4.5 stars
This was really such a good book. Great characters, suspense, a good plot. I only had one main problem with the story and I’m trying to figure out how to explain it without giving stuff away.

Obviously, from the title and the blurb, someone gets framed for murder. It’s Charlie. He’s homeless, jobless and broke. He tried to get jobs but no one would hire someone his age, even though he’s not old, and without money, there was no way to keep his apartment. Now he’s panhandling for money to eat. Out of nowhere, a guy dressed in a coat, gloves and a fedora, offers him money to deliver a message. With a promise of more once it’s delivered. He should have smelled a set up, but the money was more important at that moment. When he goes to deliver the envelope, he discovers a guy dead on his kitchen floor, a knife protruding out of his back. Hearing sirens, he then knows he’s been framed. Ducking out of sight, he eventually gets away, but remembers he left prints when he slipped. He has no choice but to either chance it and run or ask for help. He asks but it’s hard, considering the help is in the form of his ex. Now they are in a race against time to find out who framed him and why, before he gets arrested or murdered himself.

Now Charlie is screwed no matter which way he turns. It’s bad enough he’s homeless, jobless, etc, and now he’s framed for murder. He can’t catch a break. And having to ask his ex for help, even harder. Especially when he still cares for the man. It’s like a no win situation. Thankfully, his ex agrees to help and even helps Charlie get off the street. Even if temporary.

Now this is where my problem comes in. Eventually, they figure out who did it. And why. They foolishly try to blackmail one of the people and Charlie almost ends up dead. When they try again with the actual murderer, they get the story of what really happened and why. It’s a sad story. A crime of passion. I can even sympathize with the guy. They come to an understanding over something and the murderer says he will make sure the charges against Charlie are dropped. Then they go their separate ways.

Slam the brakes right there. Even being sympathetic, and knowing what will happen to the family, Charlie basically lets him get away with the murder! Sure, he’s off the hook too, but I don’t know if I could consciously let a killer walk free. And I really understand as I have something the killer does too. I can’t explain beyond that. It gives too much away. But yeah, that’s my issue. And it is a dilemma because I understand every side to it.

Other than that, it’s a great little book. Even with that, it’s still good. Give it shot.