Devil in Her Heart

Lou Fleener Mystery #3

by Duane Lindsay

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO KILL—BUT SHE’S GIVING IT HER BEST SHOT.

It looked like the perfect Hollywood ending for the detecting duo that stole a million dollars from the Chicago mob—Lou Fleener, P.I., and his best buddy Monk. Lou’s blissfully married, and the brilliant but awkward Monk just made them both another million and then rode off into the sunset with the girl of his dreams…

…straight into the den of the Los Angeles mobster he beat in a poker game six months ago.

The gangster's intent on getting his money back, with interest—i.e., everything Monk owns. But Monk’s already figured out that after he takes everything, the wise guy’s going to kill him.

However, due to his newly broken heart, he hardly cares. His new love is none other than the mobster’s daughter, sent to lure him from Chicago back to L.A. And this time Lou, the toughest street fighter in Chicago, isn’t around to protect him.

But maybe brains will get him through—Monk’s specialty is elaborate and wickedly audacious schemes. If he can stay alive, he’s got a plan to find Lou, keep the money, and get even with that...she-devil.

Or maybe get her back.

Because she couldn’t really be that bad, could she?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2021

Reviews

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review will probably sound a lot more critical than it should, so I'll preface it by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

But the pacing... the first part, before the group reunites, goes way, way, waaaay too long and nothing really interesting happens. The kind of back and forth that doesn't even push character development that much.

When they're reunited, however the story goes full throttle and follows in a breakneck speed, nearing the resolution way too quickly. The ending wasn't also as satisfying - no, wrong word, it was *very* satisfying, but didn't feel as deserved - as in the previous books.

Now the good parts! The cast, by the Muses, the cast! I love them all and I thoroughly enjoyed the banter (which is why I wanted them to reunite as soon as possible). ESPECIALLY Cassidy, my beloved, but Lou and Monk were great as well. I didn't even mind - frustrating as it was - the naivety of a certain character, as it was entirely in-character. I wish a bit more would be done with the house they were staying in (and its owner), but perhaps it's left for the next volume? I'll definitely grab it and soon.

[Slugpuppy3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a trip down memory lane to the 1950’s/1960’s and a harsh as well as hilarious adventure. The battle between the (sort of) good guys and the (really) bad guys is (as always) for the money. Monk, Cassidy, and Lou Fleener will keep you turning pages to see which shoe drops next!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like great quirky characters, humor, fast action, a good mystery and a lot of fun, you must read this series! This book is the third in the series and although you can read it as a stand alone, it is best read in the series since you get to understand why the main characters, Monk, Lou and Cassie act and react the way they do! Monk is on a vacation in California with his newest girlfriend, but something is wrong. So Cassie and Lou decide to go out there because they can't get hold of Monk and they just know something is wrong. But when they go to get money for their trip and they find they are locked out of their house, they just KNOW something is wrong, especially since Monk controls their money and investments and they were rich. Stealing their own car from the person sent to take it, they head to California and the craziness begins. There are so many things that happen to Monk while Cassie and Lou are looking for him in California, and so much laugh out loud humor, you just can't stop turning pages! The surprise ending is great and you will cheer at the end and look for the next adventures of Cassie, Lou and of course, Monk! Likeable characters that are fun to follow! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a half dozen or so of the Lou Fleener mystery series and have had fun reading all of them. This one is a bit different as it takes place mostly in Southern California when Monk is kidnapped by the current bad guy, a mobster named Sal Leon. Monk is trapped by what he thought was the love of his life, "Bonnie," who actually is Sal's daughter Teresa. It's a very complicated plot so Sal can retrieve the money he believes Monk cheated him out of in a poker game. Of course, Monk does NOT cheat. At any rate, after beating Monk within an inch of his life, Sal has him dumped in the Mexican desert while Sal's henchman drain all of Monk's financial resources back home in Chicago. This causes Lou and Cassie to get locked out of their home (which is financed by Monk's investments of their shared wealth) and alerts them to something bad happening in LA. Lou and Cassie drive out to California search for Monk and find out what's what. As usual, this mystery isn't mysterious as to who the bad guy is or what the bad guy has done. The mystery is what fantastic plan will Monk and Lou and Cassie concoct so that they come out on top. This one is really over the top and involves faked newspapers exposing Sal's crimes that aren't known to the police in an effort to blackmail him to return our heroes' money. And the newly exposed crimes are provided by Bonnie/Teresa... Whose side is she on? Does she really love Monk? Will Monk come to his senses about her? How many guys will Lou overcome in hand to hand combat? It's a great ride!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou and Cassidy are at the Wisconsin Dells. Monk and Bonnie went to California for vacation. What could go wrong?
Monk gets kidnapped, and beaten, and threatened with death, and beaten some more. Lou and Cassidy enjoy their trip until suddenly the money runs out, that seemingly endless supply of of money is gone. So is the apartment and office. The car is being repossessed and they cannot reach Monk to figure out what has gone wrong.
It seems that Los Angeles mobster Salvatore Leon and his "family" think Monk cheated and embarrassed Sal in a card game months earlier. So, he wants restitution, by which he means every dollar Monk, Lou, Cassidy, and Bonnie have. With Monk missing and over 1000 miles away, Lou and Cassidy need to fix things. Can they figure out how to get all the friends together and the money back? Can Lou brawl his way through this mess?
The twists and turns of this story keep you guessing until the final pages and make this the best story, so far, in the series.

