Private investigator James Pinter expects mostly bail jumper and larceny cases after opening his new P.I. business and accepting a position as expert consultant to the Navajo Tribal Police. But no sooner has James settled into the job when George Morris—a familiar face from James’s last case—goes missing. A day later, James finds out why. George is suspected of murdering an Albuquerque judge and his wife.
James’s connections to the reservation make him a sought-after asset and he is quickly called up to work on the double homicide case. But he immediately hits a snag. Something is wrong with the crime scene, and what’s more, an informant is convinced that the police are going after the wrong man.
Then another call comes in from George Morris himself begging James to prove his innocence. But James isn’t convinced George is as blameless as he claims. As James untangles the knots leading George to the judge, he’s drawn into a web of political deceit involving some of the most secretive and powerful people in New Mexico. With his new P.I. business on the line, James realizes that someone is trying to set him up to take the fall on a case that was botched from the beginning. The only thing left to do? Find the real killer. And fast.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: No One Left is a tense and involving crime thriller that boldly explores the disregard for the Indian Child Welfare Act. Boyle displays great storytelling abilities as she manages to orchestrate her plot and characters perfectly, creating an immersive and consistently engaging web of intrigue.
Prose: Boyle's text displays a real gift for bright and intelligent crime writing with a forensic eye for detail. The writing is bold, succinct, and engrossing, with chapters dedicated to individual characters, allowing her creations to grow and develop naturally into the story.
Originality: No One Left is the second book in the Pinter P. I. series and it offers great promise for future entries to come. The writing is sharp and detailed, the Native American background is well researched, and Boyle demonstrates a real talent for keeping readers invested in the story.
Character/Execution: Boyle's protagonist, the likeable James Pinter, is a private investigator working on a double homicide case close to home. The character development is sharp, realistic, and believable, particularly George Morris, who is suspected of murdering an Albuquerque judge and his wife.
Blurb: A perfectly pitched crime thriller.
Date Submitted: August 27, 2024
