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Suburban Detective #4
The Father's Club
For men in the 90s, the world is full of pressure, difficult choices, and the struggle to build and maintain friendships. For the men in Jon Katz's fourth Suburban Detective mystery, it is also a world fraught with betrayal, greed, and massive fraud--not to mention murder.
As The Fathers' Club opens, Kit Deleeuw is feeling particularly embattled in his dual roles as detective and family His son is in trouble at school, his wife is away much of the time, and he is feeling out of place in the affluent suburb of Rochambeau. Having seen too much of the dark side of suburban life, he worries about becoming one of those men with too many acquaintances and too few friends. Into the midst of this slough of despond walks Linda Lewis, who wants Kit to investigate her ex-husband Dale. Normally a dutiful father, Dale has fallen behind in his child support payments, and hasn't called, visited the kids, or responded to Linda's calls in long enough to have her worried. When the deadbeat Dad turns up dead in his office, Kit decides to infiltrate the men's group Dale belonged to, hoping to find some clue. Dismissive of such groups as gatherings of narcissistic drumbeaters, he is surprised to find the men not only warm and welcoming, but full of good advice.
In the end, Kit finds himself not only involved with Russian mobsters, federal investigators, and the victim's infidelity, but also a lot wiser about the need men have to talk to one another, about his relationship with his son, and about his place in the child-crazed town of Rochambeau.
As The Fathers' Club opens, Kit Deleeuw is feeling particularly embattled in his dual roles as detective and family His son is in trouble at school, his wife is away much of the time, and he is feeling out of place in the affluent suburb of Rochambeau. Having seen too much of the dark side of suburban life, he worries about becoming one of those men with too many acquaintances and too few friends. Into the midst of this slough of despond walks Linda Lewis, who wants Kit to investigate her ex-husband Dale. Normally a dutiful father, Dale has fallen behind in his child support payments, and hasn't called, visited the kids, or responded to Linda's calls in long enough to have her worried. When the deadbeat Dad turns up dead in his office, Kit decides to infiltrate the men's group Dale belonged to, hoping to find some clue. Dismissive of such groups as gatherings of narcissistic drumbeaters, he is surprised to find the men not only warm and welcoming, but full of good advice.
In the end, Kit finds himself not only involved with Russian mobsters, federal investigators, and the victim's infidelity, but also a lot wiser about the need men have to talk to one another, about his relationship with his son, and about his place in the child-crazed town of Rochambeau.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
45 people want to read
About the author
Jon Katz
56 books467 followers Jon Katz is an author, photographer, and children's book writer. He lives on Bedlam Farm with his wife, the artist Maria Wulf, his four dogs, Rose, Izzy, Lenore and Frieda, two donkeys, Lulu and Fanny, and two barn cats. His next book, "Rose In A Storm" will be published by Random House on October 5.
He is working on a collection of short stories and a book on animal grieving.
He is working on a collection of short stories and a book on animal grieving.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 5, 2018
I really like Jon Katz and his writing, this being part of a series, THE SUBURBAN DECTECTIVE, of New Jersey in the 1990s. In addition to solving a crime, I appreciate his assessment of life in general plus his wonderful assortment of neighborhood characters and accomplices!!
September 25, 2008
FATHER'S CLUB - G+
Katz, Jon - 4th in suburban detective series
Kit Deleeuw solves a murder involving one of his own - a father and Rochambeau neighbor. The cultural phenomenon under scrutiny here is the plight of men in the nineties, caught in a world full of pressure, difficult choices, and the struggle to build and maintain friendships. But for the men of The Father's Club, it is also a world fraught with betrayal, greed, and massive fraud. Kit Deleeuw is himself feeling embattled in his dual role of suburban detective and family man when into the midst of this slough of despond walks Linda Lewis, who wants Kit to investigate her ex-husband, Dale. Normally a dutiful father, Dale has fallen behind in his child support payments, and he hasn't called the kids or responded to Linda's messages. When the deadbeat dad turns up dead in his office, Kit decides to join the men's club Dale belonged to, hoping for a clue to his demise. In the end, Kit finds himself not only involved with mobsters, federal investigators, and the victim's infidelity, but also a lot wiser about the need men have to talk to one another, about his relationship with his son, and about his own place in the child-crazed town of Rochambeau.
A good, intelligent read. Such a good series.
Katz, Jon - 4th in suburban detective series
Kit Deleeuw solves a murder involving one of his own - a father and Rochambeau neighbor. The cultural phenomenon under scrutiny here is the plight of men in the nineties, caught in a world full of pressure, difficult choices, and the struggle to build and maintain friendships. But for the men of The Father's Club, it is also a world fraught with betrayal, greed, and massive fraud. Kit Deleeuw is himself feeling embattled in his dual role of suburban detective and family man when into the midst of this slough of despond walks Linda Lewis, who wants Kit to investigate her ex-husband, Dale. Normally a dutiful father, Dale has fallen behind in his child support payments, and he hasn't called the kids or responded to Linda's messages. When the deadbeat dad turns up dead in his office, Kit decides to join the men's club Dale belonged to, hoping for a clue to his demise. In the end, Kit finds himself not only involved with mobsters, federal investigators, and the victim's infidelity, but also a lot wiser about the need men have to talk to one another, about his relationship with his son, and about his own place in the child-crazed town of Rochambeau.
A good, intelligent read. Such a good series.
January 20, 2008
Was tickled to find a new author (to me) with a new series of mystery books. Really enjoyed this perspective of a man's life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews