Summer Reading: Thin Blue Alibi by Paul Levine

So I come back from GA, and not only had my wife finished Solomon vs. Lord on my recommendation--but she'd procured and finished the sequel. However, she warned "It's not as good." Only slightly daunted I dived in (no pun intended). She was right. But that's not to say the book isn't good, it is. But it doesn't feel as fresh--that's the nature of sequels. When I finished the book, I uttered a Nero Wolfean "Satisfactory."

2 main story lines, and a few nice subplots to keep things interesting. Plot number 1: Victoria's "Uncle" Griff (her dad's old business partner) runs his yacht onto shore in the Keys--conveniently enough, he almost kills Victoria and Steve in the process, but at least they're the first on the scene to discover that Griff's passenger has a spear through his chest, so they can get to lawyerin' as soon as possible.

Plot number 2: Victoria wants to split the firm up--get out on her own, so she's not standing in Steve's shadow. She's not looking to split from him personally, but there are subconscious undertones in that direction.

Plot 2 is further complicated by Uncle Griff's son, her first love, childhood friend, etc. who she hasn't seen in years is back on the scene. And is a total hunk. And rich. And not a frequently uncouth jerk.

Some of the supporting cast from the last book wasn't around, which is good, I think. But those present were still a pleasant addition. The cameo by (and several references to) a certain salt-shaker seeking musician was a nice touch. The mystery was craftier than last time, and I think the plotting was a little better. But the latter are secondary to me--esp in this kind of book. It's about the characters--do I like them? Do I want to spend time with them? And for almost everyone in this book, it's yes. I spent about half the book really not liking Victoria...seemed like a prissy little brat with a healthy dose of finicky on the side. By the end of the novel, I'd come around again, but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Here's my major complaint. Plot line #2. I never, not for one second, thought that Victoria would split up the team or the couple. So that entire thing was an endurance test "how much longer do I have to put up with this?" Contrast that compare/contrast to Kenzie and Gennaro in Lehane's books--or even Spenser and Susan in The Widening Gyre and Valediction. Sure, those aren't comic novels (esp. Lehane's), but there was real risk of loss, there was real pain, real conflict. I think Levine is capable of putting these two in a situation where I could worry about them--but this wasn't it.

That said, I'd give the first installment an A and this a B+. Well worth the time and money (or trip to the library). Looking forward to #3 in the series in a month--thanks Gerald, for the tip.