Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
![[Book Cover graphic]](http://www.booksnbytes.com/book_covers/estleman_hoursofthevirgin_hc.jpg)
The Hours of the Virgin
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Loren D. Estleman
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural Noir
Series: Amos Walker # 13
Mysterious, Aug 1999, $23.00, 304 pp.
Harold Boyette, an antique book expert for the Detroit Institute of Arts, hires private investigator Amos Walker to recover a stolen segment of the invaluable Plymouth Book of Hours. Harold demands secrecy from Amos because he fears that he won't regain the stolen item if the loss becomes public. Amos agrees to remain silent though he knew about the robbery from hearing about it on the streets. On Christmas Eve, Harold left the valuable pages inside a locked cabinet. By the next morning, someone stole the nine-page document. The criminal returned one page accompanied by a ransom demand for one-hundred thousand dollars with the swap to occur in a local porno theater.
In the theater, Harold waits for the appointment in the front row while Amos sits a few rows behind him. All hell breaks loose around Amos. By the time things calm down, Harold and the cash are missing. The case already was personal due to the identify of the prime suspect, but now Amos' honor requires he continue with inquiries that will lead him into the ugly side of professional world of art.
Though his thirteenth tale, Amos Walker remains one of the more intelligent and vigorous private detective series on the market today. Amos continues to excel as a throwback to the hard boiled detectives of the Golden Age, who valued honor above all else. The support cast augments the entertaining story line of THE HOURS OF THE VIRGIN by bringing Detroit alive through their eccentric personalities. The story line never eases off the accelerator as Loren D. Estleman continues to pay homage to the Motor City with this pleasurable novel that will bring new fans seeking his old novels
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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