner, develop at the same time as we were introduced to Gigi's life, which kind of surprisingly sucks (I'm even curious to see what happens with her bratty kids). I like Charlie's interactions with her handsome neighbor and handsome cop friend -- I want to see where both go. I don't even prefer one or the other, it's fun to have both. I liked that Charlie can feel sympathy or compassion even for the worst of the worst, rather than in some mysteries, where most characters seem like furniture or simply there to drive the plot. there was more nuance than I expect. the teens seemed like real teens. yes, I could see what was coming a long time before Charlie did, which meant that Charlie seemed sort of oblivious at times. but that, and her difficulty approaching people without making them want to kill her, leave room for her to grow throughout the series. I definitely want to keep reading these.
September 10, 2023
3.75
thoughts\notes: Checked out from library (display called "Bottom Shelf Books"). Unique that it's written in both 1st and 3rd person. Solidly crafted mystery. Will read more by this author.
thoughts\notes: Checked out from library (display called "Bottom Shelf Books"). Unique that it's written in both 1st and 3rd person. Solidly crafted mystery. Will read more by this author.
May 5, 2015
"Swift Justice" introduces us to Charlotte, "Charlie" Swift, a PI in Colorado Springs. As the book opens, Charlie has just taken on a missing persons case, and been introduced to Gigi, the ex-wife of her silent partner. Gigi received the share of the agency in her divorce settlement and has decided she wants to be an active partner, much to Charlie's chagrin.
This was an entertaining debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author. The characters are well-developed, the cases are interesting and contain enough twists to keep the reader guessing.
This was an entertaining debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author. The characters are well-developed, the cases are interesting and contain enough twists to keep the reader guessing.
June 30, 2019
Charlie Swift PI likes to work alone but that changes when a silent partner divorces his wife Gigi leaving her with part ownership in Swift Investigations. Gigi causes all kinds of mishaps, havoc and is a general nuisance but she tries really hard. Charlie is uncomfortable with the new arrangement and tries to deter Gigi's interest in becoming a PI at every turn. Despite their conflicts the two work in their odd way to find answers to a dilemma when a baby is dropped on the doorstep of an unsuspecting grandparent. Past relationships, an over zealous pastor, childhood traumas all enter into play as they try to solve the mystery. Adding to Charlie's discomfort is the policeman who is vying for Charlie's affection while trying to keep her out of the way of the investigation. Good thing she has her neighbor Father Dan to turn to, share a beer or two and talk things out with.
The characters are charming and fun. The writing is witty and not at all superfluous. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next installment of Swift Investigations.
The characters are charming and fun. The writing is witty and not at all superfluous. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next installment of Swift Investigations.
August 3, 2022
"Swift Justice" is a solid cosy with a surprisingly dark heart.
Charlotte 'Charlie' Swift P.I. is a former USAF investigator. She's a loner, so when she has no option but to accept a partner in her business she is not happy. The business, in Colorado Springs, just can't support two salaries, particularly when 50% of the investigators involved are completely clueless!
It's time to give Gigi the grunt work until she gets bored and gets out.
Meanwhile Charlie has been hired to find the 17 year old mother of an abandoned infant girl. It's complicated by the fact that DNA proves that the woman who found the child at her home is, in fact, her grandmother. But she gave up her own daughter at birth and has never been in touch since.
While Gigi causes havoc Charlie sets out to follow the few clues available to her.
There's a strong supporting cast of characters and a good sense of humour.
3 Stars.
Charlotte 'Charlie' Swift P.I. is a former USAF investigator. She's a loner, so when she has no option but to accept a partner in her business she is not happy. The business, in Colorado Springs, just can't support two salaries, particularly when 50% of the investigators involved are completely clueless!
It's time to give Gigi the grunt work until she gets bored and gets out.
Meanwhile Charlie has been hired to find the 17 year old mother of an abandoned infant girl. It's complicated by the fact that DNA proves that the woman who found the child at her home is, in fact, her grandmother. But she gave up her own daughter at birth and has never been in touch since.
While Gigi causes havoc Charlie sets out to follow the few clues available to her.
There's a strong supporting cast of characters and a good sense of humour.
3 Stars.
October 25, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
July 3, 2019
This was a great quick read mystery. Many suspects to the murder and lots of action. 18 year old girl has a baby and wondering who the dad is. She is then taking the baby to someone to raise since she does not feel capable. Then there is a murder and we are wondering who did it. Funny characters and then "Charlie" gets a new partner to her investigation business. She is not happy about it. Time will tell and the new parter may be a blessing in disguise.
