Fall Guy: A Rachel Alexander Mystery (Rachel Alexander & Dash Mysteries) - Hardcover

Benjamin, Carol Lea

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060538996 ISBN 13: 9780060538996

Publisher: William Morrow, 2004

Synopsis

Celebrated author Carol Lea Benjamin broke bold new ground in 1996 with her award-winning fiction debut, This Dog for Hire, elevating the canine mystery novel out of the lighthearted realm of cozy and into the grittier, more emotionally substantial arena of serious crime fiction. Now, in the seventh spectacular appearance of private investigator Rachel Alexander and her pit bull partner, Dashiell -- a gripping and unforgettable tale of heroes, survivors, and those who fall between the cracks -- a shocking death is scrupulously examined in the harsh glare of a violent past.

Rachel Alexander hardly knew the dead man, NYPD Detective Timothy O'Fallon, who had a fatal "accident" while cleaning his service revolver in his Greenwich Village apartment. As a member of Rachel's 9/11 support group, O'Fallon had sharedlittle, spoken rarely, and revealed nothing except a strong attachment to Rachel's dog, Dash. Yet for some unknown reason, in his will he named Rachel as the executor of his estate.

Accepting the unexpected responsibility with her trademark dedication, Rachel undertakes the strange, unsettling task of getting the late detective's affairs in order -- and in the process begins to piece together the sad, disparate pieces of Timothy O'Fallon's life. And with each new demon she exposes, Rachel comes to believe more and more that this fatality was no accident at all ... or even, in some dark and disturbing way, the suicide that most of his colleagues suspect.

Hidden deep in the shadows of the O'Fallon family's history is a bizarre, three-decades-old tragedy that left a legacy of violence, grief, and guilt -- and uncovering it could put Rachel's life at serious risk. But it may already be too late for her to turn away because a terrifying vengeance must be served ... and more victims will surely fall before a harrowing day of reckoning ultimately arrives.

About this title

About the Author:

Carol Lea Benjamin is a noted author about, and trainer of, dogs. Her award-winning books on dog behavior and training include Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog, Second-Hand Dog, and Dog Training in Ten Minutes. A former detective, Benjamin blends her knowledge of dogs with her real-life experiences to create the Rachel Alexander mystery series. Recently honored by the International Association of Canine Professionals with election to their Hall of Fame, she lives in Greenwich Village with her husband and three dogs, Dexter, Flash, and Peep.

From Publishers Weekly:

In the seventh spare and elegant Rachel Alexander mystery from Shamus-winner Benjamin (This Dog for Hire, etc.), the Greenwich Village PI finds to her surprise that she's been named executor of the will of a barely known neighbor. New York City cop Tim O'Fallon shared less than a sentence with Rachel during a post-9/11 support group, where her astute side-pup, Dashiell, provided pet therapy. She remembers a brooding man who seemed little helped by Dash's talents. Rachel takes O'Fallon's accidental shooting at face value until she views the scene. Her sharp instincts, bested only by those of her hardworking dog, are aroused when she reads a cryptic note from the deceased's sister. The apathy of O'Fallon's siblings causes Alexander to look deeper into a scarring family tragedy. O'Fallon's partner, Det. Michael Brody, quietly adds steam to the story; he's one of many genuine, quirky characters who contribute to the effortless believability of this page-turner. Benjamin's expert sleight-of-hand storytelling transforms the heart of New York into an intimate village. Her quiet observations and understated prose aptly evoke the atmosphere of the recovering metropolis. Even die-hard mystery readers will keep guessing until the end.
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About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060538996
• ISBN 13: 9780060538996
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272