The Fallen Sparrow — Dorothy B. Hughes

DEATH WAS WAITING AT THE END OF HIS LUGER. TO AVENGE A FRIEND AND MURDER A GHOST.

Kit came back to New York to track down his buddy's killer. It had to be murder: Louie wasn't the suicidal type. One person stood in the way of revenge -- The Wobblefoot. He was watching. So one false step meant curtains. But Kit was willing to take any risks for a friend -- even murder in cold blood.

Three sexy ladies, two apparent suicides, and one blazing fire opal all figure prominently in this haunting mystery.