This was a solid debut of the Jonah Geller series. For some damn reason, I'm reading them all out of order, starting with the third one, Boston Cream>, then this, the first. Which means I'll read the second, then fourth, then all will be right with the world.

Anyway, I found the writing to be solid, assured, excellent dialogue and pacing and the story grew very nicely throughout the novel. Shrier's handling of Geller with Detective Sergeant Katherine Hollinger, and with Dante Ryan just sparkle. These are real characters and they jump off the page.

Well done. ( )

After reading Miss Montreal, the fourth (and as of this writing the most recent) book in the Jonah Geller series, I had to go back and start at the beginning. I ended up reading the other three books back-to-back-to-back, which says something about the author's ability to tell a good story without wearing out the reader's interest. This book starts with Geller in the doghouse as the result of a botched undercover assignment. Out of the blue he is approached by Dante Ryan, a notorious hitman, who needs his help. It seems that Ryan has been contracted to kill not just one person, but that man's wife and child as well. And that crosses a line. He needs to know who ordered the hit so he can do something about it. He was peripherally involved (on the other side) in Geller's undercover debacle, but he knows Geller is a man he can trust. Thus begins one of the best partnerships I have ever read, as it continues through the rest of the series. While Geller, with his knowledge of Israeli self-defense tactics, is quite able to take care of himself if he isn't badly outnumbered, he will always end up needing Ryan's help when the chips are down. In this case, the clues lead to Buffalo and a scheme to smuggle cheaper Canadian drugs into the US. It's a great plot, and Shrier never shies away from violence when necessary--or perhaps when not absolutely necessary. The background locations, Toronto and Buffalo, are very well done as well, making this not just an enjoyable but easily forgotten action novel. This series deserves a lot more readers. A LOT MORE READERS. ( )

A good crime novel is one that knows when to follow the rules of the genre and when to play with them. This is a hard-boiled PI tale that knows the rules and breaks them with style. Jonah Geller works for a large detective agency where he was, until recently, a rising star. A mistake has left him with the scar and pain from a bullet wound and a reduction in his duties to filing paper and running errands for other PIs. Geller is both the classic PI, living alone, a little lonely, with a quick mouth and temper as well as an extensive knowledge of karate; he also deviates from the mold, refusing to carry a weapon and nagged by his mother, who would just like him to settle down, like his brother.

Geller's co-worker begins by having him type up his notes, but then goes on to having Geller look in on a nursing home, asking questions in connection with a case involving the possible under-medication of a resident. Geller is also paid a visit by a member of the crime organization that shot him earlier. Ryan is a hit man with a problem. He's been asked to kill an entire family. The problem is that the son is the same age as Ryan's own son and he finds that he just can't do it. His solution is to "ask" Geller to find out who ordered the hit, so that Ryan can convince him to change his mind.

The result is an entertaining, fast-paced caper featuring an unlikely partnership. Geller's an enjoyable guy to spend time with and Howard Shrier's writing never gets in the way. There's also a vivid picture of Toronto, albeit a gritty one filled with crime and people on the edge of getting by. ( )

Excellent book, first in a series involving a PI who overcomes every cliche to become fully human. Prescription drugs are being smuggled from Canada to the US under the tender care of mobsters. A hitman who balks at wiping out a pharmacist and his family asks Jonah Geller to find out who's behind the hit. Wonderfully well-drawn characters. I expect to enjoy following the rest of this series.

An excellent first novel by Shrier. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you know Toronto at all well, you will enjoy it even more.

Jonah Geller is a Jewish private investigator who also happens to be a black belt in karate - fortunately for him on several occasions.

The story deals with prescription drugs as a big blackmarket money maker for the mob and Jonah finds himself in the thick of things and tracing down leads in Buffalo, NY.

A really fast read and I am looking forward to his second novel (High Chicago) which I have been awarded through the August LibraryThing early reviewer system. Hopefully this will be as fast-paced and exciting as his first.