P. I. Apprentice

Dev Haskell Mystery #34

by Mike Faricy

Private Investigator Dev Haskell is visited by Melissa Carter, the daughter of a former friend. Both her parents were killed in a hit-and-run ‘accident’ a few years earlier. She has strong doubts it was an accident and asks Dev to investigate. He grudgingly takes on the case, but the more he learns the more he’s convinced Melissa is on to something.

At the same time, Dev is summoned by local crime Lord Tubby Gustafson. Turns out Tubby would like a favor and 'No' is not an option. Dev takes on Tubby’s nephew, Erik, as an apprentice and learns, to his surprise, that Erik is actually a pretty nice guy and a very hard worker. That’s good because the hit-and-run investigation quickly turns into an exploration of the darker side of a local property mogul, and Dev and Erik are going to need all the help they can get.

Better get your copy now and see if Dev can survive . . .

Genres: Mystery

346 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2023

About the author

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I still live there as well as in Dublin, Ireland. I've been a soldier, freelance journalist, tended bar, sold designer cakes, owned a painting and decorating company along with a number of other schemes and scams. If that doesn't offend you I also play bagpipes with the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. All my books stand alone, read them in whatever order you wish. They are filled with the sort of oddballs we are all curious about, but wisely, prefer to keep at a distance. None of my characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to take over the government. Rather, they inhabit a world just below the surface of polite society, characters with one foot on either side of the law. The circumstances they find themselves in are usually due to bad decisions, but bad decisions lead to interesting stories. They serve not so much as an example but as a warning to us all. Thanks for taking the time, happy reading.

Reviews

[Karen Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 34th Dev Haskell book and I have really enjoyed reading this as much as the first book. I love the crazy situations he gets himself into with morton and louie. I enjoyed the new apprentice Erik and would like to see more of him in Dev's life. Dev is a good guy deep down and I would.love for him to get swept off his feet for once and fall head first for someone instead of the hook ups but that's the romantic in me. I would love to see how he would mess up fatherhood for example ha ha. Excellent book well written and a fantastic read

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would seem that Tubby Gustafson has a lot more family than just his crime family. In SURPRISE, SURPRISE!, we met Tubby's sister Quinnie, and now we find out that he has a nephew Erik Gustafson (Erik's dad is deceased and unnamed but must be Tubby's brother). Of course, we find this out when Tubby demands that Dev allow Erik to follow him around to disabuse him of his desire to seek employment in law enforcement.

Dev and Erik set out to work a cold case, one ostensibly a case of hit and run that caused the death of Dev's friend and sometime mentor Jack Carter and his wife. Erik, who has recently graduated from university with a double major in prelaw and computer programming, turns out to be both a nice guy and an asset to the investigation.

As always, Dev has a lot of threads to pull while working the case and while dealing with girlfriend issues. For some reason, all his girlfriends have a penchant for either Prosecco or champaign in which they overindulge. (I keep hoping that he has reason to encounter Annette Dinicci (from ALLEY KATZ), an expert on art forgeries. She was the most down to earth female in Dev's orbit ever.)

There are a lot of reasons to read a series such as this from the beginning, not the least of which is following the backstory as it develops in each book. Dev's had a lot of crazy girlfriends that may, or may not, show up in subsequent books. He is also an enigmatic character in his own right. Little by little, we have found out that he is a veteran of the Iraq war, that he is generally neat, and doesn't always do his laundry in a timely fashion. Devlin Haskell, the private investigator, is an everyman, an ordinary guy living through extraordinary experiences. So, pick up a copy of RUSSIAN ROULETTE and start your journey into the life and times of Dev Haskell. You won't be sorry!

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private investigator Dev Haskell is gifted with taking on an apprentice as he investigates the hit and run deaths of an old friend and his wife in this 34th outing in the Dev Haskell series. The apprentice is the nephew of Haskell’s nemesis, crime lord Tubby Gustafson. And Tubby’s not the kind of man people say no to. At first, Dev is just humoring the daughter of the dead folks, but the more he searches, the more he learns she’s right. And as an added plus, the nephew, Erik, turns out to be a decent guy and a hard worker with great ideas.

I know when you see “34th outing”, your brain might shut off, but don’t let that deter you. These books are written as standalones and can be read out of order. I’m way off schedule, but I still enjoy every one.

I hope Eric is a repeat character. I enjoyed the chemistry between Dev and Eric. I like that instead of making Erik do all the scut work, Dev gives him real assignments and values his opinions. I appreciate the rhythm of the plots, the snappy dialogue, and Dev’s inner monologues. Dev is kind of a lout, a loveable lout, and his heart is always in the right place. I enjoy going along for the ride as he solves the case.

I’m always happy to see a Dev Haskell book bubble to the top of my TBR pile. I know I’m going to be entertained the whole ride.

If you like traditional PI novels, or if you enjoy the work of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Elmore Leonard, Janet DeLeon, or Janet Evanovich, give the Dev Haskell series a try.

[JAC · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that I enjoy every Dev Haskell book, is an understatement. This one has a twist that introduces a new character and sidekick for Dev. His new apprentice, Erik, is young, eager and a computer whiz. The only glitch is that he’s Tubby’s nephew! In spite of that fact, the two work well together to prove that a two year old hit a run is no accident. The daughter of Dev’s mentor and old friend comes to him for help to prove her parents were murdered. There are interesting plot twists linking other cold cases to this investigation. Dev and Erik work hand and hand to reveal the truth, while Erik develops a love interest in the client! I’m hoping that Erik becomes a permanent P.I. Apprentice!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

Dev is asked by Tubby to allow his nephew to tag along with him for a week. Turns out Erik is a terrific kid- young adult actually- quite unlike his uncle, and he and Erik spend the week tracking down clues to a murder.
This is really a good book.
I highly recommend it and any others written by Mike Faricy.

[Philip Northrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, Dev helped out the daughter of an old friend find out that her parents were actually killed on purpose. In the process he helped out Tubby by having his nephew tag along with him for a week or so, which he did and he helped by going through the computer. In the end everything worked out except his relationship with Crystal.

[Barbara G. Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting story line in the Dev Haskel series! I read it in 1 day. One can't help but like Dev, even though he is stumbling his way through life. In this book, he gets an apprentice forced upon him as he tries to help the daughter of an old friend.

[A_Friend · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.I Apprentice

Another home run for Dev Haskell! All of the series are really an awesome read. Always has good characters and a great storyline. A definite must read of Dev solving another great murder mystery.
A +++

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tubby's nephew is interesting in privare investigating, which means Dev just volunteered.

[Michele Roosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh

Well I have my Dev Haskell fix. This is my absolute favorite series and I wish Mr. Faricy would get them out faster!

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

I do enjoy Devs tales. Love his characters and his humour. All the usual supporting cast are in situ. Loved the apprentice. Top notch.

[John Roach, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story as usual

[Michael R. Noakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Typical Dev Haskell tale and dialogue. Bumbling through much of the story,but figurine it all out at the end. Perfect for a few hours of relaxation and entertainment.

[christine j gribenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you reading

I enjoyed the interactions of the characters. It kept my attention. Always something happening. I have recommended this book to family and friends.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dev

Always a pleasure to continue the saga of PI Dev Haskell. Can't wait to read his next adventure. Please keep writing this series as I am hooked on it.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved this book. Dev gets an assistant thanks to Tubby Gustafson. He now has twice the opportunity to get on Tubby's bad side.