August 3, 2019
I read this book because of a challenge that I'm doing that required that I read a book that took place in my hometown (Colorado Springs). The local references were a lot of fun to read about including the victim who attended the same high school as my husband. Without the local flair I still found this book an entertaining and fun quick read and am not opposed to reading the others in the series.
March 8, 2020
I loved this book! Maybe because it is set in Colorado Springs, where I grew up. Charlie travels from the Springs to Denver, Castle Rock, Larkspur, and Monument. I know all of these places. If you like Stephanie Plum novels, then you will most likely enjoy this. And her description of potpourri as stinky mulch made me laugh out loud.
December 22, 2020
Charlie Swift, a divorced retired Air Force investigator, tries to maintain her independence working as a PI. Her silent partner has absconded to Costa Rica leaving his deserted wife to try to make a living learning to be a PI so she can work with Charlie. Their big case involves trying to find a runaway pregnant teenager. Humorous at times.
August 30, 2018
An enjoyable light mystery, well-written and reasonably well-plotted. I liked the gradually developing relationship between Charlie, the P.I., and her unwanted partner, and expect to read more of this series.
August 13, 2021
I love a good cozy mystery and this hit the mark! Loved the characters and quirkiness. Easy light read with a good mystery to make it a page turner! Would recommend to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with P.I.s.
May 4, 2019
PI with older sidekick - now I want to read the whole series!
June 21, 2019
This book really kept my interest. I did not figure out who the culprit was which is probably one of the reasons it kept my attention. I hope there are more books in the series for me to read.
October 25, 2021
Totally enjoyable characters and plot, great combo of serious and humorous.
December 23, 2021
Mystery written by local author. Interesting story. Seemed long to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
This was a fun read with lots of action. Each character had real personality.
October 31, 2010
P. I. Charlie Swift specializes in finding missing persons, being a loner, and drinking a lot of Pepsi. As the book opens, a client appears in Swift’s Colorado Springs office to ask her to find her missing daughter. A daughter she hasn’t seen since she gave her up for adoption as an infant. The teen-age daughter who recently left her own newborn on her birth mother’s doorstep a week ago.
The client doesn’t want to meet her daughter. She just wants her granddaughter returned to the teen-ager.
Not one to judge, Charlie takes the case, only to have it become complicated when she discovers the teen-ager is dead.
But that’s not the only complication in Charlie’s worklife. She has a silent business partner, which was fine until he ran off with his bank account and a young woman, leaving his wife without any income. Gigi, the man’s abandoned wife, now needs a job and has decided being a private investigator will suit her just fine.
Charlie doesn’t want an active partner, especially not a middle-aged woman who redecorates her office with pink ceramic pots, a foot-tall plastic rooster and a throw rug featuring parrots. She gives Gigi the dregs of assignments, providing the reader with comic relief from the darker story of dysfunctional families and abuse.
Laura DiSilverio manages to weave both humor and grit into this Charlie Swift debut. The growth of the relationship between Charlie and Gigi was fun, and sometimes touching. I can’t wait to join them in their next case.
The client doesn’t want to meet her daughter. She just wants her granddaughter returned to the teen-ager.
Not one to judge, Charlie takes the case, only to have it become complicated when she discovers the teen-ager is dead.
But that’s not the only complication in Charlie’s worklife. She has a silent business partner, which was fine until he ran off with his bank account and a young woman, leaving his wife without any income. Gigi, the man’s abandoned wife, now needs a job and has decided being a private investigator will suit her just fine.
Charlie doesn’t want an active partner, especially not a middle-aged woman who redecorates her office with pink ceramic pots, a foot-tall plastic rooster and a throw rug featuring parrots. She gives Gigi the dregs of assignments, providing the reader with comic relief from the darker story of dysfunctional families and abuse.
Laura DiSilverio manages to weave both humor and grit into this Charlie Swift debut. The growth of the relationship between Charlie and Gigi was fun, and sometimes touching. I can’t wait to join them in their next case.
