THE CASE OF THE AMOROUS ASSAILANT

In this mystery, a wealthy wife hires a private eye to investigate her husband.

Jade Cavendish would give anything for a break. After she dumps her cheating boyfriend and has to move back in with her parents, the last thing she needs is a ruined career before it even starts. Her father’s retirement means she has inherited the Beachtown Detective Agency, but she struggles to land a client and worries about what this means for her pessimistic viewpoint. Finally, a client who could make or break Jade’s career walks in: the rich and powerful Gina Rose. Jade takes an assignment involving fraud and Gina’s husband, Bert Darlington (“I not only want the proof he’s been using my money for his personal gain, but I also want to put the spotlight on his lies. In a sense, he’s been cheating on me financially for eight months. I want him to pay for what he’s done”). Meanwhile, a villain known as the Amorous Assailant is attacking women along the boardwalk. Jade’s findings leave Gina disappointed and disgruntled, so the gumshoe takes a break from her fraud investigation. For some extra cash, she teaches a self-defense class with her ex-boyfriend. While his childish antics upset her, she realizes that she has gained new friends from the class. Zoe Wright, one of her new pals, reports on the Amorous Assailant via her blog, but her amateur reporting and investigative tactics give Jade more problems than solutions. Even more troubling is Gina’s strange behavior. Jade soon discovers that the wealthy will do anything to keep their money, power, and secrets. After a murder is committed, she finds it hard to figure out where to find the truth. Ambrose’s mystery is thrilling and unpredictable. But while the story is intriguing and the large cast of characters, engaging, Jade sometimes fails to propel the plot. Her actions are often driven by those around her, and this does little to create high stakes. Still, the protagonist’s fun voice and compassion for others are appealing. The author shows how much Jade empathizes with Gina, Zoe, and the Amorous Assailant’s victims, which gives the narrative a grounding and realism that bring a spark to the story. Readers will enjoy this gripping mystery.

An entertaining and suspenseful detective tale.