[Emz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lou, Monk, and Cassidy are undeniably captivating characters. Monk faces a series of setbacks, particularly when Sal, the gangster he bested at poker, exacts revenge in unexpected ways. The tables turn against Monk as he finds himself coerced out of his money, leaving him in dire straits—a turn of events that deeply troubles Cassidy. While the unfolding plot keeps the audience engaged, there's a sense of anticipation for a more ingenious and climactic resolution. Regrettably, the ending falls short of expectations, lacking the clever and audacious twist one might hope for. Nonetheless, the buildup maintains its grip, ensuring an entertaining journey despite the somewhat disappointing conclusion.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Payback

It seems that everyone wants payback from someone else.
A gangster, Sal, loses $15,000 at poker and his pride insists Monk could only have won by cheating (he did not). So Sal's daughter comes up with a plan to get it back.
The daughter betrays Monk and Sal takes all the money Monk and his pals, Lou and Cassidy, have.

Does monk get the money back? Does the daughter get back her place as heir?

Lots of fun. Good, believable characters. Nice action scenes.

[Robbyn L Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

Lou Fleener does not look like much but is a fantastic fighter. His BFF Monk has movie star looks but it a dud when it comes to women so when Lou's wife, Cassidy, introduces him to Bonnie he thinks he's met the woman of his dreams. There's the beginning of this wild ride. I really love this series.

[Gregory Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vacation Gone Terribly Wrong

Lou & Cassidy vacation in the Dells. Monk & Bonnie vacation in Long Beach. A horrible, nearly unbelievable betrayal takes place. But as always, through mayhem, chicanery & sheer gutting it out. Everything seems to come out ok by the end. Completely crazy as always.

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mobsters and Wiseman

Funny yet full of violence. A mobster doesn't like that he lost a lot of money playing cards. So he gets the guy he lost to and beats him until he gets him to give up all his money. All two million dollars. Now he's broke but comes up with a plan to get it back. The most interesting parts of the book are what things cost in the fifties.

[Mary Ellen Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Funny dialogue and good characters make this a delightful book to read. I enjoyed every word in it and think the author is a very clever wordsmith.. Most enjoyable mystery I’ve read this year. Thank you Duane Lindsay.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better

I fell in love with Lou during the first book of this series. Each book has just gotten better and I hope the rest of the series is the same. I have the rest of it and fully intend to read them.

[Richard Zieg · Rating 5 out of 5]

takes me back to my childhood.

Every nuance of this 50’s and 60’s pops up in setting the scene . All the “old” stuff of that era paints a lovely picture in my mind. Action characters straight out of Hollywood do the impossible and get things done.

[GW · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are totally unrealistic and a little lame but kind of fun to read.

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love those hints to the future, the ideas Lou comes up with.
But oh! the spelling and grammar. Please can someone have another look over that?

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Kim A. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab

This is the best book of the series yet
Loved it
Teresa sux
Lou is the man
Monk rocks
And Cassie...
Really great story

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

witty and fun-mostly.

A lot of dialogue, very ‘50s, with unique characters and a convoluted plot that keeps you guessing right up to the end.

