For two detectives who hardly have two nickels to rub together, a call from one of the world's richest men is not an everyday event. An insignificant piece of art by a recently deceased artist seemingly vanished from a billionaire's personal collection, and he wants Abe and Duff to figure out where it went and why it was taken. To complicate matters, just after the picture was stolen, an anonymous Internet rumor claimed the drawing contained a secret code pointing to the location of a hidden treasure. The world of modern art is a long way from their usual beat of adulterers, legal research, and the occasional murder, but the case is too intriguing to pass. If they're lucky, they'll be able to draw out the truth before they get painted in a bad light.
Sean Patrick Little is a writer, speaker, editor, educator, and general literary dude from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
He is the author of the best-selling Survivor Journals series and the critically praised Abe & Duff mystery series. He has also authored one book in the Shelby Ree mystery series, a space opera called Strange Angels, and is always at work on the next project.
He holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from UW-Whitewater, a BFA in Fiction Writing from Winona State University, and a master's in Education from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. He has been a teacher, a painter, a paint salesman, and a Dean of Education. He regularly teaches writing and publishing seminars whenever asked.
Little is a member of the Wisconsin Writer's Association, the Authors Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.
And if any of those groups ever find out, they'll be very upset.
Do stolen paintings contain a secret message in them left by the dead artist? Hired to recover them, Abe and Duff don’t quite fit into the posh, champagne-swilling world of avant-garde art. Sean Patrick Little’s forte is seeing the absurdities in life and undercutting the pretentious, usually voiced in Duff’s unfiltered outbursts. Abe can do only so much, admitting that Duff is the bloodhound and that he is the leash. While humor runs rampant in this story, moments of poignancy and quiet heartache uplift it. Very enjoyable!
So if you haven't read the Abe and Duff mysteries you are totally missing out of some of the best laughs and thoughtful moments you will run into in the written word. These two characters are such a unlikely pairing that they surprise me at every turn. Both geniuses but total opposites in personalities. The mystery part in good but for me takes a back seat to the interactions between the two main characters. This is my third Abe and Duff book and they just keep getting better and better. Highly recommend them all.
These are good mysteries, and the third installment holds up to the high bar set by the previous two books. This book is a character driven puzzle, lacking in fight scenes but brimming with funny rude remarks from Duff and thoughtful conclusions from Abe. Trying to figure out what kind of thief would just walk into a mansion and walk out with a work of art proves to have a very different sort of answer!
A wealthy Chicago art collector hires private investigators Abe Allard and C.S. Duffy to find out why someone has stolen one of the least significant pieces in his collection. The search brings Abe, a lonely divorcee, in contact with an attractive art history professor. This third entry in the series provides further development of the two likeable lead characters as they tackle a puzzling mystery.
Another excellent Abe and Duff romp through Chicago (and a bit beyond) as they chase clues and solve the mystery. Mr. Little has a deft touch with dialogue that entertains and enlightens. Not to give away the ending, I will simplify say I’d hoped for a more positive finish. Never the less, it remains a fact that this ending is entirely in character. More, please.
Abe & Duff are back! The two detectives continue their crime/mystery solving in this delightful read. This one kept me on my toes with some unexpected twists and turns. Little continues to build these characters, giving us a deeper look at who they are, which keeps the series fresh. Can’t wait for the next one!
This is my third Abe and Duff novel and probably my favorite so far. They mystery was interesting and kept me engaged. But my favorite aspect of these novels is the banter between Abe and Duff. I just want to ride around in the back of The Bad Luck Charm and listen to them all day. I also loved the addition of Abe's daughter Matilda in this one. It was giving "Murders in the Building" vibes with the addition of a spunky teen thrown between the crabby old men. The end brewed up some mist from my eyes. I won't divulge and spoil it for everyone. But let's just say this novel has heart. Loved it!
Sean Patrick Little has done it again!! Abe and Duff manage to ungracefully blunder on to solve another crime in the most entertaining and hilarious manner. As usual, the dialogue and imagery are exceptional, holding the reader's attention to the end. I especially enjoyed the character development of Abe's daughter Matilda in this story, hope to hear more about her in future books!! Keep writing about Abe and Duff, they are favorites!!
I’m really enjoying this detective series. Engaging characters and good mysteries with a lot of Wisconsin references for this Badger State native to enjoy. Hope there are more books to follow!