False Profits by Patricia Smiley

">False Profits is different from most mysteries with its tongue-in-cheek, refuse-to-take-life-too-seriously approach . . .

"Tucker is equal parts sentimental girl, loner, and self-sufficient loose cannon . . ."

Tucker faces the challenge of working with the overbearing Dr. Milton Polk to develop a solid business plan for NeuroMed. But when NueroMed’s investors file criminal and civil charges against her for allegedly falsifying the business plan, she is suspended by Aames & Associates, destroying her dreams of partnership in the firm.

To prove her innocence, Tucker has less than a week to find the original business plan with Dr. Polk’s signature on it before Gordon Aames, her boss, throws her to the sharks. Unfortunately, it now seems that Polk has been murdered and she’s been set up as the fall gal. Now she’s got to find Polk’s real killer among a long list of very respectable suspects.

False Profits is different from most mysteries with its tongue-in-cheek, refuse-to-take-life-too-seriously approach in the midst of harrowing escapes, red herring chases, and wild hare-brained theories. By giving her character a take-no-prisoners attitude and sassy mouth, combined with a healthy dose of humor and an overactive imagination, Patricia Smiley creates a fallible, yet believable heroine. Tucker is equal parts sentimental girl, loner, and self-sufficient loose cannon. She almost succeeds in fitting the corporate mold.

If False Profits is the beginning of a series, there is no telling where Smiley will take Tucker Sinclair next, but it will definitely be worth the price of admission.

Reviewer: J. M. Cornwell