The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (A Merritt & Blunt Mystery)

Olivia had high expectations when she interviewed to be Aubrey Merritt’s assistant, and dreamed of helping the infamous detective pursue cases. Instead, she’s stuck answering phones in a windowless office. The investigation has them checking the possibility of murder following a woman’s fall off a balcony at the behest of her daughter. Her hopes rise as the case allows her to prove to Merritt how useful she is.

The story begins by immediately setting up the dynamic between Merritt and Olivia, which serves as a contrasting Sherlock-Watson type of back-and-forth. One is all about facts, and one is more emotion-based. Tully wastes no time establishing the type of characters they are, with Olivia being chastised for being one minute late. The relationship between the two drives the story forward, with both being well-rounded right from the beginning and instantly catching your attention, making you want to keep reading. Olivia is an engaging character driven by the desire to prove herself, no matter what the cost, and is enticed by the thrill of helping Merritt investigate. World’s Greatest Detective is a delightfully entertaining read with an engaging mystery, quirky narrator, grandiose detective, and a journey of finding purpose.