Two Songs This Archangel Sings

Mongo #5

by George C. Chesbro

A detective’s search for a missing friend “careens ahead with the speed and promise of danger of the Indy 500” (The Washington Post Book World).   With a genius IQ, a past career as a circus acrobat, and a black belt in karate, criminology professor Dr. Robert Frederickson—better known as “Mongo the Magnificent”—has a decidedly unusual background for a private investigator. He also just so happens to be a dwarf.   Mongo’s friend and sensei, Veil Kendry, is pretty magnificent himself. A devoted martial arts instructor and extremely successful abstract artist, Veil single-handedly transformed his shady neighborhood in New York City’s Lower East Side into a safe haven from crime and corruption. But when Mongo enters Veil’s abandoned apartment and finds a bullet hole, a cryptic oil painting, and an envelope addressed to him containing $10,000, he starts to worry that Veil’s reputation as a vigilante has gotten him into the worst sort of trouble.   Determined to find his friend, Mongo attempts to rule out any enemies from Veil’s past—details of which Veil has never shared with him. But as he uncovers the shocking truth of Veil’s time in the Vietnam War—participating in dangerous CIA missions under the call sign “Archangel”—Mongo soon finds enemies aplenty, ones that will do anything to make sure the past remains a secret . . .   In addition to creating “the most engaging detective in decades,” author George C. Chesbro introduces the character of Veil Kendry, who would go on to have his own series (Library Journal).   Two Songs This Archangel Sings is the 5th book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.  

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Adventure

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

George C. Chesbro was an American author of detective fiction. His most notable works feature Dr. Robert "Mongo the Magnificent" Fredrickson, a private detective with dwarfism. He also wrote the novelization of The Golden Child, a movie of the same name starring Eddie Murphy.

Chesbro was born in Washington, D.C. He worked as a special education teacher at Pearl River and later at rockland Psychiatric Center, where he worked with trouble teens. Chebro was married and had one daughter and two step-daughters.

Reviews

[Jim Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, but it was a stretch

[Steven Schreier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps there was a need for this kind of testosterone driven storytelling at the time but it hasn’t aged well….which is too bad because the introduction of Hmong culture was kind of wasted and the interplay between Mongo and his brother just never felt right…almost stiff compared to the previous novel ‘The Beasts of Valhalla’.

[Moira L. Mefein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, intriguing mystery/science fiction/social commentary/one cranking good story! No point in trying to pin this book (or the others in the Money books) into a single category. Just do yourself a favor and read them.

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Mongo story. What starts as a missing person case quickly turns into multiple murders. It all hinges on secrets from the Vietnam War. That in turn becomes a political dog and pony show.

[Hani Fitriani · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is like the best of Mongo series...

[Violette Malan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourites in the Mongo series, and possibly the firs tone I ever read - it's hard to be sure, since it was so long ago. For me, this was the introduction to the character of Veil Kendry, who has his own series, though a much smaller one than Mongo's. Revisiting this and being reminded of all the tragedy and horror of the Vietnam conflict from such a distance of years was a very interesting experience. For my take on the Mongo series as a whole, see my post at Black Gate Magazine, https://www.blackgate.com/2016/06/17/...

[Genevieve Paquette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta just give a three to this one. It was achingly macho and I'm never a big fan of political/military intrigue stories. The writing is as solid as ever, though. I loved the art aspect of the story and wish it played a bigger part- as it was, it felt like a quick addition included solely to help advance the plot/make stuff make sense, if you know what I mean?
A note to say that I read this out of order, so the subplot with Garth's health/effects of a previous case went over my head. I think this may be better enjoyed if read in order.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marked deviation from all of the previous entries in the Mongo series. Grounded in reality - without even a hint of the previously prominent fantastical or supernatural elements that have marked the series - Two Songs is more of a thriller ala The Day of the Jackal or Six Days of the Condor. The final forty pages though - be glad that we live in a world where the next volume is only a bookshelf away. Waiting for the next installment is not an option.

[JR Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifth of the Mongo mysteries. This book continues a story arc from the previous book, and adds it to an excellent story about covert operations in Viet Nam, and a soldier still affected by it. Five stars. It was tense, ingenious, and action packed, with a good, non predictable ending. I loved the book.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read one (two?) other Mongo books and they were mysteries with dead bodies too, but this one is more spy/thriller and has more violence of a more grisly variety than I remember from the previous books, which is treated very casually. I will read at least one more, but if they continue in this vein, I'll probably give up the series.

[Lapetitesteph]

Très bien.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fairly straight spy like Mongo. nothing really supernatural, just a shoot-em up, government conspiracy type offering. With the trademark humor and pacing

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story, with interesting characters in a nutty, nutty, nutty situation. Chesboro takes the basic concept of writing mysteries into a whole new ballpark.