Book Review: A Smile on the Face of the Tiger

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Smile on the Face of the Tiger     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Loren D. Estleman
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Noir
Series: Amos Walker # 14
Mysterious, Aug 2000, $24.95, 288 pp.

New York publisher Louise Starr hires Detroit’s private investigator Amos Walker to locate writer Eugene Booth, author of the half a century old classic “Paradise Valley”. Louise wants the rights to reprint the novel. However, Booth has simply vanished.

While Amos goes about his missing person inquiries, he learns that former Mafia hitman turned author Glad Eddie also seeks Booth. When he finds Booth, Amos learns that the recluse plans to write a non-fictionalized account of the city’s 1943 riots. The next day Booth is dead, an apparent suicide. Amos begins investigating the death of Booth and the murder of the writer’s wife over fifty years ago, not yet understanding the danger he faces.

SMILE ON THE FACE OF THE TIGER, the fourteenth Amos Walker mystery novel, retains the noir feel of its predecessors. The book pays homage to the pulp fiction of the thirties and forties and to Detroit. The story line is captivating, and the who-done-it is fun but clearly this tale belongs to Amos, a fresh intriguing character who constantly take beatings. Loren D. Estleman continually shows his ability to write delightful contemporary noir.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner