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Abe Lieberman #1
Lieberman's Folly
Sixty-year-old Chicago police detective Abe Lieberman is having all the troubles he can handle when Estralda Valdez, a stunning Mexican prostitute, comes to him with a proposition he can't refuse: Estralda will help him with valuable information if he'll get a john off her back. But Lieberman's good intentions pave the way for a brutal murder. A murder that will lead Lieberman into the darkest depths of Chicago crime and corruption, and into the kind of trouble that could get him killed . . .
200 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1991
107 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Stuart M. Kaminsky
160 books215 followersStuart M. Kaminsky wrote 50 published novels, 5 biographies, 4 textbooks and 35 short stories. He also has screenwriting credits on four produced films including ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, ENEMY TERRITORY, A WOMAN IN THE WIND and HIDDEN FEARS. He was a past president of the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for six prestigious Edgar Allen Poe Awards including one for his short story “Snow” in 1999. He won an Edgar for his novel A COLD RED SUNRISE, which was also awarded the Prix De Roman D’Aventure of France. He was nominated for both a Shamus Award and a McCavity Readers Choice Award.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 21, 2020
I need a good mystery to balance out the imagination in my other stories, and frankly, the unmitigated disaster that is normal life. The mysteries I read provide a conflict, problem-solving, solution, and resolution in a neat little package, and Lieberman's Folly is no exception. I have a dim memory of reading Kaminsky back in the 90s and enjoying it, but somehow losing track of the series (back in the days when the library didn't have the stellar interlibrary loan system they have now). Pandemic means time to find/rediscover new reads, and I look forward to working my way through the next nine books in this one.
The story starts off with some quick, bloody background from 1970 when member of a crime organization cut ties and came to America to parlay his gains into a fortune. Unfortunately, two of his long-term prostitutes have their eyes on his money.
Flash forward to the 1980s Chicago where Detective Abe Lieberman is meeting with his partner, Bill Hanrahan and their informant, Estralda, who is looking for a little protection. It'll mean some time outside normal working hours, but Bill agrees to keep an eye on her while Abe attends Shabbat and works on some family issues. Trouble is, Bill's been hitting the bottle especially hard, so Abe isn't entirely sure how dependable he is.
"Detective William Hanrahan had grunted, smiled, and shook his head no. This morning Hanrahan glowed with confidence, his cheeks pink, his usually unkempt dark hair cut short and brushed back... His short-sleeved blue shirt was soaked through with sweat, but his tie was neatly pressed. Hanrahan was working extra hard today to convince himself, his partner, and the world that he didn't need a drink."
Like all P.I. stories, the city plays an important role in the story. Chicago is in flux, with immigrant shift in the neighborhoods that Lieberman and Hanrahan grew up in, and reflections of both on the changes. Religion and economics of the working and poverty classes are also mentioned and are particularly relevant to characters nicknamed 'the Rabbi' and 'the Father' by each other and their peers because of their ethnic heritage (neither are particularly devout).
There's some interesting humor the story, particularly in Abe's deadpan reactions:
"'Tell me why I didn't know you two were staking out this building. Tell me who gave you an OK to give protection to a known prostitute... I don't known what's going on and my men fucked up.'
'It's a great load to bear,' Lieberman said seriously.
'What's that? Hassidic humor?' Hughes said, straightening his tie. 'Don't play games with me, Abe. You know who lives in this goddamn building?'
'One less person than an hour ago,' said Lieberman looking back into the room."
It takes some getting used to, because it's not laugh-out-loud funny, just a kind of mordant approach to life. Still, I found it really worked, and it makes Lieberman a particularly unique character. I enjoyed the language and found a lot of the phrasing was stellar.
At only 216 pages, it goes quickly. It means Kaminsky is rather fast with plots and back-stories/side-stories. However, he still managed to surprise me, once emotionally and once with a twist, so extra applause. I can't wait to continue on to the next book, although there's a few books in the way (darn you, Koli!)
