Murder by Definition

While the fourth 42nd Street Library Mystery by Con Lehane doesn’t spend a lot of time in the library, it does spend quite a bit of time with favorite support characters, bartender Brian McNulty and homicide detective Mike Cosgrove. Of course, it’s Raymond Ambler, curator of the crime fiction collection who stirs the pot in Murder By Definition.

When Ray receives a phone call from a belligerent author, he knows he’s talking to Will Ford, a disgraced, scandalous writer who hadn’t published in over a decade. Ford has been called, “A drunk, a drug-abuser, a womanizer, a misogynist, a deadbeat,” and he’ll admit to all of these. But, Ambler can’t resist his writing, and convinces the library to accept five boxes of Ford’s papers. They don’t come without problems. The planned opening turns into a small reception when women’s groups protest. But, it’s an unpublished story, “The Unrepentant Killer”, that causes all hell to break loose for Ambler and his friends.

Ray just can’t resist looking into the facts behind that story. Ford says it was based on an actual incident in the early 1990s when a corrupt cop walked away from the murders of a street thug and his mistress. But, the author doesn’t want Ray to dig into it, saying the story might get him killed because it’s too close to the truth. And Mike Cosgrove warns Ambler. Cosgrove has been in trouble before with the NYPD for exposing crooked cops, and he’s not looking to be raked over the coals again by fellow cops. However, Cosgrove is an honest cop, and he’s not going to let corruption go, even if the case was thirty years earlier.

Yes, people die because Ray Ambler had to know the truth. But, there are some interesting questions that come up in the course of the investigation, questions that pertain to so many amateur sleuths in so many novels. Ray is asked, “Why in God’s name are you snooping around a homicide case from decades ago that has nothing to do with you? What do you get out of it?” Ask that of amateur sleuths as you read about their investigations. Ray himself realizes “He had a role in life besides muddling through murder investigations.” How many amateur sleuths actually realize that?

Con Lehane’s mysteries are not what readers think of when they think of the library. They are complicated stories, and the characters often have troubled backstories. Ray Ambler is one of those characters with a troubled backstory. And, Murder By Definition is darker than readers would expect unless they’ve encountered Lehane’s books before.

Ray Ambler is the curator of crime fiction at the New York Public Library. When Will Ford, a has-been writer of gritty detective stories, contacts him offering his papers from his New York years to the library, Ray is on board. He had been a fan of Ford's fiction despite it's violence. Among the papers donated is an unpublished short story accompanied by an author's note that indicates the story is based on a real case from the 90's. Further investigation raises questions about the truth of what happened when an undercover cop was gunned down. Ford discourages Ray from prying into the past but the curator isn't one to back off once he is faced with doubt. Ray involves his friends Mike, an NYPD cop and bar tender, McNulty in his research. The repercussions of his digging into the past are far reaching and tragic.
This is the fourth and by far the best of the 42nd Street Library Series. The plot twists are great and the action fast-paced. The author has created a story within a story - each mirroring the other.
Thanks to Severn and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title.