[John Roach, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good story from a top author

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Monk’s wife and what she does to him. Was she the perfect wife we thought? Not! Read and find out what Monk went through!

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayal starts out small and becomes unbelievable. Poor Monk gets the raw end of the deal.

[Robert Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old school fun story dated back to the 1960’s
Enjoyable romp for the third book around Lou Fleener his partners Cass (Cassidy) and Monk now rich due to their previous encounter get suckered in by crime boss Salvatore Leon (Sal) and his daughter Bonnie (Teresa) who steal their two million and leave Monk for dead in Mexico.
There are lots of blood and guts, twists and turns and humour. You can’t also help but like some of Lou’s 60’s idea’s on gadgets he dreams up but all adds to the story. It does have its draw backs if you want to read a hard serious crime book, because what you get is a tongue in cheek fun read that you can’t take seriously but can enjoy with a smirk and a laugh. It is a alight read and probably more enjoyable to the older readers who can remember or lived through the 60’s so understand some of the banter.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the series and the Author does not disappoint. It just gets better and better.
Well written, fast paced and full of adventure, this is a continuation from the previous two books in the series.
With mystery, humour, action and adventure, It is an entertaining and fun read that keeps the reader guessing till the very end.
The reader follows the colourful and interesting characters, with their different personalities, quirks and foibles through their antics and adventures. This makes for a captivating, entertaining and fun read that keeps the reader's attention from page one.
This real page turner is a hilarious, entertaining and intriguing story that I highly recommend.
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just plain AMAZING! Each book in the Lou Fleener series just gets better and better, so I can tell you unequivocally, this one is the BEST yet! Although you will catch on just fine reading this first, do yourself a favor and purchase the other two before this (if you haven't already) because this carries on with "stuff" that started in the previous two books including character development and circumstances. Super fun read that has it all: laugh out loud humor, action and adventure, a little romance thrown it, and of course mystery. Well told story that is a page turner that keeps you guessing till the end.

[Bettyboop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duane Lindsay’s 3rd Lou Fleener book is my first to read and it was a great goodread without reading the other two books. I have read Lindsay’s series the ‘Grifter’s Daughter’ and it remains at the top of my favorite series list. It’s Lindsay’s style of writing that draws me in and holds my interest with his offbeat characters and crazy action storylines. The dialog and descriptive actions in this book can be full of humor or full of pain, so I laughed and felt pain, especially for Monk. You will see what I mean when you read this book. It is a must read just for it’s entertaining characters and Lindsay’s sense of humor. He’s got another 5 stars series and I’ll be reading 1 & 2.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt the best of the Lou Flenner books! This story focuses on events from book 2 and how Monk, Lou and Cassie go about correcting the dilemma they find themselves in after Monk’s adventures in California. Once again Mr. Lindsay weaves action, intrigue, romance, and humor to create a very entertaining story! If you have not read the previous Lou Flenner books they provide the context necessary to really enjoy/follow what happens in book 3. I received an advance reader copy and have chosen to provide this review.

[Karen greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another good series by this author. This book starts where book 2 left off. Monk in trouble in California and Lou and Cassidy in Chicago and they think Monk is having a great time. This is another very funny, very fast paced book. There characters are great. The antics are not to believed they are wild and funny. I love this series. I recommend this series. Start at the beginning so you don’t miss out on the fun and games.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fast paced, entertaining continuation of the Lou Fleener series. Lou & Cassidy think Monk is having a great time in California while they hold down the fort in Chicago. When all their money disappears, they have to drive in a hot car to California fearing that not all is well with Monk after all. This is an elaborate plot with many interesting characters. If you need some light reading for the weekend, this just might be the book!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I laughed all throughout this book, and the references to cell phones, garage door openers and GPS really tickled my funny bone. Duane Lindsay has away of turning a phase. And his characters are very believable. Monk, Lou and Cassidy would die for each other and Teresa (Bonnie Lieberman) Leon is a bitch.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in this series, and I find myself loving these characters even more with each book.

Monk is... well, let's say he has seen better days, Lou and Cassidy are in their way to discover what is going on, and why, all of the sudden, they aren't rich anymore :P

Hilarious, a truly entertaining book.

I received this book as an ARC, and this is my honest and voluntary review.