A couple of decades ago I was going through a murder mystery reading phase. I consumed everything by Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, McCall Smith, Hammett, Chandler, Crais, and dozens of others. I still pick up a mystery every now and then, especially when I want to read something light. They are my guilty pleasure of reading. I’m especially fond of mysteries that have a geographic connection to my life: the Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Belize, Hawaii, even Tahoe.

Tahoe Night, by Todd Borg, fits the Tahoe venue. And boy, Borg’s books are definitely guilty pleasures. You have to suspend reality and just go with the flow because there are so many moments you want to say, “Yeah, right, like that’s ever going to happen…” The format is predictable: single ex-cop becomes private investigator with pretty girl friend on the side. He’s tough, brave, independent, respected by his peers, but likes to break the rules to get things done. Borg has added another touch that makes me smile: the detective also has a huge Great Dane named Spot. Hard not to like a detective with a big dog. Especially in Tahoe.

The plot doesn’t matter here. It’s not particular believable anyway. The whole point is to just enjoy some lightweight mystery and bask in guilty pleasure. Can I recommend this book? Well, maybe, if the description above appeals to you. So yes, sure. Have at it.