Charged With Guilt

Ronnie Ventana Mystery #3

by Gloria White

When P.I. and breaking-and-entering expert Ronnie Ventana agrees to test the security system of a house in Presido Heights, she gets into more trouble than any potential thief. With a dead senator in the upstairs bathroom, Ronnie's entrance places her smack in the middle of the murder case--as the prime suspect.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

San Francisco’s two-time EDGAR AWARD finalist GLORIA WHITE is the author of the VERONICA “RONNIE” VENTANA series which features a bicultural (Mexican/Anglo), rule-bending private eye whose deceased parents were cat burglars and who herself is a professional at compromising burglar alarm systems--only she calls it “security consulting.” Ventana is, according to Publisher's Weekly, "an appealing protagonist who engages in intelligent, stylish sleuthing.”

Published in the US, GERMANY, JAPAN, GREAT BRITAIN, ITALY, and audio book format, the series’ other multiple nominations include Shamus, Anthony, and Publishers Weekly's Audio Best of the Year.

Reviews

[audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 3rd in the usually excellent Ronnie Ventana series didn't work for me personally, but it was nominated for an Edgar, so that's something. Although possibly it's just proof-positive that I should never sit on an awards committee.

Missing from this Ronnie installment: a coherent plot, ex-boxer Blackie Cooper, and the entire city of San Francisco. My placeporn! I need it!

But most of all the solution to the mystery? Is just out-and-out cheating, packed into two chapters of rushrushrush aaaaaaaaaaohnutsBACKSTORY WITH CHARACTER WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE.

Grr.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHARGED WITH GUILT - VG
White, Gloria - 3rd in series

Ronnie Venutra - daughter of cat burglars

A different kind of protagonist - very enjoyable

[Serbma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes place in San Francisco, so it was fun to identify with some of the landmarks. One of several "Ronnie Ventana" mysteries. A quick easy read, not really brain challenging.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: PI, and break-and-enter expert, Ventana agrees to test the security of a house in Presido Heights and finds a dead senator upstairs.