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Fidelity
Murder, money, and marriage pack a triple treat in this absorbing, character-driven crime novel from Thomas Perry.
When Los Angeles P.I. Phil Kramer is shot dead on a deserted suburban street in the middle of the night, his wife, Emily, is left with an emptied bank account and a lot of questions. How could Phil leave her penniless? What was he going to do with the money? And, most of all, who was the man she thought she married? Meanwhile, Jerry Hobart has some questions of his own. It’s none of his business why he was hired to kill Phil Kramer. But now that he’s been ordered to take out Kramer’s widow, he senses a deeper secret at work—and maybe a bigger payoff from Ted Forrest, the mysterious wealthy man behind the hit.
When Los Angeles P.I. Phil Kramer is shot dead on a deserted suburban street in the middle of the night, his wife, Emily, is left with an emptied bank account and a lot of questions. How could Phil leave her penniless? What was he going to do with the money? And, most of all, who was the man she thought she married? Meanwhile, Jerry Hobart has some questions of his own. It’s none of his business why he was hired to kill Phil Kramer. But now that he’s been ordered to take out Kramer’s widow, he senses a deeper secret at work—and maybe a bigger payoff from Ted Forrest, the mysterious wealthy man behind the hit.
357 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2008
371 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Perry
93 books1,700 followersThomas Perry was the author of 25 novels. He was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He had worked as a park maintenance man, factory laborer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and as a writer and producer of prime time network television shows.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 243 reviews
May 21, 2008
Oh, I love Thomas Perry, he's such a good writer and his books move like bullet trains. But he seriously scares me. Many of his books feature professional hit men, and this guy knows WAY too much about the details of being a hit man. I'm convinced it's first-hand knowledge. Plus, according to the book jackets, he lives here in Southern California. He could be watching my house right now -- not directly in front, where he might be seen, but up by the corner in a nondescript sedan in a neutral color. So listen, Mr. Perry, the reason I only gave you four stars is that I'm saving the five stars for next year when you bring back the Jane Whitfield series after 10 years. OK? Look, just don't hurt my cat.
February 21, 2024
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Hitman*
Review of the Mariner Books Kindle eBook edition (June 4, 2009) of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover original (May 12, 2008).
I've read (but not reviewed) every single book by Thomas Perry since I became a fan with The Butcher's Boy (1982). Most of his books follow the formula of a hunter character vs. a hunted character. The detailing of the steps taken by each in the pursuit and the run is what makes for the suspense and tension in each story. The formula is switched up by varying which character is the hero or the villain. My favourites have been those with his most regular series character Jane Whitefield, who is a one-woman witness protection agency, hiding deserving people and giving them new lives, when the authorities are powerless or perhaps not to be trusted.
I was somewhat surprised then when Fidelity from 2008 came up as a Kindle Deal of the Day on February 12, 2024 and I had no particular memory of having read it. I figured it must not have been very memorable for some reason and perhaps would have even earned an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ back in the day. So a re-read seemed in order.
So, yes, this isn't quite top drawer Perry. It meanders quite a bit, although the theme of the title does get some interesting slants to it. Housewife Emily Kramer is shocked by learning that her private detective husband Phil Kramer has been murdered for no apparent reason. She then learns that he had emptied all of their bank accounts before his death. While searching for the motive behind the murder she discovers that he may not have been the faithful husband whom she had married. Then it becomes apparent that the killer also has her in his sights.
Hitman Jerry Hobart has taken on the job of the Kramers for an initially unidentified rich man. Hobart doesn't know the reason for the bounty, but begins to suspect that if he can discover it for himself it may mean a much bigger payday in the end. He is wearying of his life on the road and yearns to reconcile with the lost love of his youth. He hopes that enough of a financial stake will help him towards that goal.
The ending is satisfactory but it comes about in such a bizarre way that you still aren't quite content with the result. A three-star rating seems the best compromise here.
Footnote
* Yes, I stole the idea for my lede from Alan Sillitoe's The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1959).
