A Routine Infidelity by Elizabeth Coleman is a delightfully entertaining crime solving caper mixed with an equally enjoyable family drama.

Edwina “Ted” Bristol is a private investigator in Melbourne where much of her work is catching cheating spouses and serving summons to the unsuspecting. Along with her miniature schnauzer sidekick, Miss Maple, she’s keen to get her teeth into some serious crime solving so when she stumbles upon an embezzling plot during routine surveillance and discovers her beloved sister, Bob, might be the target of a catfishing scam, she dives headfirst into both cases. Also, thrown into the mix are the family relationships of the Bristol clan (Ted & Bob have 7 brothers!), a long-held secret, a psychic neighbour, a spunky friend with benefits and epic Swordcraft battles – it all makes for some entertaining escapism!

In my opinion, what sets this book apart is the beautiful underlying narrative of the Bristol family and that really connected and added depth for me. Ted is a great main character, flawed and frustrating but as a reader, I was also rooting for her the whole time. My favourite characters were her sister with a heart of gold, Bob, and the clever miniature schnauzer Miss Marple was a winner!

I’ve been lucking enough to get my hands on an early copy of the next book in the series, A Dance with Murder, which is out in January. I can’t wait to revisit these characters but think I will wait to Christmas holiday to escape into the fun of Ted’s world again – it will make the perfect beach read!