This book was written in a highly stylistic way that I had trouble reading. I think someone more in tune to poetry and pulp fiction would be delighted with the book, but it was not for me.

Think Peter Falk in the "Cheap Detective" just a little bit more raunchy and a real wordsmith - now you have Charley Quester. What starts as Charley getting info on a cheating husband turns into a murder, a suicide, and another murder. The very end was a little disappointing, but still a fun read.

An interesting plot but I sometimes got distracted with all of the details. Was a little disappointed in the ending.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was not my cup of tea. The main character talks like he's a detective in the 1940s-50s, but the story is set currently, and instead of being original it comes off as extremely awkward. Add in a secretary who rarely, if ever speaks, and conveys Charley's messages in poetry and this story is not off to a good start. If Mr. French had simply told his story without all the attempts at creating a noir feel it would have been a good, solid story. Except for the writing style. Mr. French apparently subscribes to the belief that if two words are good, 25 would be much better. Not for this reader. He goes on and on and on with descriptions and internal dialogue that does nothing to move the story forward. At 75% I couldn't take much more and began skipping pages and pages until I got to some action or a conversation that had something to do with the mystery. I didn't feel I had missed anything. I probably should have done that from the beginning. It might have been more enjoyable. Then, to add insult to injury there really isn't an ending to the story. It just stops. I won't be looking for other books from the author.
I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.