Richard Hawke Speak of the Devil

Speak of the Devil

Richard Hawke

Random House, Jan 2006, $21.95

ISBN: 1400064252

In Manhattan private detective Fritz Malone enjoys the Thanksgiving Day parade near Central Park in spite of the balloon from some kid constantly hitting him. However, his enjoyment ends when he sees some guy with a Beretta looking closely at the Mother Goose float. He warns Rebecca Gilprin who is Mother Goose in time, but the shooter turns towards Fritz firing at him and the crowd. Seven including the mother of the balloon kid and a cop are dead.

Police take a handcuffed bag on his head Fritz to the Municipal Building treating him like he is the killer. However, they have no choice but to release him. In spite of the media blaring "Parade of Terror" the NYPD Police Commissioner Tommy Carroll and Mayor Leavitt want to hide the truth behind the mass murder using the idea that Fritz and Rebecca are an item. They begin by warning Fritz to work with them and further inform him that he does not get credit for shooting the culprit. Fritz investigates what is going on only to learn that body parts of the deputy mayor being held prisoner is being delivered to Tommy.

Speak of a fantastic detective story! Readers will fully appreciate this excellent Manhattan murder mystery. The action-packed story line never slows down from the moment that Fritz goes for a bagel and a parade until the final altercation. Fritz is a terrific protagonist who seems part hard-boiled and part sensitive soul. The support cast especially his pal Margo add depth to a great tale. Though a January release SPEAK OF THE DEVIL will be on everyone's short list for mystery of the year.

Harriet Klausner