Review of the Mariner Books Kindle eBook edition (June 4, 2009) of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover original (May 12, 2008).
He had heard somebody say once that as long as a man’s hopes outnumbered his regrets, he was still alive. But by that measure, he had been dead for years.
...
There was a skill to being an outlaw. The only people who knew and respected it were the people who had it and the people who made a living chasing them down, but a man who did things right lasted a little longer.
I've read (but not reviewed) every single book by Thomas Perry since I became a fan with The Butcher's Boy (1982). Most of his books follow the formula of a hunter character vs. a hunted character. The detailing of the steps taken by each in the pursuit and the run is what makes for the suspense and tension in each story. The formula is switched up by varying which character is the hero or the villain. My favourites have been those with his most regular series character Jane Whitefield, who is a one-woman witness protection agency, hiding deserving people and giving them new lives, when the authorities are powerless or perhaps not to be trusted.
I was somewhat surprised then when Fidelity from 2008 came up as a Kindle Deal of the Day on February 12, 2024 and I had no particular memory of having read it. I figured it must not have been very memorable for some reason and perhaps would have even earned an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ back in the day. So a re-read seemed in order.
So, yes, this isn't quite top drawer Perry. It meanders quite a bit, although the theme of the title does get some interesting slants to it. Housewife Emily Kramer is shocked by learning that her private detective husband Phil Kramer has been murdered for no apparent reason. She then learns that he had emptied all of their bank accounts before his death. While searching for the motive behind the murder she discovers that he may not have been the faithful husband whom she had married. Then it becomes apparent that the killer also has her in his sights.
Hitman Jerry Hobart has taken on the job of the Kramers for an initially unidentified rich man. Hobart doesn't know the reason for the bounty, but begins to suspect that if he can discover it for himself it may mean a much bigger payday in the end. He is wearying of his life on the road and yearns to reconcile with the lost love of his youth. He hopes that enough of a financial stake will help him towards that goal.
The ending is satisfactory but it comes about in such a bizarre way that you still aren't quite content with the result. A three-star rating seems the best compromise here.
Footnote
* Yes, I stole the idea for my lede from Alan Sillitoe's The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1959).
September 17, 2015
Perry has done it again. It's another mystery, but it's twisted in a different fashion. I knew who done it. I just didn't know exactly why. There were some obvious guesses, but they changed as the characters continued to emerge through the story. My sympathies changed remarkably for them until the very end. It was a fantastic trip, well read by Michael Kramer again. His laconic voice fit the story well, as usual.
November 13, 2025
"It’s not the time that’s gone, it’s the innocence. We don’t have it anymore, and we can’t get it back.”
In my opinion Thomas Perry is one of the greatest storytellers ever, he has a way of pulling me into his stories sometimes kicking and screaming, but once in it I'm hooked and can't stop trying to figure out what happens next. In this one Emily's private detective husband ends up dead, shot in the street by an unknown assailant. She soon discovers that her husband had some very compromising information about a very powerful man, Ted Forrest (huge dirtbag), and Emily soon discovers that makes her a target too. Jerry Hobart, the criminal hired by Forrest to commit the dirty deeds has a story of his own, and as is often the case with Perry his morally ambiguous characters are always very interesting and not entirely unlikable.
Great story, if you're a fan of Perry's and haven't read this one, give it a try.
In my opinion Thomas Perry is one of the greatest storytellers ever, he has a way of pulling me into his stories sometimes kicking and screaming, but once in it I'm hooked and can't stop trying to figure out what happens next. In this one Emily's private detective husband ends up dead, shot in the street by an unknown assailant. She soon discovers that her husband had some very compromising information about a very powerful man, Ted Forrest (huge dirtbag), and Emily soon discovers that makes her a target too. Jerry Hobart, the criminal hired by Forrest to commit the dirty deeds has a story of his own, and as is often the case with Perry his morally ambiguous characters are always very interesting and not entirely unlikable.
Great story, if you're a fan of Perry's and haven't read this one, give it a try.
