But there are discrepancies in the story of the killing. Officer Shelly Daniello states that she was at least six feet from Officer Ben Jurack when she fired – but the ballistics show that the shot was from a closer distance. Then there is the matter of the bruise on Jurack's head, received barely moments before his death.. Daniello claims she did not strike him. McCoo is backing her story. It looks like members of the "Top Cops"– the upper echelon who all seem to "really" want to be the Superintendent of Police – are trying to discredit McCoo, to put him out of the running for the upcoming political appointment.

Cat's object is to save McCoo, his reputation, and as it turns out, possibly his life. She recruits McCoo's loyal staff, until a letter bomb kills one of them. The worst possible scenario is laid out for McCoo. It is apparent that one of his own staff is working with one of the "Top Cops." Not only is McCoo in jeopardy of losing his job and his reputation, but it is being directed by one of the people he most trusts in the world. Cat works diligently to solve this mystery and save her friend.

Cat is a very likeable heroine. She lives in a tiny, tiny apartment in Chicago with her parrot, Long John Silver, who spouts Shakespeare. She has two significant others who briefly give her solace, or not. Her loyalty to her friends and job are very apparent and prove her to be a worthy character. She has wit on her side. It helps that she pretty much can work on any assignment she desires for her newspaper, the Chicago Today.

The main characters are well drawn. Each is quite believable, yet each has his own quirks and foibles. The solution was quite satisfying, while it was hair raising and, yet, so simple. Deducing the truth about the cop murder was very clever, no matter how ingenious. This is a good mystery yarn. It is not necessary to have read the other entries in the Cat Marsala series, but it does make one want to read them.

--Kay Black