Bulldog is the NINTH mystery in the Dev Haskell Private Investigator mystery series.
Mike Faricy once again proves himself to be Minnesota’s Master of the Bizarre.
When corner cutting, back slapping Dev Haskell loses his friend, Dermot Gallagher in what appears to be a random shooting he takes it personal. But the more he learns, the more questions seem to go unanswered. His old nemesis, local … unanswered. His old nemesis, local crimelord, Tubby Gustafson seems to be involved or is he? Then there’s ‘Fat Freddy’ Zimmerman, a criminal of underachieving and dubious reputation if ever there was one. Swindle Lawless enters, stripping up a storm under her new stage name, ‘Cougar.’ Jackie Van Dorn, Tubby’s attorney adds a special brand of polished sleaze to the entire affair. And, just when you think things couldn’t possibly get any worse, Tubby’s psychopathic enforcer, Bulldog shows up and seems to have more than a passing interest in Dermot’s death. Dev ends up with only one option, the question is; Will he take it?
“Faricy is America’s hottest new mystery writer…” The Dirty Lowdown
“Faricy is the next Carl Hiaasen…” Crime Scene
“Laugh a minute story line in another of Faricy’s deliciously engaging worlds…” The Irish Gazette
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A friend of Dev is killed in a home envision, shot in front of his wife. Dev decides to let the cops handle his one but still manages to get in trouble. Casey the widow calls and says someone is casing her house tells she’s worried if they come back when no one is there, Dev says he will stay there while she’s at her brother’s place. Dev catches Fat Freddy trying to break in and learns Bulldog wants to get in the house and buy the house back. Dev investigates the house history instead to murder and still gets into trouble.
There’s nothing quite like a funeral, replete with bagpipes playing Amazing Grace, to set the mood and get the tears running down my cheeks. That’s where BULLDOG starts. The deceased is a long-time pal of Dev Haskell, killed for now apparent reason. Of course, Dev gets drawn into investigating. BULLDOG left me feeling verklempt by the time I had finished just two pages. Sad just doesn’t cover it.
Dev’s pal, Dermot Gallagher, is murdered for no apparent reason… shot for opening his front door. Detective Norris Manning tells Dev to stay out of the investigation. Of course, Dev agrees to this verbally with no actual intention of following the Manning mandate. Quite a few of the underworld characters from the previous book make their appearance here. The relationships among the criminals becomes moderately less murky as the investigations continue. Although BULLDOG isn’t technically a sequel to CRICKETT, I am happy to say it does flesh out some of what I thought was left hanging.
Everyone needs a little brain candy every once in a while; Dev Haskell is mine. Each book is what I consider to be novelette length and easily readable in one or two sittings. They are mysteries, yes, but they are also generally humorous and sometimes a little bizarre. BULLDOG broke that mold for me. It is emotionally fraught and, like Dev Haskell, I wanted revenge.
You never know what trouble Dev will get into!
Number nine of the Dev Haskell crime spoofs which shows how far Mike Faricy can go in character development. Much more in subsequent tomes, always a bit sexy, a bit rowdy, and funny. Cheers !!