Russian Roulette [Kindle Edition]

Mike Faricy (Author)

Book Description

At no surprise, dysfuntional PI Devlin Haskell falls in bed with his latest client. She's gone by the time he wakes and hasn't the foggiest notion that, from now on, he'll be dealing with the Russian mob. Along the way he finds himself at odds with a Russian butcher, local police and an FBI task force investigating human trafficking. In the process of getting answers Dev washes up on the far side of the law. He's shot, beaten, car bombed and used as a human shield, all in the name of justice, at least as he comes to see it. An entertaining tale of rank ineptitude and one night stands.  Russian Roulette is another fast paced tale from the master of the bizarre, Mike Faricy.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Although the order in which you read the Dev Haskell tales is unimportant, this is the first one. Dev spends a lot of time at the Spot Bar. For purposes of the tale I was rough on the description, it's really a great place, plenty of atmosphere. In fact the cover for this book was photographed there. I moved the paking lot at St. Thomas University about fifty yards but the 'Monument', on the River Boulevard, is the real deal, as any teenager from that side of town will tell you. Bon Vie and the Coffee shop are on Selby, about two blocks apart. The Sibley apartment's are on West Seventh and have housed generations of newcomers to the US, here to pursue the American dream. They are and have always been a bright light in our future.

From the Inside Flap

Don't miss these Mike Faricy titles;
Baby Grand
Chow For Now
End Of The Line
Finders Keepers
Merlot
Russian Roulette
Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 518 KB
• Print Length: 335 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615521061
• Publisher: Mike Faricy (April 3, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004V4AHYU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,582 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining! May 1, 2012

By gpolka83

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Devlin "Dev" Haskell is a private investigator that has NO idea what he is getting into when he accepts Kerri's request to find her sister Nikki. After a $500 "retainer fee", make that $400 and a roll in the hay, he agrees to find Nikki. What he doesn't know is that Kerri and Nikki are involved in a prostitution ring with Braco the Whacko. Dev is thrown into the investigation as he learns things in days/weeks time that the task force hasn't been able to uncover in 2 years. Dev finds himself in the hospital more than once for being shot, having shrapnel in his rear, and various other things.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I had a hard time putting it down. It was very well written and is the first in a series of books with Dev as the main character; though the books can be read by themselves in no particular order. I found myself laughing several times as Dev met misfortune. Russian Roulette and Devlin Haskell remind me of a series of books by Janet Evanovich, involving Stephanie Plum. If you want a fairly quick read that keeps you on your toes, that is packed with action, and makes you laugh, I highly recommend reading this book!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Set up the 1940 piano music, PI Dev is in the house. April 30, 2012

By Wanda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

When Mike asked me to review his book I was excited. I have worked with him but have never read a book of his. So it should be no surprise that I read his book in a day.
Dev, PI extraordinaire, ahm, no, actually he is not. Dev is really not a very good PI. His long term plans runs only a few hours longer than his short term plan. His short term plans include getting drunk or even more inebriated than he is at the moment. His long term plans include trying to get "hooked up" with women for the night. He runs his office out of an assortment of bars and conducts his interviews on the same level as a bar man. But in this lies his charm. He keeps referring to his charm but little of this is visible. He is however a loyal friend, stubborn as can be and smart. Yes, he really is smart. Smart enough to make money from his business, smart enough to connect the dots. In Russian roulette he finds himself in a position where he needs to fall back on his smarts and his street smarts to work out if the Russian roulette game he is playing is in or against his odds.
It has been a very long while since I last read a detective who's done it novel. Mike manages to make Dev a likeable character for which I ended up rooting, yes even pertaining to his love life. The book is fast paced and fun. The policing procedures seem realistic and the end leaves you gasping for breath.
I give this book a 7 *** *** * rating. I really enjoyed reading it and hope to read another Mike Faricy book by the end of May.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional Characters - Fast-Paced Who-Dun-It July 3, 2011

By L. Jenkins

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gotta tell you right now, up front - one of my newest favorite antihero protagonists is hands-down, Devlin Haskell. Dev is an individual who reminds you of somebody you know - someone you wish you could ignore, but can't. Dev thinks of himself as brave and debonair, but we all know he's a big disheveled puddy cat who is more at ease dumpster diving in an alley for freebies. Then, inspired by the contentment of a full belly and basically generous nature, calls his friends to partake of the alley feast, as well.

Like a cat, he is seemingly blessed with a multitude of lives and a demeanor that dares you to contradict his "I am the King" attitude. Always in trouble, Dev's unique code of honor keeps him trudging through his investigation. He doesn't give up. When he falters, he gathers the tattered shreds of his dignity and keeps plodding on. He is a funny guy, always in trouble, rarely sensible. He makes me groan, and he causes me to laugh aloud.

As my finger rapidly clicked through the screens on my kindle, and the story sped by for me, I kept the faith that Dev would rescue the girl, and solve the case. This well-developed, quirky crime mystery by Mike Faricy is escapist entertainment at its very best. Well-intentioned, inept, lucky and, have I mentioned, always in trouble, Devlin Haskell leads a riotous cast of unconventional characters in a fast-paced who-dun-it that will appeal to readers of all ages. Also, Devlin is back in a brand new adventure Mr. Softee. Don't miss it!

Reviewed by Laurie-J

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting characters July 19, 2012

By muffiemae

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed the book and liked Dev, the main character, who survived in spite of being somewhat inept - and so quick to jump in bed with just about any woman who was available. I continue to be disappointed, though, that authors who can weave a good story don't know basic grammar and punctuation, who use "try and" and the verb "to lie" incorrectly....such as "just lay still."

..."he'll have the funds and the attorney's to fight this thing..." In this case, "attorney's" is not the possessive.

Also, just a minor error: Places to change money (in Spanish) are Casas de Cambio, not "Combio."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars St Paul slapstick June 21, 2011

By mikeb

Format:Kindle Edition

Good read. It took a bit to get into the constant/initial 'slapstick' tone of the book, but once I had it, the humor was fun and original. Toward the end of the book and the culmination of the plot, my thoughts were that it would have even been a really good read if it had a 'serious' tone to it. Understanding that Dev is a screwball, known by all as such, another style could have also carried the plot. I recommend it to anyone looking for a bunch of laughs and a good time within the confines of St. Paul.

More About the Author

Mike Faricy is the award winning author of crime fiction mysteries woven together with a rich strain of humor and even some romance.

His entertaining tales are populated with the sort of quirky, oddball characters we're all curious about, but wisely prefer to keep at a distance. They serve not so much as examples as they do warnings to the rest of us. None of his characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to topple the government. His characters are individuals inhabiting a world just below the surface of polite society. The difficulties they find themselves in are usually due to their own bad decisions, but then, bad decisions make for interesting tales.

All of Mike's books are stand alone, you can read them in any order you wish. Russian Roulette introduces the bizarrely devilish Dev Haskell as a PI with a foot on both sides of the law. Dev's adventures continue in Mr. Softee, Bite Me, Bombshell and Tutti Frutti. Additionally Mike authored Irish Dukes, a novella in the Fight Card series written under the pseudonym Jack Tunney. Mike is currently working on his latest top secret project. He graduated High School from St. Thomas Academy and earned a BA in history from St. Norbert College. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota and Dublin, Ireland with his extremely patient wife.