somewhere in between Elvis Cole and Spencer, Ray Dudgeon fills the hard-boiled PI role for Chicago and the 'Outfit'. I enjoyed the setting and as always I enjoy a "good good guy beats the bad guy at his own game" story. Recommended! ( )

Went back and retrieved this from my to be read pile after actually reading the second book in the series. As a character I quite like Chercover's PI Ray Dudgeon and the sense of humour portrayed well in the book. It actually introduces the character well and gives just enough of his back story to explain some of his actions though I would say the apparent ease with which he is able to gain access to senators and judges does seem unlikely and their subsequent intervention on his behalf is crucial. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read and recommended. ( )

Once a Chicago reporter, now a private investigator, Ray Dudgeon is hired to protect a Hollywood manager, Bob Loniski, from the bad guys. The real B-A-D bad guys. The guys that are part of Chicago's organized crime, type of bad guys, and all because Bob saw something he shouldn't have. Ray discovers a whole boat load of trouble as he gets in-between the two.

This was a very good debut and well-deserving of the Shamus Award that Chercover recently won for the Best PI First Novel. The main character, Ray, is a tough character, yet with a soft side, too. His sense of humor was appealing to me and his two buddies added some depth. I ended up getting somewhat tired of people teaching each other lessons, but overall a very good suspenseful read - well done. The second in the series Trigger City just came out last month (October, 2008). (4/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )

I started reading this book and after just a few pages, thought to myself, “Oh no! It’s a MOB book!” Mob books and movies are definitely not my favorites. As in, I would not knowingly pick one up. LOL But I kept reading for a few more pages, and the next thing you know, I was coming up for air at the end of chapter nine. This is the best hardboiled PI mystery that I’ve read in a long time, mob book or no. PI Ray Dudgeon is a likable, if doomed character with a set of very interesting friends and acquaintances, some of whom are affiliated with the Chicago “Outfit” as we’re told the Mafia are referred to there. Excellent book. Fast-paced, well-plotted and with well-fleshed characters, it’s hard to believe that it’s a first novel. ( )

Truly an excellent noir crime novel. ( )