Open House: Four Murders and a Funeral

Joe Costa #5

by Henry Simpson

Eva Wolfe hires Joe Costa to investigate the drug-related death of her husband Victor. Costa, a lawyer starting a new career as a real estate agent, reluctantly agrees. Possible murder suspects include Victor’s ex-partner and several clients. Costa’s investigation takes him to a Montecito mansion, a Malibu beach house, a wild party in Santa Barbara, a historic 1909 stone house, a music store, and other venues. A prime suspect is murdered, and then another, and then two more die. His investigation confounded, Costa conducts an illegal search that surfaces additional evidence that leads to a violent confrontation and several arrests. Along the way, his life is complicated by an up and down romance, a sinking real estate career, entanglement in a feud between two TV preachers, collecting on a $50,000 debt, and helping a former classmate avoid incarceration.

Genres: Mystery

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2014

About the author

Henry Simpson is the author of several popular murder mysteries featuring mobster lawyer Joe Costa (Death on the Strand, Golden Girl, Joe Costa’s Lonely Hearts, Joey Costa’s Law, Joey Costa’s New Game, Open House, Princess Lily, Some Kind of Genius) and Special Agent Ed Lane (A Splendid Little Murder, Island of Sprits, Finding Elysium) as well as short stories in literary magazines and anthologies. His fiction is character-based and usually has a plot involving greed, revenge, abuse of power, revenge, jealousy, flimflammery in arts or religion, the unsettled nature of reality, or achieving the American dream. He is married, lives in Monterey, California, and has two adult children and five grandchildren. Writers whose fiction he admires include Elmore Leonard, Patricia Highsmith, Truman Capote, Raymond Chandler, George V. Higgins, James Crumley, and James Dickey. His early influences were Boy Scouts, an urban high school, jazz musicians, surfers, street racers, juvenile delinquents, and a probation officer. At age eighteen, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and began college. He studied engineering, did graduate work in English and Psychology, and holds a PhD from UCSB. He spent most of his professional career at small consulting companies as a military research psychologist, and worked independently as a software engineer, security consultant, real estate hack, and free lance writer while writing fiction on the side. He welcomes readers to his Facebook page or contact him at woodcrest400@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Andreas Michaelides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open House: Four Murders and a Funeral (Joe Costa Book 5) by Henry Simpson is an amazing story that doesn’t have a dull moment. Joe is trying to make a career out of real estate, but it seems his past always manages to caught up with him.

Eva, a beautiful and dynamic woman, hires Joe to find out more about her husband death. Joe’s initial thought was to deny, but the good looks of Eva and the fact that the money was good made him reluctantly to accept the case.

His investigation brings him into a variety of troubles both personal and case related. Joe does what knows best, and that is always making sure he is not going to get arrested or blamed for anything.

In the process in all these, he manages to situate himself between two priests who have a vendetta goingon, one that Joy intends to profit from.

He tries to help a friend of his not to end up in jail and risking his own life in the process. The novel is fast-paced, with lots of action scenes that make you hold your breath.

It is a story that creates curiosity and the desire to keep reading until the end. The writing is great, the violence is graphic and has a cinematographic touch which I really enjoyed.

There is some sexual content, and the sex scenes are tasteful and not vulgar at all. The dialogs are constructed in such a way that is like watching a movie.

This book is perfect if you are traveling it will definitely make your journey more meaningful and exciting.

Highly recommended

[Joyce Lavene · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a prequel to the other Joe Costa novels, Joe is at the beginning of his real estate career. It’s not going well for him and a woman, Eva Wolfe, hires him to investigate the death of her husband which may or may not have been drug related. Joe agrees with his eyes still on the prize of his real estate career. He manages to get into a lot of trouble, as he does in his later books (perhaps the start of that path?) possibly because the world isn’t what it seems from a lawyer’s point of view. I like Joe Costa. He manages to get in the worst situations but he takes it in stride. If only he could use some of that clever logic on his choice of women in his life! His stories are entertaining and have a certain behind-the-scenes truth that makes them seem real. Another good story!

[Gregg Hutchings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t like misteaks from a “professional” writer.

Yes, I purposely spelled “mistakes” wrong.
From someone who has written many books, simple errors in grammar, syntax, and timelines are unacceptable.

[Beverly Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Alot of characters to keep up with. Plot developed nicely

Many subplots. Romance for Joe is not a big deal it seems .He's a smart fellow with a good heart .

[Jan Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Costa returns in another engaging saga. Henry Simpson’s crisp dialogue is reminiscent of the best of film noir, only Joe has a lot more fun. From pricey real estate, drugs, stolen art, and vintage cars, Joe takes it all in stride, wise-cracking his way through the whole tangled mess when a client’s husband is murdered, and she wants him to investigate.

Joe is a former mob criminal defense attorney-turned-real estate agent who’s just trying to lay low and have a nice life, until trouble comes a-knockin’, which it always does in Joe’s world. This modern day Hollywood-style noir is a real page-turner, and makes me feel like I’m soaking up the sunshine in Montecito and Santa Barbara, though things--and people--are seldom what they seem. The gritty side emerges as Joe gets closer to the truth.

What I like about this author, Henry Simpson, is how he draws Joe, a sympathetic character who’s often generous to a fault with friends, and whose keen powers of observation always adds a Sherlockian twist to the story.

Thoroughly enjoyable! Looking forward to the next book in the Joe Costa series.

[L.A. Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Joe Costa series. I, however, have not yet read the first four. This was my introduction to Mr. Costa, a most interesting and well-developed character. A former attorney and a current real estate agent, Joe’s greatest talent may be his laid-back approach and thorough understanding of situations and personalities - of others and his own. Unfortunately for Joe, he finds himself surrounded by friends and new acquaintances who aren’t what they seem. Fortunately for Joe, he is able to sort things out and live to be included (hopefully) in the sixth book in this series where I also hope to see more of his very independent yet more-than-a-friend Rita Collini.

I am happy to award this book five stars:
1. Interesting, engaging characters with relatable chemistry
2. Plenty of entertaining dialogue
3. A believable plot with an appropriate number of surprises
4. The right length – a pleasant eight hour read
5. A book I enjoyed and was sorry to see end

[Dermot Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced tail that zings along complete with twisting plot, shady characters and killer dialogue. This is my second book to read in this series and I'm really getting to know and like the no-nonsense, shoot-from-the-hip, wise-talking Joe Costa. Love the assortment of characters, as ethically challenged as they are and loved, loved, loved the best-written femme fatale that I've seen in an age. 'Tis a pity film noir is not in style as this book and maybe the whole series would make terrific movies.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

I love Joe Costa. He's cool,smart, unassuming and makes a good friend. Nice to read stories
about guys who know what they want and know,who they are. Joe hangs in there and tries as to figure out the problem and make smart decisions. He's one of the good guys. The author does a good job in setting up the plot lines and puts you there, but he always has that one little plot that's just a little off center and it's usually quite funny. This book has the two t.v. evangelists Great job and as always enjoyable.

[Jennifer Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Henry Simpson has written a compelling story about Joe Costa, an attorney turned real estate agent. Joe is a likable character. I enjoy his wit and charm and the way he interacts with the cast of interesting characters in this book. The dialogue is realistic, I never feel like the conversations are forced. I won't say much about the plot or mystery because I don't want to give away the conclusion. You'll have to read it for yourself!

[Kenneth Eade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Joe Costa, who got involved in a real estate deal that led him into a terrible mess of murder, drug deals, stolen art and gangs. I had no trouble picking up book 5 and getting to know Joe. Being a former Santa Barbara resident it was great to visualize all the places. Joe wears many hats in this story but the most interesting one is as detective. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good who dunnit.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising, well paced mystery. I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series but I had no problem keeping up. The style reminds me of a good Nelson DeMille book. Featuring an eclectic cast of characters Joe Costa, former Mob lawyer turned realtor, is faced with smugglers, artists, ministers and biker gang members in a truly satisfying story.

[C.F. Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a prequel to the other Joe Costa novels and a well written addition to the line. They are all well written and possess tight storylines. This offering is no different. I would recomend this book to anyone.