A Safe Place for Dying (Dek Elstrom Mysteries) (Hardcover)

~ Jack Fredrickson (Author)
Key Phrases: console guard, school bus shelter, tan envelope, Crystal Waters, Michael Jaynes, Nadine Reynolds (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In an impressive debut, Fredrickson introduces Vlodek "Dek" Elstrom, an intrepid investigator of Norwegian extraction who has neared bottom with his failed marriage and battered reputation. When a $3-million home explodes at Crystal Waters, the gated Chicago community where Elstrom's ex-wife still lives and from which he was expelled, powerful Anton "the Bohemian" Chernek, an attorney who fixes problems "too thorny or embarrassing to entrust to ordinary retainers," hires Elstrom as window dressing to cover possible liability. Publicly, the explanation's a gas leak, but an extortion note suggests another cause. But the homeowners' board, fearing a drop in property values, wants the police kept out and the threat to disappear. Another threat and another explosion bring the Feds and the police anyway, and Elstrom finds himself a prime suspect while he tries to trace the roots of the case back to the construction of Crystal Waters. Smartly plotted, briskly paced and laced with humor, this accomplished first marks Fredrickson as a mystery writer to watch. (Nov. 30)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Vlodek "Dek" Elstrom is trying to put his life back together. A scandal destroyed his career as an investigator, and no one seems to have read the notice exonerating him. He lives in the turret of a castle that his grandfather never finished constructing, slowly restoring it while keeping the building inspectors at bay. When an extortion letter arrives at Crystal Waters, an exclusive gated community in Chicago, the management hires Dek to investigate. As a former resident, he is familiar with the area. His ex-wife still lives there, and he would like to redeem himself in her eyes, maybe even earning a second chance at a relationship. As he digs into the case, he wonders why the residents refuse to go to the police. Closing in, Dek suspects an inside job and becomes a suspect himself. Fredrickson has created an engaging new detective in this funny, hard-boiled story that will appeal to readers who enjoy Robert B. Parker's Spenser. Barbara Bibel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (November 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312351682
• ISBN-13: 978-0312351687
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #653,993 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great characters, great read, December 14, 2006

By	L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

Chicago investigator Vlodek "Dek" Elstrom lost his marriage and his business even though his name was cleared. Now he is living in a dilapidated garret, with no castle, built by his grandfather and is in a constant battle to keep that. His wealthy ex-wife, Amanda, lives within a secured community having inherited the house and some incredibly valuable art. A blackmailer is threatening to blow up houses in the community unless he's paid. Even though "Dek" has never investigated people, only paper, he is hired to find the blackmailer before the neighborhood goes up in smoke.

I will forgive holes in the plot as long as I am sold on the characters and Frederickson has created a delightful, realistically flawed character in "Dek." I enjoyed the battle with his home and his determination to restore his reputation, but to others and to himself. "Dek" is the underdog you really want to see succeed. Then add Leo, The Bohemian, Elvis and Griselda Buffy and you've quite a cast. I did spot the villain fairly soon into the story but was so caught up, I didn't care. It's not a perfect book but it is a very entertaining one and I shall certainly be looking for the next.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Single sitting read, November 18, 2006

By	E E Knight "pulp fan" (Oak Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Fredrickson's debut features a strongly voiced private investigator, knocked down by life but far from out of the game. It's impossible not to like Dek Elstrom as he negotiates Chicago's class and ethnic divisions. Frederickson is like a careful golfer, sending Dek from scene to scene with careful chip-shots and humorous asides. Plot, character, and setting are so tightly woven in this tale you're sure to be carried along with Dek and rooting for him on every page. Clear a few hours of reading time for this one.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read, January 7, 2007

By	Patrick "Patrick2001" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud, but there are some scenes here (e.g., underwear on the line and a particularly fun Halloween) where I had to stop and catch my breath before reading on. I don't really read a lot of mystery novels, but I particularly enjoyed this one. If you're looking for a gory story, this book isn't for you. It's just a fun read and I love this guy Dek. I'm sure that in the next book Mr. Fredrickson will get Dek back together with his wife. I don't know how anyone could resist that sense of humor! Well done.