Birthdate: 1947
Gender: male
Nationality: USA
Short biography: J. L. Abramo was born in Brooklyn, New York on Raymond Chandler’s fifty-ninth birthday. Abramo earned a BA in Education and Sociology at the City College of New York and a Masters in Social Psychology at the University of Cincinnati.

Abramo is the author of “Catching Water in a Net” (winner of the St. Martin’s Press/Private Eye Writers of America prize for Best First Private Eye Novel) and the subsequent Jake Diamond mysteries “Clutching at Straws”, “Counting to Infinity”, "Circling the Runway" (Shamus Award-winner) and "Crossing the Chicken".

Abramo’s 61st Precinct novels include “Gravesend” and "Coney Island Avenue". Abramo is also the author of "Chasing Charlie Chan", "Brooklyn Justice", "American History: A Novel", and the full-length nonfiction work "Homeland Insecurity".

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Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo

Bill Heller had the feeling he was being followed as he drove in New York City as Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo begins. He parked and went into a local restaurant to have some food and to see if his suspicion was correct. He was being followed and he knew he was in real trouble. The restaurant also gave him the opportunity to hide what he was carrying.

One of Bill Heller’s final acts will have huge repercussions for Vincent Salerno, a bus boy at the restaurant, who at first has no idea what he is carrying or how far those who want it back will go. For the officers and detectives of the 61st precinct located on Coney Island Avenue in New York, the subsequent murders will have huge ramifications professionally and personally. Like ripples in a pond, that first case will spiral out in coming weeks to trigger more carnage with more connected cases, as they go about their daily lives as well as other police work.

A follow up to his first novel of the 61st titled Gravesend, J. L. Abramo keeps the action moving by way of short paragraphs, rapid-fire dialogue, and constant shifts in the storyline. A number of distinct secondary plot lines are in play throughout the read thanks to a whopping 58 characters. The character list at the front of the book makes it clear that the author has a lot going on in the read as these characters run the gamut of crime, police, and average citizen types. Somehow, the author manages to make them all stand out from each other.

As a police procedural, the read works well detailing not only police work, but how events and cases affect the officers and detectives at home in their personal lives. Very reminiscent of Ed Mcbain’s 87th Precinct Series, the read also reminds this reviewer of the legendary Hill Street Blues television series. In both cases, tragedy can strike in a blink of an eye and the repercussions take a toll on all involved.

Coney Island Avenue by J. L. Abramo is not a book for all readers. Graphic language is present as is a dark sense of humor. While it is a police procedural, it is not a sanitized one. This is crime fiction and all that entails. It is also a very good read.

Coney Island Avenue
J. L. Abramo
https://www.jlabramo.com/
Down & Out Books
https://downandoutbooks.com/
March 2017
ASIN: B01N0U64A1
eBook (print available)
466 Pages
$8.99

I received this months ago from the publisher in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2017… (more)

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kevinrtipple | Oct 8, 2017 |

Chasing Charlie Chan by J.L. Abramo

The place: Los Angeles. The date: Summer 1994, the world on the precipice of the information superhighway. One private investigator is killed and his partner is looking for the killer. I’m a sucker for anything old Hollywood, and I liked Abramo tying in a variety of real life characters and movies into a thrilling mystery with a surprising twist.

Free review copy.

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mrmapcase | Jul 22, 2014 |

Catching Water in a Net by J. L. Abramo

A woman enters San Francisco P.I. Jake Diamonds office and asks for his help in finding her husband. She also tells him that the police are searching for her husband for killing his partner.

This is how Jake learns that the victim is his old friend and mentor, Jimmy Pigeon.

Jake's investigation is mildly interesting. He gets a lot of help from his old friends, from both sides of the law.

As I read, I was reminded of some of the old P.I. stories and in particular of Raymond Chandler's character, Philip Marlowe.

I also liked the original jacket cover and felt that added to the mystery and of the story.

As this promises to be the first in a series, I would be interested to read of the other adventures of Jake Diamond.… (more)

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mikedraper | 1 other review | May 27, 2013 |

Catching Water in a Net by J. L. Abramo

This book was like watching a tennis match. I felt like I got tossed back and forth between subjects and topics like an ocean buoy. The overall story was interesting, the characters, though not always likable, are realistic and flawed. The mystery seemed to take a back seat at points, but overall wasn't too bad.

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kate.wille | 1 other review | Mar 16, 2008 |

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