Forgotten Boy: A Chicago Detective Thriller

by Todd Luchik

A missing girl. A reluctant hero stalked through the streets of Chicago. A country on the brink of war.It’s February 2003 and private detective Glenn Wozniak just wants to ride out the remainder of a cold Chicago winter perched on a bar stool, pairing shots of Irish whiskey with cheap beer. But when a client neglects to pay him for services rendered, Glenn finds himself desperate for work, any work. Enter a wealthy new client offering a lot of money to find his missing daughter.On the eve of the U.S. war in Iraq, Glenn begins an investigation that will take him from the far northern edge of Chicago to an industrial wasteland at its southern border to some of the most dangerous parts of the city’s west side. Along the way, he’ll encounter anti-war protesters, ex-cons, drug dealers, corrupt cops, and a gang member leading a double life, ultimately unearthing deadly secrets that will make him some dangerous enemies.This new mystery and suspense release is the first in a series about Chicago Private Investigator Glenn Wozniak. It is recommended to readers who enjoy gritty, fast-paced thrillers in the tradition of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Ross MacDonald and Robert Parker.For a limited time get a FREE crime fiction starter library, including the latest Glenn Wozniak adventure, direct from the author at toddluchik.comThe Glenn Wozniak private eye fiction series can be found under the following ebook crimeThriller books with a twistChicago detectiveChicago private investigatorMystery and suspense new releasesPrivate eye seriesPulp modernPrivate detective novelsPrivate eye fiction

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Amazon, Ebooks

405 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2015

About the author

Todd Luchik is the author of Forgotten Boy; Friday Night, Saturday Morning; and The Children of the Transmission. Prior to pursuing his lifelong dream of writing crime fiction, he spent more than 15 years working as a writer, editor and digital marketer.

Todd lives in Chicago with a sexy redhead (his wife) and a pretty blonde (his dog). When not writing about private eyes and murderers (or himself in the third-person), he enjoys chatting with other crime fiction fans and writers. You can follow him here or subscribe to his mailing list at toddluchik.com for the latest on upcoming novels and other projects.

Reviews

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth it

Definitely worth reading this book. Grabbed me from the start and I loved the writing style. You just couldn't guess what was coming

[David Huelsmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glenn Wozniak is a former homicide detective that spends more time in a whiskey fugue then he does in his role as a private detective. In the case he is involved in he gets beat up a number of times and unbelievably he is back setting himself up for another beating.he gets sexually involved with the roommate of the missing daughter he is supposed to find. Character development for the main characters was good. Editing was good. That deserved the three stars. I finished the book but would rather not read another.

[Lacey Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Could barely put this book down. Great characters great story line just kept you reading. Recommend to all who love good plots

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Todd Luchik until I downloaded Forgotten Boy as part of a promotional bundle. Luchik's style reminds me of Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, Dashiel Hammett, Ross Macdonald, and the other masters of the crime noir genre.

Forgotten Boy is an action-packed rollercoaster thrill ride that’ll have you glued to the edge of your seat from the first page to the last page. It's a page burner! Luchik has created a cast of flawed characters so lifelike that the temporary suspension of disbelief never became an issue for me. Like all the great crime noir, the lines separating the white hats, and the black hats, are blurred. Once you start reading Forgotten Boy, you won’t be able to put it down, so be prepared to miss a meal or two.

Like all the books by Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, Dashiel Hammett, Ross Macdonald that I have in my library, Forgotten Boy will be read and reread many times as time passes.

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and intriguing suspenseful thriller! Glenn's not your typical hero of a story like this. The fact he survived at all was the best part of reading of the mystery. Glenn must be the luckiest sob I've read in a story like this ever! He has all the qualities of somebody who wants to get killed,but can't get it done smdh! I'm very surprised that the killer had such an intimate and close relationship with the victim. I see how the title of the book correlates with the mystery of the murders.

[Greg D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story about a private detective who is hired by a wealthy man to find his lost daughter, only to have find her murdered. Who murdered her and why? The protaganist Glenn Wozniak has to navigate through the Chicago underbelly of criminals and corrupt cops to find the reason why the girl was murdered and bring the bad players to justice.

