This is an entertaining if occasionally slow mystery with a great character in Charlie Bradshaw. I remember reading the earlier installments in this series but not the details of them so this works fine as a standalone (and you might be inspired to read the others.). Charlie's interference in an investigation got him (unfairly) in trouble in the past so his poking around now has to be careful. Dobyns makes good use of the Saratoga setting. This walks somewhere between a procedural, a mystery, and a private detective (but not cozy) novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one if you like more mature heroes.

A solid return for (now retired) detective Charlie Bradshaw of Saratoga, NY. It was great to catch up with old friends and see Charlie back in the bad graces of the Saratoga Police Department. Despite the fact it has been a long time since the last Saratoga mystery, Dobyns has not missed a step. Like the other books in the series, there is a solid mix of mystery, humor and interesting and well drawn characters - including the city of Saratoga itself. Let's hope Mr Dobyns doesn't wait this long again before writing another book in this series!

This book was ok. Characters very stereotypical. Not really my type of mystery,