What do you think?
Rate this book
The Highly Effective Detective #3
The Highly Effective Detective Plays the Fool
In this third installment of Richard Yancey's Teddy Ruzak P.I. series, Teddy's latest client is a good looking dame with long blond hair and great gams. Her husband, she suspects, is stepping out on her, and she hires Teddy to nail the cheater. Then the client disappears. Is this a divorce case - or a murder?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 17, 2022
Such a pleasant mystery novel! Most enjoyable.
August 20, 2010
really enjoyed the first two installments in this series, but Yancey kicked it up a few notches here. The last two pages sealed the deal, I'm with this series for the long haul.
Yancey took care of a couple of dangling plotlines that were s...tarting to get tired in a very effective way, along with his best mystery yet. I'd totally sell out for him if he'd get rid of Teddy's secretary once and for all--can't stand this woman.
Yancey took care of a couple of dangling plotlines that were s...tarting to get tired in a very effective way, along with his best mystery yet. I'd totally sell out for him if he'd get rid of Teddy's secretary once and for all--can't stand this woman.
May 13, 2023
Same fun, dumb p.i. but with a less complex or philosophical case.
In this book, he's hired to investigate a cheating spouse. Then his employer goes missing and he's gotta find out what happened and where she went.
It's ok, but the weakest of the series so far imo.
In this book, he's hired to investigate a cheating spouse. Then his employer goes missing and he's gotta find out what happened and where she went.
It's ok, but the weakest of the series so far imo.
January 24, 2019
Very entertaining. Quick read, easy-to-follow plot, descriptive characters, fun dialogue, surprise twist at the end.
November 25, 2019
Another hit fir the character Ruzak!!!
March 31, 2021
The best thing about this book was the voice. Unique and often very funny.
May 17, 2010
This is the third book in the Highly Effective Detective series featuring bumbling detective Teddy Ruzak who solves crimes in Knoxville, Tennessee. Teddy's distinctively meandering speaking style reflects his highly ethical, curious, but undisciplined mind and oblique approach to life and crime-solving. Despite the fact that Teddy keeps failing the P.I. licensing exam and the state tries to shut his business down, he keeps taking cases: he tells his beautiful secretary Felicia,
"The ironic thing is...I actually believe I'm helping people, and the state is going to arrest me for it..but since reading somewhere that we live in a postironic age,I had taken on a personal mission to keep irony alive, at least within my miniscule sphere. Teddy Ruzak, researcher, analyst, master ironist."(p11-12)
Ruzak stumbles through his cases doggedly following leads, piecing together the anomalies that turn up and, despite the low expectations he inspires in everyone he meets, he does crack the case of the missing client.
The series is funny, but with a bittersweet, poignant undertone in Teddy's observations about human nature and his relationships with the secretary he loves but who does not return the feeling; his sensitivity about the victims of crime and even with his dog Archie, who sadly does not wish to bond with poor lonesome Teddy. The reader waits for the people in Teddy's life to realize he's one of the good guys and not just the fool he plays. The last scene gives some hope in that regard as Archie finally shows some canine devotion to his hapless master.
"The ironic thing is...I actually believe I'm helping people, and the state is going to arrest me for it..but since reading somewhere that we live in a postironic age,I had taken on a personal mission to keep irony alive, at least within my miniscule sphere. Teddy Ruzak, researcher, analyst, master ironist."(p11-12)
Ruzak stumbles through his cases doggedly following leads, piecing together the anomalies that turn up and, despite the low expectations he inspires in everyone he meets, he does crack the case of the missing client.
The series is funny, but with a bittersweet, poignant undertone in Teddy's observations about human nature and his relationships with the secretary he loves but who does not return the feeling; his sensitivity about the victims of crime and even with his dog Archie, who sadly does not wish to bond with poor lonesome Teddy. The reader waits for the people in Teddy's life to realize he's one of the good guys and not just the fool he plays. The last scene gives some hope in that regard as Archie finally shows some canine devotion to his hapless master.
June 10, 2010
I was at the library, and happened to walk by a shelf displaying this book. Boy, am I glad I did. This was a very witty, funny mystery story. It really had me laughing throughout, the dialog was wonderful. This book does not use the word "chapter," but instead calls them "scenes." While I was reading, I did feel like I was watching a fun detective show on TV.
Our PI, Teddy Ruzak, is hired to catch a woman's husband cheating. When his client goes missing, Teddy wonders: did she leave on her own, or is she dead? Teddy is also dealing with some personal problems; someone from the state is trying to close down his business and have him arrested (Teddy isn't actually a licensed PI), and his apartment manager has told him he must get rid of his dog or move out.
This was a fun story, and an engaging mystery. I was left wondering until the end. I also cared about the characters, and can't wait to read another Highly Effective Detective book.
Our PI, Teddy Ruzak, is hired to catch a woman's husband cheating. When his client goes missing, Teddy wonders: did she leave on her own, or is she dead? Teddy is also dealing with some personal problems; someone from the state is trying to close down his business and have him arrested (Teddy isn't actually a licensed PI), and his apartment manager has told him he must get rid of his dog or move out.
This was a fun story, and an engaging mystery. I was left wondering until the end. I also cared about the characters, and can't wait to read another Highly Effective Detective book.