April 28, 2009
A private detective is murdered. His wife and co-workers attempt to find out who killed him and why, and along the way, his wife almost becomes the next victim. The story drags and the writing is common and uninteresting. Not worth it.
September 28, 2013
Thomas Perry has another winner. Started listening to this book intending to mow on the paths through the fields (about 60 minutes) and wound up finishing additional acreage. To those who say it's formulaic, I reply what a great formula.
Phil Kramer is shot dead on the street. Emily, his wife, soon learns that Phil had cleaned out their bank accounts, including that of the agency. She resolves to keep the agency going not just to bring in some cash, but also to use its operatives, especially to find out Phil's motivation. She learns more than she ever wanted to.
The mystery that holds your interest has nothing to do with "who" is responsible -- we know almost from the start who the killer is and who hired him -- but "why." That's the puzzle both Emily and the reader must figure out. Hobart, the actual killer, is very smart, but so is Emily and her cadre. Hobart makes it complicated because he wants to find out why Forrest wanted Kramer dead, too. It's a nice cat-and-mouse game.
http://ericcwelch.booklikes.com/post/...
Phil Kramer is shot dead on the street. Emily, his wife, soon learns that Phil had cleaned out their bank accounts, including that of the agency. She resolves to keep the agency going not just to bring in some cash, but also to use its operatives, especially to find out Phil's motivation. She learns more than she ever wanted to.
The mystery that holds your interest has nothing to do with "who" is responsible -- we know almost from the start who the killer is and who hired him -- but "why." That's the puzzle both Emily and the reader must figure out. Hobart, the actual killer, is very smart, but so is Emily and her cadre. Hobart makes it complicated because he wants to find out why Forrest wanted Kramer dead, too. It's a nice cat-and-mouse game.
http://ericcwelch.booklikes.com/post/...
November 3, 2020
Michael Kramer
Another great read from Thomas Perry. The plot is told by two voices: Emily Kramer learns her husband, Phil, who has been shot has left her penny-less and he was not the man she thought she married. The other voice is that of Jerry Hobart who was hired to kill Phil and bring something back to who hired him It’s a quest that caused Emily to fear for her own life and not know who to trust. To avoid spoilers, I won’t tell of the others. Trust me it is a good thriller.
Another great read from Thomas Perry. The plot is told by two voices: Emily Kramer learns her husband, Phil, who has been shot has left her penny-less and he was not the man she thought she married. The other voice is that of Jerry Hobart who was hired to kill Phil and bring something back to who hired him It’s a quest that caused Emily to fear for her own life and not know who to trust. To avoid spoilers, I won’t tell of the others. Trust me it is a good thriller.
September 26, 2008
Normally I love Thomas Perry. If you have not read the Jane Whitfield series, run to the nearest bookstore or library. Right now. This was a bit too contrived, with shallow characters and more possibility than realization. Not up to his usual standard.
March 27, 2010
I've enjoyed all the other Thomas Perry books I've read, but couldn't get into this one. I just couldn't connect with the main character -- she was too cold and shut down. I ended up returning the book to the library without completing it.
October 17, 2009
I was loathing one of the 2 main characters, so I quit 80 pages in.
August 18, 2008
Could there be a less exciting thriller written? 'Nuf said.
September 8, 2009
This book was one very long run-on sentence. Just dreadful.
June 14, 2013
Book started really slow but it was worth sticking to finish it. Really liked the end of it.
July 21, 2021
This is a lemon...does not measure up to his usual writing skills and standards.
Library Loan
Library Loan
March 16, 2021
The well-crafted plot kept me intrigued from beginning to end as did the variety of complex characters. Betrayals and bad behavior abound, the dark side of human nature is on full display, but sometimes even a hit man has a sense of ethics (sort of). This book was a good fit for my crime fiction addiction and my favorite of the Thomas Perry books that I’ve read so far.
September 25, 2021
Not Perry's best work. Not a bad story but I am used to better from him.
