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Lou Fleener Mystery #1-6

The Lou Fleener Private Eye Series: Books 1-6

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE 1950s CHICAGO P.I.
P.I. Lou Fleener’s got a great disguise—he’s kind of short, slightly pudgy, and a little nondescript. But whatever you do, don’t get in a fight with him, even if you’ve brought a couple of buddies. Because you’re gonna lose every time. Some people just have a gift. And Lou has a second one, a little something for the ladies—he can dance like an Arthur Murray instructor. His best friend, movie-star handsome, socially awkward Dion "Monk" Monkton, has his own super power: working out intricate and diabolical revenge plans.

Cozy readers will adore the romance, the snappy jokes, and Lou’s spitfire wife Cassidy. There’s also enough fast-moving action for hard-boiled fans, and a quirky brand of noir that will appeal to classicists looking for the next Raymond Chandler.

Missing Amanda
Lou and Monk get hustled into finding the kidnapped daughter of Chicago mob boss, Duke Braddock. Thing is, there’s no kidnapping, there’s no daughter. It’s all a scam to stir up a gang war to get Braddock’s guy named mayor.
It turns out, if you accidentally get mixed up in a gang war, working out intricate and diabolical revenge plans is a handy super power to have on your side. Monk’s got the brains, Lou’s got the moves, and newcomer Cassidy Adams provides the looks. They all provide the fast-moving action, leading to the most satisfying ending you could ever want when Lou and company actually find…the missing Amanda.

Seriously?
Nazis in America! Seriously?
Lou and Cassidy are hired by an elderly survivor of an infamous Nazi death camp who swears her new neighbor was a guard there. So now they’re up against a gang of ruthless killers who shouldn’t even exist. Add a gun-toting crook who thinks Monk cheated him at cards; add a new lady for the ever-awkward Monk, and you’ve got a thriller filled with trademark Feener fights, humor and romance.

The Devil In Her Heart
Monk’s in a lot of trouble—grabbed and beaten by a revenge-seeking killer, stripped of all their money. Lou and Cassie are caught flat-footed when they’re suddenly broke.
He’s in California, they’re in Chicago. With no money and no idea where he is, can they rescue their friend and get back what’s theirs?

The Classy Detective Agency
It’s 1960 in glamorous Chicago, and Lou and his wife Cassidy are broke. They devise a scheme to advertise themselves as sophisticated private eyes catering to the city’s elite, but whip-smart as they are, they aren’t prepared for the stealthy criminals hiding among Chicago’s rich and famous.
Set up to take the fall for an art heist, Cassidy's arrested and Lou's branded a cop killer and hunted throughout the city. With Monk still in California, they're on their own. Lou's Plan B might not be as elegant as Monk's, but it's wildly entertaining and true to his guiding principle: Always do the unexpected.

Ticket to Heaven
Chicago’s sleaziest businessman is trying to pay off his sins. The cruel, strange real estate tycoon Elwood Tymms—known as “Terrible Tymms”—is dying and before he goes, he’s trying to throw all his money to charitable causes in an off-the-wall effort to buy his way into heaven. But Tymms has a problem: he’s got so many enemies he might end up assassinated before he can finish giving away his cash—and in his mind that means he’d end up in hell. Cassidy and Lou agree to act as his security detail and Tymms ends up taking shelter in their apartment. Big surprise...he’s not the best roommate.

Filthy Rich
Down-and-out comedian “Filthy" Rich wasn’t always living on the edge, telling viciously dirty jokes in the seediest possible strip clubs. He was once famous for a clean routine, until his estranged wife ran off with Rich’s best jokes. Rich hires Lou to find the missing jokes—and the wayward wife, leading Lou down a perilous rabbit hole of deceit, lies, and frame ups.

1998 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2021

669 people are currently reading
228 people want to read

About the author

Duane Lindsay

48 books58 followers

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5 stars
330 (61%)
4 stars
136 (25%)
3 stars
47 (8%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
17 reviews
July 24, 2024
Fleener is golden

I loved every book in this series. Taking place from 1959 to about 1962 in Chicago USA, it's full of nostalgia both good and bad. From what's on TV, to how women are treated. From the great music to how inconvenient everything used to be.

