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Dev Haskell Mystery #17
The Office
There's a problem in the neighborhood. P.I. Dev Haskell volunteers to go undercover, recording drug buys, license plate numbers and cash pickups from evening to the early morning hours all while hiding in "The Office".
Dev's personal life may be headed toward a rocky shore. Gorgeous Sophie has all she can handle trying to train Dev, along with his golden retriever Morton, unaware Morton may have already overstepped his bounds. All is not as it seems.
Dev ends up caught between Crime lord Tubby Gustafson and gangster Dennis Dwyer and in the end he has a day of reckoning thrust upon him thanks to stripper/escort/ner do well, Swindle Lawless. It's classic Dev.
Dev's personal life may be headed toward a rocky shore. Gorgeous Sophie has all she can handle trying to train Dev, along with his golden retriever Morton, unaware Morton may have already overstepped his bounds. All is not as it seems.
Dev ends up caught between Crime lord Tubby Gustafson and gangster Dennis Dwyer and in the end he has a day of reckoning thrust upon him thanks to stripper/escort/ner do well, Swindle Lawless. It's classic Dev.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2017
512 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Mike Faricy
131 books239 followersI was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I still live there as well as in Dublin, Ireland. I've been a soldier, freelance journalist, tended bar, sold designer cakes, owned a painting and decorating company along with a number of other schemes and scams. If that doesn't offend you I also play bagpipes with the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. All my books stand alone, read them in whatever order you wish. They are filled with the sort of oddballs we are all curious about, but wisely, prefer to keep at a distance. None of my characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to take over the government. Rather, they inhabit a world just below the surface of polite society, characters with one foot on either side of the law. The circumstances they find themselves in are usually due to bad decisions, but bad decisions lead to interesting stories. They serve not so much as an example but as a warning to us all. Thanks for taking the time, happy reading.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 12, 2017
Entertaining, but...
Silly honours writing. This was the first book I read in this series, do like Dev Haskell character, because he is caring pet owner. But his choice of female friendship is questionable. Drugs in neighborhood, police departments with budget cuts. 3.5 stars, because it was a easy read for this sick with flu reader.
Silly honours writing. This was the first book I read in this series, do like Dev Haskell character, because he is caring pet owner. But his choice of female friendship is questionable. Drugs in neighborhood, police departments with budget cuts. 3.5 stars, because it was a easy read for this sick with flu reader.
March 14, 2024
Another hilariously zany mystery with the most bumbling PI ever. I wish he didn’t wimp out with Tubby and his boys. But the office is pictured on the front of the book…and most people could say one does paperwork in that office. So yeah, funny. Morton is up to his usual shenanigans and Dev picks the most uptight women to date. Seriously that woman needed to take a clearer look at her damn life.
May 20, 2018
The Office, Dev Haskell Mysteries, book #17
by Mike Faricy
Dev is up to his usual shenanigans in this episode. He is romancing a woman clearly out of his league and enjoying the casual approach to relationships that she has. She lives in an upscale neighborhood, has upscale tastes, and upscale friends, such as her BFF, B.B. Dev is enjoying the lifestyle. He met her when he took Morton to an obedience class she teaches (Morton failed, by the way), and she thinks Dev is a bad influence on Morton.
Everything seems to be going fine until Dev gets an invitation-you-can't-refuse to meet with Tubby Gustafson. Tubby tells Dev that a woman named Daisy is making trouble for a local drug dealer, Ozzie Frick, by sitting on her porch and using a megaphone to yell at his customers. Tubby wants Dev to get her to stop, and he makes it clear that Dev will do so, or else. Dev goes to talk to her, and when she indicates she will not stop harassing the drug buyers, Dev decides to go to the police with the information he has, in hopes of getting her some protection. Instead, he ends up the link in a police investigation -- he's not getting paid, and his gig is to sit in porta pottie (Faricy's spelling, not mine), a/k/a "the office," from midnight to 8 a.m. every night, filming the comings and goings at the drug dealers home.