Phil Kramer is a PI based in Los Angeles. He's murdered in the first chapter. The rest of the book is a combination of his widow trying to figure out who would want him dead and the hitman trying to find the evidence that Ray had against his client
Phil Kramer is a PI based in Los Angeles. He's murdered in the first chapter. The rest of the book is a combination of his widow trying to figure out who would want him dead and the hitman trying to find the evidence that Ray had against his client
April 16, 2023
AUDIO. I have read both the author's series and his standalone books. This standalone ranks up near my favorites of THE OLD MAN and THE BOMB MAKER. While there are parts that seem slow in the first 40%, it is only when you get to the 85% mark that the significance of the earlier parts REALLY start to jump out at you. They aren't red herrings trying to trick you (although there are plenty of twists), they are subtle clues that would let you work along with the detectives. The end goes really fast to a surprising climax and unexpected solution to many questions.
May 20, 2025
Those of us who like mystery/ thrillers have all read so-called police procedurals. This is like a hit-man procedural, lol. Perry deserves maybe 3.5 stars on this one. The writing is good but the book is a bit of a plodder and certainly isn’t up to his earlier standards. Still, quite entertaining.
November 5, 2019
This was my first Thomas Perry book and I really enjoyed it.
March 19, 2021
I'm a big fan of Thomas Perry. This is not one of his best, but anything by him is worth a read and this one is no exception. He is the best crime/mystery writer around...and I've read quite a few.
In this story, the murder of a PI is investigated by his widow who finds out much about her deceased husband that she didn't know. The story behind his killing is a long twisted one that Perry does his usual great job slowly unwinding with many surprises and interesting characters along the way. Its this characters and the amazing detail and twisted plotting that distinguish Perry as the top of the heap of writers of this genre.
Even though I enjoyed this book, in comparison to some of his others I could not justify giving it anything beyond 3-stars, as it is near the lowest of all the many of his books I've read.
In this story, the murder of a PI is investigated by his widow who finds out much about her deceased husband that she didn't know. The story behind his killing is a long twisted one that Perry does his usual great job slowly unwinding with many surprises and interesting characters along the way. Its this characters and the amazing detail and twisted plotting that distinguish Perry as the top of the heap of writers of this genre.
Even though I enjoyed this book, in comparison to some of his others I could not justify giving it anything beyond 3-stars, as it is near the lowest of all the many of his books I've read.
August 24, 2017
I was compelled to finish this book mostly because I didn't like two of the "bad" characters, and I wanted to find out what happened to them.
I have started some books that were written so poorly, I couldn't even finish them. This wasn't one of those books. This was well written, though overly wordy; I skipped over some of each page once I got half way through because I really just wanted to find out where the money went, and what Phil had hidden. If I could've read the last chapter to find it all out I would've just skipped to the end for it.
I wouldn't suggest anyone else read this unless you enjoy reading pages that you don't need to, about relationships that don't matter to characters that aren't relevant. The plot was driven enough to make me want to find out how it ended up.
I have started some books that were written so poorly, I couldn't even finish them. This wasn't one of those books. This was well written, though overly wordy; I skipped over some of each page once I got half way through because I really just wanted to find out where the money went, and what Phil had hidden. If I could've read the last chapter to find it all out I would've just skipped to the end for it.
I wouldn't suggest anyone else read this unless you enjoy reading pages that you don't need to, about relationships that don't matter to characters that aren't relevant. The plot was driven enough to make me want to find out how it ended up.
December 26, 2018
I love Thomas Perry books, but this one was a plodder.
P.I. is murdered, and it turns out he's taken all of the money out of the agency and his personal bank accounts, leaving his wife penniless. She was a kind of partner, but had stayed home to raise their son (who died a year before the murder). She works with the other PI's in the firm to see if they can't generate money to get their pay. And she finds out her husband was sleeping with the receptionist. Then someone tries to kill the wife. We learn the history of the hitman and the person who hired him to kill the PI. And we see greed at work - the only reason the wife winds up alive. There was too much background on these last two - it dragged the story along.
