Fran Varady is a sort of unofficial private detective. She likes it that way. It means that she can pick and choose what she investigates - until, that is, Mickey Allerton sends his man Harry to get her, and Mickey doesn’t take no for an answer. Mickey wants her to locate and return to him one of his dancers, Lisa Stallard - she walked out, but the customers liked her, so he wants Fran to convince her to come back. As insurance, he keeps Fran’s dog, Bonnie.
A trouble shared being a trouble halved, Fran goes to see her friend Ganesh at the newsagents, where he works for his uncle Hari , and pours out the whole story . Ganesh is far from keen but knows Fran doesn’t have any choice with Bonnie as hostage, so he presents her with a mobile phone so that she can keep in touch. And Fran is off to Oxford.
At first Fran is unable to see Lisa, owing to an obstacle by the name of Ned, but by some nifty foot work she manages it and discovers that there is more to it than Mickey has let on - surprise, surprise. The appearance of a corpse floating in the Thames doesn’t improve matters and so now she has the Thames Valley Police interested in her.
Beset with problems on all sides, it seems Fran’s only option is to get Lisa to speak with Mickey, but nothing is what it seems and soon all her investigating skills are needed to save her own skin.
Fran is an interesting character. Having lived on the streets she is always
out to look after number one, but she has a caring side and is extremely loyal
to her friend Ganesh. It was good to catch up with her again and I look forward
to her next adventure.
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Lizzie Hayes
Earlier book in the series are Asking For Trouble, Keeping Bad Company, Running
Scared, Risking it All and Watching Out