Three and a half stars, rounding down to probably differentiate it from subsequent books.
The story starts off with some quick, bloody background from 1970 when member of a crime organization cut ties and came to America to parlay his gains into a fortune. Unfortunately, two of his long-term prostitutes have their eyes on his money.
Flash forward to the 1980s Chicago where Detective Abe Lieberman is meeting with his partner, Bill Hanrahan and their informant, Estralda, who is looking for a little protection. It'll mean some time outside normal working hours, but Bill agrees to keep an eye on her while Abe attends Shabbat and works on some family issues. Trouble is, Bill's been hitting the bottle especially hard, so Abe isn't entirely sure how dependable he is.
"Detective William Hanrahan had grunted, smiled, and shook his head no. This morning Hanrahan glowed with confidence, his cheeks pink, his usually unkempt dark hair cut short and brushed back... His short-sleeved blue shirt was soaked through with sweat, but his tie was neatly pressed. Hanrahan was working extra hard today to convince himself, his partner, and the world that he didn't need a drink."
Like all P.I. stories, the city plays an important role in the story. Chicago is in flux, with immigrant shift in the neighborhoods that Lieberman and Hanrahan grew up in, and reflections of both on the changes. Religion and economics of the working and poverty classes are also mentioned and are particularly relevant to characters nicknamed 'the Rabbi' and 'the Father' by each other and their peers because of their ethnic heritage (neither are particularly devout).
There's some interesting humor the story, particularly in Abe's deadpan reactions:
"'Tell me why I didn't know you two were staking out this building. Tell me who gave you an OK to give protection to a known prostitute... I don't known what's going on and my men fucked up.'
'It's a great load to bear,' Lieberman said seriously.
'What's that? Hassidic humor?' Hughes said, straightening his tie. 'Don't play games with me, Abe. You know who lives in this goddamn building?'
'One less person than an hour ago,' said Lieberman looking back into the room."
It takes some getting used to, because it's not laugh-out-loud funny, just a kind of mordant approach to life. Still, I found it really worked, and it makes Lieberman a particularly unique character. I enjoyed the language and found a lot of the phrasing was stellar.
At only 216 pages, it goes quickly. It means Kaminsky is rather fast with plots and back-stories/side-stories. However, he still managed to surprise me, once emotionally and once with a twist, so extra applause. I can't wait to continue on to the next book, although there's a few books in the way (darn you, Koli!)
Three and a half stars, rounding down to probably differentiate it from subsequent books.
June 3, 2024
“Life,” said Izzy, “is a series of strange and seemingly pointless stories. Meaning is derived from a relationship of story, storyteller, and listener, but by far the hardest task is that of the listener.”
Kaminsky will never have the cachet of mystery writers Hammett, Chandler and Paretsky, but he deserves better. After all, he was a successful author of several decades. This police procedural series is set in the post Mayor Richard Daley era of Chicago’s history and follows Detective Abe Lieberman and his partner, William Hanrahan, in their attempts to find the killer of a police informant.
Actually, we know (with some certainty) who murdered Estralda Valdez. And, we are along for the ride among colorful characters and a detailed exploration of Chicago’s many ethnic sub-cultures and localities.
This is an excellent start to the series which has aspects of a “cop opera” but also has the grittiness that Chicago is known for. Kaminsky is a great storyteller. And by the way, he taught Sarah Paretsky how to write….just ask her.
4.5
Kaminsky will never have the cachet of mystery writers Hammett, Chandler and Paretsky, but he deserves better. After all, he was a successful author of several decades. This police procedural series is set in the post Mayor Richard Daley era of Chicago’s history and follows Detective Abe Lieberman and his partner, William Hanrahan, in their attempts to find the killer of a police informant.
Actually, we know (with some certainty) who murdered Estralda Valdez. And, we are along for the ride among colorful characters and a detailed exploration of Chicago’s many ethnic sub-cultures and localities.
