Wall of Brass

Robert Daley knows his New York City and the NYPD hierarchy. Neither does well under close inspection. Chief of Detectives Bert Farber has the unenviable job of being point man in investigating the street murder of new Police Commissioner Harry Chapman. With the unexpected vacancy, Bert and two others are possible candidates for the PC job. The mercurial mayor must make the appointment within ten days. Bert hopes for a sensational arrest to cement his worthiness with the mayor. The problem is the more we find out about the late Harry Chapman, the less willing the higher ups of NYPD are to have the investigation go forward.This is a character driven novel where no one is very nice. Bert, our dedicated detective, is stubborn, rude, and a bully. His rivals for the PC job are wily old survivors of a seniority system, masters of the art of covering-your-a**. The victim, a Kennedyesque figure, is a ruthless politico and womanizer. The ladies are by turns heartless, stodgy, or foul-mouthed, but all reasonably good looking if we are to go by Bert's assessments. Because the entire cast is so unpleasant, the reader has a glorious opportunity to suspect everybody of doing the deed. No one is exempt.The book gets off to a slow start because the flashbacks of Bert and Harry almost overwhelm the present day action. But once the book hits its stride, the tension and suspense are high. Bert walks an exquisite tightrope between over zealousness and out-and-out criminal behavior, and even Bert cannot fathom his own obsession for the truth. The ending was a small failure in that the pervading curtain of irony lifts to provide a sunny ending. All in all, a worthwhile read. I will look for more books by this author.

Robert Daley has crafted a smart, heartfelt mystery with plenty of twists and consummate professionalism. Skip the lessers in this field and check this book out. I haven't read any better mysteries this year.