Sharon McCone Mysteries

I like to start a mystery series at the beginning to get the whole picture of the character. Edwin of the Iron Shoes is the first of the Sharon McCone mysteries by Marcia Muller. Sharon is a private investigator, working in San Francisco for All Souls Cooperative, a legal services organization. Coming from a security background, she helps with the research and investigation for the lawyers, a laid back group of liberals helping the poor in San Francisco. I don't consider this a hard-boiled detective mystery. There is a little light hearted comedy there, with the easy going boss, Hank, who understands Sharon's desire to find the killer of the antiques dealer, whom Sharon had been trying to help earlier in the year. Prior to the murder there had been arson and break-ins. Trying to piece it all together keeps Sharon up late, eventually spending time with the police officer on the investigation, a Lieutenant Gregory Marcus, Homicide. This is a prickly relationship, and it carries over into the next book. A good start to a superb series, a fast read, just enough danger and suspense to keep the pages turning.