I read this one before #20, because I'm waiting for that to be delivered, but it didn't matter. A tight focused plot with just enough of Joanne and George. Surely Kate must be older than 12 by now though...?

In Headlong, the latest DCI Bill Slider and DS Jim Atherton book from Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, they’ve been called to the scene of what appears to be an unfortunate accident, and as the deceased was an important society figure, it seems like a no-brainer to keep the publicity from getting out of hand. Slider’s boss says it’s an accident. The big big boss says it’s an accident. So why does Bill Slider have that feeling that they’re wrong? That Ed Wiseman didn’t fall out of his apartment window “by accident.” Because he’s Bill Slider, that’s why. Slider sees things at the crime scene that bother him, and he takes the reader right along with him. He has to explain all this to his boss, of course. It does not go well. But given Ms. Harrod-Eagles’ penchant for humor -- check the chapter headings – he gets to utter a version of the famous line – “he didn’t fall – he was pushed.” And of course, this being our Bill, in his 21st case, he’s right. The game’s afoot.

The deceased has a reputation as quite the ladies’ man. There’s an ex-wife, and lots of girlfriends. Did he ruffle someone’s girlish feathers, anger a jealous husband, or not come through with enough royalties for one of his authors (as a famous literary agent, that’s ground for murder, right there). Everyone loved him, says all the witnesses -- male and female. Well, somebody didn’t, says Bill.

The author is a master at presenting compelling murderous scenarios, likely suspects, building up alibis, truths, and lies. There’s the aforementioned friends, employees, and ex-lovers. Throw in a disgruntled wannabe writer, who’s crazy enough to have done it. And then there’s the Latest Young Thing who’s got a book she’s shopping around -- and to whom dear old Ed became smitten. What’s a DCI to do? Keep digging, of course, through lots of interviews and discussions of timelines. Finally, a witness provides information about a vital piece of evidence, and the wheels of justice grind to a satisfying ending.

In between we get a look at the Slider/Atherton home life, with Joanna and Emily. The little things that make these books so wonderful to read. Atherton’s still torn between settling down and not settling down. Bill and Joanna still juggle what the roles of father and mother should rightfully be, when both have important careers. That readers will care about all this after so many books is a testament to the author’s skill.

There’s news on the Slider home front, too, which I look forward to hearing more about. And maybe, just maybe, Jim Atherton will finally make up his mind.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of the book in advance of publication, in exchange for this review.