The Step Between (Carole Ann Gibson Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Penny Mickelbury (Author)

Book Description

Series: Carole Ann Gibson Mysteries | Publication Date: February 22, 2000

Carol Ann Gibson is back: the tough, brilliant, but warmhearted attorney-turned-detective returns for a routine surveillance job that turns up three corpses and the kidnapping of her partner's wife.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her third outing, African-American lawyer-turned-detective Carole Ann Gibson is still recovering from the death of her husband, Al Crandall, who was murdered in One Must Wait, the first novel in the series. Carole Ann and her partner, Jake Graham, a former cop, run a highly technical detective agency specializing in surveillance in Washington, D.C. Wealthy businessman Richard Islington hires Carole Ann to investigate the disappearance of his daughter, Annabelle, a young woman who has been estranged from her mother, Islington's ex-wife, and who has now seemingly deserted her father for some unknown reason. Meanwhile, Jake decides to take the case of OnShore Manufacturing, which has hired him to investigate a large corporation looking to take over the company. The two cases appear straightforward, until Jake's wife, Grace, is abducted and hints arise that Jake's two investigations may be connected. Mickelbury's prose is uneven, with some nail-biting episodes followed by dull interludes, and the characters just don't excite interest, except for Ruthie Eva, Annabelle's mother, who has managed to create a successful if somewhat unhappy life for herself. Several murders, a large warehouse fire and a finale in the Maryland woods can't rescue a muddled tale containing little spark or personality. Agent, Charlotte Sheedy. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Carole Ann Gibson, the Washington attorney who turned to sleuthing after her husband's death, makes her third appearance. Hired to locae a wealthy man's missing daughter, Gibson discovers three bodies and a kidnapping. More action, excitement, and suspense from the author of Where to Choose.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; F edition (February 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684859904
• ISBN-13: 978-0684859903
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,336,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thriller fans are going to have fun with this exciting read, February 8, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Step Between (Carole Ann Gibson Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Her associates and superiors considered Carole Ann Gibson a very good attorney when she abruptly placed her law degree in cold storage. Tired of the justice system's endless swinging doors, Carole Ann formed a partnership with Jake Graham. Their firm, Gibson, Graham International (GGI) provides investigative and security services. After nearly dying on their last case, Carole Ann vows never to place herself in that type of danger gain. However, she quickly finds her reneging on her personal promise when she and Jake take on two different clients whose cases converge into a nightmare that leaves everyone in peril.

DC wealthiest person, Richard Islington hires GGI to find his missing daughter, though every indication leads to the conclusion she voluntarily left on her own. At the same time, On Shore Manufacturing asks the team to make discreet inquiries into the company trying to take them over. On the surface, the two cases seem miles apart, but soon they merge in a way that leaves GGI under siege and its operatives in danger.

The first two Carole Ann Gibson mystery novels were enjoyable, well-written stories. However, the third entry, THE STEP BETWEEN, is such a superbly plotted tale, it makes its excellent predecessors seem pale by comparison. Penny Micklebury creates likable characters that will garner audience empathy and attention. The author fully develops the two prime subplots before merging them into a fabulous story line that seems to stay one step ahead of the reader. Ms. Micklebury is an artist who leaves her audience copiously satisfied yet salivating for more.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 26, 2000

By 

Delores (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Step Between (Carole Ann Gibson Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Once again, Penny Mickelbury has weaved a tale of suspense and intrigue that kept me turning pages. Carole Ann's struggle to accept the harsh realities of her past as she builds a new life through her business and budding(but fleeting in this book) relationship with Warren Forchette humanizes her even as she works to discover why CGI has been targeted by unknown perpetrators. Ms. Mickelbury portrays Carole Ann's vulnerabilities without making her appear wimpy or weak. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

4.0 out of 5 stars THE STEP BETWEEN CONTAINS DANGER, April 16, 2003

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Step Between (Carole Ann Gibson Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The Step Between is one in a series of novels about reluctant PI Carole Ann
Gibson. Carole Ann is a former Washington, DC Defense Trial Lawyer who left
her criminal law practice for a partnership in a security firm. Carole Ann's
partner is former DC homicide detective, Jake Graham. In her new role as
partner of GGI, Carole Ann reviews and writes contracts as well as takes
administrative control over some of the accounts.

The Step Between opens with Carole Ann and Jake accepting a case from the
city's richest man to find his missing daughter. After taking that case
things go awry for GGI. A routine surveillance job uncovers three corpses and
Jake's wife is kidnapped. Carole Ann and Jake are caught in a web of deceit,
lies, and murder and the only way out is through discovering the cause of the
problems.

The Step Between is action packed and will leave readers searching for the
rest of the Carole Ann Gibson mysteries.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD)
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers