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Recruiting Murder
Lenny Goldstein & his company, Future Stars, evaluate high school and collegiate basketball talent and sell their rankings to colleges and NBA teams respectively.
From its humble beginnings in 1975, Future Stars had grown into a behemoth; with fifteen NBA teams and seventy-eight colleges paying subscriptions for his rankings.
Lenny is semi-retired these days, with his son and son-in-law running the business until he gets a call from an old buddy in Newport News, who wants him to come look at a high school kid , Lincoln Anderson in Emporia, Virginia. He believes this Anderson kid has been overlooked by everyone, including Future Stars.
Concurrently, Lenny gets a call from an old buddy, the iconic coach of Duke University, to see what he knows about the college decision of Tyler Longenecker, Future Star’s #5 ranked high school senior from a premier prep school in the tony Boston suburbs.
All seems to be going on script until graduation, when both Lincoln and Tyler are involved with a death and a roofie rape. Suddenly, Lenny’s getting calls about both kids.
Lincoln's family is related to James McNeil in Philly and they call him for help. James and his buddy, Detective Vernon Brown of the Philly PD, jump into the car and head South on I-95.
Can the two Sleuths from The Murder Gambit and The Phenom put these two puzzles together before college starts in September?
Once again, Author Frank Lazarus has produced a gripping, suspenseful story that will keep you off Netflix for a day or two.
From its humble beginnings in 1975, Future Stars had grown into a behemoth; with fifteen NBA teams and seventy-eight colleges paying subscriptions for his rankings.
Lenny is semi-retired these days, with his son and son-in-law running the business until he gets a call from an old buddy in Newport News, who wants him to come look at a high school kid , Lincoln Anderson in Emporia, Virginia. He believes this Anderson kid has been overlooked by everyone, including Future Stars.
Concurrently, Lenny gets a call from an old buddy, the iconic coach of Duke University, to see what he knows about the college decision of Tyler Longenecker, Future Star’s #5 ranked high school senior from a premier prep school in the tony Boston suburbs.
All seems to be going on script until graduation, when both Lincoln and Tyler are involved with a death and a roofie rape. Suddenly, Lenny’s getting calls about both kids.
Lincoln's family is related to James McNeil in Philly and they call him for help. James and his buddy, Detective Vernon Brown of the Philly PD, jump into the car and head South on I-95.
Can the two Sleuths from The Murder Gambit and The Phenom put these two puzzles together before college starts in September?
Once again, Author Frank Lazarus has produced a gripping, suspenseful story that will keep you off Netflix for a day or two.
291 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2024
43 people want to read
About the author
Frank Lazarus
25 books121 followersFrank Lazarus is a retired financial services executive turned mystery author. He has written nine books, including seven in his popular BROWN & MCNEIL MURDER MYSTERY SERIES. Drawing inspiration from thriller masters like Patterson, Silva, Grisham, and Siegel, Lazarus brings his Wall Street experience to crafting compelling crime fiction.
A native of West Philadelphia, he earned his degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph's University. When he's not plotting his next mystery, Frank enjoys time with his three adult children and five grandchildren. He currently lives on Hilton Head Island with his partner, Deb, where the coastal setting provides the perfect backdrop for writing his intricate mysteries.
A native of West Philadelphia, he earned his degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph's University. When he's not plotting his next mystery, Frank enjoys time with his three adult children and five grandchildren. He currently lives on Hilton Head Island with his partner, Deb, where the coastal setting provides the perfect backdrop for writing his intricate mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2025
After being blown away by "The Phenom" and how perfectly Lazarus handled McNeil's personal investment in Bo's case, I was so excited to see how that emotional fallout would affect the duo in this third installment. The way "Recruiting Murder" picks up the college basketball thread that was teased at the end of the last book is absolutely brilliant!
The character development from "The Phenom" really pays off here. You can see how McNeil's experience with Bo's case has changed him; he's more cautious about jumping to conclusions but also more determined to uncover the truth about corruption in youth sports. Brown's continued loyalty and their strengthened partnership after everything they went through in the basketball phenom case make their investigation into college recruiting murders even more compelling.
What I loved most was seeing how the investigative skills they honed through "The Murder Gambit's" complex five-murder case and then refined during Bo's emotionally charged situation now get applied to the murky world of college athletics. The progression of their partnership across these three books has been masterful. Lazarus has created something really special here!
The character development from "The Phenom" really pays off here. You can see how McNeil's experience with Bo's case has changed him; he's more cautious about jumping to conclusions but also more determined to uncover the truth about corruption in youth sports. Brown's continued loyalty and their strengthened partnership after everything they went through in the basketball phenom case make their investigation into college recruiting murders even more compelling.
