Monday Morning Chaos

Lindsay Boxer's Monday begins with domestic chaos: a broken fishbowl, a panicked child, and a barking dog. The morning routine is upended, but Lindsay's focus quickly shifts from family to work as she heads out into a beautiful San Francisco morning, unaware that her life is about to be upended by a murder case that will hit closer to home than she could ever imagine.

Murder on Harriet Street

Lindsay arrives at the Hall of Justice to find her squad already in motion. She and her partner, Rich Conklin, are called to a murder scene just outside the building. The victim is an older man, shot execution-style. As the investigation begins, Lindsay is unsettled by Conklin's reaction—he seems deeply troubled by something he's found on the body.

A Familiar Face

Conklin reveals the dead man's wallet: the victim is Martin Boxer, Lindsay's estranged father, long believed dead. The shock is compounded by the presence of Lindsay's old phone number in his wallet. Lindsay is forced to confront the reality that her father has been alive, living under the radar, and now has been murdered in a manner eerily similar to an old unsolved case.

The Father's Secret Life

Lindsay reflects on her father's troubled past: a former cop, a neglectful parent, and a man with a history of corruption and abandonment. She recalls the pain of his absence and the confusion surrounding his supposed death years earlier. Now, faced with his actual corpse, Lindsay is determined to uncover the truth about his life and death.

Cold Cases Reopened

Lindsay's investigation uncovers a connection between her father's murder and the cold case of Joanna Lake, a lawyer killed in a similar fashion years ago. Both cases share a suspect: Goose Cavanaugh, a shady private investigator with a history of threats and violence. Lindsay's boss reluctantly allows her to pursue the link, giving her two weeks to prove her theory.

The Private Investigator's Partner

Lindsay and her team visit Spinogatti Private Investigations, where her father was a partner. Leo Spinogatti, the surviving partner, is grief-stricken but cooperative. He provides files and insights, including the revelation that Marty had been worried about Goose Cavanaugh. The investigation turns up evidence of Marty's gambling debts and a network of potential enemies.

Gambling Debts and Enemies

Marty's notebooks reveal massive debts to a bookie named Jack Robbie, as well as cryptic notations suggesting "services rendered" in lieu of payment. Lindsay and her team confront Robbie, who claims innocence but admits Marty worked as an enforcer to pay down his debts. The list of people who might have wanted Marty dead grows longer, but no clear suspect emerges.

Family Ties and Betrayals

As Lindsay juggles the investigation, she is forced to confront painful family secrets. Her sister Cat reveals she knew Marty was alive, deepening Lindsay's sense of betrayal. A meeting with Marty's lawyer, Brad Mitcham, brings another bombshell: Marty was not Lindsay's biological father. A letter from her late mother confirms this, urging Lindsay to move forward and not dwell on the past.

The Bookie's Confession

The investigation heats up when Jack Robbie, the bookie, attempts suicide but survives long enough to confess: he hired someone to kill Marty. Robbie's girlfriend, Pearl, provides details of the transaction and the hitman's escape plan. The team races to the airport and apprehends Goose Cavanaugh, the suspected contract killer, just before he can flee the country.

The Will and the Letter

Marty's will divides his assets among his surviving family and business partner, but the emotional fallout is more complex. Lindsay grapples with her mother's letter, her new understanding of her parentage, and the realization that her father's legacy is a tangled web of lies, debts, and unfinished business.

Sisterly Revelations

Lindsay and Cat share a cathartic night, exchanging stories, regrets, and anger over their father's actions. Cat reveals her own complicated relationship with Marty and the pain of keeping secrets. Together, they begin to process their grief and the new reality of their family history.

Threats and Close Calls

Lindsay receives a death threat warning her to drop the case, and her car is vandalized. The danger to her and her family becomes real, prompting increased police protection. Despite the risks, Lindsay remains determined to see the case through, driven by a need for justice and closure.

The Widow's Alibi

Lindsay and her partner interview Darla, Marty's widow, who provides an alibi and insight into Marty's recent life. Darla's account is credible, but she mentions a mysterious phone call from "Billy Tomato," an old partner of Marty's, adding another layer to the investigation.

Old Partners, Old Grudges

The team tracks down Billy D'Amato, Marty's former partner, and uncovers a history of mutual accusations of corruption and theft. D'Amato has an alibi, but the investigation reveals that Marty's past was filled with enemies, betrayals, and unresolved crimes, including the unsolved murder of a fellow cop.

The True Killer Unmasked

Forensic evidence links Goose Cavanaugh to both Marty's murder and the old Joanna Lake case. Handwriting analysis and DNA from Cavanaugh's gun provide the final proof. The case against Cavanaugh is airtight, and he is charged with both murders, bringing long-awaited justice to the victims.

Justice and Closure

Marty's funeral brings together his fractured family and colleagues. Lindsay reflects on the complexity of her father's life and the pain he caused, but also on the moments of love and connection. The case's resolution brings a measure of closure, but the scars of betrayal and loss remain.

