Cold Florida

I fell in love with Phillip DePoy's writing when I discovered his Fever Devillin series, and now I have another reason to love him. Foggy Moscowitz is my new hero and I can't wait to read more!!!

Humorous and entertaining. Recommended.

I enjoyed this new Phillip DePoy novel so much that I read it in one day. I have rather recently come across Mr. DePoy's novels which feature Flap Tucker and are placed in Atlanta, Georgia. Those were so good that I didn't even hesitate when I saw this new series was available. DePoy creates accessible main characters which really endears them to me. Here I found Foggy Moskowitz living in Fry's Bay, Florida. The year is 1974 and the weather is cold and rainy. People have a tendency to overlook the fact that it actually gets cold in Florida and the sun doesn't shine every day. The weather, in this case, definitely adds to the overall feel of everything Foggy is going to be up against as he tries to find a newborn, substance addicted infant removed from the hospital by the mother. Three hours without medication and the child will die so Foggy, as a representative of Child Protective Services, goes hunting in all the low places a drug addicted woman would likely go to hide herself away. So why is Foggy in Fry's Bay when he is definitely a Jew from Brooklyn and why is a professional hit man trying to kill him and where does the Seminole tribe come into all this?

The mystery novels I've read by DePoy all have a very good mystery with intelligent protagonists and a touch of humor which often makes me chuckle - even out loud. As an example from this book: ".....but are we certain that the four of us don't make the most obvious group target in the southeastern United States? A wounded Indian, a soggy Jew, a known hitman, and a tall, bleeding woman? All we need is Sidney Greenstreet and we have the makings of some lost Bogart movie." The plot of this story revolves around the motivation for Foggy's move away from Brooklyn. Thankfully, the author does explain what happened to Foggy in the past which makes him feel the need to protect children, the ultimate victims of the bad behavior of adults. The Florida Seminole tribe is represented by many characters in the novel, notably John Horse. Don't believe anything John Horse tells you until you are sure he is truly your friend - he's one tricky dude!

If you want to find a new author to put at the top of your "follow" list, Phillip DePoy just may be your man. This novel is serious while still having that light, humorous edge that gives you a feeling that these are people who might well actually exist outside the pages of a book. The location is shown in a different light than normal which adds dramatic impact. Plus, the good guys are actually nice, good people. I wish I had the recipe for Foggy's Aunt Shayna's beef brisket, though. Maybe DePoy should think about putting recipes in the back of the book?

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House.

How can you not love a hero whose name is Foggy Moskowitz? Set in 1974, Foggy has relocated to Florida after retiring from his former profession, car thief. Foggy does not bring only the skills of his trade but the angst of his last job, the one that convinced him to leave NYC and head south.
Foggy is hired to protect children from the adults who were supposed to protect them. He takes his work very seriously. In fact, the effort that he makes to rescue a drug addicted baby whose mother has kidnapped her from the hospital wins him brief accolades and the interest of two very different groups of people.
Foggy needs to figure out what is going on and who are the good guys and who are the bad. As in a Carl Hiassen book, black and white it is not.
it's truly good story with fascinating characters, lots of action, lots of humour and a hero who keeps the reader wanting more.
If you enjoy quirky mysteries that make you think, you will enjoy this one.
Five purrs and two paws up!