Deceptions Can Be Murder

I’ll admit, I went into *Deceptions Can Be Murder* skeptical. The ‘amateur sleuth’ tag often signals fluff, but Shelton’s take is surprisingly grounded—almost *too* grounded. The story kicks off at a helicopter industry gala (yes, really), where a missing company truck sets Charlie and Drake on a trail that weaves through embezzlement, sabotage, and a cast of suspects who feel plucked from a LinkedIn feed. The pacing is brisk, but the first act stumbles under the weight of exposition—Cook’s narration, while polished, can’t fully mask the info-dumps about rotorcraft leasing. Once the mystery gains altitude, though, the payoff is satisfyingly cerebral. Cook’s performance is a double-edged sword. Her steady, understated style suits the book’s professional setting, but it also flattens the emotional stakes. When Charlie uncovers a critical clue, Cook’s delivery barely shifts, leaving me wondering if I’d missed a beat. The production is clean, though the lack of atmospheric sound design (even subtle hangar ambiance) feels like a missed opportunity to immerse listeners in this niche world. Still, for fans of *blue-collar mysteries*—think *The Expense of a View* meets *Dirty John*—the trade-off might be worth it. Just don’t expect cozy comfort or high-octane thrills; this is a mystery for spreadsheet enthusiasts and logistics nerds.