Private Detective Art Hardin, who first appeared in Private Heat, has found himself involved in a case even more twisted and deadly than the last. He reluctantly agrees to locate a wealthy industrialist's old flame, a reclusive but prominent artist who has changed her name.
From Publishers Weekly
"Mean streets" may seem more desperate running through Detroit or Chicago than through Grand Rapids, Mich., but Bailey's second Art Hardin mystery (after 2002's Private Heat) showcases a PI who could hold his own anywhere. Hardin is quick with a quip, can give and take a punch, actually knows how to investigate a missing person or workplace theft and has a supporting cast that's not always completely supportive. When wealthy inventor Scott Lambert asks Hardin to locate Anne Jones, an old college flame of Lambert's, Hardin does so with the proviso that when found, further contact will be at the woman's discretion. Finding Jones doesn't prove too difficult, but getting in touch with her is, especially after she's murdered. The case is clearly no simple love story, and Hardin becomes embroiled with his client's affairs. The author ably mixes action and exposition, as Hardin's seemingly simple quest spills over in all directions as the body count rises. Bailey may stretch his plot too thin for elegance, but Hardin and an entertaining cast of cops, federal agents, a motorcycle gang and a street gang led by a dude named Poco Loco reduce that to a quibble. Buckle up and enjoy a wild ride through the mean streets of Grand Rapids. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Description:
From Booklist
Scott Lambert is a billionaire industrialist, immersed in his work since his wife died of cancer. But money doesn't buy happiness, and he thinks he might find it in the person of Anne Jones, a platonic friend from college with whom he's lost touch. Lambert hires Michigan private investigator Art Hardin to find her, which he does easily enough and is ready to move on to his next case when she's murdered. After Lambert is charged with the murder and Hardin's license PI ticket is pulled, he has to prove he didn't set up Jones for Lambert to kill. The second Hardin thriller is packed with sharp dialogue, stark violence, and details of real-world investigatory work; the author is a former investigator himself. An intriguing new voice for mystery fans. Wes Lukowsky
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Product Description
Private Detective Art Hardin, who first appeared in Private Heat, has found himself involved in a case even more twisted and deadly than the last. He reluctantly agrees to locate a wealthy industrialist's old flame, a reclusive but prominent artist who has changed her name.
From Publishers Weekly
"Mean streets" may seem more desperate running through Detroit or Chicago than through Grand Rapids, Mich., but Bailey's second Art Hardin mystery (after 2002's Private Heat) showcases a PI who could hold his own anywhere. Hardin is quick with a quip, can give and take a punch, actually knows how to investigate a missing person or workplace theft and has a supporting cast that's not always completely supportive. When wealthy inventor Scott Lambert asks Hardin to locate Anne Jones, an old college flame of Lambert's, Hardin does so with the proviso that when found, further contact will be at the woman's discretion. Finding Jones doesn't prove too difficult, but getting in touch with her is, especially after she's murdered. The case is clearly no simple love story, and Hardin becomes embroiled with his client's affairs. The author ably mixes action and exposition, as Hardin's seemingly simple quest spills over in all directions as the body count rises. Bailey may stretch his plot too thin for elegance, but Hardin and an entertaining cast of cops, federal agents, a motorcycle gang and a street gang led by a dude named Poco Loco reduce that to a quibble. Buckle up and enjoy a wild ride through the mean streets of Grand Rapids.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.