P.I. is murdered, and it turns out he's taken all of the money out of the agency and his personal bank accounts, leaving his wife penniless. She was a kind of partner, but had stayed home to raise their son (who died a year before the murder). She works with the other PI's in the firm to see if they can't generate money to get their pay. And she finds out her husband was sleeping with the receptionist. Then someone tries to kill the wife. We learn the history of the hitman and the person who hired him to kill the PI. And we see greed at work - the only reason the wife winds up alive. There was too much background on these last two - it dragged the story along.
May 6, 2015
Well, as expected from this author, this book is an interesting one, captivating and entertaining.
The plot is well constructed, the well paced action is unfolding under your eyes with plenty of twists and turns, the characters are alive and some of them with their own agendas at times revealing some unexpected surprises and you'll get caught in it as soon as you start... I know I did and it was hard for me to let it go until the end...
A pleasant book, well worth your time, if you like this author.
The plot is well constructed, the well paced action is unfolding under your eyes with plenty of twists and turns, the characters are alive and some of them with their own agendas at times revealing some unexpected surprises and you'll get caught in it as soon as you start... I know I did and it was hard for me to let it go until the end...
A pleasant book, well worth your time, if you like this author.
August 6, 2011
You can't go wrong with a suspense novel by Thomas Perry! He knows how to write a true page-turner.
June 2, 2012
Very good Story.
POOR characterization.
POOR characterization.
February 5, 2013
Well written, although it could have concluded better. 7 of 10 stars
February 28, 2019
Una novela intrigante y que atrapa, hay escenas que no olvidaré por un largo tiempo, fácil de leer y rapidísimo
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February 26, 2022Phil Kramer owner of Kramer Investigation agency is found shot dead in his car in the middle of night. His wife Emily Kramer and his had no inkling about the cause of death. There was no ransom or black mail call.
Phil Kramer was killed by a professional killer Jerry Hobart on the order of a super rich aristocrat Ted Forrest on payment of $ 2lacs. After killing, Hobart escapes to los Vegas. Forrest asks him to do one more job to kill Emily, Phil's wife. Ted also tells him to get a document from her which could be dangerous to him But he does not indicate about the nature of document. Hobart enters Emily house wearing a ski mask and wakes her up at gun point in the middle of night He threatens her to hand over the document/ pictures due to which Phil could have been killed. He tells her to locate it immediately otherwise she will be killed.
Ted Forrest a rich businessman was a preadeater in search of young girls He had married Caroline 22 years younger to him.He starts prowling for new girls and locates a 15 yrs old extremely beautiful girl Allison Straight and exploits her sexually, He gives her lot of gifts showing her as his teenager daughter. Suddenly Allison goes missing. Ted is crestfallen. He takes the services of Phill Kraman agency. After lot of efforts Phil is able to trace Allison and hands her over to Ted for which he was paid huge money. This was 9 years ago.
In the mean time Emily's house and office are burnt. But she does not find any thing in the house or office as required by hooded intruder. Emily had already removed most of her belongings from the house. She continues to look for any clue regarding missing document. She realises that her husband was very secretive and cheating on her. He was having an affair with a young office girl Billy Pragwalaski and suspects if there was any thing missing it would be with Billy. She confronts Billy who confirms that Pill had indeed brought a packet to her house which he had taken later and that she was not aware of its contents. Emily further finds that a young employee 22 yrs. Old Dewey Burn, a black had strong resemblance to Phil and could be his son. She confronts him and ask about his mother. She goes to meet Lee Anne Burns, his mother who confirms that she had known Phill 24 yrs. back and had Dewey from him. She also confirms that Phill had brought a packet to her which she had not opened. After Phill death she had sent this packet to one of Phill old associate Sam Bowen in Seattle. She decides to go to Seattle but is kidnapped by the same man in sky mask and takes her to a remote warehouse. He ill treats her, binds her and she knows that she is on verge of getting killed. But Hobart has realised she does not know any thing and releases her from his cavity.
