A New York detective is recovering from a bomb blast and uncovering a semiprivate doom.
Just ask Detective Shelly Lowenkopf, who passed on to the other side—at least for a moment or two. It all began with a mob boss who was taking tennis lessons. His new stepson wanted in on the rackets, while his real son was on the lam—until an explosion took him and Lowenkopf out of the picture.
The question is: How far out of the picture? While Lowenkopf began his recuperation at St. Jude South Coast Hospital, the criminals got busy. A drug business, some missing sperm, a very-much-alive Mafia son, and James Dean’s hair comb all found their way to Lowenkopf’s bedside, one way or another. And with all that, who could blame him for temporarily copping out?
The Semi-Private Doom is the 5th book in the Allerton Avenue Precinct Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Richard Fliegel is a writer and associate dean at USC Dornsife College. He has published several detective novels and short stories in collections. His book A Minyan for the Dead was nominated for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America. A member of the WGA West, he has written for Star Trek and ABC network television. He lives in California with his wife, Lois; his dog, Cleo; and occasionally, with his sons.