Borrowed Time by Tracy Clark is the second book in the “Chicago” traditional mystery series. Publisher: Kensington Books, coming May 28, 2019.

In Tracy Clark’s electrifying new mystery featuring Cassandra Raines, the former Chicago cop turned private investigator looks into a suspicious death as a favor to a friend—and makes some powerful enemies . . .

Sitting in cold cars for hours, serving lowlifes with summonses . . . being a P.I. means riding out a lot of slow patches. But sometimes the most familiar paths can lead straight to danger—like at Cass’s go-to diner, where new delivery guy Jung Byson wants to enlist her expertise. Jung’s friend, Tim Ayers, scion of a wealthy Chicago family, has been found dead, floating in Lake Michigan near his luxury boat. And Jung is convinced there’s a murderer on the loose . . .

Cass reluctantly begins digging only to discover that Jung neglected to mention one crucial fact: Tim Ayers was terminally ill. Given the large quantities of alcohol and drugs found in his body, Ayers’ death appears to be either an accident or suicide. Yet as much as Cass would like to dismiss Jung’s suspicions, there are too many unanswered questions and unexplained coincidences.

Why would anyone kill a dying man? Working her connections on both sides of the law, Cass tries to point the police in the right direction. But violence is escalating around her, and Cass’s persistence has already attracted unwanted attention, uncovering sinister secrets that Cass may end up taking to her grave.

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There is no sophomore slump in this engaging tale where a simple look at an initial finding explodes into something more nefarious that spurs this drama into action.

When the Deek’s Diner delivery guy seeks Cass help in proving that his friend did not commit suicide, Cass reluctantly agrees to check out the facts, and that is when this high-stake drama evolves where nothing is as simple as it appears. And when Cass is threatened, she knows she is on the right path, but can she convince the cops?

This fast-paced and action-packed drama quickly became a page turner as I had to know how this was all going to turn out. I love how the author set the stage with great aplomb that had me immersed in all the minute details in this tightly woven mystery. A mystery consumed with suspense as to what is going on and who is behind it all and intrigue as to why it is happening.

The author knows how to tell a story that starts out on an even level and as the story progresses, the intensity builds as Cass tries to gather the evidence needed to bring the case to the police’s attention. The story creates many opportunities for Cass to show her grit as she powers through forces determined to stop her. As the pieces fall into play, the drama unfolds and the why became clear and the frenetic pacing ratcheted up a notch as it all came down to Cass, the person responsible and the ocean.

Interspersed throughout where a few comical moments with her friends and especially a handsome newcomer with the tagline “it’s not a date.” Can’t wait to see what transpires between these two. This is the best book in the series and I’m already anticipating the third book. Go Cass!

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.