NICKEL DIME TOWN

A contemporary novel chronicles the escapades of a Chicago private investigator.  

Clark’s (Back Door to LA, 2016, etc.) narrative follows Nick Acropolis, a rugged, Sam Spade–type gumshoe on the payroll of Chicago attorney Shelly Micholowski, who predominantly represents the local police force. An ex–homicide detective who is thriving in a vibrant, gritty city filled with “plenty of murders but few arrests,” Nick is now on a Police Board case involving a traffic stop and an errant cop who stole his ex-girlfriend’s car while wearing a disguise. Also renting space in Nick’s frequently frazzled mind is beautiful local photographer Kate Daniels, whom he meets accidentally and becomes instantly smitten with. As part of a messy marriage and a convoluted entanglement springing from the sudden, mysterious death of her police officer husband, Billy, she retains Nick’s services. Kate wants him to find out whether her spouse was actually unfaithful or something more sinister was taking place. Hardly a grieving widow, she is now involved with her husband’s field partner, Tommy, but secrets seem to surround the entire sordid affair. Nick soon discovers that Billy was a sketchy cop and that Tommy, growing violent because of the dedicated PI’s digging, definitely harbors something nefarious. The case swiftly morphs into a murder investigation. Developments in Clark’s dual plots come fast and furious as Nick’s investigative spadework produces some complex twists, incriminatory videotapes, missing witnesses, angry villains, an enlightening trip to Paris, and a shocking arrest. The author’s rousing, dialogue-driven detective tale is engrossing mainly because Nick is an instantly likable and humorous private eye who is unafraid to sink deeper into each dangerous case. After a few confusing opening chapters, the narrative pieces fall into place and the resulting noir mystery sets in motion plenty of suspenseful action sequences and beguiling character sketches. Though keeping track of both cases can be challenging for readers at times, the author skillfully establishes Chicago as a bustling, crime-ridden, yet much adored location and offers a serpentine series of events that keep things sharp and gripping. Readers should find themselves fully invested in Nick’s slickly written adventures and the open-ended conclusion that promises future installments. 

A brazen, intriguing, and cleverly conceived mystery that features a tough yet vulnerable detective.