Pumped For Murder by Elaine Viets is the 10th book in the “Dead-End Job” mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, May 2011
Back in Miami after a relaxing honeymoon, Helen Hawthorne and her new hubby, Phil, are opening their own PI agency specializing in families with private problems. But even with a new business, Helen can’t seem to get away from those dead-end jobs.
Helen and Phil’s very first client is Shelby, a woman who wants them to spy on her husband, Bryan. Six months ago he got a gym membership—and now Shelby suspects he’s developing a killer body for another woman.
Suddenly Helen finds herself back in a dead-end job, working as a receptionist at Fantastic Fitness to keep track of Bryan. The only catch is that to work at the gym, Helen has to stay fit and pump some iron herself.
To make matters worse, when their budding agency takes on another case involving a decades-old murder, Helen has to move her workouts to the wee hours of the morning just to keep up. With so much weight on her aching shoulders, will Helen catch a killer and get a body to die for or just drop dead from exhaustion?
Helen finally got her man and the beginnings of a new life as co-owners of a private investigation company. They are handed two cases and with one of them Helen realizes she’ll never get out of working dead-end jobs. I love my annual visits with Helen, Phil and their friends. Embarking on their cases has Helen working out in a gym and Phil dining on burgers at a bar. It was fun to watch both Helen and Phil tackle their cases together and knowing the truth may or may not hurt their clients. With exciting conversations and warm friendships, this was one of the best book in this wonderful series and I can’t wait for their next adventure.