A standalone novel. Harry Pierce is a scientist who has created a formula that could lead to a medical breakthrough. He lives an uneventful and orderly life although things could change if he can persuade a wealthy investor to commit funds to his research company. Recently single, Harry has moved into a new apartment with almost no furniture, but he does have a new telephone and a new telephone number. And that’s when things start to get interesting, because he’s soon picking up messages for a woman named Lilly, who had the telephone number before him and it sounds as if she’s in serious trouble. Harry finds that he can’t step aside and tries to track down Lilly to help her. The action happens over just a few days and the story is so witty and full of surprises I didn’t even try to work out what the solution to the mystery was as I was reading. I just couldn’t stop turning the pages! Review by: Pink Alpaca, Oundle Crime

Chasing The Dime is a standalone thriller by Michael Connelly and was originally published in 2002. Harry Pierce has had to move into a new apartment after splitting with his girlfriend. Pierce is an obsessive researcher who is on the cusp of a breakthrough when he checks his phone messages, he finds his number has been used before. Men are leaving messages wanting to make an appointment with Lilly, an escort of some type. Pierce becomes obsessed by trying to find Lilly as she seems to be missing, and he is concerned she may be in some trouble. This makes him think back to his own sister and he cannot help himself but begin to look for Lilly. He is slowly drawn into Lilly’s very dark world where crime mixes with legitimate business. If that were not bad enough, he finds he has acquired enemies he never knew about. At the same time his company is about to sign off on his biggest business deal which will bankroll the company. The problem for Pierce is that the more he digs the more he looks like the prime suspect in the case. At times he feels like he is losing his mind, but Pierce is determined to find the truth and if possible, justice too. There are plenty of twists and turns in this great thriller.