As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
Shane Cleary is a former cop, now a PI. He’s less than thrilled when he receives a visit from South Boston’s most notorious criminal, wanting Shane to find his lost dog. Standard poodle, black, answers to Boo. But saying no isn’t really an option, any more than it is to the Italian mafia who want him to find a female Latin tutor for a gangster’s niece.
Shane’s girlfriend, a lawyer named Bonnie, is working on a pro bono case. An antique ring has disappeared, and the cops have arrested a black kid found in the vicinity. Her firm wants her to just do the bare minimum and have the kid locked up, but she and Shane are sure they can find out more about it. A look into his background might open up a can of worms for the city, if Shane and Bonnie can play their cards right. Meanwhile, two Irish thugs have been beating up black shop owners, and the cops are looking the wrong way.
Set in Boston in the 1970s, this book follows all the tropes of classic noir detective fiction–the hardboiled PI, his beautiful girlfriend, his shady connections, rotten cops who beat him up. It has that noir 40s feel, the wisecracks and the cynicism, but it’s definitely written in 2024 with modern sensibilities. The Big Lie is a fun read, especially if you like noir but cringe a bit at how dated it is.
A Shane Cleary Mystery Series – https://pictbooks.tours/NmBDc
Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/prMRF
Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/Oglyd
Bookshop – https://pictbooks.tours/fhYYs
Author Bio:
Gabriel Valjan is the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Silver Falchion and Shamus nominated author of the Shane Cleary mystery series with Level Best Books. He received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story. Gabriel is a member of ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. He is a regular contributor to the Criminal Minds blog. He lives in Boston’s South End and answers to a tuxedo cat named Munchkin.
Thanks for your thoughts. This sounds like a really fun book to read! 🙂