This is an excellent start to the series which has aspects of a “cop opera” but also has the grittiness that Chicago is known for. Kaminsky is a great storyteller. And by the way, he taught Sarah Paretsky how to write….just ask her.
4.5
November 1, 2019
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, considering it's the first in the series. At first, it seemed a little slow, but as I got to know the characters, I liked it more. I like Lieberman a lot. He's funny, dependable, and seems to care about people, sometimes even the criminals. I've read a few books by Stuart Kaminsky, and this seems to be a trademark so far.
It was also fun for me personally, as I was brought up Jewish, but lost interest about the time I got a driver's license at 16. But even though I'm not at all a practicing Jew now, it was nice to remember some of the things from my earlier days.
I look forward to reading some more of this series.
It was also fun for me personally, as I was brought up Jewish, but lost interest about the time I got a driver's license at 16. But even though I'm not at all a practicing Jew now, it was nice to remember some of the things from my earlier days.
I look forward to reading some more of this series.
September 13, 2016
This is the first book in the Abe Lieberman mystery series. He’s a Jewish cop in Chicago; his partner is an Irish cop and a recovering alcoholic. Bill Hanrahan is divorced; Abe Lieberman is dealing with a grown daughter who is about to be divorced. That’s part of the magic of this series—the way the author weaves the personal lives of these cops into the broader plot.
In this first book, Lieberman promises to help a high-class Mexican prostitute get a particularly bothersome client off her back if she will provide evidence in another case he’s working. But the girl gets murdered, and Lieberman and Hanrahan are drawn deeper into Chicago’s mobbed-up dark side.
I’ve told you the easy part; what’s harder to describe is the author’s ability to somehow employ the ages of Jewish wisdom in Lieberman’s solutions. There’s something about this series that has just the slightest hint of the Rabbi Small series. Lieberman's judaism informs his life and conduct on and off the job.
In this first book, Lieberman promises to help a high-class Mexican prostitute get a particularly bothersome client off her back if she will provide evidence in another case he’s working. But the girl gets murdered, and Lieberman and Hanrahan are drawn deeper into Chicago’s mobbed-up dark side.
I’ve told you the easy part; what’s harder to describe is the author’s ability to somehow employ the ages of Jewish wisdom in Lieberman’s solutions. There’s something about this series that has just the slightest hint of the Rabbi Small series. Lieberman's judaism informs his life and conduct on and off the job.
April 29, 2020
PROTAGONIST: Abe Lieberman, cop
SETTING: Chicago
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Abe “Rabbi” Lieberman is a 60-something Chicago cop with a wry sense of humor. He is essentially a family man, with his loving wife, Bess, and their grandchildren and daughter who are living with them while she tries to figure out her marriage. Abe’s partner is Bill “Father Murphy” Hanrahan who is struggling with loneliness after getting separated from his wife and a more than passing love affair with the bottle. They are investigating the murder of a Mexican prostitute named Estralda Valdez, who they had promised to protect. The mystery is pretty straightforward. It’s the little touches that make the book enjoyable, such as Abe’s visits to his brother’s deli and his interactions with other people.
SETTING: Chicago
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Abe “Rabbi” Lieberman is a 60-something Chicago cop with a wry sense of humor. He is essentially a family man, with his loving wife, Bess, and their grandchildren and daughter who are living with them while she tries to figure out her marriage. Abe’s partner is Bill “Father Murphy” Hanrahan who is struggling with loneliness after getting separated from his wife and a more than passing love affair with the bottle. They are investigating the murder of a Mexican prostitute named Estralda Valdez, who they had promised to protect. The mystery is pretty straightforward. It’s the little touches that make the book enjoyable, such as Abe’s visits to his brother’s deli and his interactions with other people.
April 23, 2016
Disclaimer: I love Abe Lieberman stories better than any other of Stuart Kaminsky's wonderful series-- and I love Kaminsky's work.
That said, this was a solid entry in this series-- although there are others that I rated five stars.
