Innocent Spouse

by Leonard Getz

Being an IRS agent isn’t all fun and games. Mostly it’s downright dull, and that suits agent Ivan Samuels just fine. Sure, there was that time he’d found illegal gambling and organized crime when he audited a restaurant, but that was an anomaly. He was happy quietly pursuing tax cheats in court, dating his tax lawyer girlfriend Alice, and raising his college-student daughter Liz.

But no. Somehow he acquired an assistant and trainee, the chirpy and cheerful Keisha, and a new investigating the Philadelphia Times , ostensibly for taxes but secretly looking for leads that the FBI could pursue. And then a dead body turns up – Liz’s dear friend and a star reporter for the Times .

Pursuing leads from the archives and stacks of the Times seemed less important than supporting Liz or dealing with his stubborn, independent father Harold’s heart condition from thousands of miles away – until it becomes clear that the body, the Times , and Islamic terrorism are all interconnected. Now Ivan must figure out the links before tragedy strikes.

339 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2022

Reviews

[Robert Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder mystery that doesn't seem like a mystery until we learn that it is. A low-key but endearing romance. A thoughtful dissection of jihadist terrorism that finally -- finally! -- gives us a coherent explanation of which Muslim sects are incline toward violence, which are not, and explains how to tell the difference between them, all presented without pausing the narrative or distracting from the story.

What's not to like? Nothing that I could find. Getz brings his personal experience as an IRS agent to his writing and explains how the service interacts with law enforcement agencies, notably the FBI, when the tax cheat has been up to more mischief than just tax fraud.

He also gives us a glimpse of the seamy side of journalism, but also gives us the hope that conscientious reporters remain.

The book is a quick and entertaining read. Highly recommended!

[Don Futterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Innocent Spouse, Len Getz accomplishes the impossible; he makes the life of an IRS auditor not only engaging by thrilling. Innocent Spouse is a murder mystery, an insider’s guide to Philadelphia, an incisive commentary on journalism and politics, and that literary rarity- a portrait of an affectionate, healthy father-daughter relationship – a pair who double as odd couple investigators. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. An extremely satisfying and entertaining novel.

[Gordon Gidlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a concept for a mystery: an IRS revenue agent as protagonist. We all know the taxing agency touches the lives of just about every citizen and most forms of endeavor. So why not murder? Getz’s background clearly informs the procedural part of this “police procedural.” And he certainly knows his Philadelphia.

[Stephen Kronwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read, interesting insights to the IRS

A quick and very enjoyable mystery with a satisfying, twisty ending. Lots of info about IRS audits. It won’t make you feel better if you find yourself under audit, but it’ll help you understand the other side.

[Linda Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping Story, Well Executed

I literally could not put this down. The pacing is relentless, the plot is tight, and the ending is a surprise, but satisfying.
What a story!
I'm looking forward to more work from Mr. Getz.

[David Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely Done

Good characters and an interesting plot line. A bit convoluted with a couple of loose ends. That said everything is back to normal at the end.