After her release from cavity Emily flies to Seattle and meets Sam Bowen who shows her the missing evidence and tells her that two years back he and Pill were engaged by Ted Forrest to locate his under age missing daughter. He tells them that she had gone astray missing her shool meeting undesirable people and just vanished one day. He shows them her various photographs taken at different times showing her from young age to a matured lady. In all the photos only Allison is visible. Neither her mother, nor her father or known person is there in those pictures. No supporting documents such as her date of birth certificate or passport showing Ted as her father. He tells them that his name should not be linked in this investigation and under no circumstances his identity to be revealed
Phil and start their investigation and reaches a conclusion that these were assorted documents collected at different times Since so much time had passed they were not sure whether it was the same girl or some one else. Their search ultimately leads to a rotten body of a woman found in an under groud drain. The body was full of scars and wounds which the lady had suffered during her life or afterwards. They come to the view that Ted was not her father and seduced her as a young child mistreating her for fulfilling his carneal desires through out her life They collect all the evidence and decide to take the matter to the authorities. But before that Phil gets killed.
In the mean time Ted imprisons his wife Caroline with a view to kill her. He calls Hobart for this purpose. He informs him that it was he who had burnt Phil's house so as to destroy all evidences of his involvement. He also tells Hobart to kill Emily and come to his house for killing his wife and also collect money for both the jobs.
Hobart becomes very disgusted with Ted. Instead of killing Caroline he kills Ted and escapes with entire money releasing Emily from his cavity. He calls it a day and goes back to Las vagas to his girl friend
Phil Kramer was killed by a professional killer Jerry Hobart on the order of a super rich aristocrat Ted Forrest on payment of $ 2lacs. After killing, Hobart escapes to los Vegas. Forrest asks him to do one more job to kill Emily, Phil's wife. Ted also tells him to get a document from her which could be dangerous to him But he does not indicate about the nature of document. Hobart enters Emily house wearing a ski mask and wakes her up at gun point in the middle of night He threatens her to hand over the document/ pictures due to which Phil could have been killed. He tells her to locate it immediately otherwise she will be killed.
Ted Forrest a rich businessman was a preadeater in search of young girls He had married Caroline 22 years younger to him.He starts prowling for new girls and locates a 15 yrs old extremely beautiful girl Allison Straight and exploits her sexually, He gives her lot of gifts showing her as his teenager daughter. Suddenly Allison goes missing. Ted is crestfallen. He takes the services of Phill Kraman agency. After lot of efforts Phil is able to trace Allison and hands her over to Ted for which he was paid huge money. This was 9 years ago.
In the mean time Emily's house and office are burnt. But she does not find any thing in the house or office as required by hooded intruder. Emily had already removed most of her belongings from the house. She continues to look for any clue regarding missing document. She realises that her husband was very secretive and cheating on her. He was having an affair with a young office girl Billy Pragwalaski and suspects if there was any thing missing it would be with Billy. She confronts Billy who confirms that Pill had indeed brought a packet to her house which he had taken later and that she was not aware of its contents. Emily further finds that a young employee 22 yrs. Old Dewey Burn, a black had strong resemblance to Phil and could be his son. She confronts him and ask about his mother. She goes to meet Lee Anne Burns, his mother who confirms that she had known Phill 24 yrs. back and had Dewey from him. She also confirms that Phill had brought a packet to her which she had not opened. After Phill death she had sent this packet to one of Phill old associate Sam Bowen in Seattle. She decides to go to Seattle but is kidnapped by the same man in sky mask and takes her to a remote warehouse. He ill treats her, binds her and she knows that she is on verge of getting killed. But Hobart has realised she does not know any thing and releases her from his cavity.
