Blood Sympathy — Reginald Hill

ALL THIS AND A MATCHMAKING AUNT, TOO...

It is feast or famine for ex-machinist turned private investigator Joe Sixsmith. One minute he's dozing in his office, the next he's been hired by a self-proclaimed dabbler in the dark arts to retrieve a stolen locket. There's also a man who dreams he has murdered his entire family, and two thugs who seem to think Joe's in possession of several kilo of heroin. Add to that a meddlesome aunt who wants to fix him up with marriage candidates.

Things are sticky at best. But for a private eye with admittedly more wits than guts, and an alcoholic cat as partner, a bit of luck may just keep him single--and alive.