Jon L. Breen Eye of God

Eye of God

Jon L. Breen

Perseverance, Sep 2006, $13.95

ISBN: 1880284898

In Orange County, California, private investigators Al Hasp and Norm Carpenter run a successful sleuthing partnership. That is until Norm proclaims he is a born again Christian who is quitting the detective business to devote his life to Jesus. Al, taking his head out of urinals, knows that the loss of the brains behind their operations means his brawn is going to fail.

Al needs a Hail Mary to keep his partner on board and believes that client TV evangelist Vincent Majors is his prayer being answered. Vincent wants the sleuths to uncover who the Judas is betraying his ministry by revealing confidential embarrassing information to a reporter and to the Federation of Atheists, Irreligionists and Realists. Vincent admits the level of info being sold for shekels has to come from those close to him; thus the prime suspects include his wife, the chief administrator, the media POC, the head musician and the technological guru. At the same that Norm goes undercover joining the ministry, Al works a second case involving Helga Barnabas, wife to Anaheim Rafters basketball coach Abner and not so coincidentally Vincent's daughter. The two investigations tie together as Al works overtime to save Norm from Jesus.

EYE OF GOD is a fascinating private investigative tale that stars an interesting lead duet as Al is a hard boiled detective who only believes in God in a fox hole or when he needs a card to pull off a straight while Norm is a true believer who does not use selfish prayers. However, the investigations, though cleverly devised, fail to enhance that intriguing difference in outlook because the inquiries use stereotypes to portray the ministry and basketball team. Still this is overall an interesting detective story because of the odd couple, the brawn and the brain.

Harriet Klausner