Harry Lipkin

Harry Lipkin, Private Eye by Barry Fantoni stars one of the most unique private detectives I’ve encountered lately. Harry is an 87 year old Jewish man living in Warmheart, Florida, with a wry sense of humor and all the aches and pains that go along with age, but he’s still out there investigating the cases the cops don’t want to bother with.

His client is a wealthy widow, also Jewish (apparently there are lots of Jews in the retirement villages in Florida), in her 70’s. She hires him to discover who is stealing her jewelry and there are only five suspects, her household staff. Harry does his investigating thing, a little trailing of the suspects, some talking to his old buddies. He gets in a couple of tight situations, and there is the oddest accidental death I’ve run across. It’s a funny book and I do enjoy a humorous mystery.

The plot itself – not so great. This is one of those books where you have to enjoy the main character because the plot is not terribly complicated or gripping. And the end was a bit of a letdown even though you could see it coming.

I listened to the audio read by Arthur Morey who really made Harry come alive. I’m not sure I would have found it as amusing in print as I did listening to Harry tell the tale. It’s a fun book, a pleasant way to spend a few hours. But remember it’s really light. If you’re looking for twists and turns, danger, suspense, you’re not going to find much here, but Harry’ll make you laugh.

3 out of 5 stars

Category: Mystery

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

First published July 10, 2012 by Doubleday
5 hours 8 minutes
Narrated by Arthur Morey

Book source: Library

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