Thursday, January 6, 2022

2 sisters detective agency by James Patterson and Candice Fox

Rhonda Bird is a public defender in Denver, Colorado.  She's worked hard to get where she is, and she stands out from the crowd - not just because of her physical size, but also because of the way she dresses.  She is used to rolling with the punches and dealing with challenging clients - ignoring the anger and frustration from some, dealing with the fear and anxiety of others, and staring down the threats.  When she receives a call out of the blue from her estranged fathers attorney she is not particularly interested in what he has to say - even after he informs her that her father is dead.  Rhonda has no interest in the man who walked out of her life twenty five years ago, and she has no interest in his estate - but heads off to Los Angeles when the lawyer insists and makes a startling discovery.  She has a teenaged half sister, who everyone calls Baby, and she is now her legal guardian.

Baby is everything Rhonda is not - model thin, gorgeous, and she had a relationship with their father.  To say they are not thrilled with the news is an understatement - Rhonda can't help but feel some resentment towards the sister who their father actually stuck around for, and Baby is used to doing her own thing and does not need Rhonda watching out for her.  It is a rocky start to the relationship, and when someone Baby knows arrives at the detective agency their father left them asking for help, things get a whole lot worse.  Ashton and his friends are in over their heads - they just don't know how deep - and Rhonda and Baby may be the only ones who can save them.  Assuming they aren't too busy avoiding the other inheritance daddy dearest left them with.

2 sisters detective agency is a fantastic read, but is one of those annoying books that is hard to review without introducing too many spoilers along the way.  We are introduced to Rhonda and Baby's world with a bang, and just like real life their world and relationship are complicated from the get go.  In many ways I connected with Rhonda quickly because I know what it's like to have a dad who didn't stick around, but who came back into my life later, and who was quite happy to play happy families with the children of partners.  I also liked Baby (after a while) - might be because of all the psychology that comes into it.  They are interesting characters, and you can see the depth to them both, layers that get peeled back as the story goes on.  There is also a certain humour that runs through the story, including some very funny moments - which balances out some of the not so pleasant parts.

There is a teaser that this is the start of a series, and there is a lot to like here - particularly as Patterson and Fox have very similar writing styles so the story is seamless.  Hopefully we get to see a lot more of Rhonda and Baby.

If you like this book then try:
  • Never never by James Patterson and Candice Fox
  • Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
  • Gathering dark by Candice Fox
  • 1st case by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
  • Look what you made me do by Elaine Murphy
  • Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
  • The puppet show by M.W. Craven
  • The better sister by Alafair Burke
  • The liar's daughter by Claire Allan
  • Sticks and stones by Katherine Firkin

Reviewed by Brilla

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