September 5, 2013
#1 in the Charlotte “Charlie” Swift series. This debut novel was shortlisted for the 2011 Lefty Award. Author DiSilverio turns in a very fine first effort. "Charlie" Swift is an Air Force investigator turned P.I. In a great balancing act, the serious matter of tracking down the father of an abandoned baby, after the mother is killed, is offset by the comic situations arising as a result of divorced socialite, Gigi, getting half of the detective agency in her settlement and deciding she wants to be an active partner to loner "Charlie". The sequel, Swift Edge (2011), is on my to be read list.
Charlotte "Charlie" Swift prefers working alone. That's why after eight years as an Air Force investigator she became a PI rather than a cop. She lives alone, she works alone, and aside for the occasional flirtation with sexy cop Connor Montgomery or her hunky neighbor Father Dan, she likes it that way. Then her silent partner flees the country, leaving his wife, Gigi, with nothing but the house, the Hummer, and a half interest in Swift Investigations. Charlie ends up with a heap of debt and Gigi, who has decided to be a not-so-silent partner. This change comes about while Charlie is trying to find the mother of a baby abandoned on a client's doorstep. While following leads, she sends Gigi out on crazy assignments, hoping that the pampered socialite will be driven to quit. However, when the baby's mother turns up dead, there's a murderer on the loose, and Charlie will need all the help she can get.
Charlotte "Charlie" Swift prefers working alone. That's why after eight years as an Air Force investigator she became a PI rather than a cop. She lives alone, she works alone, and aside for the occasional flirtation with sexy cop Connor Montgomery or her hunky neighbor Father Dan, she likes it that way. Then her silent partner flees the country, leaving his wife, Gigi, with nothing but the house, the Hummer, and a half interest in Swift Investigations. Charlie ends up with a heap of debt and Gigi, who has decided to be a not-so-silent partner. This change comes about while Charlie is trying to find the mother of a baby abandoned on a client's doorstep. While following leads, she sends Gigi out on crazy assignments, hoping that the pampered socialite will be driven to quit. However, when the baby's mother turns up dead, there's a murderer on the loose, and Charlie will need all the help she can get.
January 27, 2011
Author Laura DiSilverio’s debut novel, “Swift Justice” (her PI is named Charlotte “Charlie” Swift), opens in Charlie’s Colorado Springs office with a visit from Melissa Lloyd, an interior decorator who has had something unexpected left on her porch: a newborn baby. She’s had the baby’s DNA tested and it’s her own grandchild. The baby has to have been abandoned by the daughter Lloyd gave up for adoption seventeen years ago. “Find my daughter,” Lloyd says. Only she has no name, no photo, and no idea at all what happened to the baby she gave away.
To complicate matters, the next time Charlie returns to her office, waiting for her is a woman who strikes her as “Dirty Harriet with a large caliber revolver cradled in her ample lap.” It’s Georgia “Gigi” Goldman, Charlie’s silent partner Les’s soon-to-be-ex-wife. She announces, “I’m afraid I need money so I’m here to learn how to be an investigator,” and just like that Charlie finds herself saddled with a wacky partner.
Charlie is smart and resourceful, and while she investigates the baby’s missing 17-year-old mother, Gigi gets in all kinds of outlandish trouble. Most of the time it works, and Gigi provides comic relief to leaven Charlie’s investigation. But some of the setups stretch credibility to the breaking point and the partnership starts to feel like Cagney and Lucy. Overall the story is well crafted, and this series should appeal to readers who enjoy a good puzzle mystery with a side of slapstick.
To complicate matters, the next time Charlie returns to her office, waiting for her is a woman who strikes her as “Dirty Harriet with a large caliber revolver cradled in her ample lap.” It’s Georgia “Gigi” Goldman, Charlie’s silent partner Les’s soon-to-be-ex-wife. She announces, “I’m afraid I need money so I’m here to learn how to be an investigator,” and just like that Charlie finds herself saddled with a wacky partner.
Charlie is smart and resourceful, and while she investigates the baby’s missing 17-year-old mother, Gigi gets in all kinds of outlandish trouble. Most of the time it works, and Gigi provides comic relief to leaven Charlie’s investigation. But some of the setups stretch credibility to the breaking point and the partnership starts to feel like Cagney and Lucy. Overall the story is well crafted, and this series should appeal to readers who enjoy a good puzzle mystery with a side of slapstick.