What I loved most was seeing how the investigative skills they honed through "The Murder Gambit's" complex five-murder case and then refined during Bo's emotionally charged situation now get applied to the murky world of college athletics. The progression of their partnership across these three books has been masterful. Lazarus has created something really special here!
September 20, 2025
This series just keeps getting better! After absolutely devouring "The Murder Gambit" with its intricate multi-murder plot and then being emotionally invested in "The Phenom," I wasn't sure Lazarus could top himself again. But "Recruiting Murder" proves this author understands how to build on previous success while exploring new territory.
The college basketball recruiting world is the perfect setting after the high school sports drama of the previous book. You can see how Bo's story and McNeil's protective instincts have prepared both detectives for dealing with the corrupt underbelly of amateur athletics. The way Brown learned to navigate McNeil's personal investment in "The Phenom" serves him well when they encounter similar ethical dilemmas in the college setting.
The connection between the books feels organic rather than forced. These aren't just standalone mysteries - they're building a complex world where each case informs the next. Can't wait to see where Lazarus takes Brown and McNeil after this incredible trilogy of sports-related mysteries!
The college basketball recruiting world is the perfect setting after the high school sports drama of the previous book. You can see how Bo's story and McNeil's protective instincts have prepared both detectives for dealing with the corrupt underbelly of amateur athletics. The way Brown learned to navigate McNeil's personal investment in "The Phenom" serves him well when they encounter similar ethical dilemmas in the college setting.
The connection between the books feels organic rather than forced. These aren't just standalone mysteries - they're building a complex world where each case informs the next. Can't wait to see where Lazarus takes Brown and McNeil after this incredible trilogy of sports-related mysteries!
September 21, 2025
Coming off the emotional roller coaster of "The Phenom," I was curious how Lazarus would follow up McNeil's personal crisis with his grandson, Bo. "Recruiting Murder" shows he's a master at character development. The way McNeil's experience as a grandfather watching his family's dreams nearly destroyed translates into fierce protection of other young athletes is beautifully written.
The college basketball setting feels like a natural evolution from the high school sports in the previous book. Where "The Phenom" showed us small-town basketball politics, this book exposes the big-money corruption of college recruiting. Brown and McNeil's investigative partnership, strengthened through their previous cases, tackles these higher stakes with impressive skill.
I loved seeing callbacks to both previous books, references to the complex investigative techniques from "The Murder Gambit," and the emotional lessons learned from Bo's case. This trilogy has become one of my favorite mystery series. The way each book builds on the last while telling a complete story is masterful storytelling!
The college basketball setting feels like a natural evolution from the high school sports in the previous book. Where "The Phenom" showed us small-town basketball politics, this book exposes the big-money corruption of college recruiting. Brown and McNeil's investigative partnership, strengthened through their previous cases, tackles these higher stakes with impressive skill.
I loved seeing callbacks to both previous books, references to the complex investigative techniques from "The Murder Gambit," and the emotional lessons learned from Bo's case. This trilogy has become one of my favorite mystery series. The way each book builds on the last while telling a complete story is masterful storytelling!
September 21, 2025
Still processing everything that happened in those final chapters! The way Lazarus reveals which coaches were dirty and how deep the corruption runs through college basketball, I was gasping out loud during my lunch break, getting weird looks from coworkers.
The young athletes in this story absolutely broke my heart. Seeing how their dreams get manipulated by people they trust, how their families get drawn into these schemes... it reminded me so much of what almost happened to Bo. Brown and McNeil's determination to protect these kids while solving the murders created such powerful emotional stakes.
That scene with the NCAA officials and the federal investigation hints has me frantically googling the next book's release date. This series has become my new obsession, the perfect blend of sports drama, murder mystery, and character development with detectives I've grown to love over three books now.
The young athletes in this story absolutely broke my heart. Seeing how their dreams get manipulated by people they trust, how their families get drawn into these schemes... it reminded me so much of what almost happened to Bo. Brown and McNeil's determination to protect these kids while solving the murders created such powerful emotional stakes.
That scene with the NCAA officials and the federal investigation hints has me frantically googling the next book's release date. This series has become my new obsession, the perfect blend of sports drama, murder mystery, and character development with detectives I've grown to love over three books now.
September 21, 2025
I actually love this expansion into college sports, though the timeline jumps between different recruiting seasons made it harder to follow than the previous books. The multiple time periods showing how corruption developed over years added complexity but sometimes disrupted the narrative flow.