Dev's love interest, Sophie, decides that since Dev will be tied up all night for several days, it would be good for Morton to come and stay with her and her own dog, Lilly (by the way, Mr. Faricy needs to make up his mind on the dog's name spelling. It's twice shown as Lily, and the rest of the time it's Lilly.) so that she can teach him some basic commands and dog manners. So, Morton goes to stay with the nice lady and her dog and Dev goes to sit in a porta pottie every night.
By disobeying the orders of the police, Dev finds out a lot about Ozzie Frick, including that he isn't working for Tubby Gustafson, as Dev believed Tubby had implied, but for a rival of Tubby's, Dennis Dwyer. He also discovers that this drug spot isn't the only one of Dwyer's, but that there is a network of 7 other houses from which Dwyer's men collect cash and distribute product. Things finally come to a head when the police set up their raid on the Frick house and the rest of the Dwyer network.
Will Dev survive? Will Morton learn any doggy manners? Will the police get their man? Will Tubby be happy? How many people will be in harm's way before this adventure comes to an end?
Faricy's writing is always well plotted and paced, full of humor and danger, and characters that are perfectly relatable. Editing and proofing are pretty good, although the proofing missed the spelling of Lily snafu, and there also were a couple of places where a sentence began with quote marks, but it wasn't dialogue. If I had a problem with this one, it was that I figured out the connection that put Dev, Sofie, Lilly, and Morton in danger almost immediately. But, I certainly didn't figure out how the conclusion would play out, so it all balanced out.
Fun and quick read.
by Mike Faricy
Dev is up to his usual shenanigans in this episode. He is romancing a woman clearly out of his league and enjoying the casual approach to relationships that she has. She lives in an upscale neighborhood, has upscale tastes, and upscale friends, such as her BFF, B.B. Dev is enjoying the lifestyle. He met her when he took Morton to an obedience class she teaches (Morton failed, by the way), and she thinks Dev is a bad influence on Morton.
Everything seems to be going fine until Dev gets an invitation-you-can't-refuse to meet with Tubby Gustafson. Tubby tells Dev that a woman named Daisy is making trouble for a local drug dealer, Ozzie Frick, by sitting on her porch and using a megaphone to yell at his customers. Tubby wants Dev to get her to stop, and he makes it clear that Dev will do so, or else. Dev goes to talk to her, and when she indicates she will not stop harassing the drug buyers, Dev decides to go to the police with the information he has, in hopes of getting her some protection. Instead, he ends up the link in a police investigation -- he's not getting paid, and his gig is to sit in porta pottie (Faricy's spelling, not mine), a/k/a "the office," from midnight to 8 a.m. every night, filming the comings and goings at the drug dealers home.
Dev's love interest, Sophie, decides that since Dev will be tied up all night for several days, it would be good for Morton to come and stay with her and her own dog, Lilly (by the way, Mr. Faricy needs to make up his mind on the dog's name spelling. It's twice shown as Lily, and the rest of the time it's Lilly.) so that she can teach him some basic commands and dog manners. So, Morton goes to stay with the nice lady and her dog and Dev goes to sit in a porta pottie every night.
By disobeying the orders of the police, Dev finds out a lot about Ozzie Frick, including that he isn't working for Tubby Gustafson, as Dev believed Tubby had implied, but for a rival of Tubby's, Dennis Dwyer. He also discovers that this drug spot isn't the only one of Dwyer's, but that there is a network of 7 other houses from which Dwyer's men collect cash and distribute product. Things finally come to a head when the police set up their raid on the Frick house and the rest of the Dwyer network.
Will Dev survive? Will Morton learn any doggy manners? Will the police get their man? Will Tubby be happy? How many people will be in harm's way before this adventure comes to an end?
Faricy's writing is always well plotted and paced, full of humor and danger, and characters that are perfectly relatable. Editing and proofing are pretty good, although the proofing missed the spelling of Lily snafu, and there also were a couple of places where a sentence began with quote marks, but it wasn't dialogue. If I had a problem with this one, it was that I figured out the connection that put Dev, Sofie, Lilly, and Morton in danger almost immediately. But, I certainly didn't figure out how the conclusion would play out, so it all balanced out.
Fun and quick read.
