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After years in the theater, Elena Hartwell turned her dramatic skills to fiction. She currently writes the Eddie Shoes Mystery Series. "One Dead, Two to Go" and "Two Heads Are Deader Than One" (April 15, 2017). Book three will launch April 15, 2018. Author Peter Clines described Eddie as, “the most fun detective since Richard Castle stumbled into the 12th precinct.”
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
Two Heads Are Deader Than One (An Eddie Shoes Mystery) by Elena Hartwell is an intriguing sleuth/murder/mystery that is entertaining and suspenseful. Eddie Shoes is a private investigator in Bellingham, Washington. Eddie's life has had a recent makeover. She is now the proud owner of a massive canine; her mother has moved in with her, and the ex-boyfriend that she deserted is now a detective at the precinct. Eddie's quiet life is history, and while she is adjusting, Eddie gets a blast from the past. Her childhood best friend, Dakota, calls her from the police station to ask for bail. She hasn't seen Dakota since Eddie quit school and moved.
Because of Dakota's inconsistencies, Eddie isn't sure she wishes to encourage a relationship. Their past contains a dark secret that ended with the death of one of their friends and is the reason that Eddie left town. Dakota insists that she is a victim and, reluctantly, Eddie bails her out. That is when things begin to get interesting. A murder is committed in the questionable Tarot business across the hall from Eddie's office, and now she is a person of interest. Chance, Eddie's ex, is bringing her in for questioning, and Dakota has disappeared. More crimes are committed, and they all have ties to Dakota. Why has she come to Bellingham? Has the secret that Dakota and Eddie share come back to haunt them? Or is it more personal?
Two Heads Are Deader Than One (An Eddie Shoes Mystery) by Elena Hartwell is an engaging mystery that will keep you stumped to the very end. This novel had many twists and turns so that I was kept guessing all the way to the surprise ending. The characters are quite impressive and I enjoyed getting to know them. I could relate to Eddie and loved her quirky mother, Chava. However, Dakota's character brought back unpleasant memories of high school and she made a great antagonist. Chance wasn't in this story much, but seems to be someone that I would like to know better and I look forward to meeting them all again. Although this novel is part of a series, it is a good standalone. For those who are fans of whodunits, this is a great read.
