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Lou Fleener Mystery #8
The Contract
HE’S GOT A TARGET ON HIS BACK...
PITY THE WANNABE HIT MAN.
Some dimwit in New York’s put out a contract on Lou Fleener, private detective and street fighter extraordinaire. A completely boneheaded move—these Big Apple goons have no idea who they’re dealing with.
And a totally unjust one too—all Lou did was accidentally start a gang war in Chicago. Hardly worth mentioning.
A few toughs try their luck at taking him out (and wish they hadn’t), but when an innocent citizen’s killed in a drive-by intended for Lou, he decides enough is enough. He figures he’ll just find out who’s footing the bill and ask them to cancel the contract.
So Lou and Cassidy, his beautiful, fierce, and fiercely loyal sharp-shooter wife, head for New York, bringing Lou's unique brand of one-man gang warfare. He'd have been happy to talk it out. He asked nice, but they wanted a war. So they got Lou, who’s always way more trouble than anybody's ever expecting.
Even with a bum ankle, Lou’s still the best street fighter in Chicago. And in New York, he’s also got a secret weapon—a smooth New York P.I. who knows his way around the local crime empires.
As always, a good part of the fun is watching everyone underestimate a short, pudgy underdog, and the satisfaction of witnessing their thoroughgoing annihilation.
New location and crime-fighting partner; same funny, quirky brand of noir, plus fast-moving action for hard-boiled fans and the latest episode in a one-of-a-kind, against-all-odds love story.
PITY THE WANNABE HIT MAN.
Some dimwit in New York’s put out a contract on Lou Fleener, private detective and street fighter extraordinaire. A completely boneheaded move—these Big Apple goons have no idea who they’re dealing with.
And a totally unjust one too—all Lou did was accidentally start a gang war in Chicago. Hardly worth mentioning.
A few toughs try their luck at taking him out (and wish they hadn’t), but when an innocent citizen’s killed in a drive-by intended for Lou, he decides enough is enough. He figures he’ll just find out who’s footing the bill and ask them to cancel the contract.
So Lou and Cassidy, his beautiful, fierce, and fiercely loyal sharp-shooter wife, head for New York, bringing Lou's unique brand of one-man gang warfare. He'd have been happy to talk it out. He asked nice, but they wanted a war. So they got Lou, who’s always way more trouble than anybody's ever expecting.
Even with a bum ankle, Lou’s still the best street fighter in Chicago. And in New York, he’s also got a secret weapon—a smooth New York P.I. who knows his way around the local crime empires.
As always, a good part of the fun is watching everyone underestimate a short, pudgy underdog, and the satisfaction of witnessing their thoroughgoing annihilation.
New location and crime-fighting partner; same funny, quirky brand of noir, plus fast-moving action for hard-boiled fans and the latest episode in a one-of-a-kind, against-all-odds love story.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2022
152 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 24, 2025
story doesn’t end
Book stops, leaving the threat unresolved. Setup for next book. I hate books that don’t stand alone, this is one. Story ok until it just stops.
Book stops, leaving the threat unresolved. Setup for next book. I hate books that don’t stand alone, this is one. Story ok until it just stops.
March 22, 2023
I enjoyed this book as I've enjoyed previous ones. Lou Fleener and his wife, who is both gorgeous and a tough cookie, lead us on a tale in NYC, where someone has put a bounty on Lou's head. They suspect it's a NYC gangster who wants to take over the Chicago gangs, which are disorganized as a result of Lou's trashing of most of said gangs. How killing Lou would accomplish such a takeover is unclear, to say the least, but after surviving a couple of attempts on his life in Chicago, Lou heads to NYC to try to find whoever is behind the bounty and hopefully, talk him out of the plan. Needless to say, Lou is underestimated by everyone he encounters, including the local PI he hires as his local guy who knows the lay of the land and who occupies said land. This PI is unlike Lou in every way, from his movie star good looks, to his amiable relations with NYC cops. The story proceeds without Lou gaining a lot of clarity, but eventually he identifies a French crook who was kicked out of France and apparently settled in the USA. An employee of the Frenchman, a master of swordplay and terror, comes after Lou and is the biggest challenge the Chicago PI has ever faced.
I would have given the book 5 stars but for what I thought was a precipitous and abrupt ending. It was almost as if the author ran out of paper and time and just ended the story, leaving some major elements unresolved. Overall, it's a wonderful story about a truly fascinating PI character, and I'll look forward to reading more of the series.
I would have given the book 5 stars but for what I thought was a precipitous and abrupt ending. It was almost as if the author ran out of paper and time and just ended the story, leaving some major elements unresolved. Overall, it's a wonderful story about a truly fascinating PI character, and I'll look forward to reading more of the series.
January 19, 2026
4* Great book cover
A New York gang lord has placed a contrast on Chicago based PI Lou Fleener, after he meddled in gang politics.
Lou, short, dumpy and rumpled, is the most unlikely of heroes, but he's easily able to defeat several attempts from the local yahoos trying to collect the reward.
With a price on his head, Lou and his adoring wife, Cassidy, take a trip to New York intending to politely request the contact be cancelled. What follows is chaos when Lou defends himself from numerous gang members by disabling, dismembering or permanently dispatching them in his attempt to reach the top man.
Violent slapstick, silly but enjoyable.
A New York gang lord has placed a contrast on Chicago based PI Lou Fleener, after he meddled in gang politics.
Lou, short, dumpy and rumpled, is the most unlikely of heroes, but he's easily able to defeat several attempts from the local yahoos trying to collect the reward.
With a price on his head, Lou and his adoring wife, Cassidy, take a trip to New York intending to politely request the contact be cancelled. What follows is chaos when Lou defends himself from numerous gang members by disabling, dismembering or permanently dispatching them in his attempt to reach the top man.
Violent slapstick, silly but enjoyable.
March 4, 2024
A New City
There’s a Contract out on Lou. Everybody is out to kill him. He figures out he needs to go to NYC to find out who put the contract out on him. Cassidy is with him all the time. A great read. Read to find out how it turns out!
There’s a Contract out on Lou. Everybody is out to kill him. He figures out he needs to go to NYC to find out who put the contract out on him. Cassidy is with him all the time. A great read. Read to find out how it turns out!
February 13, 2023
Great Stories
I have read the entire series and can't wait for more! Also read the Grifter's Daughter, another great series to dig into
I have read the entire series and can't wait for more! Also read the Grifter's Daughter, another great series to dig into
March 3, 2023
The Contract
A great mystery thriller. Top investigation and follow up by a great PI. Lou Fleener is the best at what he does. I loved it!!!
A great mystery thriller. Top investigation and follow up by a great PI. Lou Fleener is the best at what he does. I loved it!!!
August 8, 2023
Good
This was one of the best of the series. I suppose I need to read the next book to see what happens. No problem.
This was one of the best of the series. I suppose I need to read the next book to see what happens. No problem.
February 20, 2024
Should Be a TV Series
Great characters. Good humor. Lots of action. Good plots. Can read as stand-alone or in order. Very good either way.
Great characters. Good humor. Lots of action. Good plots. Can read as stand-alone or in order. Very good either way.
October 15, 2024
Oh my
Great story
Lou is something else and Cassidy is a force to be reckoned with. The plot in this on me was WOW!
Great story
Lou is something else and Cassidy is a force to be reckoned with. The plot in this on me was WOW!
December 17, 2025
great read. top author
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews