West, Richard E. Books

As Crime Goes By (Old Gang of Mine Mysteries)

Richard F. West

List Price: $5.99 By: Berkley Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Very good 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

At seventy-three years old, former employee of the Brooklyn mob, Benny Ashe enjoys his retirement in the Coral Sands retirement community of St. Augustine. For the last two months, retired jewel thief Peter Benington also resides in Coral Sands. The David Niven-like sophisticate plans to make time with one particular woman, Eleanor, who has caught his eye. After the exciting, albeit illegal, lives they have lived, both men relish the quiet serenity of their senior citizen beach community.

However, their idyll golden days are abruptly interrupted when the murdered corpse of the community's gardener, Mr. Yamaguchi, is found amidst the bushes. Though the twosome would prefer to mind their business, they cannot. Not only did they consider the victim a friend, another resident, Mildred is somehow connected via the Internet. So what is two retired ex-criminals forced to do. Simple, go out and investigate what really happened in order to uncover the identity of ! the true killer.

There appears to be a delightful trend towards a new mystery classification starring senior citizens as amateur sleuths, affectionately known as GAS (graying amateur sleuths). The newest entry in this sub-genre, AS CRIME GOES BY, is an appealing who-done-it due to the intriguing senior citizens who appear throughout the novel. Especially delightful is the former criminal pair, who are as opposite in appearance and demeanor as two partners can be. The story line is crisp and refreshing, leaving readers wanting more novels by Richard F. West, starring Peter and Benny.

Harriet Klausner

Editorial Review:

Former jewel thief Peter Benington and Mafia runaway Benny Ashe found a quiet life in the Coral Sands retirement residence. But somehow murder and mayhem follow them wherever they go... The Coral Sands gardener has been murdered, and his body hidden under the rose bushes. Peter and Benny are determined to solve their friend's sudden death--especially when it seems to be linked with an internet friend of their lovely fellow resident, Mildred!

Old Gang of Mine

Richard F. West

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Subjects -> Mystery & Thrillers -> Mystery -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Delightful! Humourous, intriguing-great book for the beach! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I thought this was a good murder mystery book to really relax to. The characters (Benny, Alice, Eleanor, Peter - to name a few) were well written and the dialogue and humor had me giggling out loud throughout the book. It had me cheering at the end. It was a delight to read and is a great book to bring along on a vacation or trip.

A Wonderful Fun Mystery! Great reading for ANY time ANY mood 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Well written and easy to "fall" in to. Sure everyone will find a character that reminds them of a loved Aunt, Uncle or Grandparent. Besides being a great murder mystery it also opens up your thinking on the aged - brings home the fact that old people are people too!

Delightful! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

If you love Love the Senior Sleuth nitch in cozies you will certainly enjoy the "Old Gang" series. Have read all the Mrs. Polifax series, Christie of course, but my favorite was the Corinne Holt Sawyer "Camden-sur-Mer" series. The only problem being, eight were not enough! When looking for something along the same unique line, I stumbled on the "Old Gang of Mine" series. I finished the first one and am halfway through the second and I LOVE THEM! Benny, Peter (Slick), and all the gang are delightful! The first one is "Old Gang of Mine" and much time is spent on character unraveling that I am surprised that I can only find three books in the series? I have always had affection for Seniors and now that I am on that same doorstep, I really relate and appreciate their lives being celebrated with significance and ongoing living. The balance of sensitivity, humor and mystery is so worthy and enlightening lives of continued enthusiastic interests. Only downside is I can only find 3 in the wonderful series.

Editorial Review:

Meeting at the luxurious retirement community of Coral Sands, former jewel thief Peter and Benny, who has been running from the mafia for years, fear their pasts are catching up with them when three fellow residents are killed. Original."

Ghoul of My Dreams (Old Gang of Mine Mystery)

Richard F. West

List Price: $5.99 By: Berkley Amazon Marketplace: 54 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Assisted living or dying facility? 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Benny and Pete live in an assisted living facility, ie: retirement home. Benny is an exmobster hiding out from someone, Pete is a former thief. The home is full of colorful characters, including the elusive Mad Joker, whose practical jokes liven up the story. Pete's girlfriend Eleanor, receives packages and flowers from a secret admirer, which first alarm and then frighten her. Then someone is killed at the Halloween party, or shall I say killed again. Alice the retired clown is run down while walking on the sidewalk, and Grace, the home's favorite employee is kidnapped. Who from Eleanor's past is doing this, and how can they stop him.

This is a very entertaining story. The characters are very colorful, yet there are a few secrets left to uncover. Fast read!!

Editorial Review:

It takes a thief sometimes to catch a killer, and former master-criminal-turned-sleuth Peter Benington, with the help of his old buddy Benny Ashe, is on the trail of an uninvited guest who left a bloody calling card at the costume ball. Original.