After her release from cavity Emily flies to Seattle and meets Sam Bowen who shows her the missing evidence and tells her that two years back he and Pill were engaged by Ted Forrest to locate his under age missing daughter. He tells them that she had gone astray missing her shool meeting undesirable people and just vanished one day. He shows them her various photographs taken at different times showing her from young age to a matured lady. In all the photos only Allison is visible. Neither her mother, nor her father or known person is there in those pictures. No supporting documents such as her date of birth certificate or passport showing Ted as her father. He tells them that his name should not be linked in this investigation and under no circumstances his identity to be revealed
Phil and start their investigation and reaches a conclusion that these were assorted documents collected at different times Since so much time had passed they were not sure whether it was the same girl or some one else. Their search ultimately leads to a rotten body of a woman found in an under groud drain. The body was full of scars and wounds which the lady had suffered during her life or afterwards. They come to the view that Ted was not her father and seduced her as a young child mistreating her for fulfilling his carneal desires through out her life They collect all the evidence and decide to take the matter to the authorities. But before that Phil gets killed.
In the mean time Ted imprisons his wife Caroline with a view to kill her. He calls Hobart for this purpose. He informs him that it was he who had burnt Phil's house so as to destroy all evidences of his involvement. He also tells Hobart to kill Emily and come to his house for killing his wife and also collect money for both the jobs.
Hobart becomes very disgusted with Ted. Instead of killing Caroline he kills Ted and escapes with entire money releasing Emily from his cavity. He calls it a day and goes back to Las vagas to his girl friend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
Perry is one of the more reliable writers of crime thrillers; he’s done about thirty now and I’ve read more than half of them. He’s not perfect and some of them are much better than others, but this is (mostly) pretty good.. The set-up is straightforward: Phil Kramer, a somewhat intimidating ex-Marine, has been a successful private detective in Los Angeles for twenty years, now running an agency with a number of other Pis working under him. On about the third page, he’s walking back to his parked car on a residential street late one night, he gets careless, doesn’t pay enough attention to the van parked across the street, and ends up with a bullet in his head. And we’re told almost immediately that the killers are an ex-con named Jerry Hobart and his partner, who drove in from Vegans to do the job, so there’s no mystery about that. The mystery is why Kramer had to die. He wasn’t even working on a case, and hadn’t been for a while.
His widow, Emily, who helped him set up the agency but hasn’t actually worked there in years, discovers that Phil had cleaned out not only the agency’s bank accounts but also their personal joint account, and zeroed his retirement fund. She’s basically broke now -- but why in the world would he do that? Phil was always a devious, secretive person, but still, Emily obviously didn’t know him as well as she thought she did.
So that’s the armature around which Perry has constructed an involving story in which the backgrounds of the main characters play a key part. We learn about Kramer’s apparently shaky attitude toward marital fidelity, and that Hobart, who grew up in the California desert, has been in a slightly strange relationship for twenty years now with Valerie, with whom he grew up. And we follow the efforts of Ray Hall, Kramer’s principal subordinate at the agency, to whom Emily has assigned the task of finding out who killed her husband and where all the money went -- though Emily stays closely involved herself, especially as certain other secrets make their way into the light, and as her relationship with Ray begins tentatively to evolve into something else. And we gradually acquire enough clues to . . . but I won’t get into that. It’s a good way to blow a rainy weekend.
His widow, Emily, who helped him set up the agency but hasn’t actually worked there in years, discovers that Phil had cleaned out not only the agency’s bank accounts but also their personal joint account, and zeroed his retirement fund. She’s basically broke now -- but why in the world would he do that? Phil was always a devious, secretive person, but still, Emily obviously didn’t know him as well as she thought she did.
So that’s the armature around which Perry has constructed an involving story in which the backgrounds of the main characters play a key part. We learn about Kramer’s apparently shaky attitude toward marital fidelity, and that Hobart, who grew up in the California desert, has been in a slightly strange relationship for twenty years now with Valerie, with whom he grew up. And we follow the efforts of Ray Hall, Kramer’s principal subordinate at the agency, to whom Emily has assigned the task of finding out who killed her husband and where all the money went -- though Emily stays closely involved herself, especially as certain other secrets make their way into the light, and as her relationship with Ray begins tentatively to evolve into something else. And we gradually acquire enough clues to . . . but I won’t get into that. It’s a good way to blow a rainy weekend.
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