Susan May Warren has written over twenty-five novels. She is a RITA Award recipient. She at one time served as a missionary with her husband in Russia. She now lives in Minnesota’s north shore. A lot of books she writes are based on experiences that parallels with some of her own. She knows how to weave mystery, suspense and romance into beautiful masterpieces. Her website is www.susanmaywarren.com.
As I stated in a previous writing, I am on a journey to finish reading 100 books by the end of this year. This book is the 41st book that I have completed thus far. Stay tuned to see how and when I finish the race.
Double Trouble, is Book 2 in her P.J. Sugar series. P.J. is a twenty-something female who likes living life on the edge. In this book she is teamed up with her boss, Jeremy Kane, a private investigator. P.J. believes that she has the instincts and what it takes to be one too. She tries to convince Jeremy but he along with others are not so easily persuaded. But because he wants to give her a chance, he makes P.J. his assistant. She’ll be like a Private Investigator in Training.
The story takes place in a small town called Kellogg, Minnesota. When the story begins she is staking out a hotel where alleged adulterer Rudy Bagwell is known to be at. She promises his wife Cynthie that she will look into the matter. She convinces Jeremy that she can do this and Jeremy goes along with her.
All night nothing happens while they stake out in proximity to the hotel. By morning with hunger pains causing them to lose focus, Jeremy sends P.J. to get some doughnuts for a quick breakfast at the bakery near the hotel. He continues to watch for Rudy from the car. And then it happens!! After having left the bakery with pastry in hand, P.J. spots Rudy sneaking out the hotel’s bottom floor window. He’s so busted. Before that happens Rudy recognizes her and makes a run for it. P.J. frantically runs down the alley to get Jeremy’s attention and the race is on. A few minutes later with the destruction of her car and a lot more learning to do they are on to their next case.
While Jeremy is somewhat amused with P.J.’s amateur ways, Detective Boone Buckam is not. Years before Boone and P.J. were high school sweethearts. Through some unfortunate circumstances that P.J. was blamed for she left town for 10 years. Boone was the one in the wrong. She is ready to put the past behind her and forgive Boone. Now that she’s been back in town, he wants to date again, after only a few months. He even proposes to her. P.J. believes Boone is looking for that same girl she was. But she has changed a lot and is not sure she is ready to commit to him again.
Her mother, Evelyn, a recent widow is not fond of P.J.’s aspirations either. And then there’s her sister Connie who recently married Sergei, a guy from Russia. She has a son Davey from a former relationship that adores his aunt P.J.
Dally, one of the main characters life is being threatened because of someone she must testify against in an upcoming trial. The trial is 10 days away and Jeremy is concerned that someone is trying to prevent her from talking. The plan is to have P.J. pretend to be Dally. That will be easier said than done. Dally is more Gothic in appearance and style while P.J. supports a head full of red hair. With the help of Dally’s co-workers at the beauty salon, P.J. receives a makeover. They do such a good job that Dally’s team mates on her softball team are fooled.
As can only happen to P.J. trouble follows her wherever she goes. Dally’s house is broken into while she is there and another time she is unwillingly carried off blindly in someone’s car trunk to places unknown. But the final straw is when her family’s life is put in jeopardy. Will her nephew Davey be hurt?
And even though she has yet to answer Boone’s proposal of marriage, does Jeremy complicate the issue? Stay tuned when the next book, Licensed For Trouble gives the answer. It is set to be released later this year.