The Women's Murder Club

Lindsay reunites with her friends in the Women's Murder Club, sharing the story of the case and her mother's letter. The support and camaraderie of her friends help her process the trauma and look toward the future, embracing the lessons of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of chosen family.

Characters

Lindsay Boxer

Lindsay is the protagonist, a dedicated San Francisco homicide detective whose personal and professional lives collide when her long-lost father is found murdered. She is fiercely loyal, driven by a need for justice, and deeply affected by her family's history of abandonment and betrayal. Lindsay's journey is one of confronting painful truths, navigating complex relationships, and ultimately finding strength in vulnerability and connection.

Rich Conklin

Rich is Lindsay's longtime partner, a reliable and intuitive investigator who provides emotional and professional support throughout the case. He is protective of Lindsay, often acting as her anchor when the investigation becomes personal. His loyalty and competence are crucial to unraveling the mystery and keeping Lindsay grounded.

Marty Boxer

Marty is Lindsay's estranged father, a former cop with a history of corruption, gambling, and abandonment. His murder is the catalyst for the story, forcing Lindsay to confront unresolved feelings and secrets. Marty's life is a study in contradictions: he is both victim and perpetrator, loved and hated, a symbol of the complexity of family and the consequences of past actions.

Cat (Catherine)

Cat is Lindsay's younger sister, who has maintained contact with Marty and kept his survival a secret from Lindsay. She is compassionate but conflicted, struggling with her own feelings of betrayal and loss. Cat's relationship with Lindsay is tested but ultimately strengthened as they share their pain and begin to heal together.

Joe Molinari

Joe is Lindsay's husband, an FBI agent who provides emotional stability and practical support. He is a calming presence, helping Lindsay navigate the dangers of the case and the turmoil of her family revelations. Joe's unwavering love and understanding are essential to Lindsay's resilience.

Darla Boxer

Darla is Marty's second wife, a woman with her own secrets and struggles. She provides key information about Marty's recent life and is initially a suspect, but her alibi and insights help steer the investigation. Darla's presence highlights the complexity of Marty's relationships and the ripple effects of his actions.

Leo Spinogatti

Leo is Marty's partner at Spinogatti Private Investigations, a loyal friend who is devastated by Marty's death. He provides access to Marty's files and history, offering both practical help and emotional context. Leo's grief and loyalty underscore the theme of chosen family and the bonds formed outside of blood relations.

Jack Robbie

Jack is the bookie to whom Marty owed a massive debt. Under pressure and guilt, he confesses to hiring a hitman to kill Marty, providing the crucial break in the case. Jack's actions are driven by self-preservation, but his confession is a moment of reckoning and remorse.

Goose Cavanaugh

Goose is a private investigator and suspected contract killer, linked to both Marty's murder and the old Joanna Lake case. His history of threats, violence, and evasion makes him a formidable adversary. Ultimately, forensic evidence and confessions bring him to justice, embodying the theme of long-delayed accountability.

Sonia Alvarez

Sonia is a newer addition to Lindsay's team, bringing technical expertise and fresh perspective. She plays a key role in analyzing evidence, tracking suspects, and supporting Lindsay through the investigation's twists and dangers.

Plot Devices

Intertwined Personal and Professional Stakes

The narrative structure is built on the collision of Lindsay's personal and professional worlds. The murder of her father forces her to confront unresolved family trauma while navigating the demands of a high-profile homicide case. This intertwining raises the emotional stakes and drives the story's tension.

Cold Case Parallels and Foreshadowing

The use of a cold case (Joanna Lake's murder) as a parallel to Marty's death provides both narrative symmetry and foreshadowing. The similarities in method and suspects create a sense of inevitability and deepen the mystery, while also highlighting the theme of history repeating itself.

Red Herrings and Multiple Suspects

The investigation is complicated by a multitude of suspects, each with plausible motives: gambling debts, old grudges, professional rivalries, and family betrayals. The narrative employs red herrings and shifting suspicions to keep the reader guessing and to reflect the complexity of real-life investigations.

Dying Confession and Race Against Time

The plot accelerates when Jack Robbie, on his deathbed, confesses to hiring the killer. This classic device injects urgency and propels the team into a race against time to apprehend the hitman before he escapes, culminating in a dramatic airport arrest.

Letters and Inheritance as Emotional Resolution

The discovery of Marty's will and Lindsay's mother's letter serve as vehicles for emotional resolution and character development. These artifacts provide answers, closure, and a path forward, reinforcing the theme of confronting the past to build a better future.

Analysis

23 1/2 Lies is more than a murder mystery; it's a psychological exploration of how the past shapes the present, and how the search for truth can both wound and heal. Through Lindsay's journey, the novel examines the corrosive effects of lies—both the ones we tell others and the ones we tell ourselves. The story's structure, weaving together personal trauma and procedural investigation, underscores the idea that justice is not just about solving crimes, but about reckoning with the messy, painful realities of family and identity. Ultimately, the book suggests that closure comes not from perfect answers, but from the courage to face the truth, forgive, and move forward with the support of those who truly care.

Last updated: July 22, 2025