“Don't even think about skipping or skimming a sentence much less a paragraph (or stanza) in this clever and fast-paced sci-fi/thriller/voodoo/police mystery. The setting in the not-so-distant future is replete with an inconceivably evil villain (well versed in voodoo), an international money laundering conspiracy, and murderous gadgetry galore (the Lucifer in particular). It follows the late-career and concluding case of our intrepid Kevin Beldon, who previously captured my admiration in Missing Children (2015) and Omphalos (2017). The latter left him in a sorrowful state after the deaths of two in his immediate family, but it also left a mystery to be solved. Solved it is in The Dying Detective.

The tale begins in a Buddhist monastery in California, where Kevin's guru has tasked him with writing six poems about Death as his former police partner now Chief, Brigid, tries to entice him to help solve a case involving serial murders -- and his arch-nemesis. Enticed he is and so the game is afoot in a cross-country journey of mayhem and accelerating mystery. Gradually all becomes clear, but not clear enough apparently as our intrepid detectives don't glean what the "O" stands for in nothing (like LaPhoc, I did realize its significance earlier, but then I've read all of Sherlock Holmes). But in the end, Kevin's unique "factioning" bring the desired results.

I won't reveal more about this cross-genre page-turner, except to say it will appeal to anyone who likes Sci-fi, police thrillers or just a good read.”

— Barbara Sibbald, Author of The Museum of Possibilities