So what kept this from the top most rating? A few wrinkles in the plot, such as Abe's partner, a seasoned veteran detective, making so many errors that wind up with disastrous results, and too few of the typically hysterical scenes involving the "Alter Cockers." But I'm rather picking nits here-- it's just that the bar Kaminsky has set with these characters is so high already!
This is a brief 200 page novel that will provide some smiles, laughs, and, oh yes, a great plot twist at the end just for good measure. I always get a charge whenever I find a Lieberman book that I've not yet read. Enjoy.
That said, this was a solid entry in this series-- although there are others that I rated five stars.
So what kept this from the top most rating? A few wrinkles in the plot, such as Abe's partner, a seasoned veteran detective, making so many errors that wind up with disastrous results, and too few of the typically hysterical scenes involving the "Alter Cockers." But I'm rather picking nits here-- it's just that the bar Kaminsky has set with these characters is so high already!
This is a brief 200 page novel that will provide some smiles, laughs, and, oh yes, a great plot twist at the end just for good measure. I always get a charge whenever I find a Lieberman book that I've not yet read. Enjoy.
January 11, 2022
The prolific Stuart M. Kaminsky has written several mystery series. I’ve read and enjoyed the first volumes of the Porfiry Rostnikov and the Toby Peters series. I’ve added another debut volume of the Abe Lieberman series which also added to my enjoyment. Enjoying them is the one constant since each has a very different tone and style. Lieberman, an elder statesman Chicago cop in the 1990s, is probably the most traditional. Peters is a goofy romp in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Rostnikov is anything but goofy, balancing police work within the politics of the Soviet system. Lieberman has some gentle humor as he deals with family and synagogue in the little free time he has from very deadly Chicago crime. What this series has going for it in spades are the characters. Even the smallest side character seems to get a backstory giving the entire tale depth. After a surprise who-done-it ending, there’s a cherry on top in the little epilogue, which is meant to cause nothing short of a smile. Kaminsky is no fluke. I will gladly go to more volumes and series with his byline.
May 4, 2025
Exactly what I wanted, and a bit more.
October 29, 2020
Abe Lieberman is such an interesting character; a dedicated, resourceful Chicago cop who happens to be Jewish. His sardonic sense of humor is a real treat. This book works as a mystery, a police procedural, and as a character study. And what memorable, quirky characters there are in this book. I really enjoyed Abe's family, although I felt sorry for his daughter's situation. Stuart Kaminsky has an excellent way with dialogue as well. Such a truly satisfying book, and I will be spending more time with Abe, his family, and his fellow detective and friend Bill Hanrahan in subsequent books.
June 4, 2017
Terrific read. Aged well. Love the slightly older Chicago.
June 18, 2022
Exciting police storyline (although the main character is laid back). Interesting, and entertaining. I like the author’s work and the narrator is top notch.
June 15, 2024
4.5 stars. I almost rounded it up but the over abundance of double entendre jokes (insider known and constantly used, like their nicknames) and Cubs euphoria kept me from doing so. Wrigley is a dump. During the 1980's (when these events occur) it didn't even have a minimum quantity of WOMEN's bathrooms. Because, just like the wife here- they didn't go to the game? Come on. I know this is the most accurate fiction for Chicago (or close to it) than I have read in decades, BUT! True story- it's the only place I've ever seen a Mom after waiting 40 minutes give up and hold her kid over a sink to pee. Sorry to all of you with delicate sensibilities.
Good story lines in this novel- they were 5 stars. Great introduction to a series character. 5 star personality reveals too on at least 4 or 5 deep dives- plus all the ones who are sitting in the "other booths" too are not shabby usual descriptive. Neighbor and neighborhood as it was is fully 5 stars, 6- if there was a 6.
Plot is complicated and very much of that time. So are the tit for tat goods or entries exchanges- and the neighborhood around University of Chicago is even worse now. You wouldn't even need the pointed weapon but just the forcing and leaving you out of the car threat after a mere 5 to 8 block short diversion ride- identically as used in the novel.
