Angela Gerst

Susan Callisto has left the law firm where she started out as a real estate attorney for a career as a political consultant, supporting candidates for local office. When Charles Renfrow walks in, asking her to work on his campaign for Mayor of Telford, MA, offering a $20,000 retainer, she should be thrilled. She's not, in part because he's crowding her. But Renfrow is persistent, persuasive, and that $20,000 will make a big difference in her struggle to pay her bills. They make a handshake deal that she'll advise his campaign if he can get the necessary signatures by the filing deadline--just a few days away.

Friends warn her away. Friend and client restaurant owner Nino says Renfrow has cold eyes. Another political consultant tells her Renfrow's biotech company is being investigated for toxic dumping. And before the filing deadline arrives, Susan discovers the body of Renfrow's aide,

As she uncovers one lie after another, from Renfrow, his (ex?)wife, one of her other clients, Roddy Baird, candidate for alderman in Newton, she soon has no idea who to trust.

And if life weren't complicated enough, the murder has brought her former boyfriend, police detective Michael Benedict, back into her life.

There is nice characterization here, and great plotting, plus the fun of it being set in the greater Boston area, by a writer who clearly knows the area. I'm looking forward to reading more of Susan's adventures.

Recommended.

I borrowed this book from the library.… (meer)

A Crack in Everything by Angela Gerst is a mystery suspense novel featuring betrayal, politics, real estate and of course murder. Unfortunately Susan Callisto finds herself dragged into the drama of all of these.

Susan Callisto is a lawyer and political consultant. After working for a few years with a large firm she decided to go solo. Most of her work relates to a few real estate consultations and consulting on political campaigns. Susan is currently dealing with a former elderly client - Nino Biondi - that refuses to leave his restaurant's rental property and an entrepreneur and political candidate - Roddie Baird, while trying to figure out why her relationship with Detective Lieutenant Michael Benedict fizzled out. She must also deal with a walk-in client that appears to want to run for political office but may have a hidden agenda. Charles "Chaz" Renfrow says he wants to run for mayor to allow his business a fair shake but he's left it a bit close as applications must be submitted within four days. Susan advises him on what needs to be done and briefly meets his assistant, Victoria "Torie" Moran, and his son, Glen Renfrow. As if she didn't have enough to deal with she uncovers Torie's body the day after meeting her and a few days later Chaz is dead. The good thing is these investigations have brought Michael back into her life, the bad thing is that her political client Roddie appears to be the prime suspect. Can Susan figure out what is going on to free Roddie and save his political life? What do these murders have to do with real estate? The more Susan uncovers the more mysteries and betrayals she finds. Can she uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim?

There's a lot of drama and action going on in A Crack in Everything. The characters are well developed and even likeable. Regrettably I just couldn't get past the somewhat convoluted storylines. At the end all of the little connections are tied together, but while reading it just seemed like it was a bit much.… (meer)