Full Circle

Alan Bernhardt #5

by Collin Wilcox

Raymond DuBois - geriatric multimillionaire - has a problem. It's his art collection. He can't leave it to just anybody - especially not the contents of his private gallery, a secret room full of priceless stolen artwork. He'd just as soon not have anyone find out about his hobby - now, or when he dies. His former curator, Betty Giles, could have discreetly disposed of them. But Betty Giles has a problem, too. She's incommunicado, which is Italian for "hiding out in Europe indefinitely" - hiding from the American authorities, from a fistful of hitmen, and from her old boss DuBois. The only person who knows how to get in touch with her is Alan Bernhardt, private investigator and part-time theater director. The FBI's trying to get at DuBois. They'd haul Betty Giles in for questioning if only they could find her; and in the meantime, they're putting pressure on Bernhardt instead. That's a tough spot to be in, but dealing with the FBI is still easier than dealing with the underworld types who keep sniffing around, looking to prey on DuBois's weakness. But beyond all this, beyond the Feds and crooks and moneymen and killers, there's another organization with an interest in the case - ruthless, implacable, never forgetting or forgiving: the insurance industry. They had to pay out for every last piece of that stolen art, and now they're out for blood. Or money. Or Raymond DuBois. But they'll start with Bernhardt. It's going to be one of those weeks....

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Aka Carter Wick

Collin Wilcox was an American mystery writer.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, his first book was The Black Door (1967), featuring a sleuth possessing extrasensory perception. His major series of novels was about Lieutenant Frank Hastings of the San Francisco Police Department. Titles in the Hastings series included Hire a Hangman, Dead Aim, Hiding Place, Long Way Down and Stalking Horse. Two of his last books, Full Circle and Find Her a Grave, featured a new hero-sleuth, Alan Bernhardt, an eccentric theater director. Wilcox also published under the pseudonym "Carter Wick".

Wilcox's most famous series-detective was the television character Sam McCloud, a New Mexico deputy solving New York crime. The "urban cowboy" was played by Dennis Weaver in the 1970-1977 TV series McCloud. Wilcox wrote three novelizations based on scripts from the series: McCloud (1973), The New Mexican Connection (1974), and The Park Avenue Executioner (1975).

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alan Bernhardt, private investigator, is hired by multi-millionaire Raymond DuBois to sell and move his stolen art collection worth millions from his home. DuBois has heard that the Feds are after him and knows if he is caught, he will end his days in prison. He is already a prisoner in his own body as he needs people to care for his every need.
Bernhardt is working against other forces who also want their share of the millions.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

FULL CIRCLE - VG
Wilcox, Colin - 5th in Alan Bernhardt series

Investigating his most dangerous case yet, stage director and part-time private investigator Alan Bernhardt uncovers a plot by a millionaire art collector and a sinister former employee to foment blackmail and conspiracy among San Francisco's elite society.

A San Francisco actor/PI, this is such a good series.