KNOCKED FOR A LOOP John J. Malone, Book 10

In the tenth book of a classic series featuring Attorney John J. Malone, Johnny Heller's narration is characterized by an arched tone. The body of a Chicago investor/activist turns up in Malone's office, and he can't remember if he did the deed. Heller adds empathy to his narration as Malone realizes he's not the culprit and proceeds to investigate the murder and the subsequent kidnapping of the victim's stepdaughter. The rescue of the latter ends up adding to Malone's troubles. This soft-boiled classic showcases the author's love of the Windy City and the characters that flavor it. Rice mixes screwball comedy, a razor-sharp wit, and a whipsaw plot as Heller portrays the characters with shadings that engage and entertain. R.O. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]