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Carlotta Carlyle #5
Snapshot
Every Friday a child's snapshot arrives at the Boston office of P.I. Carlotta Carlyle. There's no note. No return address. Just pictures of the child as a newborn, as a toddler, as a preschooler. Maybe Carlotta should have tossed them all in the trash. Maybe then she wouldn't have gotten mixed up again...in murder.
Discovering what happened to the child in the photos draws Carlotta into a shattered picture of private lives sadly out of focus-and big shots mixed up with deadly conspiracy that stretches from a New England hospital to the Third World. And when she finds her own "little sister" from the Boston Big Sisters program in a different kind of danger, the truth jumps out in harsh black and white. In a world filled with killers and innocence, Carlotta Carlyle may be the only avenging angel left....
Discovering what happened to the child in the photos draws Carlotta into a shattered picture of private lives sadly out of focus-and big shots mixed up with deadly conspiracy that stretches from a New England hospital to the Third World. And when she finds her own "little sister" from the Boston Big Sisters program in a different kind of danger, the truth jumps out in harsh black and white. In a world filled with killers and innocence, Carlotta Carlyle may be the only avenging angel left....
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Linda Barnes
67 books225 followersLinda Barnes is an American mystery writer, born and raised in Detroit, and graduated from Boston University"s School of Theater. She is best known for her series featuring Carlotta Carlyle, a 6'1" redheaded detective from Boston. Carlotta Carlyle is often compared to the hard-boiled female detectives created by Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky. Her new novel, "The Perfect Ghost," which will be published in April, 2013, is her first stand-alone mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 31, 2020
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Linda Barnes's Carlotta Carlyle novels. She's a well put-together character who came along at the times of Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Milhone: a private eye in Boston. Carlotta began getting weekly photographs in the mail, first of a baby, then of a child growing up, who she eventually realized was the same child. Her impulse was to trash them, but for some reason she stashed them under a blotter and was surprised to realize how fascinated she was when the next one didn't show up on schedule.
Carlotta eventually was introduced to Emily Woodrow, sender of the photos, by a psychologist in her building. He accompanied the incredibly shy and reticent Mrs. Woodrow to the meeting. As they left Carlotta's, she came back on the pretense of having left a glove. Instead, she left Carlotta with a check, a request that she investigate the distinguished hospital where Mrs. Woodrow's daughter had died, and a promise to be back in touch with more information. Carlotta waited, Mrs. Woodrow seemed to have disappeared, so she began to investigate.
Carlotta eventually was introduced to Emily Woodrow, sender of the photos, by a psychologist in her building. He accompanied the incredibly shy and reticent Mrs. Woodrow to the meeting. As they left Carlotta's, she came back on the pretense of having left a glove. Instead, she left Carlotta with a check, a request that she investigate the distinguished hospital where Mrs. Woodrow's daughter had died, and a promise to be back in touch with more information. Carlotta waited, Mrs. Woodrow seemed to have disappeared, so she began to investigate.
June 3, 2018
A smart, strong-minded heroine and a quick moving story made for an enjoyable mystery read. Unfortunately, it’s one of those books that hustles the reader along so quickly you don’t notice the plot holes until after you finish the story.
October 1, 2020
A writer at the top of her game and her character Carlotta Carlyle able to deal with several strands before tying everything together for a satisfactory ending. Carlotta is hire by a distraught mother, Emily Woodrow who believes her daughter who died of leukemia was actually killed while a second thread involves her trash bins being stolen. The book is excellently paced, eventually leading to unlikely stand off which makes this book a real page turner as good as I first read it nearly thirty years ago.
April 9, 2022
"I ought to keep food in my car. Trail mix. Beef jerky. Behind me, a man in a blue Chevy had the nerve to honk. I love it when the seventh driver in line decides to honk. I didn’t bother giving him the finger. Every other driver on the street beat me to it anyway."
Carlotta Carlyle makes me smile, every book. I think Linda Barnes may be writing one of the best of these there is. I'm on to the others I've somehow (miraculously) missed!
Carlotta Carlyle makes me smile, every book. I think Linda Barnes may be writing one of the best of these there is. I'm on to the others I've somehow (miraculously) missed!
