Volumes 1-3 in the Dev Haskell Private Investigator series. Russian Roulette, Mr. Swirlee and Bite Me in their entirety. The first three novels in the wise cracking, back slapping, babe magnet Dev Haskell series.
Dev Haskell Box Set Vol 1-3 (Dev Haskell – Private Investigator)
By mikefaricy
This series is a fun, super easy read with great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed them. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
If you enjoy witty, laugh-out-loud books that also satisfy your craving for frightening scenes that keep you guess who is the bad guy, then you’ll find it all, and more, in these books. An absolutely rocking set that has me wanting more and more and more… Very Highly Recommended.
What could be funnier than the Russian Mob? That’s where we start with P.I. Dev Haskell. After a wild night that’s left him in need of [insert your favorite hangover cure here] he runs afoul of Braco the Whacko, a Russian mobster at the head of a human trafficking ring. Dev finds himself at odds with the local police, the FBI, and even Homeland security get involved.
And that’s just book one! I’m recommending the box set because you’ll immediately want another tale of this charmingly inept ladies man.
Book 1: RUSSIAN ROULETTE
Remember Donny and Marie? “I’m a little bit country… I’m a little bit rock ‘n’ roll…?” Devlin Haskell, PI, is a little bit 30s noir detective and a little bit 21st century screwup. Modern noir sometimes uses throwback technology to set the scene. Mike Faricy gives Dev Haskell all the modern gadgets, but sets the mood with sharp language.
RUSSIAN ROULETTE is a well written mystery/thriller that includes the private eye and his cop buddy, interfering Feds, booze, and women. Yes, let us not forget the women.
I’m not one to give away the farm while reviewing. If you want that, read the blurb. Faricy sets the stage for the books to come without actually giving away too much about Devlin. It is suggested in the blurb that followers of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series will enjoy this book. Ms. Plum has several traits that follow her through the books. I am reserving judgement on this until I have read more books in this series because the one thing that stands out about Stephanie (in my mind anyway) does happen to Dev.
I confess to having put off reading this series (17 books and counting) for far too long. My excuse? So many books, so little time! I see this first book in the series as the start of an ongoing, beautiful relationship.
Book 2: MR SWIRLEE
I grew up in the Bronx. We had Mr. Softee trucks, complete with annoying chimes. I guess in the St. Paul half of the twin cities they have Mr Swirlee driving parents nuts. Ice cream trucks seem innocent enough, but with the wrong owners there is apparently no end to their nefarious uses.
MR SWIRLEE is the second book in the Dev Haskell, Private Investigator series, and it is jamb packed with all the things you need for a page-turner.
Devlin Haskell is just trying to make it through life doing as little actual work as possible while making enough money to keep body and soul together. Somehow, trouble seems to find him no matter how hard he tries to avoid it. In the first book, we met his cop buddy, Aaron LaZelle, and his friend with benefits Heidi Bauer both of whom appear again in MR SWIRLEE. And now we meet Dog, known only to his mother as Anthony Colli.
MR SWIRLEE is filled with a lot of not-so-legal shenanigans alongside some really nasty criminal behavior. As you turn the pages, you’ll find this book hard to put down until the final bell on the ice cream truck tolls.
Book 3 – BITE ME
The titles in this series have a connection to a running theme in the book; you might say they’re a running gag. BITE ME fits this one to a T. As in the first couple of books, Dev finds himself in trouble, only in BITE ME trouble doesn’t begin to describe it.
Devlin Haskell drinks… a lot! Yet, he doesn’t seem to be an alcoholic. His ability to turn down a drink, even go cold turkey for a period of time is remarkable. (Don’t think of this as a spoiler, but as an observation.)
It takes a skilled writer to create havoc around the central theme of a guy who thinks about only three things… babes, booze and, well, the third one varies, but usually ends up being bodies… yet keep it interesting and new book after book. Mike Faricy does just that. Last time I checked, there are now 17 books in this series, and I plan on reading them all.