Carom Shot is a solidly plotted traditional mystery with enough twists and reversals to appeal to puzzle-lovers. Algy Temple is the kind of fictional friend you'd want watching your back, whether in a dark alley, a boardroom or a courthouse. Carom Shot is a terrific debut that brings old Providence alive from the church steeples to the cracks between the cobblestones. Algy Temple is a wonderful addition to the ranks of sleuths.