The only thing that I found in minutia detail astray was the hot dog bribe lunch. Even the former pimp who was now the hot dog vendor king would not have KETCHUP on his cart.
Of course I'll read more Lieberman. I've read others of Kaminsky, but not of these characters. In the 1980's I was in another entire part of Chicago often- much farther South. But not in the 1960's- which put me on Halsted- very close to all of this. It's all fairly accurate. And it got worse.
Good story lines in this novel- they were 5 stars. Great introduction to a series character. 5 star personality reveals too on at least 4 or 5 deep dives- plus all the ones who are sitting in the "other booths" too are not shabby usual descriptive. Neighbor and neighborhood as it was is fully 5 stars, 6- if there was a 6.
Plot is complicated and very much of that time. So are the tit for tat goods or entries exchanges- and the neighborhood around University of Chicago is even worse now. You wouldn't even need the pointed weapon but just the forcing and leaving you out of the car threat after a mere 5 to 8 block short diversion ride- identically as used in the novel.
The only thing that I found in minutia detail astray was the hot dog bribe lunch. Even the former pimp who was now the hot dog vendor king would not have KETCHUP on his cart.
Of course I'll read more Lieberman. I've read others of Kaminsky, but not of these characters. In the 1980's I was in another entire part of Chicago often- much farther South. But not in the 1960's- which put me on Halsted- very close to all of this. It's all fairly accurate. And it got worse.
September 26, 2024
Aging detective Lieberman cannot resists when he receives a proposition from a stunning prostitute. He just has to get a john off her back, and he will get lots of valuable information. Things don’t quite work out as hoped and he is drawn into a world of crime and corruption. There was much I liked about the central characters and the style, but the story drifted away from the central story too much and I always just wanted the writer to get on with the main plot. Interesting read, but I don’t feel the urge to go on to the second in the series,
December 29, 2025
This is the second detective series by Mr. Kaminsky that I have begun. The first is his Russian detective, Rosnikov. Both are unusual in the category of police procedurals in that they are married, apparently happily. That, in itself, makes for a nice change of pace. Although the venues, Moscow vs. Chicago, the books are similar. Both detectives are older, not in the best of health and tend to be somewhat more cerebral that most series detectives. I enjoyed this new detective as much as Rostnikov and will continue to read both series.
February 24, 2023
Tendo praticamente acabado a série do Inspector Rostnikov, passei à série seguinte do autor.
Aqui, um detective Judeu, Abe Lieberman, conhecido por rabino, faz dupla com um detective Católico de origem Irlandesa, Hanrahan, conhecido por padre.
A trama passa-se nos anos 90, na América e é ao estilo de um hard-boiled clássico.
Aqui, um detective Judeu, Abe Lieberman, conhecido por rabino, faz dupla com um detective Católico de origem Irlandesa, Hanrahan, conhecido por padre.
A trama passa-se nos anos 90, na América e é ao estilo de um hard-boiled clássico.
April 9, 2023
This book I believe is proof positive that the big bang theory is at least plausible! Three stars, three different orbits, come together in the same place at the same time. Causing such a catastrophic event that disrupted everyone and everything in its path. Crazy I know, but this author wrote it so perfectly that it is believable.
August 16, 2021
It's been 25 years since I found Kaminski and read a slew of his books ... all of which I enjoyed, but sadly no longer remember the titles of. Just want on record that these books are wonderful and I must read more.
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March 27, 2017Love Lieberman!
January 15, 2019
It took me a while to find the first in this series. It makes me a little edgy to read them out of order but I'm feeling better as time goes by.
August 30, 2019
An enjoyable read, well written and well plotted. I particularly liked the title character, an observant Jew and clever police detective.
October 12, 2020
First of a wonderful series. Beautifully captures the world of Chicago's north side, the people who live there, and introduces a world weary Jewish Detective and his Irish partner.
