The Real Deal — Tom Schreck

When Mushie, the popular street hustler of counterfeit watches, sneakers, and kitchen gadgets, comes into Duffy's bar bleeding from a gunshot wound to the stomach, Duffy and the gang are baffled. Everyone loved Mush who didn't have a mean bone in his body, Sure, he operated on the edges of what's considered proper society but, hey, so did a lot of Duffy's friends. For Duffy, it's different. Mush was Hymie's, Duff's father-like mentor, grandson, and Duff had promised to keep an eye out for him. Now, it meant righting Mushie's wrong after his death. Duffy's journey takes him inside the slimy world of counterfeit sales and into the dark place that funds terrorism. Could it be that Mush drifted into something bigger than he could handle and was trying to attack it himself or was his execution meant to send a message? International terror, anti-semitism, Christian extremism, and its workings, are all there for Duffy who just can't mind his own business. You see, he promised Hymie. Critical Acclaim for The Duffy Mysteries: In The Comeback, Tom Schreck's good-guy Duffy Dombrowski continues his journey of helping those who can't help themselves. He even helps them after they're dead. Readers who are addicted to Lee Child's Jack Reacher protag will appreciate Duffy, who is tougher than the violent bad guys he faces down. A fun, muscular read. -G. Miki Hayden, author of Writing the Mystery and Dry Bones, out in spring 2024 Duffy Dumbrowski, the hero of Tom Schreck's The Comeback, is the kind of guy you can count on if your car breaks down at 3am, you need a last-minute sparring partner at the gym, or you're a few dollars short for your next whiskey. I'm glad I got to hang out with him. -Tim O'Mara, author of the Raymond Donne series and creator of Murder in Halifax The Vegas Knockout is a funny book, full of engaging characters that cover the spectrum of human likeability. What makes it more than a piece of fluff is how Schreck uses Duffy's love of boxing to stand in for any devotion truly held. Duffy's success is in his journey, just as the greatest fun in The Vegas Knockout is in the reading. -Dana King, author of the Penns River Crime Novels Out Cold floored me with a quick one-two of the serious and seriously funny. Schreck's unique blending of the absurd and the sublime, along with his rather oddball cast of characters, makes Out Cold a great read. -Reed Farrel Coleman, two-time Shamus Award winning author of Empty Ever After Fresh, intense and funny, Schreck's second mystery to feature unrepentant Elvis fan and dog lover Duffy Dombrowski packs a knockout punch. -Publishers Weekly, for TKO Refreshingly iconoclastic. -Kirkus Reviews, for TKO An Everyman with a big heart and a wicked jab, Duffy Dombrowski may well be the new Spenser. I can't wait for Round Two. -Marcus Sakey, author of The Blade Itself, for On the Ropes On the Ropes is sly, funny, irreverent, and one hell of a good time. Read it or be sorry you didn't. It's just that simple. -Laurien Berenson, author of Hounded to Death