March 11, 2011
Meet Charlotte (Charlie) Swift, a PI who likes to work by herself. She has her own firm that consists of her and a silent partner, whose only role was funding. Now meet Gigi. Gigi is a 50-something former beautician-turned-housewife, whose husband has just left her and the kids. All Gigi has is the house, her husband's Hummer, and bills to pay. Did I mention Gigi's husband is Charlie's silent partner? He also left Gigi his half of Swift Investigations. Gigi is eager to learn the PI trade, determined to be Charlie's no-so-silent partner. Charlie starts sending Gigi out on terrible assignments, hoping to run her out of the business. Meanwhile, Charlie has a real case on her hands - a woman shows up with an abandoned baby and needs Charlie to find the mother.
I really loved this book. The mystery was great, it kept me guessing. I loved the exploits that Gigi went on, they really were funny. I found Charlie and Gigi to both be interesting and likeable characters, who I want to continue to read about. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.
I am a big fan of Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series, and I have been wondering what could fill that hole when she hits Z. I think I found it.
I really loved this book. The mystery was great, it kept me guessing. I loved the exploits that Gigi went on, they really were funny. I found Charlie and Gigi to both be interesting and likeable characters, who I want to continue to read about. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.
I am a big fan of Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series, and I have been wondering what could fill that hole when she hits Z. I think I found it.
October 2, 2012
Charlotte "Charlie" Smith, former U.S. Air Force Investigator, now PI, has her own agency, a hunky neighbor, Father Dan, and a hunky detective, Montgomery, for friends, so what could go wrong? She likes being independent. She takes a missing person's case involving a teenager who recently gave birth, the baby, and the woman who found the baby on her doorstep. That quickly becomes complicated when the woman confesses that she had a daughter when she was a teenager, and a DNA test proved that the infant was her granddaughter, and she had no desire to meet the mother. However, when Charlie walks into her office to find a gun-toting older woman, her live really gets complicated. Gigi (Georgia) Goldman was married to Charlies silent partner Les, until he ran off with Heather-Anne to Costa Rica with all the liquid assets, leaving her with the house, the Hummer, and half interest in Swift Investigations. But she doesn't want Charlie to buy her out, she wants to be a PI and be Charlies partner. This was a fun read, the tension between Charlie and Gigi was interesting, Charlie kept sending Gigi out on all kinds of cases that should have been boring, only to have Gigi end up with unexpected consequences. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
October 1, 2016
Me a while to get through this book simply because… well read for yourself.
These are notes I made halfway through the book;
Can't say I care much for the main character here, Charlie. She's just bland and unlikable, in fact that seems to be an accurate description of this book, so far. I'll hang in there though, on the hope that Gigi will provide some good entertainment further on. At least she has a good attitude and interesting personality.
As I go further into this book, the less I like Charlie. She's quite the cold bitch. Especially with GiGi.
The second half got much more interesting and much more relatable. And towards the end it got really good. Now, I will be looking for a sequel!
Mommies, please read.
Oh, these mothers who think they're only going to leave their baby alone for a minute. Wrong! Five seconds is too long. Play this game with yourself. Time yourself and leave your baby in a cart in middle of an aisle in a grocery store. Walk to the end of the aisle (Yes, while keeping your eye on your baby at all times.) Now walk back down the isle and see how quickly you can snatch your baby from the cart and walk to the end of the aisle. Surprise! Of course this applies to yards, cars,… Everywhere!
And ladies… Always Listen To Your Instincts.
These are notes I made halfway through the book;
Can't say I care much for the main character here, Charlie. She's just bland and unlikable, in fact that seems to be an accurate description of this book, so far. I'll hang in there though, on the hope that Gigi will provide some good entertainment further on. At least she has a good attitude and interesting personality.
As I go further into this book, the less I like Charlie. She's quite the cold bitch. Especially with GiGi.
The second half got much more interesting and much more relatable. And towards the end it got really good. Now, I will be looking for a sequel!
Mommies, please read.
Oh, these mothers who think they're only going to leave their baby alone for a minute. Wrong! Five seconds is too long. Play this game with yourself. Time yourself and leave your baby in a cart in middle of an aisle in a grocery store. Walk to the end of the aisle (Yes, while keeping your eye on your baby at all times.) Now walk back down the isle and see how quickly you can snatch your baby from the cart and walk to the end of the aisle. Surprise! Of course this applies to yards, cars,… Everywhere!
And ladies… Always Listen To Your Instincts.
March 16, 2011
I'll look forward to more books in the seriers. If you like Janet Evanovich, I think you'll like DiSilverio. Not quite as crazy and Evanovichs but still plenty of fun. I like Charlie and GiGi and the rest of the cast.
