Warren Lane

by Andrew Diamond

Susan Moore is about to hire the wrong man to investigate her philandering husband, Will. There's something not quite right about that detective, but he's all she has at the moment. "Warren Lane" drinks too much and has a hard time staying out of trouble. He's just the kind of guy Will's mistress can't resist. And everyone is starting to figure out that Will is hiding a lot more than his affair with a reckless young woman. With a bit of mystery, romance, crime and suspense, Warren Lane has his hands full in this dark comedy of errors.

Genres: Fiction, Ebooks

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2015

About the author

Andrew Diamond writes mystery, crime, noir, and an occasional comedy. His books feature cinematic prose, strong characterization, twisting plots, and dark humor. Amazon editors named Impala a best of the month mystery, and IndieReader named it to their best of 2016 list. Impala also won the Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal for mystery and the 24th Annual Writer’s Digest award for genre fiction.

Gate 76 was named named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, while BestThrillers.com selected both Gate 76 (2018) and To Hell with Johnny Manic (2019) to their best of the year lists. The Sellout (2024) won the IndieReader Discovery Award for humor.

His next book, Grid Zero, will be available on June 30, 2025.

You can follow Andrew online at https://adiamond.me

Reviews

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads First reads. Thanks Goodreads, it was a very funny book. A little black book you'd never guess what's inside the cover. A hilariously funny book, as what could happen through mistaken identity. A job carried out with no experience.

[Dorian Box · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know funny people. People who tell stories well, crack people up at parties, but there’s a big difference between being a funny person and being a funny writer. Most people who try to be funny in writing fail. Not Andrew Diamond.

There’s a bundle of chapters in the middle of Warren Lane that made me laugh as hard as I’ve laughed reading anything.

This Elmore Leonard-Meets-Larry David private-eye caper features protagonist Mark Ready (just start calling him Warren Lane now), a ne'er-do-well boat-sitter whose only positive quality initially appears to be that he’s really great looking. That comes in handy for him at the end, but in the meantime, draws him into an insane course of dealing with four strangers involving betrayal, impersonation, smuggling, murder, and a whole lot of hilarious sexual situations.

The book has a sweet side as well, as “Warren Lane” gets the girl in the end. Even better, she’s the right one! First-time happiness may loom for both.

The writing is excellent throughout, offering more than meets the eye.

[vera malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read.

I took this book to the beach and read it in a sitting. The characters were so much fun, I couldn't wait to see the next mess. I realized at two thirds the way through, I wasn't sure how things were going to wrap up. The read is smooth, and Diamond clearly knows his cast of miscreants. Well done little noir. I definitely recommend this for an entertaining read.

[Chelsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After getting to know the characters in this novel over the first few chapters, I was drawn into their lives and where they were headed. They were diverse, but still had similarities. The issues they dealt with made for the most interesting part. I enjoyed the few moments of humor and how they added breaks to the drama. Even though all of the characters were seriously flawed, they each still had something which made them likeable. I also liked how it was a combination of male and female main characters and even the side characters had a lot of personality.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and am grateful to have won it and read it. I will be looking out for this author's future novels, and wouldn't mind reading a sequel to this story!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and fast read. I enjoyed the prose and the flow of the different stories as they ran parallel and then combined. It was easy to dislike Will, didn't feel too sorry for Susan and I just wanted to give Ella and Mike a swift kick to get it together.

From the reviews, I though this was going to be a funny crime story and I kept waiting for the laughs. I am in no means disappointed that it wasn't like that, at least until things began to wrap up. Will and his temper! Wow!

I hope there is at least one more book, especially the way this ended. When I read the teaser, I wondered if that was what the author was hinting at, and was a bit confused when there was a chronological jump. Not only did I guess correctly, but there was an extra surprise thrown in.

This was a great story to kind of wipe my brain clean from the darkness that I normally read.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads give away. When I first started reading it I found it a little hard to get into but I kept on reading. The more I read, the more I fell in love with the book. At some parts of the book I laughed so hard I almost cried. I have never read anything written by this author before, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I did end up enjoying the book.

[Bryan Cyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good first book by Andrew Diamond. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Check out my full review here:

http://everythingnoir.com/2015/12/17/...

[Rob Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre for books but I enjoyed this one a lot. A fun ride of a read where everyone seems to get what they deserve if not what they want.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had an interesting premise. Susan Moore hires a Private Detective, Warren Lane, to spy on her husband, but due to miscommunication or rather no communication, Mark Ready (a big time drunk, druggie and a loser) assumes the role of the PD and ends up with both the wife and the mistress of the man he is spying on. This could have been funnier, but it lost the edge with everyone's inner thoughts, which were too philosophical.

[Quentin Feduchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amusing and irritating, and at times a novel that seems to be going nowhere.
The situations in the novel are at times quite romantic, then turn into foolishness and then into apparent total helplessness.
It truly is a romp into the ridiculous and anyone reading it, with some patience, will be rewarded with some truly uproariously daft situations.
I think you will be rewarded with a highly unusual narrative.

[Richard A. Grzybowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit disappointing

I was hoping to get psychologically involved in the story, as I always did reading Andrew's books. This time, however the story line was kind of starting and quickly ending only to start again. I lost the interest about half way and, quite frankly, it was tough to get it back. Hopefully, the next book will get me back in his corner.

[Chris1991 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly i don't know what to say. I 100% enjoyed this book and almost couldn't put it down. It's definitely going to be on my mind for the next couple days. I highly Recommend this book.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel of learning about the meaning of the passion for your own life. Hiaasen may have a run for his money with this author.

[Jae Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a character named Warren Lane, well actually 2 men known as Warren Lane. A woman named Susan Moore hires who she thinks is Warren to investigate her husband. She actually hires a man named Mark Ready.
Mark drinks a lot, but his heart is in the right place. He starts investigating Will Moore, and meets the other woman. Her name is Ella, and she is unhappy with Will, but doesn't see a way out of the mess she's in. Until she meets Mark.
The real Warren Lane is an investigator, and kind of a douche bag. As the story unfolds, chance encounters and weird coincidences see that everyone gets their just desserts. I won't go into details so as not to spoil the ending for readers.
I really liked the characters in this tale (except for Warren and Will but they're the bad guys so I'm not supposed to like them.) and the action was really consistent with some genuinely funny moments. Recommended reading for anyone who likes a lot of twists and turns.

[Debra Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this novel: Warren Lane in a Goodreads Giveaway and this is my opinion and review of the book. This story is a wonderful, suspenseful, romantic, and fun read! Andrew Diamond writes a story rich in emotionally drawn characters that grabbed me from the beginning and literally pulled me right into the book. Susan Moore makes an appointment to meet the private investigator Warren Lane at a coffee shop. There's a man sitting across the room alone who must be him. Susan introduces herself as she hands Warren his P.I. card. He acknowledges the card and they begin to talk. When their business is concluded, Susan hands him a retaining fee and they both go their own ways. Shortly afterwards, a Warren Lane is asking a if a Susan Lane had been in there waiting for him. Wait ... What is this? Who is Warren Lane? That is a small taste of this enthralling and entertaining novel. This is an absolute must read novel that I thoroughly enjoyed!!

[Laura Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, first I want to let everyone know that I won this book courtesy of the author and goodreads. Although I was not sure if this would be a book that I would enjoy, I realized once I started that it was too good to put down. This comic noir features a private investigator named Warren Lane who is to be hired by Susan to follow her husband who she suspects is cheating. Although, she does not know that she has actually given a 10 thousand dollar check and a job to an alcoholic whose name is Mark Ready. Mark just happened to be in the right place and the right time to start his new adventure as Warren Lane Private Investigator. This book has romance, mystery, and comedy that kept me enthralled the whole time. The characters blend well together and the story is very entertaining and will keep you drawn in the entire time. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys wonderfully written novels.

