Forbidden vices is a book by Michael L Douglas. This book follows the exploits of a retired private investigator, Charlie Redmond. A woman brings the case of her father who was murdered. The case was unsolved and she wants to uncover the mystery to attain closure for herself.
Charlie Redmond is on the verge of packing his bags for a much needed vacation, when he is confronted with this mystery. The victim was the CEO of huge company manufacturing medical equipment. A highly respected and liked man. The story weaves in a bunch of characters from various angles. There are some with a strong motive for the murder. With basically zero evidence and nothing much to go on; Charlie painstakingly puts the bits of the puzzle together. This story has a slow start at first but picks up speed around the last 10 chapters. There are good detailed descriptions of the various road trips the detective takes to track down the various possible suspects. The ending takes one by surprise.
Some problems in this story were the unrealistic plot lines in some places and abrupt endings in others. It is definitely not a nail bitting gripping kind of story. It is a good one time read.

2 stars

Charlie Thompson is a retired detective and is on his way to New Zealand for a hiking vacation. He is very much looking forward to it when he receives a caller at his home. No one ever comes to his home. It is Carla Willems and she wants Charlie to find her father’s murderer. It’s been nearly two years now and nothing is happening.

Of course, he takes the case.

There are some humorous moments in this book, like Charlie’s relationship with his scary 6’ 2” woman neighbor. But parts that are perhaps supposed to be funny come off more as juvenile. Charlie is a retired cop, so why is he acting like a twenty-something with some pot smoking dude?

The dialogue is somewhat facile. Are there really adults who speak like a teenager? I suppose there are.

I got tired of it and did not finish the book. At about 20%, I called it quits. Regretfully, there are too many books to read to spend time perusing one I dislike.

Thanks to Netgalley and MCP Books/Salem Author Services for forwarding to me a copy of this book to try.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's chwaracters and world are deep, well developed and described. All of of details that just enhanced the story and we'll crafted without word fluff and padding. I read. I loved, I reviewed. YOUR TURN. ...