There Was a Crooked Man

Cat DeLuca Mysteries #5

by K.J. Larsen

Chicago private eye Cat DeLuca, founder of the Pants on Fire Detective Agency, catches liars and cheats―and, from time to time, killers. Cat's brief marriage to runaround Johnnie Rizzo was a bust. But it gave her the mad skills she needed for her agency. She doesn't investigate for insurance companies and she won't find your long lost Uncle Harry. But if you're in Chicagoland and you suspect your partner is stepping out, give her a call. Cat comes from a long line, and big family, of Chicago cops, stretching back to the day when her greatgrandfather gave Al Capone protection and a truck to move bootleg whiskey. Most DeLuca men are straight-up guys. Some are flexible, like Ferrari-driving Uncle Joey. But Cat's Poppa stands above the rest, a man of integrity who one day took a bullet when on duty and became a hero. So why, after someone kidnaps Captain Bob's dog and claims to have evidence of cop corruption, do Captain Bob and Poppa not only deny the accusation, but order Cat to leave it alone? Long ago when they were partners, the two cops responded to a hit-and-run that claimed the life of one of Bridgeport's most beloved citizens. Daniel Baumgarten, owner and proprietor of Baumgarten's Jewelry was killed in the street outside his shop. The unsolved death was relegated to a dusty cold case file where it was almost forgotten. Until now. Meanwhile Cat's romance with FBI Agent Chance Savino still gives her goose bumps. Her Mama's latest scheme to marry her off involves a romantic cruise, insane amounts of champagne, and a hijacked priest to tie the knot. But saving Poppa and Captain Bob comes first. There Was a Crooked Man is another funfilled, surprising page-turner. It's a story of greed and betrayal. And the utterly astonishing things we do to save the ones we love.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Chick Lit

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2016

About the author

Sisters Kari, Julianne, and Kristen write under the pen name, K.J. Larsen.

Writing a novel together was second nature for the three sisters who created their own Nancy Drew mysteries as kids. “We live very different lives,” Kari says. “What brings us together is a voracious love of mystery, a wicked sense of humor, and the thrill of victory.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kari Larsen lives at the foothills of Mt. Rainier and loves hiking, stand-up comedy, and the Blues. She’s written a column for a local paper as well as numerous plays and children’s stories. She’s a mean baker and a bit like Cat’s crazy Mama. Her canolli will drop you to your knees.

Julianne is the youngest of the six Larsen girls and spoiled as God intended. She teaches classes in organic gardening and is a gifted artist and poet. She lives on a farm with her horses, her beagle, and more four legged children than any person with good sense. Like Cat, she prefers jeans and a sweater but she cleans up nice.

Kristen is a gifted writer, weaver and actress and has appeared in plays off off Broadway. Her eyes are green like Cat’s and she’s a shoe-in for the role in the blockbuster movie to come. She lives in the Chicago area and was recently spotted dancing in Bridgeport with Chance Savino. Kristen’s shitzu, Buster, and Cat DeLuca’s beagle, Inga, are rumored to be dating.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this series! These books, are always laugh out loud funny, but they also have a tender side. The characters are well-written, with the supporting cast being just as good as the protagonists!

Cat DeLuca is a PI who goes after cheaters, especially the type that cheat on their spouses. She considers herself an authority on the matter as she was the "victim" of a serial cheater. This time, she's following more than one cheater, but as we learn here, there is more than one way to cheat, more than one person can be hurt, and the phrase "Oh what a twisted web we weave, when first we practice to deceive," has so much meaning here, it's not even funny.

A great story!

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat DeLuca is a Private Investigator and founder of Pants On Fire Detective Agency. She specializes in catching cheating spouses. Her family refers to her as a "cootchie stalker". Occasionally, she blunders into things she shouldn't .... but since nearly her entire family are all in Chicago law enforcement, she's fairly safe.

In this Cat DeLuca adventure, what starts out as a dog-napping case turns into a possible murder 17 years in the past. And it looks like her father and uncle, street cops at the time, know much more than they're telling. Cat is determined to find out the truth ... .even if it kills her.

Meanwhile, her family, especially her mother, is trying to marry her off to Chance Savino, FBI Agent, and the man who has stolen her heart. She just isn't ready to be married yet. But Mama wants grandchildren and Cat's biological clock is ticking in Mama's ears.

And then there is her sister, Sophie, married to a great guy and has 3 children ... she wants an 'adventure' so hires herself as Cat's assistant.

