Sadly, this book is not for me. There was too much swearing and outdated 80s references. I had to DNF this one. I would not recommend and will not read more in the series.

Thank you, Net Galley and Boomerang Books for the opportunity to read and offer my review.

One for the Money is a tasty recipe for an old-fashioned mystery. Toss in a little Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) and a sprinkling of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and you have a wonderfully entertaining read.

Cat Calaban is a more “mature”, unlicensed as yet, sleuth. I say sleuth, she says private detective - some of this/some of that. Really not much difference when she inserts herself into a murder investigation. One the police likely wouldn’t have even investigated without her insistent prodding, since it was the death of an apparent homeless person found in Cat’s own apartment building. As you can imagine, this could go wrong in so many ways and it does from time to time, especially when she crosses Detective Fricke (assigned to the case) and a lengthy list of suspects.

However, Cat has skills! Some learned by raising three kids. Anyone who has children knows you have to have an inquiring mind and she certainly has that in abundance. In fact, at some points in the case her inquiring mind seems on the verge of tipping over into fantasy, but she stops at the precipice, hones in and solves the case.

Was this great literature? Maybe not, but it certainly was fun! I understand there are three more books in the series. I’m looking forward to having a gin and tonic with Cat and her neighbors.
#NetGalley, #ONEFORTHEMONEY

Recently widowed, Cat Caliban has lived through what our society deems a woman’s usual existence; daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, etc but now she wants to stretch her legs and expand her boundaries. What better way to accomplish that than by buying an apartment house in a rundown area of Cincinnati and deciding to hang out her shingle as a private investigator? Never mind that she lacks even the most basic knowledge and skills required to be a licensed P.I. That’s what the public library is for. When Cat finds one of her tenants has been stabbed to death with her own knife she considers it an omen that her new career choice is the right one for her and she sets out to catch herself a killer.

“One for the Money” is set in the mid-1980s and Cat’s personae is one of a middle-aged, salty tongued woman who could give any sailor a run for his money in the language department. She’s witty, sarcastic and an all ‘round hoot. And then there’s Cat’s close friends and family and the people she meets in the course of her investigation. All told, there are so many characters in this story that you need a program to keep track of who’s who. The plot is original but gets bogged down with unnecessary details and too many characters to keep track of. And who really cares what Cat is wearing? How and why is that important? It’s not as if she is a fashion plate showing off some designers creations. The significance of her wardrobe choices totally escapes me.

Where this novel shines is in the dialogue. Author D. B. Borton has either lived among the street people or spent lots of time studying the street vernacular because the dialogue is absolutely spot on in its authenticity and accuracy, including the dropped syllables. It’s as if you can actually “hear” the accents and the unique manner in which information is exchanged on the street. This aspect alone is sufficient to recommend “One for the Money” as a worthwhile and entertaining read.

Originally published in 1993, this and two other titles by Borton are being reissued this year.

My thanks to NetGalley and to author D. B. Borton for the privilege of previewing “One for the Money”. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#ONEFORTHEMONEY #NetGalley

D.B. Borton’s One for the Money is a classic cozy mystery set in Cincinnati. Widower Cat Caliban is set on starting over and becoming a private investigator following her husband’s death when the perfect first case comes to her - a murder in the apartment above hers, in the building she owns.

Borton’s mystery is fun and easy-going. Reminiscent of the tv series Rosemary & Thyme, it was a joy to read Cat discovering her craft as an investigator and making friends along the way.

I would say overall the rating is based on the work as it currently is, not necessarily what it could be. So I’ll start with what I like:

The author is clever and witty with short quips and clearly has an incredible command of the English language.

Cat is a great character, but she misses out on her potential and is already so set in her ways with (although admirable) confidence, she rarely encounters any opportunities for character growth. Kevin is a fantastic character and very well written. I could tell you settled into him more comfortably as time wore on.

While I definitely enjoyed the author’s wit and humor, which is in no short supply, there are critical errors in the overall structure that need attention.

Now the critique (SPOILERS):

1. Beginning with Cat’s foul mouth - it just doesn’t work. Believe me, I get what you’re trying to convey but the thing is - you don’t have to. Cat is already such a perfect product of both her time and also a product clearly ahead of her time, that the foul language detracts from her punch and pithy wit. Seriously... drop it out. Maybe an odd “shit” and “damn” here and there, but the f bomb without any expected context just has to go.
2. I assume this is a mystery novel and not just a coming of older age (though I can see that’s definitely a goal of the author, we’ll get to that). That said, your clue path and mystery plot need total overhauls. There is no assuming in a mystery novel. Everything must be tied up and together in the climax. There are no exceptions. The best clue paths always leave breadcrumbs from beginning to end. My suggestion to remedy this is to deeply edit several scenes and no matter what, tie everything up at the end. Everyone that is involved should have a clear tie back to their involvement and there should be no loose ends. I get that you want to show that this woman had an amazing life, but solving the murder and demonstrating her amazing secrets are not mutually exclusive. This is a serious plot failure and you’ll be crushed by readers for this. This should go through at least two more developmental edits with an editor that is experienced in murder/mystery. There is a distinct formula which is not being followed.
3. Far, far too many characters, throw away scenes, and inconsequential dialogue. Kill those darlings! The cats are a distraction from the story in nearly every scene. Plus with so many character names and relationships to remember, they only add to the confusion of who’s who. There are also thoroughly unsatisfying follow ups with some scenes that are intriguing, like Leon’s brothers. Did they ever get you the license? That would have been an amazing ending .. somehow in the midst of all this chaos, a courier comes by and drops off a letter which has the license in it and some clever note from a mayor they know etc.

Less critical:

4. Readers are going to have a very difficult time following all of your eighties references. It just so happens I lived in Lima, Ohio as a child and had a mother with very similar cultural influences so I got about 80% of it. But anyone under forty will struggle (I’m 44). It is what is. For what it’s worth, I appreciated it, but it’s definitely for a certain age. If that is in fact the case, then all the more reason to kill the foul language or you’ll turn those readers off.
5. There is absolutely no character arc for this character and that is such a shame. She is flat throughout. It would be great to have some depth to endear you to her struggle to find herself after her husband’s death but there was nothing meaningful. She simply decides she’s going to do something, does it, and then the end. Even in a series, the main character should always arc.
6. Very unsatisfying ending. I get it, she’s in this new normal of chaos with all these new cast of characters but there’s no wrap up on the murderer getting justice, Betty’s stuff or who the father really was, Cat’s license etc. Again, these are too important to be overlooked and not completely settled.

It’s so difficult as an author to give another author this kind of feedback, but I’m doing so in the hopes that you’ll perhaps take another crack at it with a different editorial eye. I really think you could have something special here, but it’s going to take another round or two of edits to get there. As a lover of Murder, She Wrote and Nancy Drew, I highly suggest you rewatch and reread those formats and literally outline the clue path from start to finish. I found myself desperately wanting to see glimpses of Jessica in Cat, but ultimately falling far short.