The second sleuthing tale featuring detective Kerry Grant, Should Old Acquaintance Be Dead by Jean Sheldon, is absolutely delectable. It is a quick, satisfying read. Bast Press says “She carries a gun, a badge, and a laptop” but leaves out the tenacity that is her earmark trait.
Tough-as-nails cop, feisty, independent to a fault, solving a twenty-five-year-old murder on her forced vacation. While investigating, a second and nearly identical murder takes place. In both cases, she is the one found over the dead bodies. When she was in high school, she stumbled over Shayna Donovan, a fellow classmate. Now, as a decorated cop in the Chicago police department, she finds the still-warm corpse of Lisa Whittaker in the exact same location on stage at the Pulaski High School auditorium. Discovering Shayna all those years ago helped define Kerry’s path in life - to become the best cop she could. With Lisa’s death, she is determined to prove that neither was accidental.
This is a great piece of detective work with incredibly vibrant side characters - even the cats and stuffed bear have entertaining roles to play. Kerry’s best friend, neighbors, old schoolmates, partner, and even the suspects make for a very colorful story. The most fascinating character, however, is not the stubborn detective: Bast is a serene and slightly eccentric former classmate whom no one knew well. She plays a small but dynamic role that breathes life into the story through bald cynicism and curiosity.
Complete with telemarketing scams, dramatic attempts on Kerry’s life, a tentative renewed romance on the side and a heavy dose of sardonic humor, Should Old Acquaintance Be Dead is perfect. A Chilling Goodbye is book three, and is expected to be released during the spring of 2008.