The Detective & the Chinese High-Fin: A John Darvelle Mystery

Finalist for the 2017 Shamus Award

Attention, fans of Carl Hiaasen, Harlan Coben, and Robert B. Parker! The author of The Detective & The Pipe Girl—nominated for both the Nero Wolfe and Shamus Awards—returns with another whip-smart, funny, and propulsive mystery featuring singular Los Angeles P.I. John Darvelle.

Private Detective John Darvelle is back—drinking cheap beer, playing ping-pong and sharing his philosophy on everything from work/life balance to restaurants with bad air-conditioning. (He doesn’t believe in the former, he despises the latter.)

Darvelle is hired to find the killer of Keaton Fuller, a well-born Los Angeles man gunned down in his own driveway. The cops couldn’t solve the case, in part because everyone who came in contact with Keaton despised him. Translation: Anybody could have done it. Following a trail of the dead man’s betrayals, Darvelle finds himself in the exotic, high-stakes world of rare tropical fish. The fish are certainly valuable enough to kill for, but is there something more menacing going on?

As Darvelle relentlessly drives toward the truth, a showdown awaits that is at once riveting, visceral, and very, very dangerous. It’s a case only he could solve—just as long as he’s willing to put his life on the line.

The author of The Detective & The Pipe Girl—a finalist for both the Nero Wolfe and Shamus Awards—returns with another whip-smart, funny, and propulsive mystery featuring singular Los Angeles PI John Darvelle.

Private Detective John Darvelle is back—drinking cheap beer, playing Ping-Pong, and sharing his philosophy on everything from work/life balance to restaurants with bad air-conditioning. (He doesn’t believe in the former; he hates the latter.)

Darvelle is hired to find the killer of Keaton Fuller, a wellborn Los Angeles man gunned down in his own driveway. The cops couldn’t solve the case, in part because everyone who came in contact with Keaton despised him. Translation: Anybody could have done it.

Following a trail of the dead man’s betrayals, Darvelle finds himself in the exotic, high-stakes world of rare tropical fish. The fish are certainly valuable enough to kill for, but is there something more menacing going on?

As Darvelle relentlessly drives toward the truth, a showdown awaits that is at once riveting, visceral, and very, very dangerous.

It’s a case only he could solve—just as long as he’s willing to put his life on the line.

Praise for The Detective & the Pipe Girl: “[A] suspenseful, well-plotted neo-noir set in L.A.… Readers will want to see more of Darvelle—a quirky, thoughtful detective with a wry sense of humor and a philosophical bent. Though serious about his work, he doesn’t take himself too seriously.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A detective with a philosophical bent has echoes of notably introspective California sleuths from Phillip Marlowe to Harry Bosch. Extensive descriptions of greater LA provide a suitable backdrop for a complex mystery.” - Kirkus Reviews

“This is the type of mystery that fans will cheer for.… Readers who miss the real, gritty, ‘Elmore Leonard’-type detectives with gut instincts will love this one…. The only thing to say here is: Mr. Craven, bring John Darvelle back! - Suspense Magazine

“A terrific, fast-paced read. Michael Craven has captured perfectly the forbidden and deadly atmosphere of Hollywood at its darkest and deadliest.… We are hopeful that this is the start of a series…. Fans of the great Elmore Leonard, Philip Marlow, and Jim Rockford will love this read.” - New York Journal of Books

“I was hooked…. Plot points and future setups for twists are intertwined with asides and quirks that, frankly, make me laugh more than I ever have (or ever thought possible) inside a mystery novel.” - Three Guys One Book

“Engaging…. The pleasure here is in joining Darvelle as he trolls between L.A. and La Jolla… breaking for ping-pong and beer, and staying with this intriguing mystery until he solves it.” - Booklist

“Superior…. Fans of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser will relate to Darvelle, with his nuanced view of humanity and a loving partner to keep him honest.” - Publishers Weekly

“A thinking man’s detective takes on a cold case.… An exciting, well-written detective noir whose final twist raises it far above the ordinary.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Readers yearning to get away to sunny Los Angeles will relish this new installment in Michael Craven’s John Darvelle series.” - Bookish.com, “Hottest Releases”