May 5, 2010
As sharply witty and fast paced as any episode of The West Wing, THEDPTF is a great and speedy read. Lots of plot twists (some of them out of the clear blue) make this a very fun mystery to follow. Teddy Ruzak is a whiz-banger of a character. He's quite the improbable detective who's not really a detective (he keeps flunking the test) and in a Columbo-esque fashion appears to be a bit of a bumbler. He has a dog who hates him (but loves everyone else), a really hot secretary (who's involved with someone else), and is going to lose his apartment because of the dog, but none of that seems to matter to Teddy. He just soldiers on making wonderful non-sequiturs and witty rejoinders to everyone who crosses his path.
I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in the series!
I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in the series!
November 4, 2013
this is the second book of this author which I have read. The first was five years ago bought from bbws. since then I've been on a look out for works from this author in each bbws.
although this book is classified as mystery or detection related genre, I find that it's not as intense. it's more like "The Monk" + "forest gump" sort of thing.
I love the word play in this book. Some are quite humorous.
the downside of this book is just too many coincidence that helped him coming to the conclusion on what had transpired.
nevertheless, I would buy more of this author's work for the lovely word play and his witty plots.
although this book is classified as mystery or detection related genre, I find that it's not as intense. it's more like "The Monk" + "forest gump" sort of thing.
I love the word play in this book. Some are quite humorous.
the downside of this book is just too many coincidence that helped him coming to the conclusion on what had transpired.
nevertheless, I would buy more of this author's work for the lovely word play and his witty plots.
April 19, 2010
Knoxville's Teddy Ruzak is under pressure on several fronts: his unloving dog violates his lease, the state regulators are after him for working without a license, and his new client, Katrina Bates, is out to prove tht her brilliant, wealthy, handsome husband is cheating on her. She phones to tell him she'll join him at lunch, and then disappears. Teddy is sure that something happened to her, but he doesn't have enough evidence to convince the police. Then Yancey's twisty plot takes off-and Ruzak really finds himself under the gun.
November 12, 2010
For me there's a rough dividing line between a 2-star book and a 3-star book that hovers around the question "Would I read another book in this series?" This book doesn't quite pass that test. The schtick is fulfilled, and up to a point it works, enough to get me to read to the ending, but I wouldn't take on another 200 pages of it. Some amusement, no real laughs. Didn't quite buy all the characters.
May 11, 2010
You know what? I really liked this book. It's quirky and dialouge heavy and probably not for everyone but it was for me. I haven't seen such witty repartee since Dawson and Joey left the creek. The lead character is lovably dorky, the plot is a great vehicle to deliver him to the world and the crisp pace works well to make for a highly entertaining book. Read it.
September 10, 2016
Funny and clever. Sometimes like reading an Abbott & Costello routine. Yancey could be a comedy writer, he's that good.
A complicated plot, well thought out. Tricky -- you think the story is over, but it's not.
Once again, I find myself reading a book in the middle of a series. I just started reading #4 "The HED Crosses the Line"), and now I have to search for numbers one and two!
A complicated plot, well thought out. Tricky -- you think the story is over, but it's not.
Once again, I find myself reading a book in the middle of a series. I just started reading #4 "The HED Crosses the Line"), and now I have to search for numbers one and two!
February 1, 2015
The writing is very clever and witty. It is sometimes very hard to follow but maybe the author intended it to be that way. I very much enjoyed the humor in this book and Teddy Ruzak is a character that you can't help but like.
March 30, 2010
Clever dialog and likeable characters. This one had one too many plot twists, though.
Read
March 31, 2010Teddy Ruzak is back in this third of the series. The hapless detective with a dog who doesn't like him is always a good read, for the humor and his humanity.
July 10, 2010
My favorite in th eseries so far . I think he's elevated his plot a bit and the exchanges remain humorous. Very touched by the relationship with Archie
February 26, 2011
(3.5 stars) a light and easy read ... although the mystery portion of the book is less than stellar, i like the "voice" of the protagonist and the character development.
September 28, 2010
A 3.5? Interesting lead character, typical but nothing special decent mystery plot.
November 7, 2010
Not much. Confusing. Didn't make a great deal of sense.
December 7, 2010
Fun to read but I dont (necessarily) think I'll be rushing to the store to read more in this series.
Read
December 22, 2010Fun little mystery. I'd like to read the other "Highly Effective Detective" books.
January 16, 2011
This is the third book following the adventures of would-be detective Teddy Ruzak (if only he could pass the licensing exam). As usual, it's funny and sweet, with twists and surprises.
June 16, 2011
The main character's a smart ass - what's not to like about him?
July 18, 2015
I liked this book and this character. i will read more of these. Very funny and entertaining.
July 27, 2016
I really enjoyed the first 2 books of this series, but I found this one hard to follow. But I will persevere and read the next one.
February 11, 2024
A library find.
February 2024.
Delightful.
Funny.
Interesting.
February 2024.
Delightful.
Funny.
Interesting.
January 25, 2011
A good mistery with fun charachters. I'm looking forward to more.
Read
December 26, 2018This was kind of a light and amusing mystery. The detective, Teddy Ruzak, runs an agency despite having failed his PI licensure, and bumbles along with the help of his efficient secretary Felicia while trying to gain the love of his dog and avoid being evicted and losing his business. It's good reading for a person in the right mood.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews