SWANN’S DOWN by Charles Salzberg (Review & Giveaway)
Genre: Detective/Noir/Mystery
Published by: Down & Out Books
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
Number of Pages: 300
ISBN: 978-1-64396011-1
Series:Henry Swann
Review Copy from: Author
Edition: TPB
My Rating: 4
**Stop by tomorrow for a Guest Post by Charles Salzberg**
Synopsis
When Henry Swann is asked by his quirky partner, Goldblatt, to find a missing psychic who’s swindled his ex-wife out of a small fortune, he just can’t say no. Although he doesn’t actually expect to get paid, he figures it might give him a chance to finally learn more about his partner’s mysterious past. His search takes him into the controversial, arcane world of psychics, fortunetellers, and charlatans, while raising questions in his own mind about whether or not there is an after-life.
While working his partner’s case, he’s approached by a former employer, attorney Paul Rudder, to track down a missing witness who might be able to provide an alibi for his client, Nicky Diamond, a notorious mob hitman who’s scheduled to go on trial for murder he claims he didn’t commit in a week. Swann’s search for the missing witness, who happens to be the defendant’s girlfriend, takes him from Brooklyn to a small beach town across the Bay from Mobile, Ala. But what does she really know and will she even come back with him to testify for her boyfriend?
My Thoughts
I have read other books by Mr. Salzberg, which I enjoyed, so I was hoping that this read would also entertain me.
Henry Swann is working on two cases. The first request is from his “partner” Goldblatt, to locate a psychic who swindled his ex-wife of thousands of dollars. The second case is from a previous employer, Attorney Paul Rudder, to locate a witness that has gone missing, since she just might be the alibi to exonerate a known hitman, Nicky Diamond, since he feels that he was framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Swann, even though most people think of him as a P.I., he considers himself a “people locator”.
The mysteries were intriguing but what I liked more were the characters. And what a cast they were! The dialogue between the individuals gave me the ability to conger up their personalities and what they looked like through the narrative.
Swann and his partner hold their meetings at a restaurant since Goldblatt loved to eat and while reading this book, I felt as if I was also sitting at the table listening to their banter.
Goldblatt, a disbarred lawyer, considers himself to be Swann’s partner, however, Swann isn’t too keen on this arrangement.
Henry Swann’s personality made me chuckle at times due to his dry sense of humor with an undercurrent bit of sarcasm.
Now to answer my question, did Swann’s Down, entertain me? The answer is a resounding yes! If you like mysteries with well developed, quirky characters, I’m sure you will enjoy this book!
Read my reviews for previous books by Charles Salzberg: Devil In The Hole and Three Strikes
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