Discovering the body of a friend and colleague was not what Adina Donati had in mind when she moved to Washington D.C. in search of excitement. An administrative assistant at a prestigious think tank, Adina is drawn into the middle of the murder investigation. The police don’t seem to be making much progress until Adina stumbles onto important clues and discovers just how dangerous life in the nation’s capitol can be.
Think Murder is an enjoyable mystery with a smooth conversational tone. The heroine Adina is a single young woman navigating the challenges of friendship, work, and love. She’s extremely likeable. We empathize with her and root for her to overcome the difficulties placed in her path. The author did a fine job balancing so many different characters. If only everyone had such a supportive boss. I loved him. I despised one of the other bosses, Dr, Stickler, just as I should, because the author has a way of crafting characterization that makes the characters seem exactly like people we meet each day. The landlord is not as attentive to safety as he should be, but the young gay man living next door keeps an eye out for Adina. Her romantic interests are divided between two new acquaintances: the nice Jewish detective investigating the murder and a man who volunteers alongside Adina at a local pet rescue center.
The story begins with Adina and her best friend/co-worker Hilary as they visit a local pub to unwind. Hilary slips away to the bathroom and is never seen alive again. The author is skilled in building the clues in this mystery. We go from wondering why anyone would murder such a nice girl to suspecting just about everyone, including Adina’s new romantic interest at the pet rescue center.
The loose ends are tied up nicely, and the author leaves us wondering how Adina will get on with the two suitors. Perhaps another volume is forthcoming. I’d like to see Adina again. This is a ‘clean’ read with no profanity or sex. I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. — Felicia Mires
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