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V (for Victor) Daniel is not exactly the kind of private investigator who can fade into the woodwork during his cases. First of all, he has an inordinate fondness for Hawaiian shirts. Secondly, he's 6' 7" tall. V has a group of cases that we follow throughout the book-the husband who suspects his wife of infidelity, the usual fare. The main narrative thread has to do with a job he takes on for St. Stephen's school. He is hired by the Vice Principal to try to clean up a burgeoning drug problem at the school. Given the neighborhood environment, it doesn't feel like they will be successful. But don't underestimate the power of V. There are a lot of sleaze balls involved in this operation. One of them arranges for V's office to be burned down. Tragically, a mentally retarded friend of V's is killed in the blaze and V's legs are burned pretty badly. V goes for vengeance big time, getting the job done however he needs to. He builds a scam to end all scams that has all the bad guys working on each other while not following the letter of the law himself, unless that letter is an X. While he's involved in the case, he has a new client walk in the door, a 15-year old punky looking female poet by the name of Sara who is looking for her real mother. Unlikely as it may seem, they actually form a semi-alliance. Some of the best parts of the book were her investigative reports, written in poetic form. Down in the Valley is a first book that succeeds on some levels and not on others. V is a really likable character who has a sharp wit and a soft heart. The wise cracking PI thing seemed cliched at the beginning of the book but improved as the narration progressed. The relationship between world weary Vic and hip, sassy, smart teen-with-'tude Sara is just great, reminds me a lot of the Leo/Serendipity characters in Dick Lochte's terrific series. There were other memorable characters as well. After a lukewarm beginning, I liked the book more and more as I continued reading. This author shows some real potential, and I will be looking for the rest of the series.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, January 2002
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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