"Jack London mystery"
Around the turn of the previous century in San Francisco,
Jack London ekes out a living writing and selling
occasional articles to magazines. He feeds himself each
night with the free food in the local bars. He also
supplements his meager income doing odd jobs for the police. The SFPD hires Jack to join Officer Healey on a stakeout
that night. They notice two men and get into a tumble,
with Healey recognizing his combatant as master safecracker
Lou Kandel, a recent escapee from San Quentin. Both
criminals escape and the next day Healey is murdered. SFPD
brass asks Jack, who identifies the other thug from mug
shots as Manny Thurston, to stay on the case because they
believe that master criminal Glass plans to steal the
Rajah's Ruby from the visiting "Belle of Broadway, Belle
Conquest". DEAD MAN'S COAST, the latest Jack London mystery, is an
exciting historical tale that brings to life a bygone era.
Albeit, a police procedural, the plot is more of a period
piece that uses interesting tidbits to enhance the story
line. Though the mystery is fun, it takes a back seat to
Jack and other real persona and the intriguing facts of the
turn of the previous century in the bay area. Peter King
has written a story that historical fiction lovers will
fully enjoy. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 2, 2002
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