Yellow Ribbon is the ELEVENTH mystery in the highly entertaining Dev Haskell Private Investigator series.
“Faricy is the next Carl Hiaasen.” Crime Scene
WORLD’S LAZIEST P.I. MEETS WORLD’S DUMBEST CRIMINAL … LAUGHS AND THRILLS AHEAD!
The city’s laziest Private Investigator, Dev Haskell, agrees to help out his friend Isabella and babysit her two young daughters. But he’s on the job for little … young daughters. But he’s on the job for little more than an hour before he’s assaulted and the girls are kidnapped by Carlos O’Kelly, along with Dev’s Sig Sauer pistol and his car.
Apparently the world’s dumbest criminal, Carlos next knocks over a mob card game, using, of course, Dev’s gun and car. Which puts Dev in something of an awkward position with the local crime lord, Tubby Gustafson. Tubby gives him forty-eight hours to get the money back. And Isabella’s kind of missing her kids, no pressure or anything.
So here we have another of Mike Faricy’s wickedly entertaining mysteries, full of twists and turns with yet another set of wonderfully bizarre, madcap characters. For fans of humorous mysteries, PI stories of all stripes, and out-and-out zany writers, like Carl Hiassen, and Tim Dorsey, witty ones like Lawrence Block and Tony Dunbar, outrageous ones like Donald Westlake.
“Faricy is America’s hottest new mystery writer … and Dev Haskell is one of the looniest and most enjoyable characters inhabiting the world of fictional PIs out there today.” Robert Carraher, The Dirty Lowdown
“I don’t know what Faricy’s been drinking, but pass me a glass, this was extremely entertaining.” The Irish Gazette
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Dev is babysitting Emma 5 and Ava 4 when Carlos comes to the door. Ava says he not suppose to be there anymore and then decks Dev. When Dev come to he finds out EMMA & Ava are missing. Dev gets interviewee by the police. Freddy comes for Dev Carlos stolen money from Tubby and he gives him 48 hours to find the money and bring Carlos back in. Dev is on the chase to find Carlos not because of Tubby but because of the 2 girls he kidnapped.
The Dev Haskell series is touted as humorous detective fiction. Until this book, I have agreed. However, this one is as serious as a heart attack and shows a side of our almost lovable detective not seen before. Dev is literally out for blood and will let nothing get in his way.
If you’ve been reading this series in order, I am sure that you, like I, have concluded that Dev Haskell is something of a horn dog. The beginning of YELLOW RIBBON seems to confirm this twice over. Keep reading my friend. Things are not always as they seem.
Faricy has succeeded in showing the soft underbelly of our beloved, beer swilling, girl watching, always in the wrong place, private investigator. One thing about Dev is he is never aggressive when it comes to his conquests. Even when a woman is passed out drunk, he doesn’t take advantage. He puts them to bed, covers them up, and sleeps on the couch. As I make my way through the series, I find myself liking him more and more.
Emma and Ava, sisters aged five and four respectively, are kidnapped. Haskell will move heaven and hell to secure their safe return. As always, Dev gets himself into more trouble than is absolutely necessary, but little girls need his help so his impulsive nature is more than understandable. These kidnap victims are the children of Isabella and Danny who was killed in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, in 2011. Everything screams tear jerker!
I’d like to add a point of personal privilege here… I’ve never understood just how the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” became the theme song for veterans returning home from war. The song is about a guy coming home from prison. He’s a criminal. I’m a vet who never served in a war zone, but I think I would be offended by the whole yellow ribbon thing. Equating those who have served their country with criminals is just wrong.
In any event, the yellow ribbon in the story is about bringing home loved ones… not once, but twice. If YELLOW RIBBON doesn’t make you weep and rage, I don’t know what will.
I’ve read other books where Dev Haskill is the main character. He’s interesting, and off-beat. Mike Faricy’s books are very entertaining.
Always enjoy the mess Dev gets into and somehow comes out on top.
Have read most of Mike Faricy’s book. All entertaining.
An almost sexy series with a goofball protagonist – good for relaxing and brainless reading
I read this I couldn’t get into it so I deleted it
Love all his adventures……