Dead Heat

Michael Spraggue Mystery #3

by Linda Barnes

He was dead tired, gasping for breath, with aching muscles, blistered feet, and the anonymous note clutched in his sweaty hand. At thirty-five, Michael Spraggue thought he'd put sleuthing behind him to pursue an acting career at the Harvard Rep. Until ex-cop-turned-bodyguard Pete Collatos summons him into the race to track down death threats to his charismatic client, Senator Brian Donagher. The senator is determined to run in the Boston Marathon with Pete at his side. Until Pete dies on the killer course... Suddenly Spraggue is off and running on a track teeming with contenders, up to his jogging shorts in dirty politics and deadly passions. But the closer he gets, the sooner each of his prime suspects hits a dead end. Add a mysterious beauty with a motive for murder, a political kingpin with Mafia connections, and enough hot cash to grease the race to justice, and you have Linda Barnes at her cold-blooded best....

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Detective

194 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Linda 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.

Reviews

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spraggue, who has 'retired' from being a private detective to devote his life to his acting career gets called on by an old colleague to help protect a senator running for election in Boston. Spraggue's colleague gets killed during the Boston Marathon and the story gets moving, and more complicated from that point. Red herrings abound, but Spraggue figures it all out in the end. Well written, and Barnes really knows how to keep things moving.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be my first Linda Barnes book. Found it in the large print stacks. There are these Michael Spraggue books from the 80's and a whole bunch of Carlotta Carlyle books that are more recent. Want to try them.

[Grandma McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writer. Plot believable as are characters. Enjoyable read with the characters.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an very good book, didn't take long to read it. Kept you on your toes in antisipaiting what would happen next.

[Elizabeth Mcgowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Held my interest. Great characters.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the Michael Spraggue series. This series featured Michael Spraggue III, an actor/investigator. It amazing how many detectives have independent means (in this case a wealthy aunt of Boston old money), but maybe not - how else could they afford taking pro bono cases. Spraggue appeared in 4 enjoyable novels through 1986 when he gave way to Linda Barnes' Carlotta Carlyle character.

Michael Spraggue III is not eager but Pete Collatos gains his cooperation with a story of a senator receiving death threats. Pete is Senator Donagher's bodyguard and he's worried when Donagher decides to run in the Boston Marathon. The case turns nastier but Spraggue has the unorthodox help of his wealthy Aunt Mary, her butler and of Pete's beautiful younger sister.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dismal. Just dismal. I love Linda Barnes' writing - especially in the Carlotta Carlyle books. I thought I would give one of her first books a try. What a disappointment. Really dreadful, predictable writing, with a cocky, irritating, shallow main character. The only perk was the great descriptions of Boston neighborhoods. Horrible.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Politics and Shakespeare, oh joy.

I found this book boring as hell with no likable characters at all. I kept reading hoping it would get better - it doesn't. Luckily this book was only 256 pages otherwise I would never have been able to force myself to finish it.

[Cathy Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you kill someone in the middle of the Boston Marathon? Then how do you prove it was murder? And finally how do you prove whodunit? All cleverly untangled by Spraggue (2 g's) former PI and current Harvard Rep actor.

[Galen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and entertaining, with interesting details about the marathon. Recommended for a quick read.

[Marcia Whoolery]

So glad I found a new series by Linda Barnes! Easy to get sucked in. Lots of fakes, twists and turns. Interesting back story for the the protagonist. I can't wait to read more!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Political murder and Boston Marathon.