Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Dirty Deeds by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid is a continuation of a series involving investigative radio journalist Sammy Greene. Sammy is currently hosting a talk radio show in New York City for Radio USA. In the period leading up to the 2008 elections, the focus was on the primary candidates from both parties but when Sammy’s best friend, nursing student Ana Pappajohn, revealed some disturbing information about possible arsenic contamination in New York’s water supply, Sammy became caught up in investigation corruption and malfeasance amongst New York’s elite politicians. A seemingly unrelated murder of a New York building contractor, the arrival of Ana’s father, a former Boston detective, Gus Pappajohn, and a series of babies at Ana’s hospital all suffering from arsenic poisoning creates a multi-layered mystery for Sammy, Ana, and Gus to unravel, all while facing danger from powerful men determined to hide the truth. 

Dirty Deeds is my first introduction to authors Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid, as well as their principal characters Sammy Greene, and Ana and Gus Pappajohn. I am impressed by the depth of their plotting, the twists and turns of the mystery as it unrolls under their investigation, as well as the likability, relatability, and variety of characters introduced. I particularly appreciated that it was often poor, immigrant families that were being exploited by the elite’s corruption and I loved the authors' focus on Tibetan culture in particular. The empathy the authors evoke in readers is to be admired, especially for the plight of Tibetans forced from their homeland, seeking relief in the promises of the USA, only to be sadly let down and disappointed by those who were elected into power to protect them. I was impressed by the level of knowledge regarding hospitals, police, governmental offices, and de-encryption procedures. This novel has been deeply researched and intelligently written. By incorporating current events of the time, the story has the ring of authenticity and believability, which is always crucial. This may have been the first work I’ve read in this series but I suspect it will not be the last time I encounter these two authors and these characters. I highly recommend this read.