August 11, 2017
So far, Linda Barnes becomes a more skilled writer with each book in the series. Usually, I start noticing an author's favorite words by the fifth book and it interrupts my reading focus. This is the fifth Carlotta Carlyle mystery and it hasn't happened yet. The main character remains and the plots remain fresh and interesting.
December 13, 2021
I always forget how much I really like this series!!
March 24, 2026
The plot is a bit of a muddle, but Linda Barnes brings it home in an exciting rush in this latest outing for her 6-foot redheaded ex-cop private eye, Carlotta Carlyle.
For weeks Carlotta has been getting strange letters in the mail -- envelopes with a Winchester return address, containing a single photo. The pictures begin with a baby and then work their way up to a six-year-old girl.
Eventually, through a neighbor who's a psychiatrist, she learns they're being sent by a wealthy woman who lost her daughter to cancer. The woman can't help suspecting something amiss, based on a scene she saw at the end of her daughter's hospital care. She hires Carlotta to investigate and gives her a big check to cover ex
Carlotta dons a disguise to infiltrate the hospital and ask questions. This is the most squirm-inducing part of the story, but it's a necessary part of the plot. So is a subplot involving a guy who steals her trash cans and then strikes up an acquaintance with Carlotta's bright but impoverished little sister, Paola.
Before long, Carlotta is hip deep in a double-murder investigation and discovering that there's a pipeline of bogus cancer drugs being shipped overseas to kill patients there. Who's behind it all, and how he expects to get away with it, is quite a story, one that eventually involves the FDA and the World Health Organization. There's also a last-minute rescue of Carlotta's client that turns into a life-and-death struggle for Carlotta herself.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and its coda involving Paola and the Jewish Passover traditions was quite touching. I will look forward to reading Barnes' next entry in the series.
For weeks Carlotta has been getting strange letters in the mail -- envelopes with a Winchester return address, containing a single photo. The pictures begin with a baby and then work their way up to a six-year-old girl.
Eventually, through a neighbor who's a psychiatrist, she learns they're being sent by a wealthy woman who lost her daughter to cancer. The woman can't help suspecting something amiss, based on a scene she saw at the end of her daughter's hospital care. She hires Carlotta to investigate and gives her a big check to cover ex
Carlotta dons a disguise to infiltrate the hospital and ask questions. This is the most squirm-inducing part of the story, but it's a necessary part of the plot. So is a subplot involving a guy who steals her trash cans and then strikes up an acquaintance with Carlotta's bright but impoverished little sister, Paola.
Before long, Carlotta is hip deep in a double-murder investigation and discovering that there's a pipeline of bogus cancer drugs being shipped overseas to kill patients there. Who's behind it all, and how he expects to get away with it, is quite a story, one that eventually involves the FDA and the World Health Organization. There's also a last-minute rescue of Carlotta's client that turns into a life-and-death struggle for Carlotta herself.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and its coda involving Paola and the Jewish Passover traditions was quite touching. I will look forward to reading Barnes' next entry in the series.
February 11, 2024
Mystery wise, this was probably my favorite in the series. It starts with some mysterious snapshots showing up at Carlotta's house. She gets one every week, but she has no idea who they're from.
She's surprised when a lady appears, asking her to investigate her daughter's death. Her daughter was dying from cancer, but she thinks something fishy happened the day her daughter died. As Carlotta begins to investigate, she starts to agree.
There were some good twists and investigative turns in this one. The only part I didn't love, as usual, was the whole "little sister" schtick. This series is fine, but little niggles I have keep it from being one I really love. For instance, in this book, Carlotta tells an 11-year-old, who just started her period that it means "her body is ready to have babies now." What the hell?! Who says that to an 11-year-old?! It's things like that I don't like.
She's surprised when a lady appears, asking her to investigate her daughter's death. Her daughter was dying from cancer, but she thinks something fishy happened the day her daughter died. As Carlotta begins to investigate, she starts to agree.
