Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-7653-1602-1

THE DEAD DON’T LIE is the tenth Abe Lieberman mystery. Abe Lieberman and Bill Hanrahan are detectives in Chicago who, due to the workload and circumstances, are investigating separate cases. Lieberman is trying to figure out how a legendary and politically controversial book has caused such a disturbance in the local Turkish community that someone is willing to kill for it. And Hanrahan is investigating a series of muggings with a bizarre twist and enjoying being a new father again at 53.

THE DEAD DON’T LIE is a wonderfully constructed book. Kaminsky alternates between scenes of the detectives pursuing their cases and dealing with events in their personal lives. The historical book plot is intelligent and intriguing and the mugging plot is odd in a creative way. As far as I can recall, this is the first book I have read by Kaminsky, but the characters make me glad he has written many. They are great in small ways. The little detail about the retired Chinese restauranteur who hangs out with the retired Jewish men and chats right along with them when they lapse into Yiddish made me laugh out loud.

My one complaint about this book is that the plot is a little too pat. All things are interconnected and tied up into a tight little bundle at the end. While professionally done, this kind of resolution is unbelievable and I find that it detracts from an otherwise great book. I guess I like my edges a little more ragged than this.

Favorite character? Lieberman is great, both savvy and funny. Did I guess it? No. Will I read another? Absolutely. Kaminsky is prolific and I find myself amazed that I haven’t read him before.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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