Deadly Advice
by Roberta Isleib
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Roberta Isleib is the author of several mysteries that focus on golf. With Deadly Advice she enters new territory. Her heroine is a psychologist (like Ms. Isleib) who writes an advice column.
Dr. Rebecca Butterman is a clinical psychologist and writes an advice column under the name of Dr. Aster. She's recently divorced (she found her husband in a compromising position with a redhead, in her own home) and the column is helping her current financial situation.
Rebecca returns to her Guilford condo to find that her neighbor, Madeline, committed suicide. She's feeling a bit guilty that she hadn't been a better neighbor. When Madeline's mother suggests that Rebecca keep the deceased woman's cat until she can find a home for him, it is the beginning of a journey the psychologist didn't expect to take. Madeline's mother doesn't believe her daughter committed suicide and Rebecca chalks it all up to some heavy denial.
But when Rebecca stumbles on Madeline's blog, a chronicle of her dating habits, she knows Madeline was not depressed enough to commit suicide. Rebecca's advice column editor wants a column on the singles scene and Rebecca follows Madeline's life of speed dating and Internet blogging. No one is who they say they are and advice can be deadly.
I enjoy Isleib's golf mysteries, but I love Dr. Rebecca Butterman. The characters are rich and complex, the plot is current and the twists will keep you turning the pages. I hope we'll see more of Rebecca Butterman.
Armchair Interviews says: Check out Isleib's golf mysteries. Read one and you'll be compelled to read them all.
Author's Web site: http://www.robertaisleib.com