DOUBLE TAKE by Catherine Coulter
Catherine Coulter has written a series of novels featuring the adventures of married FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock. Her latest is titled DOUBLE TAKE and it is the best story featuring these two yet. It has several plot lines going at one time but they all involve Sherlock and Savich as well as two other agents named Cheney Stone and Ruth Warnecki. Oh yes, Sheriff Dix Noble from Maestro, Virginia is also involved. Readers met him and Ruth in a previous novel.
This large cast of characters is wrapped up in an attempted murder and a case of mistaken identity. Julia Ransom is the widow of a renowned psychic who was murdered. Julia was suspected of the crime but was never charged. At the start of this story there is an attempt made on her life but she is rescued by FBI Agent Stone.
Also Dix Noble is told by his father in law that someone has seen Dix's wife Christie in San Francisco. Christie disappeared three years ago and has been presumed dead for all this time. Dix is now in the process of making a life with FBI Agent Warnecki but still feels he has to investigate this "sighting."
Julia Ransom also happens to live in San Francisco so all parties are together in one town. This is also the place where Sherlock's parents live so Dix Noble stays with them. When more attempts are made on Julia's life Savich and Sherlock show up to help investigate. Ruth also comes out to help Agent Stone.
More murders and more kidnappings give all the agents a full plate. It seems like San Francisco is having a crime wave. And when a hired assassin comes to town things really do get out of hand.
Coulter balances her story perfectly with the chapters intersecting with valid plot progressions on all fronts. Then she has everything dovetail into an exciting climax. It is mystery reading at its most fun.
In this story the focus is primarily on Dix, Cheney and Julia. Sherlock and Savich as well as Ruth take supporting player roles. Still it is great to have all these old friends on board. They add to the flavor and add to the fun.
Catherine Coulter knows how to create suspenseful situations and then play it all out to a logical conclusion. She also knows how to add romance and humor into the mix, which makes her book even more reader friendly.
This is a fun read for any season, but here in the heat of summer it is the perfect beach read. Get a copy and head for the water. DOUBLE TAKE is a cool book to supplement your beachside relaxation.
DOUBLE TAKE is published by G P Putnam's Sons. It contains 420 pages and sells for $25.95.