On his return from his somewhat extended visit to the Costa Blanca, Johnny Ace sets about re-establishing his PI business. First on the agenda: a new assistant. His previous one, ex-cop Jim Burroughs, has retired - he of the Chocolate Lavatory fame. I was delighted to see that ‘The Chocolate Lavatory’ got a mention.
He has also managed to get back his radio slot, owing in part to the poor performance of his replacement Shady Spencer. I so love the names in Ron’s books, I would read them even if they weren’t first class mysteries - but they are.
His first case is the frightened girlfriend of a property tycoon who has been masquerading as a tramp, presumably to evade being brought to book for his illegal dealings. This obviously didn’t work as he is found dead - well, part of him - his head is in another place. No wonder Jeanne McGhee is nervous.
Second, in want of some protection is ‘Lucky Learoyd’ who thinks someone is after him. He does a P J Proby act, regularly spitting his trousers like the master (I hope not too many of you are going to email me to explain this :-) )
And then we have Ollie Clarke, whose garage seems to be experiencing some nasty accidents - one that results in a death.
Amongst this is of course the continuing saga of Johnny’s love life - wife
Maria and the lovely Hilary, who keeps cropping up on the scene. Cameron quickly
took sides which was interesting. You have to read the book. So with three cases,
the new assistant with the Judo black belt (Maria) and Hilary, it’s all go for
Johnny Ace as he sets about untangling the devious mechanisms of the people
jumping on the property boom in Liverpool, and not caring who they jump on in
the desire to amass money.. I love these books; they are absolutely first class
. ----
Lizzie Hayes
Earlier books in the series are Mean Streets, Framed , The Singing Dead,
Grave Mistake, Single Shot.