June 27, 2022
Really entertaining book that takes place in Chicago. Going to read more of his books. Great characters!
October 24, 2022
Good Chicago action; well-paced, not a barnburner but .... and well-placed Clue, very proud of myself to catch it :)
November 21, 2022
Stuart Kaminsky is an excellent writer, sadly only 4 books in this series.
September 6, 2023
It’s hard to understand why anyone wrote this, published this, or read this. It is awful.
August 17, 2024
fun story. I look forward to more of this series
December 29, 2024
20 A rogue cop, vigilante or just plain good cop. That is the question. An enjoyable read - gritty and realistic- a good antidote to some of the banal books I have read lately.
November 24, 2025
Abe Lieberman is a 60 year old homicide detective in Chicago--he loves the Cubs, his brother Maish, his wife Bess, and his work. He also knows the town like the back of his hand, and most everyone in it. This opening case in a ten novel series is built on Abe's alcoholic partner, an old crime from faraway, and the distractions of Abe's daughter's failing marriage--all of which contribute to a series of investigative mishaps that keep Abe from solving the case until, well, the end. This is a fun read, and if you're looking for mysteries set in Chicago, this is an inevitable stop. The ending is a bit over the top in my estimation, but I did enjoy the mystery overall. I look forward to reading the next installment soon!
October 28, 2007
10/20/07
TITLE/AUTHOR: LIEBERMAN'S FOLLY by Stuart Kaminsky
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/1991/216 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: 1st in the Abe Lieberman/Bill Hanrahan series
TIME/PLACE: 1990's/Chicago
CHARACTERS: Abe Lieberman "rabbi" & Bill Hanrahan "priest" -- police detectives
FIRST LINES: The tavern was called Babe O'Brien's. No one names O'Brien had ever, in its 20 yrs of business, owned the place. In fact, no one even remotely Irish had ever owned Babe O'Brien's. The name had been chosen by Juan Hernandez De Barcelona, who had never been to Barcelona & whose ancestors had almost certainly never been to either Ireland or Spain.
COMMENTS: Library book, thought I'd try 1st in series after seeing author at MOTB recently. Great start to a fine police procedural series. An informer/prostitute is killed. Abe learns that there was a crime a decade ago in Corpus Christi, TX where 2 prostitutes killed a bar owner and is making a connection w/ the current case.
TITLE/AUTHOR: LIEBERMAN'S FOLLY by Stuart Kaminsky
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/1991/216 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: 1st in the Abe Lieberman/Bill Hanrahan series
TIME/PLACE: 1990's/Chicago
CHARACTERS: Abe Lieberman "rabbi" & Bill Hanrahan "priest" -- police detectives
FIRST LINES: The tavern was called Babe O'Brien's. No one names O'Brien had ever, in its 20 yrs of business, owned the place. In fact, no one even remotely Irish had ever owned Babe O'Brien's. The name had been chosen by Juan Hernandez De Barcelona, who had never been to Barcelona & whose ancestors had almost certainly never been to either Ireland or Spain.
COMMENTS: Library book, thought I'd try 1st in series after seeing author at MOTB recently. Great start to a fine police procedural series. An informer/prostitute is killed. Abe learns that there was a crime a decade ago in Corpus Christi, TX where 2 prostitutes killed a bar owner and is making a connection w/ the current case.
July 5, 2019
#1 of the Abe Lieberman series-I absolutely love the characters in this book. The development, the humor, excellent. The mystery was good but I was a tad disappointed in the solution. This is a series about 2 cops in Chicago, Abe Lieberman and Bill Hanrahan. Abe is Jewish, is married and has a daughter. He has such a way about him. I loved the scene when the gang of boys come up to Abe and Bill while Bill is telling Abe about his girlfriend. Classic. Bill is a Catholic who has a drinking problem ever since his wife left him. These guys grew on me. It didn’t take long for me to decide I had to read the next book. And fast.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews