One Dead, Two to Go by Elena Hartwell is the first book in the NEW “Eddie Shoes” mystery series. Publisher: Camel Press, April 2016

Private Investigator Edwina “Eddie Shoes” Schultz’s most recent job has her parked outside a seedy Bellingham hotel, photographing her quarry as he kisses his mistress goodbye. This is the last anyone will see of the woman… alive. Her body is later found dumped in an abandoned building. Eddie’s client, Kendra Hallings, disappears soon after. Eddie hates to be stiffed for her fee, but she has to wonder if Kendra could be in trouble too. Or is she the killer?

Eddie usually balks at matters requiring a gun, but before she knows it, she is knee-deep in dangerous company, spurred on by her card-counting adrenaline-junkie mother who has shown up on her doorstep fresh from the shenanigans that got her kicked out of Vegas. Chava is only sixteen years older than Eddie and sadly lacking in parenting skills. Her unique areas of expertise, however, prove to be helpful in ways Eddie can’t deny, making it hard to stop Chava from tagging along.

Also investigating the homicide is Detective Chance Parker, new to Bellingham’s Major Crimes unit but no stranger to Eddie. Their history as a couple back in Seattle is one more kink in a chain of complications, making Eddie’s case more frustrating and perilous with each tick of the clock.

I like it. This was a good read that pulled me in immediately and quickly became a page turner as I had to know what happens next and boy did I enjoy this fast-paced and action-filled drama. The author did a great job in setting up this tale where everyone had a role and played it as it should to keep me both intrigued and engaged as the story moved forward. There were some surprising twists that once sorted out added to telling of this multi-plot mystery. Eddie is a great lead character and I look forward to getting to know more about her. The addition of her mother to the cast is a perfect fit as they complemented each other which provided some amusing moments. With a good supporting cast, good conversations (especially Eddie’s internal dialogue) and a comfortable tone, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the next book with Eddie, Chava and the gang.