About 8 years ago, I read my first Rotenberg book, and totally enjoyed the story, characters, and OMG the setting! He captures Toronto in a way that makes you FEEL the city, whether you have only visited a few times (like me) or are extremely familiar with the city.

Throughout what I think of as “The Toronto Series,” I’ve always enjoyed Ari Greene as a lead character. He’s very smart, has good intuition, and is persistent. The latest in the series, Heart of the City, continues Ari’s personal storyline, but it can easily be read as a standalone (although some of the plot points in earlier books will be revealed). In this latest entry in the series, Ari has left the Police Department and his former mentee Daniel Kennicott has been promoted. Ari has moved back to Toronto, bringing his daughter from her childhood home in London. A murder happens at the location of Ari’s new job, and guess who is the detective working on it?

The storyline in this book revolves around the development taking place in downtown Toronto, and the controversy is brings. Because Rotenberg is a criminal attorney in Toronto, he knows his subject well, and he has a good story that kept me guessing til the end (although I am not great at figuring out the who in whodunits).

I’m a bit on the fence about the resolution of the mystery, but am totally sure I will eagerly continue to read whatever Mr. Rotenberg publishes! Four and a half stars (sorry it only shows up as four)