Dirty Who?

I absolutely LOVED this book! Loved the detective; loved the dog; loved the interaction between the two. A great read from start to finish... I want more!

A fast-paced serial killer thriller set in San Francisco in 1970, written by former SFPD officer and one-time private eye, Jerry Kennealy. SFPD Inspector Johnny O’Rorke is the Department's Executive Protection Officer and his job is to provide security for visiting politicians and film stars.

His latest job involves Frank Sinatra, in the city to perform a one-off show and discuss his possible appearance in a new Warner Brothers film......... "Dirty Harry". To help with the latter, O’Rorke has to liaise with Film Commissioner Audrey Pebble, tasked by San Francisco's Mayor to make sure that the film will be made in the city.

Prebble has hired Harly Walker, a local young artist and musician, to scout locations and provide input for this upcoming movie, but Harly's gone missing and she begs O’Rorke to find him fast.
At the same time, O'Rorke's sister Peggy has asked him to look after her pet - Cosmo the Wonder Dog, a Lakeland terrier who doesn't believe he's a dog and who almost everyone he meets thinks is adorable!

O'Rorke's inquiries involve him in a lot of police procedural and takes him to the seamier side of San Francisco - including porn movie studios, drug hangouts, bathhouses and hardcore leather bars. All the while he keeps hearing rumours of the disappearance of half a dozen or more gay friends of Harly. But where are the bodies?

Violence and murder is never far away in this dark-humoured tale and you'll need a strong stomach to read how a coroner reports one particularly nasty killing. Thankfully, the details are brief. The author certainly captures the atmosphere of the tail end of the hippie dream in 1970 San Francisco and when it comes to police investigations, Kennealy knows his stuff. There's even a chapter detailing a music gig dedicated to freeing the then jailed L.S.D. guru Timothy Leary.

A solid thriller which is the 2nd in a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone and here and there are some juicy tales of famous politicians, singers and movie stars to add spice to the story.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

SFPD Inspector Johnny O'Rorke, the Executive Protection Officer (for visiting dignitaries) is the go-to man when Film Commissioner Audrey Pebble contacts him regarding the missing musician she hired to scout the city for location sites for a possible major motion picture. The mayor is hot to make sure the film is staged in San Francisco and Warner Brothers is looking to star Frank Sinatra in the part of Inspector Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry. At the same time, he is saddled with his sister's little Lakeland terrier, Cosmo the Wonder Dog, who becomes quite the celebrity wherever O'Rorke takes him.

The setting in 1970 San Francisco is at the height of the hippies era and the city is buzzing with violence, drugs, and porn studios. The search for the missing musician leads to a possible serial killer situation when it is discovered Walker isn't the only gay gone missing lately.

Although this is the second in the series, it functions well as a standalone novel. The author often injects knowledgeable tidbits about buildings, sites, prominent citizens, and the culture of the time. He frequently notes the limitations when describing police procedurals which took a giant leap, for instance, when DNA use became standard.

O'Rorke cruises the famous Haight-Ashbury district on his investigation and discovers a down and dirty world in the underbelly of SF most people would find to be TMI. Be aware of some language and there are descriptions from the medical examiner that are gut-twisting.

Support characters are developed and engaging and there are dark-humored bits scattered throughout. It's fast-paced and never goes dull. I loved his descriptions of Sinatra and the anecdotes regarding certain celebrities are a hoot. The protagonist is smart, capable, and quick. The conclusion is smooth and satisfying.

I thoroughly enjoyed this romp back in the tumultuous seventies. "Go ahead, make my day!" Thank heavens Sinatra DIDN'T get that part!

I received this uncorrected ARC download from the publisher and NetGalley and was thrilled to get the opportunity to read and review. Heartily recommended for any who enjoy mystery, thriller and suspense, police procedurals, and crime novels. Check out this book--you'll be glad you did!

Set in 1970’s San Francisco Dirty Who? stars SFPD Inspector Johnny O’Rorke and Cosmo the Wonder Dog. O’Rorke doesn’t always play by the book but he does what is needed to find out who is torturing and murdering homosexuals. The story keeps true to that era’s cop and I really enjoyed following the investigation. Fans of The Streets of San Francisco will get a kick out of Dirty Who?.

In 1970 San Francisco, SFPD Inspector Johnny O’Rorke is the department’s Executive Protection Officer. Recovering from a bullet wound, O’Rorke is back to work and asked by Audrey Pebble for help. The film commissioner is preparing the bid for a major Warner Brothers motion picture called Dirty Harry. Audrey had hired local artist and musician Harly Walker to scout the city for locations but now he has disappeared and Audrey is desperate for O’Rorke to find him.

Singer Frank Sinatra is being courted to star in the role of Inspector Harry Callahan. O'Rorke has been responsible for ferrying Sinatra and his entourage around town during previous visits and Audrey hopes he can convince Sinatra to take the role.

The search for Harly leads O’Rorke to some of the darkest, most dangerous areas of the city, including porno movie studios, drug dens, bathhouses and hardcore leather bars. There are hints that several of Harly's gay friends have disappeared. Is there a serial killer targeting these men and is Harly the latest victim?

This was a quick fun read by the author of the long-running Polo PI series and introduces a new protagonist.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Down and Out Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.