Robert S. Napier, Love, Death and the Toyman

Love, Death and the Toyman

Robert S. Napier

Five Star, December 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 1594144907

In 1983 Tacoma, Washington, veteran and former investigative reporter Jack Lorentz enjoys selling collectible toys to baby boomers, though he only makes a modest living at the Olden Daze Co-Op. However, his mild contentment is shattered when his "Mandy" arrives at his place of business. Fifteen years ago, she was his fianc e, but she dumped him to marry wealthy Michael Howard. Mandy wants to hire Jack to help Michael with a bit of a problem. On property owned by Michael, remains of a late male teen have been found; this would be a minor irritant if Michael was not running for Congress.

Initially refusing, Jack is forced to help when Howard Industry threatens to kick everyone out of the Co-Op building they own. Jack begins making inquiries into identifying the deceased, why he was buried there, and who killed him. Suspects are everywhere, and worse, he still wants Mandy.

LOVE, DEATH AND THE TOYMAN is a fun Reagan era whodunit starring a reluctant former investigative journalist, who knows that when it comes to his client he thinks with the wrong head, but though she hurt him he remains obsessed. Jack knows Mandy is bad for him, but cannot help himself, though he tries, while a support character Beth adds depth to understanding the hero. Though Jack's muses can become wearying, readers will enjoy Jack's private investigation into who killed the teen and why bury the lad on Howard property.