Short Squeeze

November 2, 2009
Lawyer Jackie Swaitkowski, Sam Acquillo's friend, turns a brief contact with client Sergey Pontecello into a personal crusade in Knopf's entertaining fifth mystery set in the Hamptons (after 2009's Hard Stop
). Hapless Sergey, whose battered body turns up one night in a Sagaponack street shortly after he retains Jackie, was involved in an unequal battle with his sister-in-law, Eunice Wolsonowicz, over the house he and his wife, Elizabeth, shared until her death. Eunice and Elizabeth's family tree contains some pretty twisted limbs, and Jackie, who has limited respect for the speed of the law, presses her own investigation even after someone runs her off the road. Readers should be prepared for some shocks as body parts from an old hit-and-run victim occasionally pop up. While Knopf offers a vivid setting, sharp characterizations and devious plotting, Jackie's starring role doesn't entirely compensate for the bit part played by Sam, hitherto the series' lead character.

Knopf's fifth mystery set in the Hamptons is the first to feature lawyer Jackie Swaitkowski, who attempts to find the killer of her murdered client, Sergey Pontecello. Deanna Hurst flawlessly portrays Jackie, especially her humor and sarcasm. Jackie's investigation takes her through the twisted Pontecello/Wolsonowicz family tree, and Hurst demonstrates ample talent as she moves deftly between distinct New York and European accents. She also vividly portrays Jackie's down-to-earth ex-boyfriend. Hurst imbues the dialogue with the essence of each character, keeping the focus on the players and making them all distinct E.N. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine