I love a smart, feisty heroine and Tara Holloway fits the bill. The book incorporates situational comedy and the heroine’s humorous self talk, but towards the middle the lack of strong romance and a diffused focus caused me to lose interest.

The Treasury Department has been investigating Marcos Mendoza for a long while. The investigation was triggered after customs agents discovered a large amount of Mexican five hundred peso bills concealed in a box containing children’s footie PJs. Nick Pratt, one of the Treasury’s top agents was assigned the case. The shipment originated from a Mexican factory, or maquiladora, and further investigation revealed that a Texas company called AmeriMex had a large finger in the pie. Digging deeper, Nick infiltrated AmeriMex operations and supposedly got the goods on Mendoza, but then allegedly Mendoza bought Nick off, setting him up in the life of luxury.

Now three years later, Tara Holloway and her partner Eddie Bardin have been assigned to the stagnant case. The problem is Mendoza knows how to cover his tracks and get rid of the evidence. His associates disappear and then reappear in dumpsters – different dumpsters in different towns. Sure Tara is scared, but then again she has a “stellar academic record, impressive career credentials, and a razor-sharp intellect.”

A small lead – a large deduction of interest by a small mom and pop bakery on their taxes – leads Tara and Eddie to Dallas Credit Union, which is owned by AmeriMex. This loan shark tip results in a day and night stakeout of a post office box location. If sitting in a car isn’t bad enough, Tara’s also missing her regular schedule of nooky with her boyfriend Brett, which is making both unhappy. As the investigation continues, stalling at times and going in a new direction with a sexy tip from an anonymous caller, Tara and Eddie move on to credit card fraud. But Marcos Mendoza has covered his tracks well. Will Mendoza get away a second time?

Ms. Kelly has a great sense of absurdity, like when Tara can’t believe the unoriginality of Mr. John Smith as the name of the loan shark – she thinks that he could at least use some inventiveness and pick a name like Isaiah Steele (I. Steele for short) or even Rip Yuoff. Or like when no matter what she does, Tara can’t keep a low profile while on surveillance duty.

This book reminded me of the couple of Stephanie Plum books that I read – heroine with a mystery to solve and a journey full of plenty of humorous scenarios, mixed with intriguing lightweight relationships. I wouldn’t call this book a romance even though Tara does have a love interest.

A mysterious relationship is hinted at, but it takes a while to appear – too long for me. About the time the author introduces a subplot involving Tara’s boss, my interest started to wane. It is at this point I felt like the book lost focus. And while Tara’s thoughts and viewpoints on the situation are funny, I missed the romantic comedy portion of the book. I wanted banter and flirtation. Also, since the book is told in first person – which I do enjoy – the reader is exposed to only one viewpoint and one side of Tara’s personality.

This book is the second in the series but I didn’t feel like I missed a lot by not reading the first. From what I gather Tara and her partner solved a mystery and this book had them move on to the next assignment.

If you are a fan of intrepid heroines than you might enjoy this book more than I did. I do think the storyline has potential, and plan to check out the third book when it is released.