In E.E. Smith's latest novel in the Alexis J. Smith mysteries, PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER, I found myself glued to this story hoping it will end better for Alexis than it started. Our dear main character at the beginning was in the middle of her own wedding to Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins of Scotland Yard when a strange telegram came to her from her sister. What made it strange was that it said her mother, who has been deceased, was ill. Therefore, her wedding was postponed and she flew back to the states to satisfy her curiosity.

E.E. Smith does an amazing job with Alexis having two worlds combined in a way that works with each storyline. In this novel, when Alexis travels back to the states she finds that she has to help her sister, Mary by rescuing her from the Irish Mafia. In order for her to be released she has to track down a female companion of one of the mafia members who fled to Ireland and bring her back. This all started because Alexis was asking questions for the real reason she is back. A very good friend is accused of murdering a U.S. Congressman and the mafia looks as if they are involved.

PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER is well written with enough dynamics in the storyline that there is no room for boredom. E.E. Smith has you engaged from the very beginning. Each obstacle she gives our main character is not easily resolved and you cannot put this novel down until you read to the end to see what's next for our female gumshoe.

With many interesting characters, each chapter is sure to give you another surprise. Although most of the story is told through Alexis' view, you are able to pick up on the emotions of the other characters through E.E. Smith's writing.

PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER by E.E. Smith is an enjoyable novel to read with an eventful ending which means I cannot wait to see where she will take our private investigator next.

Book Summary

It was announced that Alexis J. Smith, an American private investigator, had married Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins of Scotland Yard that morning on the island of Majorca. But, in fact, a mysterious telegram addressed to Lexie and allegedly signed by her sister Mary, had arrived saying that their mother was ill and needed her desperately. Trouble is, their mother had been dead for three years. So who sent the wire, and why? Someone needed her, that much was clear, and Lexie feels she must fly home and find out who it is. Of course, the wedding is off.

Back home in Sacramento, she learns that a U.S. congressman from that district has been poisoned, and one of her friends is about to be charged with the crime. A second murder, of the druggist who dispensed the lethal prescription to the congressman, now points to the Irish Mafia. In the meantime, Mary is kidnapped by the Mob and held prisoner while Lexie is sent to Ireland to find, and bring back, a young woman who had fled the country to escape the attentions of one of the Mob bosses. Her sister's life depends on a successful mission, but Lexie has double-crossed powerful organizations before, and may have to do it again.

In the meantime, Harry Hawkins will bend every rule of Scotland Yard to help her, but will it be enough? Is this the end, or merely the closing of the circle?

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