Old Loves Die Hard

Old Loves Die Hard (A Mac Faraday Mystery) by Lauren Carr (2011). Review copy provided by author.

Mac is settling in to his new life as a multimillionaire after inheriting the estate of his biological mother, famous mystery writer Robin Spencer. It's quite a step up from being on the brink of bankruptcy following his divorce. He loves his new stone and cedar lakefront mansion and has grown quite fond of his mother's editor, Archie, who lives in the guest house. He's even tolerating the rambunctious German shepherd Gnarly reasonably well. Then his ex-wife shows up, drunk, on his doorstep, begging for a reconciliation. Mac quickly disabuses her of this possibility and drives her to the guest suite at his five-star resort, Spencer Inn. Unfortunately, there's a nasty scene in the lobby with his ex's estranged lover, who has turned out to be a profligate philanderer. But that's not Mac's problem, or so he thinks, until he discovers his ex and the jerk dead in his suite the next morning. Mac cranks up his recently retired homicide detective skills once again to investigate. What he finds along the way illuminates some murky cases from his past and proves, once again, how lucky he is to have his new friends in his life (especially Gnarly!).

Once again, Carr knocks out a superb murder mystery. The clues point to one suspect after another, then lead in a completely different, impossible to guess, direction, which keeps the reader guessing. Mac continues to learn about his mother and his half-brother David, and his relationship with Archie evolves as well, in this installment of the series, though it's not necessary to have read the first novel to enjoy this one. Mac's wacky in-laws and the intrepid Gnarly inject some excellent humor into the mix, though there's also danger and intrigue as Mac delves into some past cases. This is a super read, satisfying and complex, highly recommended for lovers of detective fiction.