Customer Reviews

Boca Mournings

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Eddie Perlmutter, after his sparkling debut in "Boca Knights," makes a welcome return in Steven M. Forman's new novel. Eddie is still working as a pi in Boca Raton, this time having to deal with a widow with dementia, a neo-Nazi father and son, the apparent disappearance of a gay couple, and his own prostate problem. And that's just skimming the surface of this laugh-out-loud funny novel.

Eddie describes himself as "one of Boston's most decorated policemen from 1966 to 2000, but now I was just a sixty-year-old retired cop living in Florida. I was five feet seven and weighed slightly over my fighting weight. I was in great shape for an antique." He had been dubbed The Boca Knight by an area news reporter, becoming a local hero and mini celebrity and inspiring others to call themselves Boca Knights, living by the principal, as Eddie says, of being "willing to fight for everyone's right to live in peace." Widowed for many years, he is famously determined to live an uncommitted life, despite his fondness for his much younger Haitian-born girlfriend.

Eddie refers to his new place of residence as Broken Heights, where "murder is rare and rape is ninety percent below the national average," but, as Eddie points out, "so is consensual sex." He enters into a strange partnership with another senior citizen improbably named "Louie Dewey" - don't ask. There are references to scenes from the original Depression and some ensuing years, with all seemingly loose ends tied up completely and very satisfyingly by the book's end. Without doubt the author has a wacky sense of humor, but neither he, nor his protagonist, is without sentiment, and along with the broad smiles elicited by the writing were, I am unashamed to admit, some tears. The book more than lives up to the challenge presented by the follow-up novel to an excellent beginning of the series, and this one is just as highly recommended.

Both of this author's "Boca" books are absolutely hilarious, although you really do have to know Boca Raton and South Florida to truly get all the humor. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and hope the series continues. I compare him to Carl Hiassen and that's an honor!!

Thoroughly enjoyed Steve Forman's 2nd novel, Boca Mournings. He has a gift for making me laugh while enjoying the tales of Eddie Perlmutter. Have ordered Boca Daze and Eddie The Kid and can't wait for them to arrive.

The best way to describe his writing style is comfortable.

This is the second "Boca" books and it equaled the first which doesn't always happen when a writer starts a series. I found the main character - a retired cop - funny and all too human - still hasn't managed to overcome a bad temper that he carried with him through as a policeman. The mystery isn't anything unusual but the author manages to sketch out even incidental characters in a way that gives you a strong sense of who they are. All in all this is a great read and, perhaps because I am looking to retire soon, gives a good feel for what it's like to start living life without being identified solely by your "career".

How many books have you read that combine gay issues, the Holocaust, the dispute between Israel and Palestine, the susceptibility of seniors to exploitation, and a talking penis? Steve Forman has managed to do all of that with not only his trademark humor but with a sensitivity that reveals the heart of a caring soul.

This is a must read for anyone who loves to read and wants a story that is not only a page turner but is a story with some surprising twists. Forman keeps you reading and manages to deal with some serious issues while making you laugh at the same time.

Eddie Perlmutter is not just a character we wish existed but is someone we all could strive to be like.
My only suggestion would be to read the first book, Boca Knights,to understand who Eddie really is. That doesn't mean that this book doesn't stand alone, it just means that if you like good books don't miss any of Forman's work!!

It is rare that I feel compelled to write to an author and to tell them how very much I enjoyed their book. I just finished reading Boca Mournings and thoroughly enjoyed it; humorous but also very touching especially Eddie's relationship with Sylvia and with Buford. It is certainly a wonderful example of what can happen when people take the time to care for those outside of our comfort zone or see a need and step up to it.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.

Hey, I admit it - Eddie Perlmutter talking to Mr. Johnson is funny! As usual, Eddie is handling many side stories while one larger one dominates. This was an interesting take on Jewish vs. Neo Nazi. Even though the book is for the most part funny Mr. Forman does address a serious issue. I recommend this book, it's a great blend of serious and zany, heartwarming and refreshing.

Eddie Perlmutter retired from the Boston Police Department looking forward to sun and fun in Boca Raton, his new home. However, though he intended to mind his business, the almost sexagenarian cannot sit idly by while crimes and injustice occurs which is why the local paper calls him the Boca Knight. He knows he suffers from something a shrink called "compulsive explosive disorder" although he would have said hyperactivity, but cannot stop from helping those in trouble. Thus he opens up a private investigative agency with a staff of himself.

Business is booming as Eddie resolves situations his style which includes beating up some punk. His preference is first to teach respect of others but does not mind using fistic "poetic justice" to achieve his goal. Eddie understands the difficulty of using fists on an eighty something bagel felon or quacks allegedly practicing medicine when to him they seem more like financiers. However, even Mr. Johnson tells him to take it easy on his lower head as Eddie works cases involving Neo-Nazis and the Russian Mafia that will abet his retirement wish of visiting other countries.

Once again over the top of Britton Hill, the second Boca Raton private investigative tale contains an amusing series of cases deftly handled in unique ways by the hero. The story line is at its best when Mr. Johnson remains covered especially as the Boca Knight heroically deals with a myriad of social issues with depth and passion. Humorous yet profound as Steven M. Forman scrutinizes human rights of gays, when a Neo Nazi's First Amendment rights clash with that of a Jew, and a scathing look at health care in a state with so many seniors who go without.

Harriet Klausner