THE BANKER

A Beantown detective unravels an embezzlement scheme that leads to multiple murders.

In 1980s Boston, private detective Andy Roark is hired by bank president Harry Brock of Merrimack Community Bank in suburban Amesbury to discreetly ferret out the identity of an embezzler. So far, the criminal’s made off with $2 million. Brock has three suspects, all apparently faithful employees: his secretary Karen Marti, assistant manager Frank Cosgrove, and manager Mark Lintz, who’s become the likeliest suspect by process of elimination. Roark’s probe is barely underway when a daring robbery at the bank leaves Cosgrove shot dead. Even his death doesn’t exonerate him in the eyes of Roark, who thinks he may have been in cahoots with others. Roark sets about surveilling both Lintz and Marti, chatting up the secretary in a roadhouse. The Cosgrove connection seems confirmed when Roark breaks into the man’s apartment and is knocked out cold by someone who’s apparently been tailing him. A second break-in to the home of one of the remaining suspects also takes an unfortunate turn when Roark discovers a corpse and is arrested on the scene. He uncovers many more twists and colorful characters on his way to a solution. Like Roark’s earlier cases, including The Judge (2024), this one has a relaxed, expansive feel as it delves into both the procedural particulars of his investigation and the rhythms of his private life, including his shrewd girlfriend Angela Estrella and a circle of fellow Vietnam veterans to whom he often turns for legwork and emotional stability.

An amiable shamus headlines an intricate crime yarn with a classic feel.