Queen of All She Reads: TLC Book Tour & Giveaway for Windy City Blues by Marc Krulewitch

Windy City Blues

By Marc Krulewitch

A Jules Landau Mystery, Book 2

Publisher: Alibi (An Imprint of Random House, Llc)

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Genre: Crime Thriller/Private Eye

Length: 258 Pages

ISBN: 9780804177214

ASIN: B00LRIUW66

Buy Links: Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

In the vein of Robert Crais’s fast-paced novels, Marc Krulewitch’s new Jules Landau mystery tells the action-packed tale of the private eye trying to keep his hands clean as he digs through Chicago’s dirtiest secrets.

Jules Landau feels right at home in the ethnic stew of the Windy City, where he’s indebted to the hopes and schemes of his criminal ancestors. Street-smart and college-educated, Jules wants nothing more than to go straight and atone for his family’s past. But when he investigates a horrific killing, Jules uncovers a hidden world of lucrative corruption.

Jack Gelashvili had his head bashed in and no one knows why. The most obvious answer is that he was a parking cop, a universally loathed job—especially in Chicago. Turns out there’s a lot of money to be made on expired meters, and when Jules starts making noise, he starts making enemies—from the head of a media empire to the mastermind of a prostitution ring.

When rumors of bloodthirsty Mob connections arise, Jack’s gorgeous cousin Tamar objects, and Jules is increasingly swayed by the logic and charms of the sexy baker. Following this beautiful woman into the cloistered world of Georgian immigrants, Jules brings his hunches, his family connections, and his gun. But he’s just one man against a pack of criminals with a million reasons to shoot first…

About Marc Krulewitch

Marc Krulewitch’s Jules Landau mysteries take place in Chicago, where he was born and where his family has lived for generations. He now resides in Colorado.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marckrulewitch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/makkrul

Chicago. The Windy City. A city on a lake known for the White Sox, The Cubs, and other sporting clubs. Also known for its ties to organized crime, corrupt police, high crime rates and lots of immigrants. Such is the setting for Marc Krulewitch’s newest Jules Landau Mystery, Windy City Blues. Filled with colorful characters, adult dialogue and plenty of action, this story grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go. Fans of crime thrillers and mysteries alike will enjoy sinking their teeth into this series.

When the grisly murder of a parking cop received little attention from the press or the police, private investigator Jules Landau is hired by a concerned citizen to uncover the truth. While no one likes the meter cops, why would someone bash Jack (Bagrat) Gelashvili’s skull in and leave his body to be discovered by a toddler? Determined to uncover the truth, Jules finds himself with the toughest case of his career. Realizing money is the root of all evil, or the main reason behind almost all crime in Chicago, Jules uncovers a web of corruption, prostitution and organized crime. Strapping on his .40 caliber, Jules faces off against a group of criminals who would rather shoot first and ask questions later.

Mr. Krulewitch does an excellent job developing Jules character; a member of a family with ties to political corruption, Jules is determined to atone for his family’s previous behavior. Smart and well educated, he’s still somewhat green when it comes to running an investigation and makes some “rookie” mistakes. Mistakes with deadly consequences. Mr. Krulewitch also does a good job developing the secondary characters and I really enjoyed getting to know Sid “Frownie” Frownstein, Jules 90 year old mentor dying from cancer, and Tamar, “Jack’s” cousin, who Jules finds very attractive.

The mystery is well written and takes several twists and turns. When Jules begins to realize how much money is at the root of the crime, and begins asking the right questions, he starts making enemies. Enemies with money, power and ties to organized crime. A world Jules is trying to avoid.

Will Jules discover who killed Jack and why? Will his trust and attraction to Tamar get in the way of his investigation and endanger his life? You’ll have to read Windy City Blues to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Crowns