Ladies of the Night - Hardcover

As he has proved in such previous dark and detail-rich police thrillers as Exit Wounds, High Crimes, The Honor Farm, and Sweet Deal, John Westermann didn't waste a minute stopping for donuts during the 20 years he spent as a cop in Freeport, Long Island: he was too busy taking notes. His latest book is dedicated "to the men and women of the Freeport Police Department below the rank of captain"--even though his hero is Nassau County Police Commissioner Frank Murphy, one of the few good guys in an administration rank with corruption and self-interest. Murphy keeps himself honest by pouring out his doubts and anger to his severely brain-damaged younger brother, Wally, on their nightly outings in search of fast food and childhood memories. One of the other good people in the administration--Elizabeth Lucido, the sharp and attractive deputy to the odious County Executive Martin Daly--disappears from her home at the book's outset, the second (but not the last) top Republican woman to vanish under suspicious circumstances. When it comes to light that Lucido was secretly sleeping with--and giving inside information to--Daly's straight-shooting Democrat-opponent, all kinds of things hit Murphy's fan. Trying to help him solve the cases and keep his job are ace detective Maude Fleming and her partner Rocky Blair, a muscular type not anywhere near as dumb as his fellow officers like to think. --Dick Adler

John Westermann was a Long Island Police Officer for many years where he was decorated three times for excellence and bravery. He is the author of THE HONOR FARM, SWEET DEAL, HIGH CRIMES and EXIT WOUNDS.