When you think ‘private detective’, you think of a divorced and alcoholic ex-cop, with a plain and unrefined office a few floors up in an old building that drives a beat up car. Well, Joe Kozmarski is no exception. In Wiley’s latest mystery, the Chicago detective takes on both the Windy City's finest…and worst. This is an excellent reminder of why we’ve loved gritty P.I. stories since Spade and Marlowe first hit the mean streets.
Kozmarski is hired to play security guard at a new housing construction site that is experiencing its share of burglaries. When the thieves arrive, they turn out to be…cops. After shooting and killing one, Kozmarski is thrown in jail. A buddy on the force—who works as liaison to a civilian based ethical board—then recruits him to infiltrate the gang of thieves to destroy it from the inside. Kozmarski, who is trying to reconcile a relationship with his ex and fighting the temptations of alcohol, drugs and a sexy partner, soon runs afoul of the FBI agent who also want a piece of the action. Who can Joe trust and just who’s playing who in the bigger scheme of things?
This is a quick read, but thoroughly enjoyable. It contains all the expected elements: bad cop power plays, street gangs, a high priced sex club, a tour of Chicago, the obligatory shoot ‘em up car chase and a few plot twists to keep you guessing. You’ll sleep well knowing you’ve read another fine story to be put on the shelf in the private eye wing of your collection.

Reviewed by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine ( )