December 21, 2017
Dev Haskell, P.I. is back in another crazy misadventure. His un-chosen "friend" Tubby Gustafson wants him to help out a "friend." Tubby doesn't give you the option of turning him down. When the friend shows up he tells Dev he has a crazy lady neighbor who sits on her porch and yells at him with a bullhorn, while he tries to conduct his business at his house at the end of the cul de sac. Dev knows the business is not legal, so he goes to talk to the woman and try and warn her that these are dangerous people. He ten turns to his life-long friend. Aaron, who is with the police. They set up an undercover operation when they realize the person in charge of the "business" is a big shot, not Tubby, who they have not been able to get anything on. Dev and two cops go undercover, unpaid, to get as much info as possible to bring down this bad guy. Meanwhile, back on the home front, Dev has a current gal pal, a dog trainer, who decides to keep Morton for Dev while he is doing all his late night work. In the end it all comes full circle and although I figured out a little of the mysteries, I didn't see some of them coming. Can't reveal anymore without giving away surprises. Glad Dev is still able to bring me surprises.
June 16, 2019
Enjoyable story
Dev is a private investigator who is strong-armed by thugs to shut a 60-year old woman up. She stays up all night in her home with her dog Axle, shouting through a bullhorn, the makes of cars, registration numbers, colours, and other details, of people visiting drug dealers in the previously quiet cul-de-sac she lives in. He nervously approaches because Axle seems vicious. After talking to her, she ceases her activities but he alerts the Police to what is going on. Low on budget, they set up a couple of construction guys during the day. A port-a-potty forms Dev's "office" all night. Equipped with surveilance cameras, he voluntarily records the details of the very busy drug operation and its clients. He follows the sellars and discovers seven similar outlets. He also locates their head office four blocks from his home. His badly-behaved retreiver spends time at his dog-trainer girlfriend's place since he is working. She teaches Morton some discipline while she cares for him. He impregnates her champion dog. Both dogs are shot by criminals. Dev is remarkably capable in an emergency, disempowering the mastermind by shooting him in the kneecap. I found the light-hearted story fun, entertaining and unique. Would recommended this author.
Dev is a private investigator who is strong-armed by thugs to shut a 60-year old woman up. She stays up all night in her home with her dog Axle, shouting through a bullhorn, the makes of cars, registration numbers, colours, and other details, of people visiting drug dealers in the previously quiet cul-de-sac she lives in. He nervously approaches because Axle seems vicious. After talking to her, she ceases her activities but he alerts the Police to what is going on. Low on budget, they set up a couple of construction guys during the day. A port-a-potty forms Dev's "office" all night. Equipped with surveilance cameras, he voluntarily records the details of the very busy drug operation and its clients. He follows the sellars and discovers seven similar outlets. He also locates their head office four blocks from his home. His badly-behaved retreiver spends time at his dog-trainer girlfriend's place since he is working. She teaches Morton some discipline while she cares for him. He impregnates her champion dog. Both dogs are shot by criminals. Dev is remarkably capable in an emergency, disempowering the mastermind by shooting him in the kneecap. I found the light-hearted story fun, entertaining and unique. Would recommended this author.
December 22, 2021
St. Paul's top man in the underworld, Tubby Gustafson 'persuades' Dev Haskell to take a case from a certain individual that will call on him the next day. What's a man to do after being strong armed? He takes the case but handles it in the opposite of what you might expect.
Meanwhile, in a total reversal of the norm, the St. Paul PD brings Dev on as a consultant that results in a hilarious comedy of errors. Lieutenant Aaron LaZelle, Dev's long-time friend, and Lieutenant Manning, his long-time nemesis, play the time-honored tune of the police department in need of more men and more money with the latter not in sight.
As I've read this series, I have noticed that the cover reflects a main point in the story. Be sure to note the cover art on this one!
To fully appreciate the lovable character that is Devlin Haskell, you really need to start at the beginning. I do recommend that you read RUSSIAN ROULETTE and binge your way through the series. You get to meet the new characters, some of whom become regulars, marvel at Dev's automotive horrors, and generally see the depth, or lack thereof, of our hero, Dev.
Meanwhile, in a total reversal of the norm, the St. Paul PD brings Dev on as a consultant that results in a hilarious comedy of errors. Lieutenant Aaron LaZelle, Dev's long-time friend, and Lieutenant Manning, his long-time nemesis, play the time-honored tune of the police department in need of more men and more money with the latter not in sight.
As I've read this series, I have noticed that the cover reflects a main point in the story. Be sure to note the cover art on this one!
To fully appreciate the lovable character that is Devlin Haskell, you really need to start at the beginning. I do recommend that you read RUSSIAN ROULETTE and binge your way through the series. You get to meet the new characters, some of whom become regulars, marvel at Dev's automotive horrors, and generally see the depth, or lack thereof, of our hero, Dev.
December 10, 2017
This one starts out a little slow and if you look at the cover, you might see why. How much action can there be in a porta-pottie? I am going to go ahead and assume that any poor soul that is reading this has read several Dev Haskell books. Who would start with #17, right? First thing you notice is that Dev is volunteering (as in not paid) his time to the police. The second thing you notice is that the police would let him. The third thing is that Dev is smarter than anything the police has to offer. Also Tubby isn't as intimidating as he has been in the past. And Morton has a big role in this tale (pun intended) so mutt lovers will rejoice. Wow, who could resist? Being a Dev Haskell reader, you don't care what the plot is, only that there is one. The biggest surprise comes after the book is concluded. Enjoy!
February 1, 2025
This is the 17th book in the Dev Haskell private investigator mystery series by Mike Faricy. Dev Haskell is a private investigator who gets himself into peculiar situations. Dev volunteers to go undercover to tackle an issue in his neighborhood. Dev hides a port-o-potty which he calls “The Office” to record details of a busy drug operation from late evening until early morning hours. As Dev gathers evidence, he attracts the attention of drug lord Tubby Gustafson and gangster Dennis Dwyer’s criminal activities. Sophie, Dev’s girlfriend complicates things by trying to help Dev become more organized and responsible. Sophia is also trying to train their dog to become more obedient. A stripper/escort called Swindle Lawless forces Dev to putting his mind to the test and dealing with new challenges. I really enjoyed this lighthearted and humorous cozy mystery novel.
December 30, 2017
Dev is "requested" by crime czar Tubby to help an older lady in her quest to quiet traffic noise in her neighborhood. When he finds out this traffic may be drug related, he volunteers to help the police since their budget is being reduced. They put him in an "office" on that street to observe and record action. In addition, Dev's current girlfriend is an avid dog lover, and she decides to take in his dog Morton to properly train him. As you might expect, this does not work out well for anyone.
I've read most of the Dev Haskell adventures and have enjoyed them. This one is not as funny, and after seventeen stories there seems to me to be a lot of familiarity in this one. Maybe Dev is maturing at last.
I've read most of the Dev Haskell adventures and have enjoyed them. This one is not as funny, and after seventeen stories there seems to me to be a lot of familiarity in this one. Maybe Dev is maturing at last.
June 3, 2018
When local gangster Tubby Gustafson asks you to do him a favor you don't say no. Tubby asks Dev to check on an older lady who has been complaining about drug dealers operating in her neighborhood. Dev goes to the police with the problem but they are short staffed and can't spare the manpower to stake out the drug dealer. Dev volunteers to help and the police set him up with an office with a video camera and monitor to record the drug deals. What they fail to tell him is that the office is a porta-potty. So Dev finds himself spending his nights in a porta-potty staking out drug dealers rather than with his current girlfriend, who happens to be a dog trainer. She agrees to watch Dev's dog, Morton, and maybe teach him some manners. What could go wrong? It's Dev Haskell so nearly everything!
December 8, 2024
How does Dev live with himself ? :) Another fun romp as Dev volunteers to help the police and is under pressure from Tubby who has ulterior motives knowing what Dev will do to help the old lady, who is also not what she seems. Poor Morton is dragged into it along with his and Dev's girl of the moment who eventually sees sense. Happy ending for Morton and Dev actually comes out of it with a bag of cash so result.
April 16, 2024
Another Dev Haskell adventure that will have you laughing out loud. Tubby Gustafson and Fat Freddy are great characters that will have you rolling in the aisles. These guys are that funny. And no matter
what Dev does it's never enough. These are some of my favorite characters and they will soon be yours too. Guaranteed. Highly Recommended.
what Dev does it's never enough. These are some of my favorite characters and they will soon be yours too. Guaranteed. Highly Recommended.
November 11, 2025
Dev always seems to find a way to be immersed in crazy situations. This story is no exception. His stakeout is conducted in an unusual place. The twists and turns are humorous except for a couple of parts that were more serious but turned out okay. I enjoy this series and love that each book can be read as a standalone.
April 2, 2018
Once again Dev has gotten a job he didn’t want, again without pay. To get rid of drug dealing and Ozzie, he would help the neighbor woman. Sitting in his office on a fake construction site. Another good mystery that will intrigue readers of what will be the outcome for Dev.
December 14, 2018
Another good one
Dev Haskell steps in it again. Mike Faricy's hapless private eye stops for a drink and gets involved with yet another underworld character - but this time the cops are on his side.
Dev Haskell steps in it again. Mike Faricy's hapless private eye stops for a drink and gets involved with yet another underworld character - but this time the cops are on his side.
June 17, 2019
Standard Dev
Ya gotta read this one. Yes, Dev dances around in a world that I like not living in. Yes, he manages to successfully survive the trip. And, his “warm and fuzzy” relationship with local law enforcement wraps up another great adventure.
Ya gotta read this one. Yes, Dev dances around in a world that I like not living in. Yes, he manages to successfully survive the trip. And, his “warm and fuzzy” relationship with local law enforcement wraps up another great adventure.
July 9, 2019
Great story of a bubbling detective who ends up doing turbulence from a outhouse! He trys to help out a little old lady who sits on her porch with her dog and a bullhorn trying to drive out the drug dealers on her block. It is funny as he stumbles along and gets to help.
January 2, 2025
Dev has the worst luck with woman, he always manages to screw it up, somehow, Lol. I like how hw showed all the cops he was smarter than they thought he was and saved their ass. How did I know he was going to end up keeping the duffle bag of money. Good for him. Let's see what he gets into next.
January 4, 2025
A good book!
He needs to find someone to compete him! He gets himself in so many scrapes. In every book it seems like he’s with women that don’t believe him or don’t want to be around him.
He needs to find someone to compete him! He gets himself in so many scrapes. In every book it seems like he’s with women that don’t believe him or don’t want to be around him.
May 12, 2018
Dev Haskell does it again.
Once more Dev closes his case even after all the wrong things that happen to him. Unfortunately he's not so lucky in the romance department!
Once more Dev closes his case even after all the wrong things that happen to him. Unfortunately he's not so lucky in the romance department!
May 28, 2018
A good, albeit somewhat plodding, book. At least it partially answers the question: where does Dev get his never decreasing amount of money...!!
November 29, 2018
The Office
Another highly entertaining Dev Haskell adventure. Glad Haskell got a few licks in for himself in this one. Great story. Always a good mystery and a lot of laughs.
Another highly entertaining Dev Haskell adventure. Glad Haskell got a few licks in for himself in this one. Great story. Always a good mystery and a lot of laughs.
March 29, 2019
Dev Haskell
Story about a PI name Dev, who gets involve with drug dealers. So many things that could go wrong, does, not only in his business but also in his love life.
Story about a PI name Dev, who gets involve with drug dealers. So many things that could go wrong, does, not only in his business but also in his love life.
June 23, 2019
Another excellent Dev Haskell yarn from one of my favorite authors.
November 17, 2021
Great fun! Couldn't be a more down to earth guy with all the male attributes of the rascally character everyone loves 🤣
November 19, 2025
I loved this book. Dev's new office made me laugh. Read on to find out what it is.
July 8, 2018
These aren't the best mystery/PI books out there, but in some strange way they are satisfying, even with a flawed character as Dev Haskell. I like the pace of the stories, after a while I started to like Dev, and the plots were colorful and kept me going back for more (like Trinity Chocolate ice cream...). Fun reads, great for when I'm not really sure what I'd like to read next.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews