The February Trouble (Dave Garrett Mystery) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like its series predecessor, The January Corpse , this mystery features ambitious plotting, two-dimensional characters and an earnestly overwritten detective. Disbarred lawyer turned PI Dave Garrett, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from flashbacks, works the Lancaster, Pa., area. Desperately needing cash after a court order halts payment on the high fee from his last case, he takes a suspicious new assignment involving a lucrative Chinese fast-food franchise whose manager, Bruce Chadwick, is getting nasty letters in the mail, bullet holes in the restaurant's walls and soap bubbles in the won ton soup. Chadwick's wife is abducted and her elderly neighbor murdered, but Dave still can't get beneath his client's cold exterior or persuade him to involve the police, who have placed the PI at the top of their suspect list. Dave uncovers a history of affairs, a dysfunctional son and an abrasive boss, all of which lead him to suspect that the kidnapping and subsequent ransom demand are bogus. Albert deftly juggles shady business motives (account-keeping at the new eatery is a tad lax) and familial problems to arrive at a very slick resolution--preceded, unfortunately, by an abundance of dull talk.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Lawyer-turned-private investigator Dave Garrett investigates the sabotage of a new Chinese fast-food franchise in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the heart of Amish country. By the author of The January Corpse. Reprint. K. PW.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Signet; 1st THUS edition (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451404173
• ISBN-13: 978-0451404176
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,881 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Second helping of the Garrett series scores.., October 5, 2004

By	Peter LaPrade (worcester ma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The February Trouble" makes use of the great action of the previous book without feeling so flat. In this helping of the Dave Garrett series, our ex lawyer turned P.I is hired to help protect a restaurant francisee from an unknown saboteur. Soon, the francisee's wife has been kidnapped, and Garrett is suspictious about why he was hired, and if the woman was really kidnapped. He then unearths some deeply hidden secrets within the family of his employer, but not before a few people die because of the entanglements weaved. At points it channels the best of noir. Great mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, and makes great use of the Lancaster county scenery.

4.0 out of 5 stars thriller for beach week, May 15, 2008

By	C. D. French "farmer" (Sauratown Mtn, NC) - See all my reviews

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Disbarred attorney turned P.I. David Garret is back on duty in the Amish country surrounding Lancaster PA, this time helping a fast-foods (Uncle Chan's Chinese) magnate's family resolve the kidnapping of Mom/wife Anne Chadwick. Of course he finds a well-qualified, intelligent woman, Kate, to assist and bring insight to his quest, which includes several red herrings. Anne's daughter Amy vanished years ago; is this a key to the puzzle? There are mysterious backers of Uncle Chan's Chinese who may be directly involved, with co-workers and family friends who may know more than they are telling. Threaded through it all is curiosity for David's and Kate's relationship may (or may not) develop.

This is an entertaining mystery, with a quite plausible plot development and an interesting climax, making it easy to turn off the telly, the telephone, and forgo all unnecessary outings just to concentrate on David's progress with his current assignment. When his chilled feet slip and slide in the frozen slush, one tends to feel ones toes are icy cold, as well. The prose is well-constructed to involve all the senses as one silently urges the private detective onward to discovery, page by page.

If you haven't read this book's predecessor, "The January Corpse," it is okay, as this is a stand-alone story in a series that covers the first six months of the year. But you've missed another good read if you pass up either of these books (or those covering the successive months).

3.0 out of 5 stars Mystery of the Month, February 26, 2002

By	Marlin Ruhl "lebuckets" (Atoka, TN United States) - See all my reviews

Neil Albert is back with Dave Garrett, the disbarred attorney now a private eye. Neil Albert paints a vivid picture of the Lancaster County, PA farm country and the nuances of the Amish in this interesting mystery. It will definitely leave you yearning for more Dave Garrett.