There were some good twists and investigative turns in this one. The only part I didn't love, as usual, was the whole "little sister" schtick. This series is fine, but little niggles I have keep it from being one I really love. For instance, in this book, Carlotta tells an 11-year-old, who just started her period that it means "her body is ready to have babies now." What the hell?! Who says that to an 11-year-old?! It's things like that I don't like.
November 19, 2019
A surprisingly decent read. Great for the beach - which is where I read it, and wished I had some more.
A well constructed detective thriller, in the style of Sam Spade, but modernised. Well written, well crafted with good characterisation. All believable characters in this gritty modern story and loved the introduction to the main character; I had an inkling, but the presentation was excellent. (no spoiler here!!)
A well constructed detective thriller, in the style of Sam Spade, but modernised. Well written, well crafted with good characterisation. All believable characters in this gritty modern story and loved the introduction to the main character; I had an inkling, but the presentation was excellent. (no spoiler here!!)
July 28, 2023
I would have given this story 4 stars but it was longer warranted. My criticism all centers on its pacing. Slow, slow slow, then bam - a race to the finish. But I will keep following the trials and tribulations of Carlotta until they end. She’s a great character.
June 23, 2017
Well done!
November 28, 2018
Snapshot was an interesting intriguing read. Was a grieving mother losing her mind or was her daughter's death not so natural? This and many other questions pop up and get answered.
November 30, 2019
This series by Linda Barnes is getting stronger. The character development is especially stronger in Carlotta and her “sister” Paolina. I enjoyed it.
March 21, 2020
Enjoyed read...irreverent but compassionate character.
September 26, 2020
This book is exciting and suspenseful. I couldn't put it down.
April 25, 2021
Crap, I accidentally read these out of order. I mistakenly jumped from book 1 to book 5. Starting back on 2to right the ship.
May 31, 2021
This is a great series for a quick read in the sun
August 31, 2021
3.5/5 I really enjoy reading this series.
April 2, 2022
Much as I enjoyed this, I was disappointed in the trope of greedy, evil, business people.
May 31, 2022
Great read!
October 29, 2022
3 1/2-I would read another in the series. Not too light; not too dark.
April 6, 2023
The character, a PI named Carlotta is fun and logical also, no wilting flower. The story was good. Enjoyed listening to this in the car.
December 24, 2024
Even though this was an earlier book in the Carlotta Carlyle series, it has an excellent, unusual plot and fast paced. Well written!
August 21, 2025
If Bette Midler was taller I could see her playing Carlotta. Lots of sass and spunk.
April 29, 2026
Letto nell'edizione italiana del Giallo Mondadori con il titolo di "Istantanea di un delitto". Quasi quattro stelle.
April 30, 2010
#5 Carlotta Carlyle PI mystery set in Boston, MA. Each Friday for several weeks, Carlotta receives a photo of a young girl from birth upwards, and then the girl's mother arrives with her psychiatrist to bring her the last one--a photo of young Rebecca Woodrow just before she died. Her grief-stricken mother believes there was some error made in the treatment she was receiving for leukemia that caused Becca's death rather than the disease itself and asks Carlotta to look into it, with a handsome retainer check as an incentive.
Meanwhile, Carlotta tries again to see her Little Sister (as in the Big Sister/Little Sister program) Paolina and finds the girl's mother and siblings in a terrible state due to her rheumatoid arthritis and lack of funds. Carlotta hasn't been allowed to see Paolina for nearly four months and Marta tells her she's been hanging out with some guy who's in his 20's. Since the girl is only 11, this gets Carlotta's hackles up and she begins to investigate that too.
As she attempts to get inside the specialty hospital where young Becca Woodrow was treated and to keep tabs on Paolina and her 'friend,' Carlotta begins running into opposition on both fronts--and when a young nurse who worked with Rebecca and quit working for the hospital shortly after her death ends up dead herself (suicide? or perhaps not) Carlotta knows she's on to something, but doesn't even have enough information to pass along to her cop friend Mooney.
Very interesting book with a rather strange premise, although I figured out the bad guy well in advance and some of the whys and hows--one of the times when it helped to be a nurse. Plenty of fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants action, just enough humor and a good dose of Carlotta's circle of most interesting supporting cast.