[Andrew Langert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after receiving it in a Goodreads giveaway.

I did not know this author nor very much about this book. I thought it might be like Gone Girl, a look at things that can happen when a marriage starts to crash.

This book is not like that at all. It read to me like a Woody Allen comedy. But IT WORKS! The characters are extreme, but compelling. The plot is farcical, reminding me of the kind of trouble Larry David unwittingly gets into on many a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.

In addition to the laughs and the crazy plot, there are several deep moments where the troubled main characters try to come to grips with their place in life - and I found those serious moments impactful.

All in all - a very clever piece of work. I will look for more from Andrew Diamond.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining book. I never could figure out the main character though. He was so "not there" most of the time, but then he would do something so compassionate and feeling for someone else, that you started to rethink what you knew of him. Glad he finally found a direction for his life, makes me have some hope for some people I know who are also finding it hard to find their way. I agree with Susan's decision to not tell him, there doesn't seem to be a reason to, it would only complicate things. Definitely a book I would recommend.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the goodreads firstreads program.
The book starts off interestingly, Susan's husband, Will, is having an affair with Ella. She makes an appointment with Warren, a PI, to get proof of her husband's dalliance. Warren is running late for their appointment in a cafe, so when Susan sees Mark sitting alone for a while, she assumes he's Warren. Before Mark knows what's happening, Susan gives him the details and the retainer, so he plays along.
I liked the story and the idea, but there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary vulgarity. I'm not a fan of that.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a case of mistaken identity, Ready is approached by Susan Moore to get evidence of her husband Will's infidelity. Ready decides to poke around and see what he can find out. Ready ends up getting involved with not only one, but two love triangles. Who is Warren Lane? This is a very enjoyable and funny at times book. I just loved the character of Ready.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, a simple case of mistaken identity? Mistaken identity yes, simple no. An interesting commentary on people's perceptions in modern culture. It makes you wonder how much attention we pay to the relationships in our own lives. The plot is well thought out and developed, and the characters are easy to picture. Some of the sex scenes were a bit graphic for me, but that would not deter me from reading this author or recommending him to others.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren Lane

The book didn't "grab" me until about 3 chapters in. I was surprised by the humor, and as I continued couldn't put it down until I finished it in one sitting.
The Author., Andrew Diamond , is a very good writer and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I will definitely be looking for another book by him.
Thanks for the free book from the author. It is a very entertaining book.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads giveaways.

I found myself feeling anger, and disgust toward a few of the characters and sympathy for others. I finished the book wishing for a different ending for Susan and Mark. I don't always get that in a read. Sure a story may be good, but I don't always feel. To me that is the difference between a good and an excellent author.

I will definitely be reading Impala and will be looking forward to new works by Mr. Diamond.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's enough of the crime noir element in this touching comedy of errors to give it and the characters realistic complexity and depth. And even though it's written from a male POV I liked it as much as some of my favorite female authors' HEA novels. This would make a fantastic screenplay.

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Lola Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given it 5 stars but it ended so strangely.

Almost like a not ending.
The characters are so real I felt like I knew them for ever.
It just goes to show what can happen if you say yes to things.

[Lori Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's characters were so real to me as I read it. A very fast page turning book about mistaken identity that gets all involved into a bit of a mess. I loved how it all untangled itself and came together at the end. Bravo Andrew!

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book about a man, his wife, other ladies, a maybe private eye, and a shady business going on. It reads very fast, I read it in 2 hours.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read with interesting characters during an intense time in their lives, lives which all cross during the course of the book. Definitely recommend it!

[Manny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing! This is a great read! I would recommend it. Its short, but to the point. I had all sorts of emotions for the characters, but at lease something good came from something bad. lol

[Brian Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this book I did not have and expectations, because I didn't know much about it. I was definitely entertained by this book. It was a book I couldn't put down once I started reading it.