Cover Your Assets

Tucker Sinclair #2

by Patricia Smiley

Tucker Sinclair's life has returned to normal after her first misadventure with murder in FALSE PROFITS. But that's about to change when her old college flame, Evan Brice, strolls back into her life after a 10-year estrangement that began when he dumped Tucker to marry her closest friend. Evan is now a successful Hollywood agent who has acquired many mistresses and a love affair with drugs. When Evan is found brutally murdered, the police quickly close in on the victim's widow, who turns to ex-best friend Tucker for help. Soon, Tucker runs afoul of the detective in charge of the case and finds herself at odds with a biker gang and a narcissistic soap opera star in a race to sort the innocent from the guilty.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2005

About the author

Patricia Smiley is the author of four novels, featuring amateur sleuth Tucker Sinclair. PACIFIC HOMICIDE is the first in a new series about Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective Davie Richards and is based on her 15-year stint as a volunteer for the LAPD. The second book in the series OUTSIDE THE WIRE will debut on November 8, 2017.

Patty's short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Two of the Deadliest, an anthology edited by Elizabeth George. She has taught writing classes at various conferences in the U.S. and Canada and served as the vice president of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America and as president of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles. Patty lives in Los Angeles where she is working on the third book in the Pacific Homicide series.

Reviews

[Khanson919 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Tucker Sinclair mysteries. They are light, fun, enjoyable mysteries. Tucker is a very likable character, and her involvement in solving mysteries seems natural and not forced. This one I had no clue who the murderer was until the reveal. The author kept rotating suspects to the front and then having Tucker dismiss as the killer them. I would definitely read more books in this series.

[Jerry King · Rating 3 out of 5]

2005

[Susan E. Harris PInto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The truth always comes out

The fast action at the end. I love a good mystery that keeps you guessing until the final chapter. Good job

[Tana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, simple mystery. I didn’t love the ending, but that’s more about preferences.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a super cute story with an engaging main character, and I want to know what happens next. Just for fun.

[courtney duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book- the second in the Tucker Sinclair series by Patricia Smiley- was, as I expected, an easier read than the first. I know these aren't "new" books, but they are new to me, so...my prediction that the author would hit her stride by book two was pretty dead on. There was one moment in the story where I found myself wrenched from my reverie by sheer disbelief, but it was so minor, I can't even remember what it was that seemed so dumb now. These books are funny- they are easy to read, but they aren't enthralling. The characters just aren't as appealing as in some other major murder-mystery type series, but I can't tell you why, exactly. Ms. Smiley is witty as hell, but not as funny as I want her to be...and yet, I would still read the next one. I think the bigger mystery here is why I am so darn attracted to these stories.

[L8blmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oops - I did it again. Stumbled on this book, the description sounded good, so I read it believing it was a stand-alone. Guess what? Wrong - this one is the second in a series! I enjoyed this story enough that I've decided to backtrack and pick up #1. Some people might feel this is a watered down Kinsey Milhone-ish heroine, but I found her fairly likable and the mystery kept me guessing until near the end, so those are good signs. One is forced to branch out when she is fully caught up with almost all of her favorite authors!

[Johna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Tucker as a character, but was not impressed with this storyline. Just had issues getting captured from the beginning. By the end of the book, sure I was from sheer determination of wanting to complete the book and curious to see who actually did it. Several characters in the book so pay attention.

[Jmrathbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, along with some others, was given to me a couple of years ago. I finally got around to reading it, with little expectations. I was pleasantly surprised to a find likable heroine In Tucker Sinclair. There is enough action to keep the reader interested. The nickname the writer gave Tucker (Tuckie), however, I hope won’t be repeated in other books.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story. Fun, quick, set in Los Angeles. The only thing was it felt like she tried to hurry up and tie it all up at the end... it seemed like it just sped through the last few chapters where the main character finds out "whodunit".

[Glenda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book for sometime ... decided to read a mystery. I liked it and did finish it ... but it was just OK. Somehow most mysteries are not my usual genre. The characters in this were "colorful" and the heroine was cute and interesting ... all in all, not a bad book.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the first book.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the series. It was better than the first. There was more going on with the characters. I forget the actual story line but remember liking it!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

critiquedbykat.blogspot.com

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it because it was all I had at home to read. Not my kind of books and it was just OK for me.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had semi-high hopes for Cover Your Assets because the first book, while predictable, was entertaining and easy to read. Alas, this book was just plain silly.

[Carol Nasby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light late summer read!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little mystery with protagonist, Tucker Sinclair.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

humorous

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series, too bad she only wrote four books.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

read 12.09.07
Tucker's ex-fiance is murdered.

[Sally Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome series! Fun.