Book Blurb: There Was a Crooked Man is another fun-filled, surprising page-turner. It’s a story of greed and betrayal. And the utterly astonishing things we do to save the ones we love.

Do yourself a favor .. start from the first book in this series and have a reading marathon. The characters are people you will never forget, and you will find yourself chuckling at some of their antics. The whole family is a hoot!

These books are extremely well written and I hope the author (3 sisters) plans to continue this wonderful series.

Many thanks to the author / Poisoned Pen Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat DeLuca has devoted her career to exposing cheaters, but now someone is accusing her beloved father, a retired cop, and his long-time partner of having cheated--stolen something from a dying hit-and-run victim twenty years ago. Of course, she doesn't believe a word of it, although the two men seem to be hiding something about that long-ago death. With the help of her hunky FBI agent boyfriend, and also his friend, an even hunkier ex-spy, and hindered by her heavily-married sister who has a yen for an adventure, just this once, Cat finds as much trouble as she can handle, and almost gets herself killed. There's also Mama DeLuca, who thinks Cat should get married, not to mention go to confession more often. Part of a series, but readable as a stand-alone.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Cat DeLuca whose investigating another cheat and finds herself knee deep in a dog napping of the Captain of CPD. Whether Captain Bob asked for it or not Cat is going to find Sam I am the Captains beloved pooch where ever the trail may lead. It leads right back to Cat's Dad and Captain Bob. A cold case from years ago and what happened in that cold case. Someone seems to think the Captain has a gold lion medallion and has taking to kidnapping to get the medallion back. Will Cat find Sam or will the kidnapper go further?

I love this series it's one of my all time favorites with the crazy gun toting DeLuca's they are always up for a great time! This one was no different if anything they have gotten crazier as time goes on especially Cat's sister whose now decided she wants in on Cat's P.I business. I'm starting to think Cat is going to regret this decision. I love how Savino is just like Cat in dealing with the reunion cruise and is more than happy to wheel his girl away from the crazy families! Can't wait to see what is next!

[Phyllis Ketchersid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire series! Cat DeLuca is a lovable, smart, funny, sassy, & kick ass private investigator. Now she has to figure out who dognapped Captain Bob's dog & why. This leads her to a cold case that involves a hit & run that left local jeweler Mr. Baumgartner dead. But as she starts her investigation it leads her back to her Poppa & Captain Bob & leaves her with more questions than answers.
Her romance with Agent Chance Savino is heating up too but her mother is scheming to help them hurry their walk to the altar.

This is a very good book with lots of laughs & suspense with an ending that you never see coming!

[Kay Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Take Stefanie Plum, make her a detective with money to throw away and a family of Chicago Police and you're supposed to get a mirthful adventure with a satisfying solution to a most improbable mystery. Written by three sisters who don't write well, the storyis pretty thin, the characters uninteresting and the CPD portrayed as full of cops willing to look the other way, one is even a murderer. It just doesn't work after you've watched that infamous video of a Chicago cop gunning down a 17 year old kid and the Justice Department's scathing report on CPD. Yuck. Not much humor there ladies. Can't believe there are five in this series.

[Robert Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

++Caterina DeLuca (Cat) finds out that someone has kidnapped Captain Bob's dog Sam-I-Am. Even though she has been told to MHOB, she finds that her Poppa Antonio Deluca & Bob are shaking in their boots over a secret that no one can figure out. Of course all the usual suspects are present, like Tino, Max, Chance Savino, switched at birth sister & baby factory Sophia, brother Rocco, cousin Freddy, Uncle Joey and Cat's dog Inga. Oh yeah, Roger & cousin Ginny. Only Cleo is out of town. Murders, insurance scams, automobile accidents, crooked cops, and Mama trying to get CD & CS to commit themselves to marriage.++

[Scooby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up this randomly in the library. Haven't read the first four and probably won't. It took me forever to read it because It didn't keep my interest. Despite the fact that I like a quick, funny mystery novel with lots of random surprises, this one didn't do it for me. I only finished it because it was so short. I read two other books in between this one.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat is up to no good

[Sandra Berryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally love this series. Always interesting, a wonderful set of characters with a heroine who you can't help but love. Hope there are more in this series.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lark.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Ron Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun reading

This was a fun book to read, nutty, and humorous. Would recommend it for a couple of enjoyable evenings of reading

[Mehalis Tzitzikalakis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would not recommend this book.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find.
Contained some unnecessary cuss words.
Interesting.

[Bibliobabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid entry in series, with some interesting twists. Overall OK, with an awesome ending!

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgettable. DPL e book via Freading

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, interesting and engaging.