Ray Ambler didn't expect to find a blockbuster short story implicating the NYPD in the coverup of a murder in the papers of Will Ford, a canceled crime writer. Ford tells Ambler to let it go- to not follow up on the details of the story- but he can't. He enlists his friend Mike, a former NYPD detective and McNulty, his bartender buddy in a hunt for answers that becomes more important when Ford is murdered. And all of this is set in and around the NY Public Library. Lehane packs a lot into a relatively slim novel. Don't worry if you haven't read all or any of the preceding books- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Ray Ambler works for the 42nd street library in Manhattan, New York City. He is contacted by Will Ford a crime fiction author offering his private papers for sale. Ford's writing often describes graphic violence. He has been a womaniser, a drunk and a sexual predator. There is a good deal of objection to the purchase but Ray gets his way.
Whilst looking through the papers he comes across an unpublished story about a murder and implicating a police officer. Ford refuses to reveal whether the story is true. Ray meets with a friend Mike Cosgrove a veteran NYPD homicide detective and together they try and find out more and if the story is based on fact.
Ray's son is in prison and Ray shares responsibility for his grandson with the other grandparents - the wealthy Youngs. Ray has a work colleague Adele who although much younger than him, they have an on/off romantic attachment. Brian McNulty a bartender at the local Library tavern is always a good source of advice.
Mike's enquiries causes problems within the force and then Ford is murdered. Is this a gangland killing or is someone else behind it? Are Ray and Mike in danger looking into a possible cold case?
This is the fourth 42nd street library mystery. The author has also written three books featuring Brian McNulty. This book reads to me like 60s crime fiction from the heyday of American literature. Recommended as a good interesting read.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Con Lehane, and Severn House for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to read another of Con Lehane’s stories, I reached for this ARC, hoping it would be as exciting as some of the other novels in the series. Using New York’s 42 Street Library as a backdrop, Lehane weaves a mystery that is full of action and even some simple moments of book loving to provide the reader with something well worth their time. Unique and to the point, Lehane does well to keep things interesting throughout and provide readers more to ponder when it comes to protagonist Raymond Ambler.

Raymond Ambler loves is job as the crime-fiction curator within the prestigious 42 Street Library in New York City, but is always looking for a new edge. When approached by Will Ford, a rough around the edges writer with some critical acclaim, the discussion turns to Ford’s old manuscripts. While the author is known for his gritty writing, he also has a history of womanizing that has left many with a sour taste in their mouths. However, as Ambler soon discovers, Ford has penned a controversial short story that has more fact than fiction to it, including talk of a cop who’s covered up a murder they committed. No wonder Ford does not want this story to see the light of day.

As Ambler tries to discover the truth behind the story, he trips upon a handful of cops who may not want the truth coming out either. Ford has taken too many liberties and might reveal some of the darkest parts of New York’s underbelly, painting cops and criminals with the same brush. The more Ambler pushes, the more is revealed, before Ford is eventually shot and killed. Was he silenced as revenge or so that he cannot tell anyone else of his escapades?

As Ambler rushes to get to the truth, he convinces his long time friend, Mike Cosgrove, to help, Cosgrove, a former NYPD detective, is reluctant, but feels that there is something to the investigation. Together they turn over some rocks, only to learn that some things are best left in the dark. Ambler soon feels he has put himself in even more danger and risks the happiness he is building in his personal life. With some family matters of his own to digest, Ambler will have to play his cards right or end up with a bullet in his own head for his amateur sleuthing. Lehane keeps the series alive with this latest piece, sure to pique the interest of many.

The debut novel in this series fell into my lap a yew years ago and I was eager to see where things might go. Lehane paints a great picture while using the somewhat bucolic backdrop of the library as an odd setting. Mixing a library with murder might seem odd, but it works and Lehane has done well to keep Raymond Ambler in the heart of the action, while also passing in some personal foibles to show his bumbling nature. I am eager to see where things are headed, as there is never a clear path put out for the reader, even with a cliffhanger in the final chapter here.

Lehane tells his stories in a quick paced manner, while also adding some meandering for good measure. Sure to impress some readers, the narrative moves along at a steady pace and provides the reader with something they can follow with ease. Great characters and some well-placed plot twists keeps the reader from getting too comfortable, as things prove highly intense by the latter half of the novel. With more to come, I am eager to discover Lehane’s plan for both the series and Raymond Ambler’s personal situation. I suppose I will have to wait a but but hopefully not too long.

Kudos, Mr. Lehane, for keeping me guessing throughout this one! I cannot wait to see what you have coming next.

Archive Issues…
The fourth in the 42nd Street Library Mystery series finds Ray Ambler thrust into unexpected events when he acquires the archives of a crime author. Will Ford may well be a disgraced author but Ambler still feels that he is an important talent and well worth the stress of possible bad press. Ambler, however, is about to get way more then he bargained for. A fast paced narrative and a credible and well crafted cast combine for a solid mystery with action galore.