""Maeve O'Shaughnessy...juggles heartbreak, danger, and loyalty as she faces mobsters, federal agents, and the heavy shadow of the Second World War...Reading it felt like slipping into another time. Russo's world feels lived-in...It feels honest, unpretentious, like it's being told over a cup of coffee on a gray Brooklyn morning...When I finished, I sat for a while thinking about courage. The quiet kind that never makes headlines...about staying decent when decency feels naïve...it left me both moved and grateful for Maeve's grit."" Literary Titan

""Leave Murder to the Professionals...revolves around two PIs who step in to run an investigative agency while family members are at war...Issues of love, commitment, and family ties swirl into a story replete with gang encounters, murder and intrigue, and Vic and Maeve's own professional and personal relationships as situations and people change...There are no pat solutions here, either to professional problem-solving or personal relationships - and that's what makes *Leave Murder to the Professionals* exceptionally realistic and compelling...Replete with mystery and conundrums, *Leave Murder to the Professionals *is hard to put down."" D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

""An explosive third chapter of a razor-sharp series, *O'Shaughnessy Investigations Inc.: Leave Murder to the Professionals* by A.G. Russo takes the story full circle, for a gripping, multifaceted thriller that brings out all the old knives...Dramatic twists, biting dialogue, and an ever-evolving cast of spirited sleuths make this another knockout piece of historical noir fiction, building on earlier installments to turn the series into an original crime epic."" Self-Publishing Review

Mia C87

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This third book feels like the series at its strongest. I loved how the author captures 1944 Brooklyn with so much tension and atmosphere. I loved that the mix of wartime pressure, mob threats, FBI demands, and personal struggles gives the story a constant sense of urgency.

I was pulled in by the mix of mystery, history, and the emotional weight of life during WWII. The scenes tied to rationing, losses, and fear on the homefront added depth without slowing the pace.

It’s gritty, suspenseful, and full of heart. A strong, satisfying end to a memorable series.

Steven Finkelstein

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engrossing Historical Fiction Detective Novel

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This is the third and concluding novel in the popular O’Shaughnessy Investigations, Inc series. It once again has the duo of former secretary Maeve and ex-cop Vic as its protagonists. In previous installments of the series, Vic helped Maeve run the detective agency that was started by her brothers before they went off to war. The two also became known for being willing to take the cases that nobody else wanted.

Now, in their last adventure, Maeve is under pressure from both the FBI and a former lover. She must make difficult decisions as the closing days of WWII approach. This is an excellent hard-boiled detective novel, but it also works well as historical fiction. There are memorable characters, strong dialogue, and a sense of grand adventure as the author once again immerses the reader in the grit and grime of daily 1940’s New York life.

Rosebud

4.0 out of 5 stars The whole thing feels like if Peaky Blinders met The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but way grittier.

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Okay, real talk—Book 3 of the O’Shaughnessy Investigations hits hard. It’s 1944 Brooklyn, the vibes are full-on noir, and Maeve? She’s not just some side character anymore—she’s running the show, juggling FBI pressure, mob threats, and her own sanity. You feel the weight of the war, the ration books, the grief, all of it. And Vic? Total ride-or-die energy. The whole thing feels like if Peaky Blinders met The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but way grittier. There’s bombings, boxing, a murder during a play—it’s chaotic in the best way. The writing’s cinematic, raw, and unapologetically real. If you're into stories with heart, edge, and a little vintage chaos, this one’s a must. It’s not just mystery—it’s survival with soul.

Lester M.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fierce and humane conclusion to an essential saga

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

The latest installment, a chapter that will hook you from the start, secrets, bombshells, threats, and a Brooklyn that carries the weight of the uncertainty of 1944. Russo, who controls the pace and historical details, nevertheless, what stands out most is the transformation of Maeye, who went from being an unremarkable secretary to a full-fledged protagonist who will find herself involved in deciding what sacrifices she is willing to make. A novel that, as the story progresses, creates that uncertainty that will make you want to finish reading it."