Poor Stanley Hastings. While attempting to do a favor for his old antagonist/friend Sgt. MacAuliffe who is worried about his daughter, Hastings gets himself charged with two murders and grand larceny. Needless to say he has a way of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Stanley’s main job is working for an ambulance-chasing attorney by signing up clients in wrongful injury suits. I’ve read several of the Hastings series as well as Hall’s Puzzle Lady books, and they never fail to entertain. Each has a comic flair in the dialogue and endearing characters. Leave your literary criticism at home as well as the rational part of your brain and just enjoy them for what they are: just good light, entertainments. ( )

Stanley Hastings the non-private eye is hired as a private eye, but really only as a favor for a friend who really isn't a friend.

Hastings gets himself into another bind that he has to finagle his way out of. Although I enjoy reading about his endeavors, this one isn't as comedic as the last two. All you can do is shake your head the entire story and wonder why he didn't do it another way. ( )