Throughout every story is a deeper story. The plot of each book is completely different while the underlying message remains steadfast.

Lou, Cassidy and Monk all have completely different outlooks, talents, weaknesses to offer. Together they are formidable.

While the storyline and plots are complex and keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat, there's another aspect woven in that is like frosting on a cake, ice cream with pie, a cherry on the top of your Tom Collins. Lou is always coming up with inventions that are "impossible" but would make life so much easier. Everyone listens to his ideas then point out that they can't be done. A device that would open the garage door without having to get out of the car; a way to change TV stations from your chair and even turn the sound off during commercials; wheels on luggage. Guffaw! How would that even work, Lou?

My only complaint is that a good copy editor is required. I flagged a few places but not most. Do better at editing for simple typos, wrong words, etc.

Anyway, I loved every one of these 6 books, especially Filthy Rich. I was laughing at the end. I'll read more. I'm in love with Lou Fleener.
457 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2022
Well told adventures of Lou Fleener, PI. (fighter extraordinaire), his best friend Monk (both outrageously handsome and outrageously smart), and Lou's wife Cassidy. Set mostly in Chicago during the late 50s and early 60s.
These six novels follow the ups and downs, rags to riches and back again, and trail of defeated mobsters, killers, and rapists through both continuing storyline and various completed tales.
Don't expect the characters to grow all that much throughout the series. But, enjoy the stories for what they do bring: Well crafted stories, action, nostalgia, the Chicago Cubs losing, and the good guys mostly winning.
447 reviews5 followers
February 17, 2023
delightful

I almost love these books. Lou, Monk, and Cassidy are a group of friends who get things done. They also manage to get themselves out of heaps of trouble. Set mostly in the ‘50’s, there are lots of references to the way things were. I especially like Lou’s ideas for “someone should make…” devices and his friends’ naysaying reactions to those devices we take for granted. As I said, delightful. But, and for me this is a big but. It may not be for you. I cannot fathom why f*** has to be tossed around these days. I don’t like it and don’t think it’s necessary. These stories are fantastic and could have been even more so without the language.
22 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2022
Fun reads

The Lou Fleeced series is a fun read. I like the characters, the plots are crazy (they require what Coleridge called a "willing suspension of disbelief), and the writing is easy and light and even occasionally witty.
I would give them five stars except for one thing: Duane Lindsay needs a proofreader. The frequency of mistakes breaks the flow of the reading. In the last novel there were even times when the names were wrong (Buddy instead of Dozie, for instance).
But the overall experience was pretty good.
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922 reviews39 followers
February 7, 2023
This book I only read Series 4-5-& 6. So far I am enjoying this series. It is fun, sad and well written.

Cassidy and Lou Fleener are starting to set up a classy detective agency in the town of Chicago in the 1960s. They are down with money and are waiting for a payout from a few cases they had finished with the old agency they were running.

Lou is a great fighter and he has taught Casssidy how to handle herself in an emergency. Which she does when she gets caught in a few emergencies by herself.
78 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2022
Lou, Monk & Cassidy.

I liked this book, you have the planner the fighter, & beautiful lady .
On and off the have no money they lose it, and it goes on like this through the book, but! The loyalty to each other is fabulous. This series is really a worthwhile read , because we all like different things some will, some won't like this book.
I say to each there own, got into this book easily ,thanks for the quiet explosion Duane Lindsay...

337 reviews
January 9, 2022
Rich beyond Money

Even with all the grammar errors and misspelling, this book kept me reading. From book one to book six all the stories tied in to each other. The characters were an interesting three some. All the songs, movies, television shows, actors and singers I remember very well.
105 reviews
May 12, 2022
You Can't Stop Reading

I loved everything about these books except Book 2 is seriously in need of a good editor! The characters are amazing, the mysteries are mysterious and the laughs are out loud funny! You won't regret a moment spent with these books. My only regret is that they end. Thank you, Mr. Lindsay for bringing back an era and a genre that I have missed!
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27 reviews
February 16, 2024
Great series

Each book ked to the next; but you could start in the
middle and enough background is given so you knows what happened. Loved the characters. Funny, suspenseful, and thoroughly entertaining. Actually will reread the series to catch what I missed the 1st time through.
35 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2024
must read the Lou Fleener series

This Lou Fleener Private Eye Series has as been one of the best series I have seen read . It is clean and keeps one’s interest all the way through the series. . It was wonderful and would highly recommend to everyone to read this series and more of Duane Lindsay books. You will love the read as it is captivating ❤️
427 reviews
September 23, 2024
Hilarious

A 1950’s detective story with hints of today in surprising places. What a brilliant idea! The authors imagination takes the reader on a voyage around his very different vision of the world while wrapping up his message inside a rollicking good read. This series should be read by anyone who still has a sense of humor
6 reviews
May 31, 2022
It Has It All

Loved these books ! I never knew what was coming next . I couldn't help but picture Danny Devito as Lou Fleener .
Serious money, serious situations, bad guys & good guys .
This series had it all !
Profile Image for Calene.
11 reviews
August 16, 2022
Always a twist

These stores are for those that like a plot with many twists and turns with characters that keep you entertained. Fabulously written... A great sense of the era they take place in.
149 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2022
Fun reads, captured the feel of late '50s early 60s America. A few anachronisms, (baseball playoffs, White Sox playing Phillies in regular season etc.). Great way to escape the daily political, economic drama of 2022.
Profile Image for Michele Aka-Mimi.
20 reviews
November 10, 2022
what a fun series

Set in the the 50’s & 60’s these three individual solve crimes, it s fun, no computer, no cell phone, good old fashion crime solving. But Lou always gets these crazy ideas. Somehow they always come up on top. I found this series really refreshing!
Profile Image for Donald R Coscia.
151 reviews
November 29, 2022
Lou Fleener Cassidy and Monk what a crew

I have read the whole series,and the stories were hilarious. Very well written
I enjoyed the characters and was totally surprised zt the way yhey kept getting themselves out of scrapes.
412 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2024
Beyond Hilarious

Whack-a-doodle plots. Even zanier characters with totally unbelievable skills. A hard boiled gumshoe series twisted like taffy and soaked in bizzarre humor. You'll laugh out loud and nearly weep how callous humans can be to one another.
16 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2022
Fun read

So creative, the mystery of the next move for the trio was so intriguing, Sense of humor, kept me continuously reading
Good series.. is there more?
22 reviews
February 12, 2023
Awesome

The Lou Fleshed Mysteries was so much fun to read. I never saw what was coming next. It also reminded me of the times in the sixties.
50 reviews
April 28, 2023
What A Fun Ride!

Great characters and ridiculously fun plots. My favorite thing is Lou’s ideas for inventions. Can’t even begin to explain how fun this series was to read.
50 reviews
August 6, 2023
Good Read

I really liked these series of books. They are not too believable, but very entertaining. I will continue to read the series.
69 reviews
December 30, 2023
Old Time Detective Story

I recommend this book to anyone who likes classic detective stories. Written in the classic noir style. Think Sam Spade.
13 reviews
January 4, 2024
Although there were a few editing errors, the stories were very enjoyable to read and often the twists were very unexpected.
18 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2025
Currently my favorite series. I read them all & want MORE!!
Fantastic characters & story lines set in the late 50's - early 60's.
Very funny, touching, funny, twisted, funny, thought provoking, funny, engrossing, funny & even hilarious!!
Everybody...EVERYBODY....needs a Lou Fleener in their life!!!
63 reviews
May 8, 2023
Oh my goodness ended up staying up while 3 am every night and getting so engrosed I was sorry when I had come to the end ,I read every chance I got could not put down
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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