Starred review from April 12, 2021
As shown in Leininger’s nifty fifth Mortimer Angel novel (after 2019’s Gumshoe Rock), the PI’s unfortunate ability to attract trouble sometimes makes him wonder if he should have remained a disgruntled IRS employee. Following a trail of scammed women while tracking down a ne’er-do-well heir to an undeserved fortune, Angel makes the mistake of doing a good deed when he stops along a desolate stretch of highway in the Nevada desert to help a young woman. Payback for being a good guy comes fast in the form of a cute blonde intent on hijacking his truck. Before the night is over, Angel is on the run with Harper Leeman, the gun-packing daughter of the state’s missing attorney general, while a mysterious man in a black pickup pursues them. If struggling to determine why Harper is a target for a hired killer isn’t enough of a problem, Angel frequently finds himself sans clothing at inopportune moments. Sharp dialogue, outrageous events, and a delightful mix of characters help make this outing a winner. Move over Stephanie Plum, Leininger’s gumshoe has joined the ranks of the diabolically entertaining.