The college setting is well-researched and feels authentic, but I found myself missing the intimate community feel of the high school basketball in "The Phenom." The stakes are certainly higher with millions of dollars involved, but somehow that made it feel less personal despite the young victims.
Still, this is engaging crime fiction that successfully expands the world Lazarus has created. The murder mystery delivers genuine surprises, and the final revelation about the conspiracy scope is impressive. While not my favorite entry, it's solid work that has me curious about where the professional sports angle leads next.
The college setting is well-researched and feels authentic, but I found myself missing the intimate community feel of the high school basketball in "The Phenom." The stakes are certainly higher with millions of dollars involved, but somehow that made it feel less personal despite the young victims.
Still, this is engaging crime fiction that successfully expands the world Lazarus has created. The murder mystery delivers genuine surprises, and the final revelation about the conspiracy scope is impressive. While not my favorite entry, it's solid work that has me curious about where the professional sports angle leads next.
September 21, 2025
This exploration of college basketball's underbelly is both fascinating and disturbing. Lazarus creates a murder mystery that also serves as serious commentary on how amateur athletics can corrupt everyone involved. The way he weaves together individual stories of coaches, players, and boosters creates this rich tapestry where every death matters.
Brown and McNeil's investigation unfolds with excellent pacing, peeling back layers of corruption while never losing focus on the human cost. The young athletes aren't just victims, they're complex characters with their own dreams, flaws, and moral choices. The recruiting process becomes almost a character itself.
What impressed me most is how the sports elements enhance rather than overshadow the mystery. This isn't just a murder story set in a basketball world, it's about how corruption in any system inevitably leads to violence. Sophisticated crime fiction that respects both genre conventions and social commentary.
Brown and McNeil's investigation unfolds with excellent pacing, peeling back layers of corruption while never losing focus on the human cost. The young athletes aren't just victims, they're complex characters with their own dreams, flaws, and moral choices. The recruiting process becomes almost a character itself.
What impressed me most is how the sports elements enhance rather than overshadow the mystery. This isn't just a murder story set in a basketball world, it's about how corruption in any system inevitably leads to violence. Sophisticated crime fiction that respects both genre conventions and social commentary.
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September 21, 2025Okay WHAT was that ending?! I actually yelled at my book. Like, full-on ‘what the hell?!’ moment. Everything finally clicks, the murders, the money trail, the sketchy coaching stuff, and it’s even more tangled than the five deaths in book one. When the whole coaching conspiracy dropped, I had to walk laps around my apartment just to calm down.
The college basketball world feels super real. All that hype and glory vs. the shady stuff people do to win? Brutal. And the way the murders link up with the recruiting violations? Wild. It’s not just chaos, it actually makes sense in a messed-up way.
Also, that cliffhanger with the NCAA and the pro league stuff? I’m refreshing Amazon like a maniac waiting for book four. My boyfriend says he’s gonna hide my credit card if I pre-order another book, but honestly? Worth it. This series has taken over my life.
The college basketball world feels super real. All that hype and glory vs. the shady stuff people do to win? Brutal. And the way the murders link up with the recruiting violations? Wild. It’s not just chaos, it actually makes sense in a messed-up way.
Also, that cliffhanger with the NCAA and the pro league stuff? I’m refreshing Amazon like a maniac waiting for book four. My boyfriend says he’s gonna hide my credit card if I pre-order another book, but honestly? Worth it. This series has taken over my life.
September 21, 2025
Y’all, I stayed up till 5 AM finishing this because I couldn’t stop. My boss asked why I looked like death warmed over, and I tried explaining fictional basketball murders. She backed away slowly. Worth it.
Each victim’s story unfolds like a masterclass. At first, the coaches and players felt random, but watching Brown and McNeil connect the dots was like solving the world’s darkest puzzle. Those courtroom scenes? I was cheering at 3 AM.
And that tease about international recruitment and pro basketball ties? My brain’s still spinning. Lazarus keeps raising the stakes while holding onto the emotional core. Brown and McNeil feel so real, and that’s why I’m hooked.
This series is building something epic, and I’m all in.
Each victim’s story unfolds like a masterclass. At first, the coaches and players felt random, but watching Brown and McNeil connect the dots was like solving the world’s darkest puzzle. Those courtroom scenes? I was cheering at 3 AM.
And that tease about international recruitment and pro basketball ties? My brain’s still spinning. Lazarus keeps raising the stakes while holding onto the emotional core. Brown and McNeil feel so real, and that’s why I’m hooked.
This series is building something epic, and I’m all in.
January 15, 2024
I cannot lie; I wrote, so I love it. I hope you will also!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews