Perils of a Pregnant Sleuth

Callahan Banks is a biology professor. She’s currently staying at a house left to her by her mother, who passed away almost a year ago, on Timacau Island on the South Carolina coast. Despite being six months’ pregnant, Callahan decided to stay alone during a storm raging across the island. The baby’s father, Pepper Dade, the island’s owner, has been trying to convince Callahan to marry him, but she’s struggling to retain her independence and grappling with a fear of commitment.

Then, just after the storm passes, the island’s nine-year-old resident triplets discover a body while out with their metal detector. They immediately let Callahan know they’ve got a mystery to solve. But no sooner do they discover what might have happened, when another body appears. Callahan had been hoping the murderer wasn’t one of the new residents on the island, but now she’s not so sure. When she’s confined to bed rest by her doctor, she isn’t sure she will be able to help find the culprit. But the triplets might still be on the hunt, which makes her worry about their safety.

Perils of a Pregnant Sleuth is a wonderfully layered story that brings together a fun cast of Southern characters. Plus, the complications that continue to arise throughout the story made this a book that I found hard to put down. Callahan has so much on her plate. She’s grappling with her feelings of love for Pepper, the loss of her mother, her struggle for independence, and the desire to find a killer. All while struggling with her first pregnancy.

I loved how the women’s round table highlighted the women’s quest to ensure they remained in control of some of the island’s regulations and how they refused to let the men take control of all decisions. And the triplets, especially Harry, were a great addition to the story. I also thought the author did a terrific job of bringing nature to the fore in this work. Her excellent writing style and descriptions of flora and fauna made me feel like I was also on the island, surrounded by its beauty and charm.

There were so many fun and entertaining aspects to this book, but I think my favorite line and the one I’ll probably remember for a while had to be when Pepper told Callahan he would “crawl through snail shit bare-legged to get to her if he needed to.” I’m thrilled that I discovered a new author I want to read again. And I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping there will be more books featuring Callahan Banks.