Cold July

In Cruel April, a woman Dave Garrett barely knew gave her life to protect him. Before she died she made him promise that he would help her daughter, who she said had been framed on drug charges. The daughter was convicted years ago and has been serving a long sentence in the state penitentiary since. The case seems hopeless, but he’s determined to see the job through, even if everyone in town except his client is out to stop him. And sometimes he’s not sure about his client. The only person he can count on his is assistant, Lisa. The story takes place in the small central Pennsylvania town of Selinsgrove, where much of Cruel April took place. Like Cruel April, it’s a story of drugs, money, corruption, violence, and the workings of fate. And, despite everything, love.

August Hearts

Against his better judgment, Dave takes on a case for the president of a corrupt union and his wife. Their son wants to marry his college girlfriend and the parents are deeply suspicious of their prospective daughter-in-law. When Dave’s investigation of the girl comes up with nothing he thinks the case is over—until the son angrily bursts into Dave’s office and tells him that his girlfriend is in jail for stealing a diamond-studded heart-shaped brooch from his mother. He agrees to help the young couple, but everything he learns suggests that the girl has secrets to hide. Was he wrong about her the first time, or is he wrong now? Dave has to get to the bottom of the case quickly, but both his old clients and his new clients are living up to his definition of a client as “someone who’s holding out on you.”

Two years before, Dave helped a rich widow find her long lost high school love. There was supposed to be a wedding but cancer and conniving stepchildren caused delays. And now her fiancé suddenly has decided not to sign the prenuptial agreement that would ensure that most of the money went to the children of her late husband.  Can Dave find out who’s pressuring her fiancé?  This time it’s not just Dave’s case. As Dave is easing out of the private eye business, Lisa has insisted that he let her take over the case.   In the horse country of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Dave and Lisa find themselves in a world of the super-rich who seem to only live for money and the excitement of the fox hunt.  And by the way, what exactly happened to that first husband that left his widow so wealthy?

Angela Benedetto is rich, attractive, and successful in her business. The book opens in the office of a Park Avenue psychotherapist where she desperately seeks treatment after a lifetime of anxiety attacks, anorexia and depression, topped with a recent suicide attempt. Her doctor, the psychoanalyst of last resort, has an idea about therapy. “Give me those pearls.” Before the story is over, Angela has given up much more than her pearls. And gained so much as well. The story takes us from the Upper East Side to Mexico via Spanish Harlem. Most of all, it takes us into the mind of someone who finds what she truly values.