"Midnight Men"

This time around Amos Walker P.I. gets involved in a double homicide of two Detroit Police Officers, while a third is paralyzed. How it happens is rather ironic, and turns out that his investigation is free of charge. Why? Because the day before the third cop took a bullet to his spine, officer Van Sturtevant (”Van’s my first name, not part of the last.”) was shot at by Walker himself. It was part of a mix-up in what was becoming a local hi-jack ring that Walker was investigating. After finding out that Sturtevant was in critical condition, Walker stumbles across his younger and attractive wife. He hands her a card, and written on the back are the words “free of charge.” And from that point on, Amos Walker wishes he had never been so generous.

Per usual, Walker’s sarcastic, smartass tone plays well with the other characters. His now sometimes girlfirend, Iris, the exotic, dark skinned, former drug adict, hooker even says that he is too much of a wise-ass. But he just continues as he pleases.

Of the four Amos Walker books I had read at this point, I think I like this one the best. Estleman wrangled quite a few things that I had no idea were coming. And as usual he likes to bring in characters that you can’t tell which way they are going. Makes for fast, entertaining reading.

7/10