Treasure Hunt by John Lescroart

I found the thriller The Suspect by John Lescroart a cut above the usual poolside reading, enough to make me try him again.

Treasure Hunt sounded exciting, and it was a fast read about a collection of characters the series circles around.

Wyatt Hunt runs an investigation agency called the Hunt Club, and there are allusions to previous cases and the histories of his staff. Some books in the series center on Wyatt, but this one is introduced by his gofer Mickey Dade and his secretary sister Tamara.

The body of a charity maven is found in San Francisco, and the Hunt Club quickly springs into action to mediate a reward for information. They are working alongside the police and city charities to uncover corruption, finger-pointing, and how large charities maintain their fundraising.

He mentions in the afterword that his original title for the book was 27 Restaurants, which is evident by the revolving array of restaurants featured, and characters constantly cooking (one reviewer says: "You may be stymied at times by too many intricacies regarding the simple task of making and eating a meal.")

It sounds more like the hobby of the writer, but American detectives seem to love fine wines and cooking. I seem to prefer Nordic writers like Arnaldur Indridason, whose depressed Icelandic demeanor leads to missed meals, or meals of salted herring and cigarettes.

In a wet raincoat.

In the car.

The Hunt Club seemed like a good team; I can see how any of the characters could hold their own novel. Wyatt lives in a giant warehouse he can park his car inside—nothing unusual there. Mickey prefers to sleep outside under bridges—you know, as one does.

My complaint would be the contrived ending where Wyatt assembles both innocent and guilty, Hercule Poirot style, in his warehouse to unveil the villain. A little far-fetched.

Just what you'd expect from a popular thriller, plus a few twists.

2010 / Paperback / 464 pages