A Murder of Justice

Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps #3

by Robert Andrews

Investigating the murder of a vicious drug runner in a quiet D.C. neighborhood, officers Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps respond to growing concerns that the district is becoming increasingly violent, a situation for which they reluctantly pressure unwilling witnesses to disclose information about the victim and his criminal acts. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 19, 2004

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONISTS: Detec. Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps
SETTING: Washington, DC
SERIES: #3
RATING: 4.25
WHY: Nobody is sorry when drug runner James "Skeeter" Hodges is gunned down while sitting in his car in a DC neighborhood. Veteran police detectives Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps are assigned to investigate the case. Clearly not a priority for their politically minded boss, Randall Emerson, they are also assigned over a thousand cold cases. Kearney and Phelps have been partners for 26 years, and they are an excellent team. They soon find out that a Congressional aide was murdered with the same gun used on Hodges, which ups the stakes internally. An excellent police procedural, although I did find myself becoming quite confused by the connections between the various characters.

[Darcee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good detective stories. Wish there was a fourth.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Did not see that ending coming at all. Loved it, could not put the book down

[Sam Bledsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the genre of noir murder mystery, two qualities stand out in Robert Andrews: characterization and plot quirks. But Andrews also wrote one of the best short stories I've encountered-- "Solomon's Alley" (in George Peleconos' D.C. Noir collection by Akashic). In the SS genre, plot quirks mark the sine qua non quality, and Andrews shows himself a master. It's not a spoiler to tell you to expect an ironic surprise ending, and remember: noir. Read a good SS and you want more from that author, if you can find it. So here I found a feature length novel to satisfy that hunger after "Solomon's Alley" whetted my appetite. Plus, Andrews has written at least two more in his Police Procedural MM "A Murder of..." series. Enjoy!

[Stacy Bearse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good detective story from Robert Andrews. The central case involves the homicide of a Washington, DC drug lord. Normally, the event would not merit much investigative attention, but the two detectives assigned to the case begin to tug at loose ends and unravel connections that rise to Capitol Hill heights. The final few pages hold double-barreled surprises that have the reader racing back through the novel looking for clues. The jacket copy claims that the author "is at work on the fourth Frank Kearney/Jose Phelps novel", yet I cannot find the title. Andrews lives (he consults for the DC-based Ashcroft Group). Wonder what happened?

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should note that this is Kearnsey and Phelps #4, first one I read. Economical writing, placed in DC pretty realistically vs. Margaret Truman's novels amongst the hoi polloi.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3 stars. I enjoyed this author and would read more of his efforts.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

@110 pages in, still didn't care about any of the characters.