Polo's Long Shot is book 11 in the Nick Polo series by author Jerry Kennealy. It's also the first of the series that I've read - it won't be the last.

Considering that the Polo series has been going on so long Polo's Long Shot seems remarkably fresh. While I can't say how the series works as a complete set (as I said, this is the first I've read) Polo's Long Shot is a true stand alone, meaning that no previous exposure to the series or the characters is required for a great and fulfilling read.

I can't remember the last time I read a book without, at some point, checking to see how much farther I had to go before the end of a chapter or how many pages were left before I finished the book. Didn't happen once the whole time I was reading Polo's Long Shot.

A modern take on the classic detective story. The plot isn't the most original in the world but the story comes alive because of the characters. They are all just about note perfect. Mrs. Damonte the neighbor/tenant who is "somewhere between eighty and a hundred-and-twenty" is such a fun character.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hard-boiled fiction and crime stories.

I enjoyed this book so much that as soon as I finished it I immediately purchased the first two selections in the Polo series. Hope they measure up to Polo's Long Shot.

***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Polo's Long Shot by Jerry Kennealy

4 stars

Nick has a meeting with George Rigsdale who is the inside guy for investigations at the law firm of Feveral and Lenahan. He asks Nick to locate a man and hands him a picture. Al Lamas is the name the man is using. George claims the man stole a chauri which is a flywhisk. It is a priceless artifact that is 14th Century. It was owned by Paul Bernier when it was stolen. When Nick meets with Bernier he tells him of a kukri that was also stolen. It is from the time of Alexander the Great and is encrusted with diamonds and rubies. It was not insured, and he believes Lamas stole it too.

Nick discovers that private eye Mike Dixon was the former investigator on the case. Dixon and Nick do not see eye to eye.

Nick sets about locating the chauri and meets Paul Bernier’s stepdaughter who is a real prize. He interviews Detrick Klug, the car repairman and gets an identification of the kind of car Lamas drives. He quickly finds out Lamas’ real name and where he lives. He runs into and butts head with an assortment of other n’er-do wells as the story progresses.

Mrs. Damonte is a unique person and is Nick’s friend and cohort in his adventures. She also calls herself a Strega, an Italian witch. She cooks amazing things for Nick and leaves them at his door. She makes a big production out of paying her rent and then pulls out a list of things she needs to fix the place up. Interestingly enough, they total almost the exact same amount as the rent. What a hoot!

As the bodies pile up, the tension in the story mounts. The pace picks up and we go on a wild ride to the conclusion.

This is a well written and plotted novel. I truly enjoyed it. The suspense builds slowly and is carried throughout the story. The characters are interesting and for the most part likeable. This is my first Nick Polo book but I’ll be looking into the others as soon as I can. Well done, Mr. Kennealy!

I want to thank Netgalley and Down and Out Books for forwarding to me a copy of this marvelous book to read.