Nick Verriet returns in the third series book: Bitter Honey, his first full-length novel.
Chicago, the roaring 20s—a city wide open to gangsters and corruption—where we discover Private Investigator Nick Verriet was not always the devil-may-care roué of later years. Here, in his first major case, Nick is embroiled in the Capone-era where snooping leads him deep into the bootlegging and numbers rackets. A mob war is looming and to save his skin he weaves a perilous path squeezed between deadly gangsters, dames, and police.
The Players:
Nick Verriet – Chicago private investigator who lost everyone who meant anything to him during WWI. Five years later, he’s pieced his life together again only to have old wounds reopen when the woman he once loved asks for help.
Joe Marcus – a jazz band leader who was once Nick’s best friend. Married to Teri, he keeps Nick close to appease his guilt.
Teri Marcus – Joe’s wife. She was Nick’s childhood sweetheart until he left to serve his country. Her renewed interest in Nick leaves him fighting against time to find the answers crucial to their future together.
Boots Handel – a former Detroit mobster who now calls Chicago home. He makes Nick an offer he can’t refuse when his plans to monopolize the numbers racket go awry.
Tom “the Torpedo” Corigliano and Sam the Barber – Boots’ henchmen. They know only one way to settle matters.
Gale Storm – a torch singer. When her talent doesn’t improve her future prospects, she depends on her looks and figure to get what she wants.
Butters – an informer who pays the price when he offers his help.
Lieutenant Richard Powers, Jr. – a homicide officer who gives Nick enough rope to hang himself. Elections are approaching and the D.A. wants results at any cost, including Nick’s life.
Bobby Hewitt – a band member who takes over the band during Joe’s absence.
Chuck – he swings hot on a tenor sax and a little too hot when someone shows an interest in Gale.
Albert Hewitt – a numbers mob boss who doesn’t mind management changes as long as he still gets his cut.
Pete Hamm – a retired numbers boss. Nick thinks he’s a sweet old man.
Books one through five in this series are available now!
Chicago, the roaring 20s—a city wide open to gangsters and corruption—where we discover Private Investigator Nick Verriet was not always the devil-may-care roué of later years. Here, in his first major case, Nick is embroiled in the Capone-era where snooping leads him deep into the bootlegging and numbers rackets. A mob war is looming and to save his skin he weaves a perilous path squeezed between deadly gangsters, dames, and police.
The Players:
Nick Verriet – Chicago private investigator who lost everyone who meant anything to him during WWI. Five years later, he’s pieced his life together again only to have old wounds reopen when the woman he once loved asks for help.
Joe Marcus – a jazz band leader who was once Nick’s best friend. Married to Teri, he keeps Nick close to appease his guilt.
Teri Marcus – Joe’s wife. She was Nick’s childhood sweetheart until he left to serve his country. Her renewed interest in Nick leaves him fighting against time to find the answers crucial to their future together.
Boots Handel – a former Detroit mobster who now calls Chicago home. He makes Nick an offer he can’t refuse when his plans to monopolize the numbers racket go awry.
Tom “the Torpedo” Corigliano and Sam the Barber – Boots’ henchmen. They know only one way to settle matters.
Gale Storm – a torch singer. When her talent doesn’t improve her future prospects, she depends on her looks and figure to get what she wants.
Butters – an informer who pays the price when he offers his help.
Lieutenant Richard Powers, Jr. – a homicide officer who gives Nick enough rope to hang himself. Elections are approaching and the D.A. wants results at any cost, including Nick’s life.
Bobby Hewitt – a band member who takes over the band during Joe’s absence.
Chuck – he swings hot on a tenor sax and a little too hot when someone shows an interest in Gale.
Albert Hewitt – a numbers mob boss who doesn’t mind management changes as long as he still gets his cut.
Pete Hamm – a retired numbers boss. Nick thinks he’s a sweet old man.
Books one through five in this series are available now!
Going, Going, Gone! is the first Nikki Carson Auction Series mystery co-written with my wife!
Nicolas D. Charles holds advanced university degrees in sociology, computer science, and business. His employment background includes positions as free-lance writer, musician, computer programmer, university teacher, research analyst, statistician, music teacher, and business entrepreneur. He has written numerous articles published in professional and trade journals which encompass a wide range of topics. He is a member of Mensa, a history buff, and a lifelong patron of the arts.
Rockford Red-heel socks had the red-heel trademarked during Nick Verriet's era in the 1930s! If you love sock monkeys, click on the button below!