A real estate detective is an original twist on the genre. And Chris Lengquist’s Notice of Default isn’t at all a bad story, though it’s not a novel but a novella.

Cal Brink is a former private eye who has turned to the quieter world of real estate sales in Olathe, Kansas. Unfortunately, there’s a recession on and business has been quiet.

He gets a phone call from a woman who refuses to identify herself. She just tells him there’s a real estate mystery to be found at a certain address. When he goes there, he finds the body of a woman stabbed to death.

After dealing with the police, Cal tells his wife about the case, and finds that she has some very good suggestions, based on her extensive community knowledge.

Notice of Default is not a thriller at all. It’s just an interesting little mystery yarn featuring well-realized characters. I quite enjoyed it, and wished it were longer.

Recommended.