The Cavanaugh Investigation Agency registered its most profitable year to date. Earnings generated by putting in a lot of overtime. C. J. Cavanaugh's PI partner, Renita Harris, is on a well-deserved six weeks' vacation. Not a problem. C. J. is anticipating an easy going six weeks. Insurance fraud and background checks make up the majority of their investigations. Work that is more monotonous than dangerous. Unlike his DEA deep cover days.
An unfortunate combination of personal absences and a flu epidemic crippled the local DEA of field operatives. His good friend Portland DEA Director Patrick O'Malley asks C. J. for help. C. J. is glad to lend a hand. A DEA surveillance operation on a drug distribution hot spot is where C. J. is assigned. What C. J. witnesses during his shift force him to go nose-to-nose against a decorated Portland Narc and Oregon's drug czar.
The FBI have uncovered a national dark organization called Firestorm that specializes in arson. The FBI have been unable to infiltrate Firestorm. His friend and local FBI Director ask a special favor of him. He wants to enlist C. J. in an undercover operation that could open the door to Firestorm. C. J. agrees to help. With practically zero inside knowledge on Firestorm, C. J. has no idea if the operation will go south in a hurry.
So much for a relaxing six weeks.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Book four of the Cavanaugh mystery series, Six Weeks offers a glimpse into the intriguing world of deep undercover surveillance and the dark world of sabotage. The work delivers on tension and excitement, though further orienting readers at the start of each chapter may tighten pacing and development.
Prose: Lane’s evocative, description-rich writing builds a damp Northwest backdrop for readers, but may be sharpened by the critical eye of a copy editor.
Originality: Lane takes the sedentary occupation of surveillance and injects it with high-stakes thrills, offering readers a fascinating twist on undercover operations stories.
Character/Execution: C.J. Cavanaugh and the cast of characters populating Six Weeks arrive fully formed for readers to enjoy as their journeys unfold.
Date Submitted: April 06, 2024
