When In Doubt: a Lefkitis Mystery

by Michael Sawan

A depraved detective solves mysteries with his d**k ~while~ lusty hotties collide in paradise. Lefkitis is a paid peeping tom, a professional pervert with untraditional methods. All of that changes when a mysterious figure brings him a missing persons case. Lefkitis becomes entangled in a confounding web of money, power, and the haunting memory of his one true love. Meanwhile, a thirty-something named Misty has uprooted herself to Pony Island, the idyllic vacation getaway of her childhood. All would be perfect if not for Ben—tall, dark, handsome, and taken. Worlds collide as Lefkitis' case comes to a close; it's gumshoe gunslinging action meets beach-sleaze lust, all with love and lives on the line.

300 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2023

About the author

Michael Sawan is a writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. His alter-ego, Softmaxplus, is a marketing clown. Pisces gang.

Review Definitions:
★★★★★ - "Perfect." No big complaints.
★★★★ - Very good, but with a few critiques.
★★★ - Good but troubled.
★★ - I could have spent my time better.
★ - I'm mad that I finished it.

Reviews

[jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably the most i’ve ever wanted to see a literary character’s dick before

[Jason Bergsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public dick, Leftkitis is a private eye, taking up odd jobs every now and then, usually catching cheaters, lurking in the shadows of society. The albino is finally handed a job that could change his trajectory in both career and life. Meanwhile Misty is starting a new life in paradise, restoring and reopening The Grateful Bed Inn, learning the ins and outs of the island she now calls home.

This book was an interesting read. You can't go into expecting a masterpiece, but knowing the man (or clown) behind the work, you can expect a silly goofy time. This is my second Sawan work I've read, the first being Pepperoni Powerhouse. I do think that book is a little stronger than this one, with a more straightforward narrative and a more 'Hero's Journey'-esque story. But this one feels more experimental in all the right ways. It certainly feels like a parody of pulpy detective novels (of which I tend to really enjoy as a guilty pleasure) but there is an almost serious undertone throughout.

The book is obviously meant to be a comedic work and it's one that I found myself laughing out loud too quite often. I do think some of the jokes were a little ham-fisted and just a little too ridiculous but it's still a good time. I'd be interested to see some of the influences, not just on the comedic side of things, but also the literary influences. With a lot of phallic humor, it almost harkens to Thomas Pynchon and I could help but think of William Gaddis with the dog's name being JR. Could be a reach through recency bias for me, but I could help but think about it.

Overall I had a great time. I think this book is not for everyone, but if you go in with the right mindset of expecting a silly goofy time, you'll be just fine.