Synopses & Reviews
Richard Yanceys spectacular and suspenseful novel—first in a brand-new series—features a lovable but bumbling P.I. whose first case begins with the hit-and-run killing of a gaggle of geese.
“Full of wry humor and action.” —Boston Globe
Meet Teddy Ruzak. After his mother dies, Teddy quits his job as a night watchman to fulfill his childhood dream of being a detective. With little planning and even less foresight, he hangs up his shingle and hires his favorite waitress from the local diner to be his Girl Friday.
“A colorful, memorable detective . . .full of great humor…Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
And his first case? Bringing to justice the thoughtless driver who mows down six baby geese. Not the most exciting assignment—until Teddys “wild-goose chase” quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
“Quick-moving and funny.”
—Entertainment Weekly (A “Hot” pick)
Review
Yancey...introduces a colorful, memorable detective and tells a suspenseful story full of great humor and careful plotting." Library Journal
Review
"Dialogue goes around in circles, witty remarks abound, and the central character, 33-year-old newbie detective Teddy Ruzak, is a keeper." Booklist
Review
"Teens who enjoy Lawrence Block's 'Burglar' books...will find that this one appeals as well." School Lobrary Journal
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of
Confessions of a Tax Collector and
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp comes this hilarious and thrilling series debut featuring a lovable but bumbling private investigator.
Meet Teddy Ruzak, the oversized, over-his-head P.I. whose first case begins with the hit-and-run killing of a gaggle of goslings. After his ailing mother dies, Teddy quits his job as a night watchman to fulfill his childhood dream of being a detective. With little planning and even less foresight, he hangs up his shingle and hires his favorite waitress from the local diner to be his Girl Friday.
And his first case? Bringing to justice the thoughtless driver who mows down six baby geese. Not the most exciting assignment until Teddy's "wild-goose chase" quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
Synopsis
A bumbling but determined detective employs the help of his loyal secretary formerly his favorite waitress at the diner to unravel his first case, a hit-and-run of a family of geese. What can only be called a wild goose chase quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of Confessions of a Tax Collector and The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp comes this hilarious and thrilling series debut featuring a lovable but bumbling private investigator. Meet Teddy Ruzak, the oversized, over-his-head P.I. whose first case begins with the hit-and-run killing of a gaggle of goslings. After his ailing mother dies, Teddy quits his job as a night watchman to fulfill his childhood dream of being a detective. With little planning and even less foresight, he hangs up his shingle and hires his favorite waitress from the local diner to be his Girl Friday. And his first case? Bringing to justice the thoughtless driver who mows down six baby geese. Not the most exciting assignment--until Teddy's "wild-goose chase" quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of Confessions of a Tax Collector and The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp comes The Highly Effective Detective--a hilarious and thrilling series debut featuring a lovable but bumbling private investigator. Meet Teddy Ruzak, the oversized, over-his-head P.I. whose first case begins with the hit-and-run killing of a gaggle of goslings. After his ailing mother dies, Teddy quits his job as a night watchman to fulfill his childhood dream of being a detective. With little planning and even less foresight, he hangs up his shingle and hires his favorite waitress from the local diner to be his Girl Friday. And his first case? Bringing to justice the thoughtless driver who mows down six baby geese. Not the most exciting assignment--until Teddy's "wild-goose chase" quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
Synopsis
Meet Teddy Ruzak. After his mother dies, Teddy quits his job as a night watchman to fulfill his childhood dream of being a detective. With little planning and even less foresight, he hangs up his shingle and hires his favorite waitress from the local diner to be his Girl Friday.
And his first case? Bringing to justice the thoughtless driver who mows down six baby geese. Not the most exciting assignment—until Teddys “wild-goose chase” quickly evolves into an investigation of a vicious murder.
About the Author
Richard Yancey is the author of the novels A Burning in Homeland and The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp. Alfred Kropp is the debut novel in a Young Adult series; Publishers Weekly named it one of the best books of 2005. Yancey's memoir, Confessions of a Tax Collector, was published to wide critical acclaim in 2004 and was chosen as one of the ten best books of the year by The Christian Science Monitor. The Highly Effective Detective is his first novel in the Teddy Ruzak series. Richard lives in Flordia with his wife and three sons. Contact him at www.rickyancey.com.