This book was well written with great character development and a plot that doesn't slow down. I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicago, the crime city of a reputation. Glenn Wozniak a former police man has his own private investigations business. He's running on empty while he sits at a bar when his last "client" enters and stiffs him on his last work. When he wakes after a night of heavy drinking, the phone rings with a possible client, a rich client. He takes the job of finding the daughter. A convoluted story, well-developed characters, and twists to keep you busy, A good, realistic read.

[Jesse Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eminently readable.

The story unfolds like a documentary covering a series of interconnect crimes, criminals, crooked cops, and a private investigator trying to figure out what happened, who did it, and why, for the sake of a family with a missing child. Never boring. Believable characters. Kept me reading when I should have been sleeping.

[Tony Duxbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start. Glenn Wozniak isn't a sympathetic character. He is a burnt-out former cop turned private detective. He's sad, lonely, lazy and a drunk. He works enough to pay for his drinking. One day he takes on a missing person case. It isn't his normal type of case, but he needs the money. It turns into something he hadn't bargained for. Recommended reading.

[Carla Freel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read

Am amazed it was his 1st book. Well written ,not draggy and always a new turn to figure out. Characters introduced & flowed in and out of storyline in a very agreeable way. Put it down , pick it back up and your right back in the quest of the story. I enjoyed it! 10 out of 10.

[Robert Duval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action thriller

I really liked the noir style that it was written in. Lots of action. Unexpected twists and turns looking forward to this authors next book. Would I recommend it, you bet.
Robert Duval

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first novel. Dialogue was real good. Realistic. Characters well developed. Hero was a little bone headed and stubborn and caused more than his share of physical pain to be well earned so it was a little tough to fully like him.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real enjoyable noir mystery that reminds me of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon. The main character is reminiscent of Sam Spade. It has that feel. Making Chicago the setting is brilliant. Great writing and a lot of fun!

[Michele Roosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

This was a pretty good read. Love the cliche drunken private investigator type. The ending was a little weird.
,

[Kristie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, kept my attention and would read more books from this author

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read.
Thanks to the author for my digital copy.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glenn Wozniak, former policeman and current PI, is hired to find a missing daughter. He finds police corruption and murders, as well as a crazed son of his employer

[Steven Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read action kept on the move,well written
mystery and crime,recommended

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Loved this book a great 1st book to the series
I loved the main character & his point of view of things the way he describes stuff gives you a clear picture Can't wait for more from this author

Sometimes making a living means risking your life.

It’s February 2003 and private detective Glenn Wozniak just wants to ride out the remainder of a cold Chicago winter perched on a bar stool, pairing shots of Irish whiskey with cheap beer. But when a client neglects to pay him for services rendered, Glenn finds himself desperate for work, any work. Enter a wealthy new client offering a lot of money to find his missing daughter.

On the eve of the U.S. war in Iraq, Glenn begins an investigation that will take him from the far northern edge of Chicago to an industrial wasteland at its southern border to some of the most dangerous parts of the city’s west side. Along the way, he’ll encounter anti-war protesters, ex-cons, drug dealers, corrupt cops, and a gang member leading a double life, ultimately unearthing deadly secrets that will make him some dangerous enemies.

[Noel Morado]

I love the story especially the subplot about the illegal drugs trade that proliferate their district. It reminded me of the current situation our country, the Philippines, is in. In the story, police officers are in cahoot with the drug lords, similar to the jail officers of our national penitentiary. That is the plus side of the novel.

However, what I don't like is the "love" story of the main character. That should be in another genre not on mystery/thriller.

[Tammy Penkalski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stated off good but

This book has too many characters who are poorly developed. I finally just skimmed to the end. Usually, I find a character that I like but all of these were despicable.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat interesting concept

A alcoholic that drank to much to accomplish what he was credited of doing in the story. I also know that adults have sexual activities, I just don't think prolonged description adds to the novel.

[Shirley Steiniger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written. Looking forward to another book in this series.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

Not bad--keeps you want to continue reading, even though at times the story is kinda hard to follow. Interesting read.

[Govno Nichevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a pretty good read. Good pace, easy read, some secrets and red herrings, gritty story.