Eye Opener (Five Star First Edition Mystery Series)

Rating:
Summary: Amusing private investigator tale
Review: In Indianapolis, several years ago Albert Samson lost his private investigative license, but his attorney gets him reinstated; within a few hours, he has two clients. Schoolyard basketball guru Joe Ellison asks Albert to look gratis into vandalism at a nearby African-American church. Attorney Christopher Holloway hires him for an exorbitant fee to help his law firm in their defense of Ronnie Williger, suspected rapist and serial killer. Albert also wants to know what is bothering his childhood buddy Captain Jerry Miller, who arrested Ronnie and cost Albert his sleuthing license. Finally his adult daughter Sam wants him to find her missing mother.

His cases are not straight forward. A stakeout by an unknown person near the church stops a dangerous inferno from occurring. Williger defense team lead attorney Karl Benton expects Albert to find dirt on Jerry so that they can paint a motive of a bad cop needing money framing their client while sharing a finder's fee with a crony. As Albert accompanied at times by neon sign maker Mary investigates, the cases intersect with a killer targeting the sleuth and his family members and new girlfriend.

Readers will appreciate this amusing private investigator tale starring a fabulous fallen sleuth getting a second chance encouraged by the female breads that surround him as the sandwich generation. Sam and Albert's mom are terrific as they will do anything to help their champion back on his feet. Quite contrary Mary brings humor and intelligence with questions and comments that shake Albert to the core. The investigations are cleverly designed as Albert traverses the mean streets of Indianapolis in what will be an EYE OPENER for anyone who has not read Michael Z. Lewin before.

Harriet Klausner