The Girl on the Edge of Summer

This is my first book from this author. I know I know... what took me so long? Apparently, this is book 9 in a series about Micky Knight who is a private detective in New Orleans. Though I believe this was a good read and could be a stand alone, I am eager to start from book one then reread book 9 again. The characters, the story and the twists and turns made this an intriguing mystery. I cannot wait to dive into the others.

Reviewed by Kris Johnson

Micky Knight is flying solo this time, so is needing to take on as many cases as will pay the bills. The first is a wealthy man wants her to find out who murdered his great grandfather in 1906. There are many rumours flying around, but Micky isn’t sure he’ll want the truth if she finds it.

Micky is also asked to find the details of a sexual predator who preyed on a 17 year old, who committed suicide as a result. The mum wants answers, and says she only wants the name and address of the predator for legal reasons. Micky has her doubts, and is pulled into the pool of suspects when the man is murdered. How will she get out of this mess?

This is the 9th book in the series by Redmann. She has developed a great main character, Micky Knight, who is in turns thoughtful and sensitive, and pragmatic and hardnosed. Micky is a great character for a more modern, and very queer take on the hardboiled detective.

In this installment, Micky is traveling solo, and occasionally trying internet dating. She’s also hitting the booze, and using her work to keep her busy. This book doesn’t have the same compelling personal life as others in the series, but it is perhaps refreshing for the lack of drama in that area.

What shines in this book is the combination of current thriller with many possible suspects, and appropriate levels of jeopardy for the main character, and some classic backstabbing by various interested parties. This current crime works really well to add tension to the story, while Redmann allows Micky to explore some of the history of New Orleans.

Redmann has found a lovely way to investigate a crime in 1906, and the lives of some of the local characters at the time. The mix of the two cases is really well done. There is serious tension and jeopardy in the current case, which is lightened by the exploration of the historical crime. This combination clearly shows the skills of an experienced author in the juggling of the two in a seamless navigation of the world of Micky Knight.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well crafted, and cleverly balanced the elements of two cases and the personal life of the main character. I recommend this to newcomers to the series as well as those who have read the others by Redmann.

Reviewed by Pippa Wischer

This book is the 9th book in the series. I have read them all. I struggle between the author sharing her arc of the character and as a reader what aspects I would like to see come to fruition. This book is not really a stand alone, because there are characters mentioned, but never identified that if you didn't have history on, you'd be lost.

I truly enjoy the author's talent to write this character!!! I would love to see her work it out with Cordelia, but after the painful break up, (no spoilers here) I am not sure how a lover could ever trust a partner again....

The book is a sad story.. However it's beautifully written. The last line or two in the book gives me hope for a shift in the character's direction...

I based my rating on how well the book is written.

Reviewed by Emma Anderson

Michele “Micky” Knight is a Private Investigator who takes on two new cases. The mother of a teenage girl who committed suicide wants Micky to find the person who took a picture of her daughter with her top off and posted it in the internet.

The second case is one of murder, albeit a very old one. The client, Douglas Townson’s, great-grandfather was murdered and he wants Micky to put to rest the outrageous stories the family tells and find out what really happened. (Perhaps it was more a matter of arrogance on Mr. Townson’s part.)

As she goes about her investigations into her clients’ cases, she uncovers interesting details and nefarious doings. Then murders are committed, and things get dangerous.

This is a well written and plotted book. I truly enjoyed it. It was kind of refreshing going back and forth between cases – a different approach if you will. This is my first J.M. Redmann book, but I don’t believe it will be my last.

Reviewed by Joyce Fox