Title: Hi Five by Joe Ide
IQ Series Book Four
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
One woman. Five personalities. Private investigator IQ is back to piece together a Newport Beach murder with an eyewitness who gives “people person” a whole new meaning.
Cristiana is the daughter of the biggest arms dealer on the West Coast, Angus Byrne. She’s also the sole witness and number one suspect in the murder of her boyfriend, found dead in her Newport Beach boutique. Isaiah Quintabe is coerced into taking the case to prove her innocence. If he can’t, Angus will harm the brilliant PI’s new girlfriend, ending her career.
The catch: Christiana has multiple personalities. Among them, a naïve, beautiful shopkeeper, an obnoxious drummer in a rock band, and a wanton seductress.
Isaiah’s dilemma: no one personality saw the entire incident. To find out what really happened the night of the murder, Isaiah must piece together clues from each of the personalities . . . before the cops close in on him.
Review:
Hi Five by Joe Ide is an action-packed, multi-layered mystery. This newest release is the fourth installment in the IQ series but can be read as a standalone.
Unofficial private investigator Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe’s life is already complicated when arms dealer Angus Byrne “invites” him to discuss a case with him. He refuses to take the case but he has no choice but to change his mind when Byrne threatens IQ’s girlfriend Stella McDaniels. Isaiah is now tasked with ensuring Byrne’s adult daughter Christiana is not arrested for the murder of her boyfriend and her father’s right hand man, Tyler Barnes. Christiana is the prime suspect in the murder but she insists she is innocent. Isaiah is further frustrated by the case when Christiana’s mother, Gia, informs him her daughter has five personalities.
Initially skeptical, IQ is soon interviewing Christiana’s alters. Each have distinct personalities and quirks but he has yet to uncover definitive proof that Christiana nor her alters hired Tyler’s murderers. Reluctantly teaming up again with his friend and former partner, Juanell Dodson, Isaiah is soon balancing quit a few interconnected situations while trying to prevent Christiana’s arrest.
Isaiah is at a point in his life where he wants to make a difference but he cannot see giving up his investigation business. He definitely does not to become entangled with Angus but with Stella’s career under threat, he knows he has no choice but to do the arms dealer’s bidding. As the investigation makes little progress, Isaiah fears he will never escape Byrne’s threats so he devises a plan to get his revenge. But will his plan work as intended?
Isaiah notices immediately that Dodson is acting out of character. Dodson has struggled since ending his partnership in Deronda’s food truck business. He is also deeply affected by the life-threatening injuries that local grocery owner Beaumont received in a drive by shooting. Dodson is also under pressure from his wife Cherise to find a job and take care of her and their infant son. With many regrets about his past haunting him, will Dodson make positive steps to find solutions for his problems?
Hi Five is a clever mystery with a topical storyline. IQ is a highly intelligent man but his choices sometimes culminate with unintended consequences. He is tenacious and continues fighting for the truth about Christiana and her possible involvement in Tyler’s murder. With shocking twists and stunning turns, Joe Ide brings this perplexing mystery to a very unanticipated conclusion. Old and new fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the fantastic IQ series.
