Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services — Marcia Muller; Bill Pronzini

When you are faced with puzzles involving fraudulent rainmakers, nefarious spiritualists, coney games,a one-eyed lady gambler, a crook who disappears from a train, the stolen body of a Chinese Tong leader, and similar mysteries -- you hire the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services. Sabina Carpenter, the widow of a Pinkerton detective, has joined forces with John Quincannon, a former United States Secret Service agent -- in fact, Quincannon would like to join forces in other ways, but his partner continues to resist his lustful advances.

Carpenter and Quincannon includes some of Bill Pronzini's finest short stories.