"Charlotte “Charlie” Swift prefers working alone. That’s why after eight years as an Air Force investigator she became a PI rather than a cop. She lives alone, she works alone, and aside for the occasional flirtation with sexy cop Connor Montgomery or her hunky neighbor Father Dan, she likes it that way. Then her silent partner flees the country, leaving his wife, Gigi, with nothing but the house, the Hummer, and a half interest in Swift Investigations. Charlie ends up with a heap of debt and Gigi, who has decided to be a not-so-silent partner. This change comes about while Charlie is trying to find the mother of a baby abandoned on a client’s doorstep. While following leads, she sends Gigi out on crazy assignments, hoping that the pampered socialite will be driven to quit. However, when the baby’s mother turns up dead, there’s a murderer on the loose, and Charlie will need all the help she can get. "
"Charlotte “Charlie” Swift prefers working alone. That’s why after eight years as an Air Force investigator she became a PI rather than a cop. She lives alone, she works alone, and aside for the occasional flirtation with sexy cop Connor Montgomery or her hunky neighbor Father Dan, she likes it that way. Then her silent partner flees the country, leaving his wife, Gigi, with nothing but the house, the Hummer, and a half interest in Swift Investigations. Charlie ends up with a heap of debt and Gigi, who has decided to be a not-so-silent partner. This change comes about while Charlie is trying to find the mother of a baby abandoned on a client’s doorstep. While following leads, she sends Gigi out on crazy assignments, hoping that the pampered socialite will be driven to quit. However, when the baby’s mother turns up dead, there’s a murderer on the loose, and Charlie will need all the help she can get. "
December 17, 2010
This book introduces Charlotte "Charlie" Swift, a no-nonsense PI that strongly resembles a modern day Kinsey Milhone. The story is funny, dramatic, suspenseful and entertaining. It was a quick read and left me wanting to read more about her characters. The story was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed reading about the areas around Colorado Springs and Denver and I loved her blend of sarcastic wit, humor, and dramatic suspense. The book cover reminded me of some of Carl Hiaasen's books.
I've also read Laura DiSilverio's Air War College thesis and as a fellow Air Force officer, I wish her all the best in her new career as an author. I will also have to check out her stories written under the pseudonym Lila Dare.
I've also read Laura DiSilverio's Air War College thesis and as a fellow Air Force officer, I wish her all the best in her new career as an author. I will also have to check out her stories written under the pseudonym Lila Dare.
May 9, 2011
What fun! I love discovering a new author/series with lots of promise. Kind of a cross between the zaniness of Evanovich and the seriousness of Grafton - a good mix.
Charlie Swift is a former Army OSI investigator who retired and opened a PI business, with the help of an invetor/partner. One day she finds a strange woman in her office - turns out the partner decided to dump his wife (the woman) for a 22-year-old personal trainer, leaving Gigi with the house, the Hummer, and his interest in Charlie's PI office.
Hilarity ensues. Along with a serious missing person case. Good twists, great laugh-out-loud moments, 2 hunky guys vying for Charlie's attention - what more could you ask from a mystery? Set in Colorado, too, one of my favorite places that I've never visited...
Charlie Swift is a former Army OSI investigator who retired and opened a PI business, with the help of an invetor/partner. One day she finds a strange woman in her office - turns out the partner decided to dump his wife (the woman) for a 22-year-old personal trainer, leaving Gigi with the house, the Hummer, and his interest in Charlie's PI office.
Hilarity ensues. Along with a serious missing person case. Good twists, great laugh-out-loud moments, 2 hunky guys vying for Charlie's attention - what more could you ask from a mystery? Set in Colorado, too, one of my favorite places that I've never visited...
March 22, 2011
Debut in a new series featuring an independent female PI--and her eventual partner, a not-so-independent sidekick, Gigi. Plenty of snappy dialogue and funny situations make this a quick, enjoyable read. Charlotte (Charlie) Swift needs to find the mother of an abandoned baby who's been left on the grandmother's doorstep. Problem: baby's mother has been killed. And who's the father? And what's the motive? Gigi--complete with a bright yellow Hummer and a great spirit--comes to Charlie's aid more than once. They're not quite Thelma and Louise but the potential for great adventures is here. DiSilverio's title is nominated for a Lefty Award at this year's Left Coast Crime: best humor. Good luck!
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