Meanwhile, Carlotta tries again to see her Little Sister (as in the Big Sister/Little Sister program) Paolina and finds the girl's mother and siblings in a terrible state due to her rheumatoid arthritis and lack of funds. Carlotta hasn't been allowed to see Paolina for nearly four months and Marta tells her she's been hanging out with some guy who's in his 20's. Since the girl is only 11, this gets Carlotta's hackles up and she begins to investigate that too.
As she attempts to get inside the specialty hospital where young Becca Woodrow was treated and to keep tabs on Paolina and her 'friend,' Carlotta begins running into opposition on both fronts--and when a young nurse who worked with Rebecca and quit working for the hospital shortly after her death ends up dead herself (suicide? or perhaps not) Carlotta knows she's on to something, but doesn't even have enough information to pass along to her cop friend Mooney.
Very interesting book with a rather strange premise, although I figured out the bad guy well in advance and some of the whys and hows--one of the times when it helped to be a nurse. Plenty of fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants action, just enough humor and a good dose of Carlotta's circle of most interesting supporting cast.
July 5, 2008
Snapshot - VG
Barnes, Linda - 5th in series
Every Friday a child's snapshot arrives at the Boston office of P.I. Carlotta Carlyle. There's no note. No return address. Just pictures of the child as a newborn, as a toddler, as a preschooler. Maybe Carlotta should have tossed them all in the trash. Maybe then she wouldn't have gotten mixed up again...in murder.
Discovering what happened to the child in the photos draws Carlotta into a shattered picture of private lives sadly out of focus-and big shots mixed up with deadly conspiracy that stretches from a New England hospital to the Third World. And when she finds her own "little sister" from the Boston Big Sisters program in a different kind of danger, the truth jumps out in harsh black and white. In a world filled with killers and innocence, Carlotta Carlyle may be the only avenging angel left....
This was a very good read
Barnes, Linda - 5th in series
Every Friday a child's snapshot arrives at the Boston office of P.I. Carlotta Carlyle. There's no note. No return address. Just pictures of the child as a newborn, as a toddler, as a preschooler. Maybe Carlotta should have tossed them all in the trash. Maybe then she wouldn't have gotten mixed up again...in murder.
Discovering what happened to the child in the photos draws Carlotta into a shattered picture of private lives sadly out of focus-and big shots mixed up with deadly conspiracy that stretches from a New England hospital to the Third World. And when she finds her own "little sister" from the Boston Big Sisters program in a different kind of danger, the truth jumps out in harsh black and white. In a world filled with killers and innocence, Carlotta Carlyle may be the only avenging angel left....
This was a very good read
November 9, 2021
Snapshot is the 5th installment in the Carlotta Carlyle series by Linda Barnes. Carlotta is a no-nonsense hard boiled woman PI living in Boston and driving a cab when her PI work isn't bringing in enough dough. She's 6' 1" with flaming red hair and a personality to match. I think she's terrific. Think V I Warshawski and Kinsey Milhone.
She starts getting snapshots in the mail every week of a young girl who is aging in the photos week by week. Carlotta sees but doesn't catch someone stealing her trash cans and she's hooked. The mystery leads from a missing girl to a dead girl to strange goings on at a local hospital. More info would be spoiling but take it from me you'll like this one, and for that matter all the other Carlotta Carlyle books.
She starts getting snapshots in the mail every week of a young girl who is aging in the photos week by week. Carlotta sees but doesn't catch someone stealing her trash cans and she's hooked. The mystery leads from a missing girl to a dead girl to strange goings on at a local hospital. More info would be spoiling but take it from me you'll like this one, and for that matter all the other Carlotta Carlyle books.
July 22, 2010
Book read so much like a Janet Evanovich, I looked up to see if one was a pen name for the other, but does not seem to be the case. I think the similarity was enhanced because both authors are read by the same person. It was entertaining and was interesting to me because it involved a drug counterfeiting scheme, which is the biggest issue that the FDA currently is facing, much worse than illegal drugs. However, the book had an interesting twist. I have never heard of a case like it, but doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Of course, this is from the B section of the audiobooks and I am not sure I will read another one by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews