Cold Case

Dev Haskell Mystery #24

by Mike Faricy

There’s a serial killer in the city and the police are stymied. Women’s bodies, dressed in white slips and wedding veils, are being left in city parks. The police are desperate to find the killer before he strikes again. They need someone who thinks outside the lines. Someone with a fresh set of eyes. Who better than the city’s laziest private investigator, Dev Haskell?

As Dev meets with family, friends, and workmates of the victims one thing becomes clear—No one has a clue!

Someone, somewhere, has to know something! Don't they?

Meanwhile, Dev’s life on the romance circuit seems about to change… and not for the better! It appears Taffy’s friend, Allison, thinks Taffy should raise her standards.

Right now, about the only sure thing in Dev’s life is Morton, his Golden Retriever.

Genres: Mystery

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2020

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series, RUSSIAN ROULETTE, introduces us to Devlin Haskell, PI. He starts out a rather dissolute character with enough charm to keep you wanting to know more about him. Here we are, 24 novels in, and the changes are obvious. The slapstick comedy aspect is toned down, Dev is drinking far less, but the women are still there… just not as many of them. There are running gags throughout and characters we get to know that don't appear in every book.

Since the books are all from Dev's point of view, we never get a description of the man. Yes, we know what he likes to wear and, from subtle references, that he is a veteran. Other than that, we are privy to his thoughts and actions. I like to think of him as part Rockford, part Colombo, and part Bosch.

COLD CASE is a serious mystery into which Del dives headfirst after being given a book by an ailing, retired detective. Dev tells Ben Jackson that he's not much of a reader and goes home and reads the book, titled ONE AFTER MIDNIGHT, in one sitting. Jackson gifts him two more books that are read with the same enthusiasm. After devouring the first three books in this 'after midnight' series, Dev purchases the remaining three and has them sent to his Kindle. (FYI: Kindle is my choice as well.) Dev finds himself putting 'fresh eyes' on cold cases that point to a serial killer. He does this with the blessing of the St. Paul PD, and his long-time pal Lt. Aaron LaZelle.

I find that the last few books in the series have taken a turn for the more serious without eschewing the road traveled to get here. But, none of them forgo the essence of what makes them an enjoyable, page-turning read. COLD CASE will make you laugh, pull at your heartstrings, and keep you guessing till the end.

[Karen Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best book in this series so far. I really enjoyed it.

[Michael C. Cordell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series

Despite the myriad typos and other errors, this was the best of the series thus far. Mike still needs an editor, though. :-)

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author's picture never ages from novel to novel. If you ever get the hankering to start writing novels, this is a great way to start; Dev&Louie having drinks at The Spot. One of the patrons at the bar, is Ben, a retired homicide detective and a friend of Dev's. Turns out Ben is in town for chemo treatments at the Mayo Clinic. He tells them about some cold cases, 6 of them, going back as far as 2006. The police suspect the same perp and he was never caught. Coincidentally, or not, there is a writer getting rich selling novels based on these murders, eerily close to the when they actually happened. Dev is actually being encouraged by homicide detective LaZelle to help solve these cases. To complicate Dev's day/week, his girlfriend Taffy has taken a liking to a totally obnoxious woman named Allison. Dev starts his investigation doing what the police have already done, talking to all the friends and relatives. He also finds the same connections they already have. You know Dev. He doesn't admit defeat. This is quite possible the best Dev Haskell to date. I really enjoyed reading this one.

[Michele Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dev, a P.I. and Louie, an Attorney share an office a bynd both hang out at The Spot, a bar across the street from their office. Ben, a retired police detective now living in Florida stops into the bar while he is in town. He gives Dev a book and askes him to read it. After reading it and the next two books given to him by Ben, Ben asks him to look into the cold cases these books represent. There have been six murders over a course of twenty years with no leads and no suspects. Dev agrees to try to find some evidence that will hopefully lead to the arrest of the killer. After talking to a large number of people who knew the victims, he finally gets a slim lead. Does he finally get the killer or will it remain a "Cold Case"?

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER ENTERTAINING, OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY DEV HASKELL NOVEL. THROW IN MORTON
AND LOUIE AND YOU'RE READING ONE OF THE BEST P.I. SERIES EVER WRITTEN. MR. FARICY NEVER DISAPPOINTS. HE INCORPORATES MURDER AND FUNNY DIALOGUE THAT ALL BLENDS
RIGHT IN. HE IS A MASTER AT HIS CRAFT.
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Michele Roosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adios Taffy

Good I'm glad we will finally be done with that Taffy. By the way, where's Heidi? Not so much of a mention of her in the last few stories?!?!
Anyway....This is my favorite Dev Haskell mystery.....till the next one!!!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Dev is playing third wheel with Taffy. An old friend and former policeman comes to see him gives him a book, then 2 more and asks Dev to solve the 6 cold cases. Really good story.

[Ron Woolum]

As always a fun book to read, great characters and always fun stories

[Sandra Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.

He is so funny and still gets the job done. Poor thing. Wish he could catch the girl for once.

[James Traylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series. Not too complicated but a good little read.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great murder mystery read

[Jackie Simons]

Read 6/24

[Susan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about this investigation and Dev's troubles with Allison and Taffy. Now I'll continue with the books I haven't read yet.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I loved this book. This whole story started because of a book and a former but determined detective. It's amazing what a book will inspire.