My opinion : 

This book is a full-on dark comedy thriller set in the heart of Philadelphia, and it has all the grit and absurdity one could ask for: murder, mob tension, dry sarcasm, and street politics. It is an absolute page turner that starts with an extraordinary cat-and-mouse chase where a retired supercop instantly becomes the prime suspect when a bizarre crime scene lands directly in his home on his very first day of retirement. Enter Frank Conti, who tries to scramble and untangle the mystery to clear his name. But more than a standard police procedural, it’s the chaotic world the author builds, the street-level banter, the dark humour, the mismatched personalities, that make this story shine. From ruthless crime bosses and suspicious detectives to a slightly crazy bar owner, every character adds life and madness to the chase.

This book is an absolute entertainer. It’s witty, full of gritty flair, and the narrative is a treat with its delightful use of sharp dialogue and clever situational irony. I giggled through so many parts; the cosmic bad luck of the premise makes the dark underworld look incredibly chaotic and funny. The killer has an exceptionally interesting plot that keeps you thoroughly invested, playing a brilliant domino effect that throws fresh hooks at you. I absolutely loved the dynamic between the retired cop and Teresa; their clashing energy and snappy banter bring so much sparkle to the page. The author spins an incredibly playful plot around circumstantial evidence and timeline confusion that perfectly captures how easily the truth can be manipulated. There is also a great balance of raw survival instincts tucked into all the drama that adds genuine suspense to the story.

While it’s fun and chaotic in the best ways, the pacing does take on a beautifully detailed slow burn in places. The heavy reliance on rich descriptions made the narrative feel a tad bogged down in the beginning, and there were moments where I found myself wishing the timeline would move a bit faster. Because the core setup is so fascinating and fast-paced, the whodunnit angle wasn’t quite as gripping as a traditional thriller because the clues and motives occasionally lean into absolute nonsense. Even when the big reveal came, I found myself struggling a bit because I expected a few more shocking twists and turns before the final pages, and the humor did sometimes overshadow the serious elements of the crime.

Despite its flaws, this book was such a fun ride. I flew through its pages, smiling and snickering most of the way at the sheer absurdity of the investigation. It’s not the kind of heavy, depressing crime novel that keeps you awake at night feeling devastated, but it’s definitely one that makes you feel like you’ve been dropped right into a witty, fast-paced caper bursting with personality, sarcasm, and heart. If you’re looking for a straightforward, slow-burn traditional mystery, the formatting here might surprise you, but if you want an action-packed legal thriller that keeps the surprises coming right until the end, this one absolutely delivers. William L Myers Jr once again proves that he knows how to blend sharp procedural authenticity with lovable chaos, and this story completely stole my heart.

I received a gifted copy of this book, but all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.