Friends, And Other Perishables (Five Star First Edition Mystery Series)

Rating:
Summary: Exciting private investigative tale
Review: In Tulsa, Oklahoma, private investigator Carl Jacobs meets with his childhood friend, informant Jimmy Jay late at night, but instead of information and friendship, the "Blue Jay" tries to kill the sleuth. Carl takes a bullet to the shoulder, but kills Jimmy. Afterward, Carl explains to the police that he does not know why a man who slept in his home and knew his wife and two daughters would try to kill him.

The next day Carl learns that another private investigator was killed last week by the weapon that Jimmy used on him. Other attempts on Carl's life follow, but this time by a professional hit man. As Carl investigates a couple of cases for Underhill Insurance, where his wife is employed, he begins to uncover a multi million dollar insurance scam in which killing those making inquiries into claims is acceptable and if that proves too tough go after their loved ones.

This exciting private investigative tale contains a strong mystery, but what makes it unique is that Carl is a cross between an urban noir hero and a househusband/doting father. Besides being shot (remarkable recovery aside), he makes breakfast for his three beloved females. FRIENDS AND OTHER PERISHABLES is a solid cozy starring a likable champion who handles being shot at and wounded with aplomb, but goes a bit crazy when his family comes under attack.

Harriet Klausner



Rating:
Summary: Time is running out for PI Carl Jacobs
Review: Whisman's debut opens seconds after his narrator, private investigator Carl Jacobs, shoots and kills Jimmy Jay, who fired on the PI from the shadows of an alleyway. Summoned to the site by the dead man, Jacobs is shocked to discover that his informant and friend is responsible for the nearly lethal ambush.

The wounded Jacobs has no idea why Jimmy attacked him; nor does he have any inkling why someone continues to make attempts on his life. Slowly, he pieces together clues which lead him to believe that the answers he seeks are wrapped up in a multi million dollar fraud scheme. His time is running out, however, as his pursuers come closer to finishing him off with each subsequent attempt.

This novel has two things going for it, a high degree of believability and a likeable leading man. The book's believability no doubt springs from Whisman's eleven-year career as a licensed Private Investigator. No Superman, Jacobs bleeds when he's wounded (which is often) and gets antsy during stakeouts. Jacobs' likeability comes from Whisman's skill at rendering his character's interactions with family, friends, and fellow professionals, and the feeling the author conveys that Jacobs withholds nothing from readers.

Is the book perfect? No, not quite, the writing is not as smooth as one would like, but this is understandable given it's a first novel. That aside, however, Friends and Other Perishables is a pleasant way to while away a couple of hours, a good, quick read from a writer who knows his stuff.