reviewed by Tannia Ortiz-Lopès
In his book, End of the Line, Catholic author Mike Manno shares with the reader an entertaining detective story involving a bank embezzlement, drugs, a marriage annulment, organized crime, a child, and an unexpected motive to kill.
The book begins with a news report about the death of banker RJ Butler. According to the article, the body of Mr. RJ Butler was found by a bus driver at the End of the Line. The Lakeview Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Attorney General Office join forces to solve this case.
Detective Jerome Leonard Stankowski, who prefers to be called Stan, is partnered with the brilliant and demanding Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Parker Noble. Although Stan dislikes working with Parker, he admires his cleverness and his ability to gather and discern information to solve cases without a reasonable doubt.
The investigation begins with the usual homicide routine: reading reports, looking for a motive and interviewing witnesses, relatives of the victim, and other potential suspects. Mr. RJ Butler was a remarkable employee — until he was accused of embezzlement and forced to resign. He had been married twice. His greedy and resentful first wife, Ann, stripped Mr. Butler of most of his belongings and assets during their bitter divorce. Together they had a son, Robbie, who was Mr. Butler’s sole heir. Butler’s second wife, Linda, has a drug addiction problem. She was going through rehab and counseling when Mr. Butler was murdered. Both Mrs. Butlers are interrogated by Detective Stankowski and by Deputy Attorney General Parker Noble in order to asses their potential suspect status, and to try to find a motive that links them to the murder.
As the investigation progresses, persistent newspaper reporter, Frances Jean Coyle, also known as “Buffy”, becomes part of the investigating team. This trio must trust each others’ abilities and intuition to solve the case and apprehend the killer. Their differences in personalities, charisma, and research styles make the investigation process both provoking and interesting.
I recommend this book to readers of detective stories looking to be amused — and shocked — at the unexpected and twisted end.
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