The Case of the Greedy Lawyers

by: Carl Brookins

Published by: Nodin Press (Paperback)

Reviewed by Linda Lee

Sean NMI Sean is a private detective in Minneapolis. A mysterious visit from a woman starts a ball rolling that grows bigger and more dangerous as it rolls along city streets and alleys. The almost client says she was sent by a law firm where Sean is not exactly a welcome face. Who would have sent her? Before he can find out, the lady is found dead. True to traditional detective novels she was found with little else–but had Sean’s business card with her. Now the P.I. feels a responsibility to find out whom she really is, who killed her, and why she was sent to him in the first place.

While the beginning of this book makes you think Michael J. Fox has been hired to play Jim Rockford, who is doing his best James Bond impersonation, but once the push to be funny and cute in a Sam Spade kind of way is over– it’s a really good story. Sean Sean is a human kind of detective. He pursues a woman, a masseuse, who he feels may just be a step above him. You connect with his feelings of fear of rejection.

Brookins has written a solid detective novel–the literate, street-savvy investigator who understands the desire for the better things in life, but who knows his own limitations, and who won’t give up the white-soled red Keds, regardless of their fashion statement. A woman with a problem keeps the story in motion and her death sets the spring for an entertaining tale. A smart, desirable woman who is also interested in the mystery investigation explores the human need for connection, and then there are greedy lawyers who may be more interested in practicing life’s baser forms than law.

Interesting characters, solid plotting, and excellent pacing make The Case of the Greedy Lawyers a fast, entertaining read.

Armchair Interviews says: Quality writing you expect from Carl Brookins.