The Bughouse Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini
Sabina Carpenter and John Quincannon are partners at a detective agency in San Francisco. Quincannon’s latest case is investigating home invasions for an insurance company. While Sabina is tracking down a female pickpocket at an amusement park. But after investigating the pickpocket’s known accomplices, and stumbling upon a murder, Sabina begins to see a connection between the two cases. Further complicating Quincannon’s investigation is someone who claims to be a certain famous British detective thought to be dead – a bughouse Sherlock Holmes.
Set in an alternate 1890’s, this is a promising start to a new series. The Bughouse Affair is a spirited, fast-paced read. It’s a historical mystery with adventure, suspense, colorful characters, and humor. A fast-paced and quick read, Carpenter and Quincannon offer a fun and fresh take on the genre. The two have a blossoming chemistry; and I look forward to reading more in the series.