Eva Pasco

5-Stars: Goodreads

January 29, 2026

A Second Chance

Author Alan Zacher’s ‘In Time of Need’ features Madeline Reed, an elderly protagonist who is 68 years old. In my opinion, that isn’t old, but the author portrays her as such, mirroring what Madeline thinks of herself: dull, awkward, ashamed of having only a high school education, and of the notion she settled when marrying Peter.

Madeline pursues becoming a private investigator, putting to use her love of reading detective novels, at the request of a neighbor who suspects foul play in the alleged deaths of her daughter and son-in-law.

This well-written, heartwarming mystery incorporates interesting geographical details about Missouri. While I found the author’s descriptions heavy-handed, I could appreciate his cinematic outlook.

I couldn’t suspend my disbelief to accept that no one questioned Madeline’s credentials as a PI before she actually obtained a license.

Otherwise, the human-interest aspect of this story is reader- gratifying for the second chances in life granted to those affected by what transpires.