Bob Shapiro, Helluva Guy

A Paul Whatshisname Mystery #2

by Josh Harper

OLD FRIENDS ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS.
OLD FRIENDS ARE YOUR ONLY FRIENDS.

Paul, an ex-actor and part-time dog walker, owes his best friend Bob Shapiro a favor. In fact, he owes Bob Shapiro his life. So, when Bob, a private art dealer, asks Paul to help him track down a priceless statue for a dangerous billionaire, Paul is only too happy to oblige. But when people connected to the sculpture start dying, Paul must figure out who is behind the murders before he becomes the next victim. If only Paul wasn’t so inept at detecting, so inept at heisting, so inept at eating. (Just trust the fork to get to your mouth, Paul!) But, at least, Paul is a loyal friend. And Bob is worthy of such loyalty. Right? Right? Right?

Witty, suspenseful, and packed with unforgettable characters, Bob Shapiro, Helluva Guy is not only a hilarious crime story; it’s also an exploration of friendship and faith.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, Bob Shapiro, Helluva Guy: A Paul Whatshisname Mystery, Book 2, by Josh Harper, is a hilarious and suspenseful continuation of the Paul Whathisname series. Paul’s loyalty to his best friend Bob Shapiro drives the story, leading to a wild chase for the Petite Tete statue and encounters with dangerous hitmen. The story balances witty humor, hare-brained schemes, and heart, keeping readers entertained from start to finish. Fans of quirky, character-driven mysteries will be delighted.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read; I will definitely stay tuned for Paul’s next adventure. I feel like the paragraph of him trying not to poop his pants was ridiculous, and I didn’t expect the words “sphincter” and “taint” to find a way into this book but here we are!

PS : Bob Shapiro suuuccckkksss

[Lalajc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining whodunit; tied up some loose ends from book #1 in the series but still left some unanswered Q’s. Humorous murder mystery but some annoying characters intro’d this time around.

[Katrina Vallett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 was every bit as entertaining as Book 1. It can easily be read as a standalone if you wish, but I enjoyed the first book and am glad I read it.

This novel is a mystery/thriller with a sense of humor. These days I see a lot of cookie cutter books with the same premise. This novel is refreshing in its originality.

Our main character, Paul, is impulsive and once he gets his mind set on a mission, he is going to see it through and ignore every voice of reason. But unlike some stories where you're yelling at the character to stop, here I'm egging him on! I mean, what's the worst that can happen? (You'll need to read the book to find out.)

The author delivers everything promised in the synopsis. I look forward to devouring Paul's next adventure!